Worship Service
Sunday, April 2, 2023, at 10 a.m.
WELCOME
PRELUDE
INVOCATION
Pastor: In the name of the Father and of the † Son and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
PALM SUNDAY READING Luke 19:28-40
28After he had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29When he had come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples, 30saying, “Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ just say this, ‘The Lord needs it.’ ” 32So those who were sent departed and found it as he had told them. 33As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?” 34They said, “The Lord needs it.” 35Then they brought it to Jesus; and after throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. 36As he rode along, people kept spreading their cloaks on the road. 37As he was now approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen, 38saying, “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!” 39Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, ‘Teacher, order your disciples to stop.’ 40He answered, ‘I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.’
BLESSING OF PALMS
Pastor: Let us pray. We praise you, O God, for redeeming the world through our Savior Jesus Christ. Today he entered the holy city in triumph and was proclaimed messiah and king by those who spread garments and branches along his way. Bless these branches and those who carry them. Grant us grace to follow our Lord in the way of the cross, so that, joined to his death and resurrection, we enter into life with you; through the same Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
People: Amen.
PROCESSIONAL SONG Hosanna! (Praise is Rising)
Verse 1
Praise is rising, eyes are turning to You
We turn to You
Hope is stirring, hearts are yearning for You
We long for You
Pre-Chorus
‘Cause when we see You
We find strength to face the day
In Your presence
All our fears are washed away (Washed away)
Chorus
Hosanna, hosanna.
You are the God who saves us
Worthy of all our praises
Hosanna, hosanna
Come have Your way among us
We welcome You here Lord Jesus
Verse 2
Hear the sound of hearts returning to You
We turn to You
In Your Kingdom broken lives are made new
You make us new (Pre-chorus/Chorus)
Ending
Hosanna!
CCLI Song # 4662491; Brenton Brown | Paul Baloche; © 2005, 2006 Thankyou Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing; Integrity’s Hosanna! Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing (Integrity Music [DC Cook])); for use solely with the SongSelect®. Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com. CCLI License # 384330
GREETING
Pastor: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
People: And also with you.
Pastor: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right to give him thanks and praise.
Pastor: Let us pray. Almighty God, you sent your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, to take our flesh upon him and to suffer death on the cross. Grant that we may share in his obedience to your will and in the glorious victory of his resurrection; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
SONG You’re Worthy of My Praise
Verse 1
I will worship – Congregation: (I will worship)
With all of my heart – Congregation: (with all of my heart)
I will praise You – Congregation: (I will praise You)
With all of my strength – Congregation: (all my strength)
I will seek You – Congregation: (I will seek You)
All of my days – Congregation: (all of my days)
I will follow – Congregation: (I will follow)
All of Your ways – Congregation: (all Your ways)
Chorus
I will give You all my worship
I will give You all my praise
You alone I long to worship
You alone are worthy of my praise
Verse 2
I will bow down – Congregation: (I will bow down)
And hail You as King – Congregation: (and hail You as King)
I will serve You – Congregation: (I will serve You)
Give You everything – Congregation: (everything)
I will lift up – Congregation: (I will lift up)
My eyes to Your throne – Congregation: (my eyes to Your throne)
I will trust You – Congregation: (I will trust You)
Trust You alone – Congregation: (You alone) (Chorus)
CCLI Song # 487976, David Ruis, © 1991 Shade Tree Music (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.), Universal Music – Brentwood Benson Publishing (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.).
