PALM SUNDAY: BREAD FOR THE ROAD
Meeting ID: 879 3593 0592
Passcode: 543266
CALL TO WORSHIP
Linda: Sisters and brothers, bring your garments and branches—Jesus is coming into town! Shout Hosanna!
Pat: Hosanna! Our deliverer has come! Let all the hungry be fed!
Linda: Jesus, the servant king, has come to show us a new kind of power.
Pat: Hosanna! Our liberator will set the prisoners free!
Linda: Let us worship the one who will save us from corruption. Shout Hosanna to the King of Kings!
Pat: Hosanna! Hosanna! The bread of life has come to sustain us. Believing this promise, let us worship together!
Opening song:
CALL & PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Karla: Because human beings often choose corrupt powers to save us,
let us confess the ways in which we have shouted “Hosanna” to the empire rather than trusting in Jesus.
Holy and saving God, we confess we have sought comfort in systems of power that promise salvation through dominance, control, and division.
We place our hope in the forces of wealth, status, and self-preservation.
We turn a blind eye to the earth’s cries and the injustices so many endure.
Forgive us, O God, for placing our trust in the powers of this world
rather than in the power of your love. where love, justice, and peace reign. R] Amen.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
Juanita: Sisters and brothers in Christ, hear this good news:
Jesus comes not with armies or powers of this world, but with the radical gift of love and forgiveness.
Though we have often turned away, God in Christ offers us grace and peace.
In Christ, our sins are forgiven, and we are made whole.
Amen.
Opening Prayer
Penny: Christ our redeemer, may we not only remember the holy events of this coming week: entering Jerusalem, washing of feet, gift of Eucharist, your death and Resurrection, but may we enter, heart and soul into your Passover from death to life. May the example of your selfless compassion guide our steps as we strive to follow your example. R] Amen
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
Nick:God, may the scriptures we read today become living bread.
May your Spirit empower them to shape us in Jesus’ likeness.
Give us wisdom as we interpret these words of scripture; may they nourish our minds and souls.
Amen.
A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah (Kathy N)
Our God has given me a well-trained tongue that I may know how to sustain the weary with a timely word. Morning after morning, God awakens me, to hear as disciples do. God opens my ears.
I was not disobedient; I did not turn back. I gave my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who humiliated me. I did not hide my face from insult and spitting. The Most High helps me, therefore, I am not dishonored; therefore, I have set my face firm. I know I will not be put to shame.
The Word of God. R] Thanks be to God!
Psalm 126
R] God has done great things for us, we are truly glad. (Vs. Gina)
1. When God brought back the captives of Zion, we were like those in a dream. Then our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with rejoicing. R
2. Then they said among the nations, “God has done great things for them”. R]
3. Restore our fortunes, O God, like the streams in the Negeb! May those who sow in tears reap with songs of joy! R]
4. Those who go forth weeping, carrying the seed for sowing, will come home with shouts of joy, bringing the sheaves with them.
A reading from the letter of Paul to the Philippians (John)
Each of you should think of the interests of others before your own. Your attitude must be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
Christ, though in the image of God, did not deem equality with God something to be clung to —
but instead became completely empty and took the image of oppressed humankind.
Born into the human condition,
found in the likeness of a human being.
Jesus was thus humbled —
obediently accepting death, even death on a cross!
Because of this, God highly exalted Christ
and gave to Jesus the name above every other name.
So that at the name of Jesus every knee must bend
in the heavens, on the earth, and under the earth, and every tongue proclaim to the glory of God: Jesus the Christ, reigns supreme!
The Word of God. R] Thanks be to God
Gospel acclamation
Jesus went ahead with the ascent to Jerusalem.
Approaching Bethphage and Bethany, near what is called the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of the disciples with these instructions: "Go into the village ahead of you. Upon entering it, you will find a tethered colt that no one has yet ridden.
Untie it and lead it back. If anyone should ask you, ‘Why are you untying it?' say, The Rabbi needs it.'"
They departed on their errand and found things just as Jesus had said. As they untied the colt, its owners said to them, "Why are you doing that?"
They explained that the Rabbi needed it.
Then the disciples led the animal to Jesus and, laying their cloaks on it, helped him mount. People spread their cloaks on the roadway as Jesus rode along. As they reached the descent from the Mount of Olives, the entire crowd of disciples joined them and began to rejoice and praise God loudly for the display of power they had seen, saying:
Blessed is the One who comes in the name of Our God! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest!
Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples!"
Jesus replied, "I tell you, if they were to keep silent, the very stones would cry out!."
The Gospel of Jesus, the Christ. R] Praise to you, Lord Jesus
Homily
Reflection
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
Cathy W: We believe in Jesus Christ, who rode into Jerusalem
not on a warhorse but on a humble donkey,
proclaiming peace instead of domination.
We believe in the way of the servant leader,
where greatness is found in humility,
and power is made perfect in love.
We believe in choosing integrity over bluster, faithfulness over greed,
and justice over the empty promises of empire.
