Central Reformed Church Palm Sunday March 28, 2021
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Central Reformed Church
Palm Sunday
March 28, 2021REFLECTION
Palm Sunday is basically a human drama; it is our drama…
Where am I in the unfolding drama that begins on Palm Sunday and
plays out over Holy Week and which climaxes on Easter? Where am I as
Jesus passes by on the donkey? Am I one of the crowd shouting out his
name? Am I like Judas in any way? When have I betrayed others or Je-
sus? When like Peter, have I denied knowing Jesus? Am I like Pilate
when I judge and condemn others? How am I like Simon... who helps
Jesus in his time of need? Having stood with the crowd shouting out his
name and welcoming Jesus, will I stand with the same people spitting
out insults as I shout ‘Crucify him! Crucify him!’
As we celebrate Palm Sunday and begin our journey through Holy Week,
we are called to ask ourselves who and where we are in the crowd. This
is a week to pray and then decide what kind of followers of Christ we are
and are going to be.
―Michael Moore, OMI, Missionary Oblates of Mary ImmaculateORDER OF WORSHIP
PALM SUNDAY
MARCH 28, 2021
9:30 am
____________________________________________________________
GATHERING IN LOVE
The prelude is a call to silent, personal preparation for the worship of God.
Prelude “Ride On, Ride On, in Majesty” (Benjamin Culli)
“Genevan Psalm 118: Give Thanks to God for All His Goodness” (Michael Burkhardt)
“All Glory, Laud, and Honor” (J. S. Bach)
“All Glory, Laud, and Honor” (Melchior Teschner, arr. Taemin Han)
The Chimes
Introit “Hosanna!” (Taemin Han)
Hosanna! Hosanna! To the son of David.
Hosanna! Hosanna! To the son of David.
Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna! Hosanna in the highest.
Hosanna! Hosanna in the highest.
Welcome
Votum, Call to Worship
Leader: Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
People: Amen.
Leader: Humble and riding on a colt,
People: we greet you.
Leader: Acclaimed by crowds and caroled by children,
People: we cheer you.
Leader: Moving from the peace of the countryside to the corridors of power,
People: we salute you, Christ our Lord.
Leader: You are giving the beasts of burden a new dignity;
you are giving majesty a new face;
you are giving those who long for redemption a new song to sing.
People: With them, with heart and voice, we shout “Hosanna!”
*Please stand in body or in spirit.*Processional Hymn “All Glory, Laud, and Honor” (Worshippers in the sanctuary are invited
to sing softly with their masks on during all hymns in the service.)
*Salutation
Leader: May grace, mercy, and God’s peace be ours through God our Father and the Lord Jesus
Christ.
People: Amen.*Hymn “Give Thanks to God for All His Goodness” (see end of order of worship for music)
*Invitation to Confession
*Prayer of Confession
Leader: Loving God,
just when we think we know you,
just when we’re sure where it is you’re sending us,
just when we are comfortable in the pew,
just then is when you do something new and entirely unexpected.
People: O, expected one,
you are never the one we expect.
Leader: Have mercy on us,
for we confess we have been afraid of where you might lead us.
We confess we make excuses for not following you into broken hearts,
broken lives, broken bonds, broken homes, broken communities,
broken nations, this broken world.
People: O God, we confess the brokenness of your church.
Give us life once more in the light of your Word!
And hear us now in the silence as we speak the burdens of our hearts.
(silent meditation)
*Assurance of Pardon
Leader: Our God has come to us, humble, in the form of a slave, to free us from the
weight of sin and death. Jesus’ obedient suffering has released us.
People: Our sins are forgiven in the name of the one who is exalted beyond
what we can comprehend: Christ, our Savior and Lord.
*Sanctus
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest! Hosanna in the highest!