FIRST LESSON Philippians 2:5-11
5Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited,7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form,8 he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death even death on a cross.9 Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name,10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,11 and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
GOSPEL LESSONS
Song Were You There When They Crucified My Lord vs 1
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
JESUS’ TRIAL
Luke 23:1-25
1Then the assembly rose as a body and brought Jesus* before Pilate. 2They began to accuse him, saying, ‘We found this man perverting our nation, forbidding us to pay taxes to the emperor, and saying that he himself is the Messiah, a king.’* 3Then Pilate asked him, ‘Are you the king of the Jews?’ He answered, ‘You say so.’ 4Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, ‘I find no basis for an accusation against this man.’ 5But they were insistent and said, ‘He stirs up the people by teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee where he began even to this place.’ Jesus before Herod
6 When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. 7And when he learned that he was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him off to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. 8When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had been wanting to see him for a long time, because he had heard about him and was hoping to see him perform some sign. 9He questioned him at some length, but Jesus* gave him no answer. 10The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. 11Even Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him; then he put an elegant robe on him, and sent him back to Pilate. 12That same day Herod and Pilate became friends with each other; before this they had been enemies. Jesus Sentenced to Death
13 Pilate then called together the chief priests, the leaders, and the people, 14and said to them, ‘You brought me this man as one who was perverting the people; and here I have examined him in your presence and have not found this man guilty of any of your charges against him. 15Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us. Indeed, he has done nothing to deserve death. 16I will therefore have him flogged and release him.’* 18 Then they all shouted out together, ‘Away with this fellow! Release Barabbas for us!’ 19(This was a man who had been put in prison for an insurrection that had taken place in the city, and for murder.) 20Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them again; 21but they kept shouting, ‘Crucify, crucify him!’ 22A third time he said to them, ‘Why, what evil has he done? I have found in him no ground for the sentence of death; I will therefore have him flogged and then release him.’ 23But they kept urgently demanding with loud shouts that he should be crucified; and their voices prevailed. 24So Pilate gave his verdict that their demand should be granted. 25He released the man they asked for, the one who had been put in prison for insurrection and murder, and he handed Jesus over as they wished.
Message for Children and Adults Art Mory
Song Were You There When They Crucified My Lord vs 2
Were You There When They Nailed Him To The Tree?
Were You There When They Nailed Him To The Tree? Oh!
Sometimes It Causes Me To Tremble, Tremble, Tremble.
Were You There When They Nailed Him To The Tree?
JESUS’ CRUCIFIXION
Luke 23:26-43
26As they led him away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming from the country, and they laid the cross on him, and made him carry it behind Jesus. 27A great number of the people followed him, and among them were women who were beating their breasts and wailing for him. 28But Jesus turned to them and said, ‘Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 29For the days are surely coming when they will say, “Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed.” 30Then they will begin to say to the mountains, “Fall on us”; and to the hills, “Cover us.” 31For if they do this when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?’ 32Two others also, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. 33When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus* there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. [[ 34Then Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.’]]* And they cast lots to divide his clothing. 35And the people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, ‘He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah* of God, his chosen one!’ 36The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, 37and saying, ‘If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!’ 38There was also an inscription over him,* ‘This is the King of the Jews.’ 39One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding* him and saying, ‘Are you not the Messiah?* Save yourself and us!’ 40But the other rebuked him, saying, ‘Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.’ 42Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into* your kingdom.’ 43He replied, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.’
Message for Children and Adults Rebecca Wright
Song Were You There When They Crucified My Lord vs 3
Were You There When They Laid Him In The Tomb?
Were You There When They Laid Him In The Tomb? Oh!
Sometimes It Causes Me To Tremble, Tremble, Tremble.
Were You There When They Laid Him In The Tomb?
JESUS’ DEATH & BURIAL
Luke 23:44-56
44It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land* until three in the afternoon, 45while the sun’s light failed;* and the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, ‘Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.’ Having said this, he breathed his last. 47When the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God and said, ‘Certainly this man was innocent.’* 48And when all the crowds who had gathered there for this spectacle saw what had taken place, they returned home, beating their breasts. 49But all his acquaintances, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things. The Burial of Jesus
50Now there was a good and righteous man named Joseph, who, though a member of the council, 51had not agreed to their plan and action. He came from the Jewish town of Arimathea, and he was waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God. 52This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 53Then he took it down, wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid it in a rock-hewn tomb where no one had ever been laid. 54It was the day of Preparation, and the sabbath was beginning.* 55The women who had come with him from Galilee followed, and they saw the tomb and how his body was laid. 56Then they returned, and prepared spices and ointments. On the sabbath they rested according to the commandment.
Message for Children and Adults Mara Welch
SONG Blessed Redeemer
Verse 1
Up Calvry’s mountain one dreadful morn
Walked Christ my Savior weary and worn
Facing for sinners death on a cross
That He might save them from endless loss
Chorus
Blessed Redeemer Precious Redeemer
Seems now I see Him on Calvary’s tree
Wounded and bleeding for sinners pleading
Blind and unheeding
Dying for me
Verse 2
Father forgive them my Savior prayed
Ev’n while His lifeblood flowed fast away
Praying for sinners while in such woe
No one but Jesus ever loved so (Chorus)
Verse 3
Oh how I love Him Savior and Friend
How can my praises ever find end
Through years unnumbered on Heaven’s shore
My song shall praise Him forevermore (Chorus)
CCLI Song # 7084803, Avis Marguerite Burgeson Christiansen | Bernie Herms | Harry Dixon Loes | Mark Hall © 2009 Be Essential Songs (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC), My Refuge Music (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC), CCLI License # 384330
THE APOSTLES’ CREED
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Each prayer petition will end with –
Lay Leader: Lord in your mercy
People: Hear our prayer.
