Prelude
Reading: Matthew 21:1-11
Assisting Minister: 1When they had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2saying to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me. 3If anyone says anything to you, just say this, ‘The Lord needs them.’ And he will send them immediately.” 4This took place to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet, saying,
5“Tell the daughter of Zion, Look, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”
6The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; 7they brought the donkey and the colt, and put their cloaks on them, and he sat on them. 8A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
10When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, “Who is this?” 11The crowds were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.”
Pastor: Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.
People of God: Hosanna in the highest!
Blessing of the Palms
Pastor: The Lord be with you.
People of God: And also with you.
Pastor: Let us pray. God of all creation, we praise you for your love shown to us in Jesus Christ; whose revolution of mercy turned water into wine, gave sight to the blind, brought justice to those who, by the world, were set aside and cast out. We praise you, for though you could have come with all the might of an empire, you chose instead to kneel and wash the feet of your friends. We wave these palms, knowing the irony that though we hail you as King, you prefer the role of servant. Though we gather in crowds shouting “Hosanna!” you prefer intimate gardens, quiet conversation, and hidden acts of kindness. Bless these palms, and those who carry them. As we raise and wave them, may they be symbols of protest, reminding us that you came to topple empires and to shine your light on the injustices that tear this world and its people apart. We praise you, O God, and we pray for the courage and faith to follow where you lead. In the name of God our Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer. People of God: Amen.
Pastor: Let us go forth in peace.
People of God: In the name of Christ, amen.
Processional Hymn #344 All Glory, Laud, and Honor Played by Gloria Peetz Sung by Sean Rochford
Pastor: Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.
People of God: Hosanna in the highest.
Thanksgiving for Baptism
Let us make our confession and receive God’s forgiveness. As one season turns to another in the miracle of creation, so we turn our hearts to God, who turns our mourning into dancing and our brokenness into grace upon grace.
To everything there is a season, and now is the season for turning.
People of God: We turn to God with broken relationships.
Now is a time for healing.
People of God: We turn to God with regrets we have held too long.
Now is a time for releasing.
People of God: We turn to God with despair for what the world has become.
Now is a time for hoping.
People of God: We turn to God with sighs too deep for words.
Silence is kept for reflection.
God declares to all people: now is the time for grace. Your sins are forgiven, your brokenness made whole. Receive through Jesus Christ grace upon grace.
People of God: Amen.
Anthem Hosanna Sung by The Choir
Prayer of the Day
Assisting Minister: Let us pray. Righteous God, you brought your son Jesus into Jerusalem to show people the radical grace of your love. Show us this grace, and give us eyes to see your goodness. We pray these things in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
People of God: Amen.
Reading: Matthew 21:12-17
Assisting Minister 12Then Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who were selling and buying in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. 13He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer’; but you are making it a den of robbers.” 14The blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he cured them. 15But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the amazing things that he did, and heard the children crying out in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they became angry 16and said to him, “Do you hear what these are saying?” Jesus said to them, “Yes; have you never read, ‘Out of the mouths of infants and nursing babies you have prepared praise for yourself’?” 17He left them, went out of the city to Bethany, and spent the night there. The word of the Lord. People of God: Thanks be to God
Children’s Sermon Rev. Sarah Wilson
Sermon Rev. Sarah Wilson
Hymn ELW #346 Ride On, Ride On in Majesty Played by Gloria Peetz Sung by Sean Rochford
Prayers of the People
Assisting Minister: Caught between joy and despair, we yearn for the fulfillment of God’s desire beyond the brokenness and neediness of this life. We offer thanksgiving for God’s presence with us and petitions for the transformation of the church and the world.
A brief silence.
Assisting Minister: Cleanse your church of selfishness and hypocrisy, Lord. Open the lips of your followers that we might sing forth your praise. Lord, in your mercy, People of God: hear our prayer.
Assisting Minister: Cleanse creation of pollution and harm, Lord. Make us better stewards of the abundant resources you provide. Lord, in your mercy, People of God: hear our prayer.