Profession of Faith
Confirmands Shepherds
Britta Emmanuelle Bailey Vivian TerMaat
Clayton James Gearhart David and Tanis Hooker
Paige Sophia Harsevoort Mary Bauman
Tory Octavian West Jim Brink
*Apostles Creed
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of
the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he de-
scended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven,
and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to
judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the for-
giveness of sins; the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.Presentation of Stoles
*Peace
Leader: The peace of the Lord be with you always.
People: And also with you.
LISTENING IN EXPECTATION
First Lesson Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29
O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his steadfast love endures forever!
Let Israel say,
“His steadfast love endures forever.”
Open to me the gates of righteousness,
that I may enter through them
and give thanks to the Lord.
This is the gate of the Lord;
the righteous shall enter through it.
I thank you that you have answered me
and have become my salvation.
The stone that the builders rejected
has become the chief cornerstone.
This is the Lord’s doing;
it is marvelous in our eyes.
This is the day that the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Save us, we beseech you, O Lord!
O Lord, we beseech you, give us success!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.
We bless you from the house of the Lord.
The Lord is God,
and he has given us light.
Bind the festal procession with branches,
up to the horns of the altar.
You are my God, and I will give thanks to you;
you are my God, I will extol you.
O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
Leader: The Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
*Hymn “Hosanna, Loud Hosanna” (see end of order of worship for music)
Second Lesson Mark 11:1-11
When they were approaching Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, he sent
two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately as you enter it,
you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden; untie it and bring it. If anyone says to you, ‘Why
are you doing this?’ just say this, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately.’” They went
away and found a colt tied near a door, outside in the street. As they were untying it, some of the by-
standers said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” They told them what Jesus had said; and
they allowed them to take it. Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it; and he sat
on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut in
the fields. Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting,“Hosanna!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David!
Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
Then he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple; and when he had looked around at everything, as
it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.
Leader: The Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
Sermon “Returning the Colt”
Rev. Steven D. Pierce
Prayer for a Blessing on the Word
Anthem “Hosanna!” (Craig Courtney)
Hosanna to the royal son of David’s ancient line!
His natures two, his person one, mysterious and divine.
Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna we sing;
Hosanna, hosanna to Jesus Christ the King.
The root of David, here we find,
And offspring are the same:
Eternity and time are joined in our Emmanuel’s time
Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna we sing;
Hosanna, hosanna to Jesus Christ the King.
Blest he that comes to sinful man
With peaceful news from Heav’n!
Hosannas of the highest strain
To Christ the Lord be giv’n.
Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna we sing;
Hosanna, hosanna to Jesus Christ the King.
Let mortals ne’er refuse
to take Hosanna on their tongues,
Lest rocks and stones should rise and break
Their silence into songs
Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna we sing;
Hosanna, hosanna to Jesus Christ the King.
to Jesus Christ the King,
to Jesus Christ the King,
to Jesus Christ the King.
RESPONDING IN FAITH
Announcements
*Doxology
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below.
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.*Offertory Prayer
Prayers of the People
During the prayers each week, we remember our neighboring faith communities and their leaders. Today we are praying for the staff and
congregation of Hope Lutheran Church.
Leader: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
During the prayer:
Leader: Lord, in your mercy,
People: Hear our prayer.
The Lord’s Prayer (unison)
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
debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
DEPARTING IN JOY
*Hymn “Ride On, Ride On in Majesty” (see end of order of worship for music)
*Benediction and Blessing
Leader: Whoever you are, wherever you go in God’s wide world,
Whatever happens to you of good or ill, always remember that . . .
People: Jesus is Lord!
Leader: And as you’ve come to worship, go now to serve.
Go in hope. Go in love. Go in peace.
People: Amen.
Postlude “Christ’s Entry into Jerusalem” (Stanley E. Saxton)
For those worshipping in the sanctuary, please remain seated until the postlude concludes.
The ushers will dismiss each household by row, starting from the rear of the sanctuary.
___________________________________________________________________________________
Cover Art: Jesus’ Entry Into Jerusalem | The Golden Bible for Children, New Testament, 1953
The Call to Worship is copyright © 1997 Wild Goose Resource Group, Iona Community, GIA Publications, Inc.