Lucia: We believe God’s kin(g)dom is not built by violence,
but by the transformative power of grace, mercy, and sacrifice.
We believe salvation is not found in the halls of the mighty,
but in the heart of Christ,
who calls us to walk the road of love and courage.
We believe in shouting “Hosanna” to the one who brings true peace,
trusting not in the powers of this world,
but in the reign of God which has no end. R] Amen
Greeting of Peace
Patti: Jesus the Christ, you said to your disciples, “My peace I leave you. My peace I give you.” We ask you to look on the faith of those gathered here. Give us your peace, and spread your peace throughout the world, always and forever.
May the peace of Christ be always with you. R] And also with you
Prayers of the Community
Jay Cee: As we prepare for the sacred meal, we are aware that just as Jesus is anointed, so is each of us. We bring to this table our blessings, cares and concerns. Please feel free to voice your prayers beginning with the words “I bring to the table….”
We pray for these and all unspoken concerns. All: Amen.
Offering of Gifts
Janet: Blessed are you, God of all creation! Through your goodness we have this bread to offer. Fruit of the Earth, work of human hands, it will become for us the bread of life.
R] Blessed be God forever
Galen: Blessed are you, God of all creation! Through your goodness we have this wine to offer. Fruit of the vine, work of human hands, it will become for us the cup of life.
R] Blessed be God forever
Prayer for the Offering
John: Holy God, receive these humble gifts
and bless those who give with steady daily provision.
Help us steward these gifts wisely
and multiply our resources to do good work in faith. Amen.
Penny: Lift up your hearts! R] We lift them up to the Lord
Penny: Let us give thanks to the Lord, our God. R] It is right and just.
Patti: Gracious God, source and sustenance of life, redeeming presence to the pain and brokenness of our world, we call your healing power upon us and upon all those for whom we pray for today. Your generosity abounds throughout all generations within the rich variety of the living cosmos.
Jay Cee: As we journey through Holy Week, help us to live the mystery, that we may fulfill our calling and co-create with you. Grant us the wisdom to recognize your gifts and hear your Word with open and responsive hearts.
For all you bring to our lives, we acclaim your love and greatness, and we join with all creation to sing our hymn of praise:
Holy, Holy Holy
.
God so loved the whole world that God sent Jesus to feed us all.
God freely gives us love and life
so we might freely give love and life to others.
If you are hungry, tired, weary, or worn,
there is space for you here.
Come, the bread of life and the cup of blessing await you.
Penny: We ask you to awaken in our hearts the empowering grace of your Holy Spirit, who we call upon to transform our gifts of bread and wine into the body and blood of the Christ, to nourish and sustain us.
Penny: We remember that on the night before he died Jesus gathered with his friends and family to celebrate the feast of Passover. Taking basin and towel in hand he washed their feet, then returned to table. During the meal, he took bread, he blessed and broke it and shared it with all of them saying:
ALL: “Take this and eat for this is my body.”
Penny: As the meal was ending, Jesus took a cup of wine, prayed a blessing, and shared it with all of them saying:
ALL: “Take this, all of you, and drink, for this is the cup of my blood, the blood of the new and everlasting covenant. Do this in memory of me.”
Janet: God, our great provider,
we thank you for the gift of Jesus.
We thank you for the bread of life who nourishes and sustains us.
As we eat this bread, we remember you provide for all people,
feeding the world with your love and peace.
This simple meal reminds us that your abundant mercy
draws us closer to you and to one another.
Galen: May we be strengthened by your presence
so we might share your love and justice
with those who are physically and spiritually hungry.
Thank you for this sacred moment
and for the eternal nourishment you offer through Christ, our bread of life.
Juanita: In Your presence Triune God, through whom all goodness flows, we join with all of creation to give You glory and honor:
R]: Through Christ, with Christ, in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
may all glory and honor be Yours all-loving God, forever and ever.
Amen.
Pat: Let us pray as Jesus taught us:
Holy One, who is within, around and among us,
We celebrate your many names.
Your Wisdom come,
Your will be done, unfolding from the depths within us.
Each day you give us all we need.
You remind us of our limits, and we let go.
You support us in our power, and we act with courage.
For you are the dwelling place within us,
the empowerment around us
and the celebration among us, now and forever. Amen
(Miriam Therese Winter)
Communion
Penny: This is the Bread of Life and the Cup of Blessing.
The gifts we are given are given to be shared.
R] By your word, we are healed, and we bring your healing to the world.
Communion Song Hope is Born
Blessing and dismissal
(Please raise your hands in blessing)
Penny: Go now into the world brimming with love for God and others. May you share the bread of life, offering not only what sustains the body but what nourishes the soul.
Live your lives serving in the way of Jesus, extending compassion to the weary, hope to the despairing, and bread to the hungry.
As you go, may the love of God enfold you,
the peace of Christ guide you,
and the power of the Holy Spirit sustain you,
now and forever.
Amen.
Dismissal Karla R] Thanks be to God
Closing Song:
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.