PEACE
Lay Leader: The peace of the Lord be with you always.
People: And also with you.
OFFERTORY PRAYER
Lay Leader: Let us pray. Merciful Father,
People: We offer with joy and thanksgiving what you have first given us—ourselves, our time, and our possessions, signs of your gracious love. Receive them for the sake of him who offered himself for us, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Preparing for Communion
Pastor: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Pastor: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them to the Lord.
Pastor: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Pastor: It is indeed right and salutary that we should at all times and in all places offer thanks and praise to you, O Lord, holy Father, through Christ our Lord; who on the tree of the cross gave salvation to all, that, where death began, there life might be restored, and that he, who by a tree once overcame, might by a tree be overcome. And so, with the Church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
SONG Revelation Song (Chorus)
Chorus from Revelation Song, CCLI Song # 4447960. Jennie Lee Riddle © 2004 Gateway Create Publishing (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing (IMI) for use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com. CCLI License # 384330
WORDS OF INSTITUTION
Pastor: In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.
Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Pastor: Lord, remember us in your kingdom, and teach us to pray:
People: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
DISTRIBUTION OF COMMUNION
COMMUNION SONG Old Rugged Cross
Verse 1
On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suffering and shame;
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best,
For a world of lost sinners was slain.
Chorus
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down,
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it someday for a crown.
Verse 2
Oh, that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
Has a wondrous attraction for me;
For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above,
To bear it to dark Calvary. (Chorus)
Verse 3
In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine
A wonderous beauty I see
For ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died
To pardon and sanctify me. (Chorus)
Verse 4
To the old rugged cross I will ever be true,
It’s shame and reproach gladly bear;
Then He’ll call me someday to my home far away,
Where His glory forever I’ll share. (Chorus)
CCLI Song #19722 – George Bennard; Words & Music Public Domain; For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. CCLI License # 384330
POST-COMMUNION BLESSING
Pastor: The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace.
People: Amen.
POST-COMMUNION PRAYER
Lay Leader: Almighty God, you gave your Son both as a sacrifice for sin and a model of the godly life. Enable us to receive him always with thanksgiving, and to conform our lives to his; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.
People: Amen.
Blessing
Pastor: Almighty God, Father, ☩ Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you now and forever.
People: Amen.
SENDING SONG How Great is Our God
Verse 1
The splendor of the King, clothed in majesty
Let all the earth rejoice, all the earth rejoice
He wraps Himself in light, and darkness tries to hide
And trembles at His voice, and trembles at His voice
Chorus
How great is our God, Sing with me
How great is our God, And all will see how great
How great is our God
Verse 2
And age to age He stands, and time is in His hands
Beginning and the End, beginning and the End
The Godhead three in one, Father Spirit Son
The Lion and the Lamb, the Lion and the Lamb
Bridge
Name above all names
Worthy of all praise
My heart will sing
How great is our God (Repeat)
CCLI Song # 4348399, Chris Tomlin | Ed Cash | Jesse Reeves; © 2004 sixsteps Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing), worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing);
SENDING
Leader: Marked with the cross of Christ and sealed by the Holy Spirit, go in peace to serve the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God!
Prayer Requests
Prayers for the Welch Family who mourn the passing of Sherry
Healing for Karla following her brain tumor surgery
Prayers for Jen & Jake, and Barbara who is in hospice
Prayers for the Stephenson family and comfort for Les
Prayers for Sam’s continued recovery
Prayers for the Pruett Family in the sudden passing of Vicki
Prayers for the victims of the earthquake in Turkey & Syria
Prayers for Frances & Coy
Healing for the Collins’ daughter
Continued recovery for Natalie and Mark
Prayers for Lydia’s health and healing for her headaches
Praise and thanksgiving for Wayne’s cancer remission
Laurie Becker-Kirk who is battling leukemia
Prayers for Elis who has cancer
Pray for peace in Ukraine