The Prayer of Confession is adapted from Ann Weems, “Lent: God So Loved the World,” Advent’s Alleluia to Easter’s Morning Light
(Louisville: WJKP, 2010).
“All Glory, Laud, and Honor” music: Hymnary.org
“Give Thanks to God for All His Goodness” words and music: Faith Alive Christian Resources
“Ride On, Ride On in Majesty” music: Concordia Publishing House
Permissions via CCLI license #2931504 and One License #729524A.Profession of Faith: Creeds
Britta Emmanuelle Bailey
I believe in the father, the son and the holy spirit
Who is my god,
My god who rose from the dead and ascended into heaven.
Who sacrificed our sins and saved us.
I believe in the miracles of heaven.
Knowing that god has my back,
And will protect me through thick and thin.
I know that I am not my own; but belong to god,
Who saves me and will do anything for me.
I learn to forgive but not take his forgiveness for granted.
For my sins I have committed.
Amen.
Clayton James Gearhart
I believe in every part of the Trinity, God the Father, who made all of creation,
God the Son who sacrificed his life on earth for our sins, and God the Holy
Spirit. All to form one God. The one God, who protects us from sin. I believe
that he is the one, and only true lord. I believe in life beyond earth, and that
someday God the Son will come again.
Paige Sophia Harsevoort
I believe that there is one God. God knows the path of everyone that is, was,
and will be. I believe God loves me endlessly, regardless of my sexuality, race,
color, and no matter how much I sin. I believe that Jesus, the son of God, died
on the cross for us so we could be renewed from sin. I believe Jesus really
made a blind man see, a deaf man hear, a mute man speak, and much more.
God made us and our life before we were even a being. God is all around us,
even if we can’t see him. When we make a mistake, God’s love for us does not
subside. I believe Jesus was resurrected so he could continue to help and
teach us. I believe God is beyond human, gender, sexuality, or physical being.
I trust in God, even though I don’t know my outcome until I die. Nevertheless,
I am guided in faith and should put my trust in God.
Tory Octavian West
I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
I believe God has forgiven us for our sins after sending his son, Jesus, to die
for our sins and to be resurrected from the dead so that we can have hope in
eternal life. I believe our Lord is there for us in good and bad times and that
he sends the Holy Spirit to help us keep our faith in our Lord and Savior.
I believe God never gives up on us even when our faith and hope might grow
weak. And I believe that no matter how we might sin against God, his faith in
us remains stronger than our sin, and his love for us never leaves.“Give Thanks to God for All His Goodness” (verses 1 and 5)
“Hosanna, Loud Hosanna”
“Ride On, Ride On in Majesty”
HOLY WEEK AT CENTRAL
Maundy Thursday | April 1 | 7:00 pm
Holy Communion
“The Gospel Set Before Us”
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Rev. Larry Schuyler preaching
Good Friday | April 2 | 12:00 pm
Following worship, the sanctuary will be be open for
prayer until 3:00 pm.
Easter Sunday | April 4 | 9:30 am
“Good News from the Graveyard”
John 20:1-18
Rev. Steven D. Pierce preaching
All services will be held in the sanctuary and streamed online.
Please invite others to join you for worship.WORSHIP LEADERS
Preacher: Rev. Steven D. Pierce
Liturgist: Duncan MacLean III
Director of Music Ministries: Taemin Han
Principal Organist: Norma de Waal Malefyt
Offertory Prayer: Jamie McWilliams
First Lesson Reader: Paul Troost
Processional: Britta Bailey, Clayton Gearhart,
Paige Harsevoort, Tory West
Vocalists: Kathryn Becksvoort, Jason Reiffer
Percussionist: David Jigo
Celebration Ringers
Video Tech: Nick Loubert
Sound Tech: Tom Smith
Central Reformed Church
10 College Avenue NE
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503
616.456.1773
centralreformedchurch.org
Connecting all people to God and to one another through scripture, sacrament, song, and service.You can also read