Assisting Minister: Cleanse the nations of injustice and oppression, Lord. Work in our leaders’ hearts that they may follow in your ways of peace and justice. Lord, in your mercy, People of God: hear our prayer.
Assisting Minister: Cleanse our hearts and minds of fear and anxiety, Lord. Move us to reach out to others who are in mental pain. Lord, in your mercy, People of God: hear our prayer.
Assisting Minister: Cleanse the sick and suffering of their pain, Lord, especially Dean, Susan, Grace, Alice, Gus, Faith, Denise, Leslie, Norma, Brian, Scott, Jessica, Alicia, Jeanne, Barb, Cecil (See-sil), Stan, Marlene, Ryleigh, Dylan, Sandy, Hopie (Hope-y), the Bredemus (bread-a-mus) family, Allen, Bunny, the Vogt (vote) family, Patricia, Michael, Nicholas and his family, Beth, Betty, Tom, Kara (car-a) and those we name silently or aloud <pause>. Bless all who provide care and healing. Lord, in your mercy, People of God: hear our prayer.
Assisting Minister: Cleanse this congregation of its brokenness, Lord. Help us to see you in one another. Lord, in your mercy, People of God: hear our prayer.
Please offer your own prayers of joy or concern, ending with “Lord, in your mercy”
We respond with “hear our prayer.”
Assisting Minister: Cleanse our hearts of doubt, Lord. Keep us steadfast in your Way, which the saints have trod before us. Lord, in your mercy, People of God: hear our prayer.
Life-giver, Pain-bearer, Love-maker, day by day you sustain the weary with your word and gently encourage us to place our trust in you. Awaken us to the suffering of those around us; save us from hiding in denials or taunts that deepen the hurt; give us grace to share one another’s burdens in humble service. People of God: Amen.
The Peace (Please share peace by waving or showing the peace sign.)
The peace of Christ be with you always.
People of God: And also with you.
Offering
Let us pray. God of good gifts, receive these and all our offerings as we present them in faithful service for the sake of your gospel. Prepare our hearts to receive you in this meal as you pour out your very presence through Christ Jesus, the wellspring of eternal life. People of God: Amen
Communion
The Lord be with you.
People of God: And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
People of God: We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People of God: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread and gave thanks; he 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.
And now let us pray with confidence in the words that Jesus taught us:
People of God: 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.
Invitation to Communion
Assisting Minister: Come and receive Jesus, our strength in the wilderness.
For our at-home worshippers, you may take communion using these words:
The body of Christ, given for you.
The blood of Christ, shed for you.
Communion Songs
ELW #820 Oh Savior, Precious Savior
ELW #819 Come, All You People
ELW #697 Just a Closer Walk With Thee
ELW #857 Lord, I lift Your Name on High
Communion Blessing May the body and blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ, strengthen you and keep you in his grace. People of God: Amen
Prayer after Communion
Assisting Minister: Let us pray. Embodied God, at your table, we have tasted the goodness of Jesus. With the eyes of our hearts open to your promise, empower us to hear the needs of our neighbors and touch the world with your love. People of God: Amen
Announcements
Blessing
God, the giver of love, ☩ Christ, the resurrection and the life, and the Holy Spirit of rebirth bless you in this Lenten journey. People of God: Amen
Sending Hymn ELW #855 Crown Him With Many Crowns
Played by Gloria Peetz and Sung by Sean Rochford
Dismissal
Assisting Minister: Go in peace. Serve in love.
People of God: Thanks be to God.
Postlude
Thank you to those serving us today
Pastor: Rev. Sarah Wilson
Worship Assistant: Hannah Brescia
Acolyte: Marissa Mauger
Music: Gloria Peetz ~ Song Leader: Sean Rochford
Altar Guild: Phyllis Blumke
Usher/Greeter: John and Denise Ulaszek
Sound Board: Nancy Rochford
Producer: Mark Gates Graphics: Dawna Gates
Counters: Marianne Barstow and Karen McKune
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