05 Apr Worship Bulletin – 4/5/20
McPherson First Church of the Brethren
We invite your active participation in the life of this congregation, as together we continue to grow in grace and seek justice for God’s creation.
Sunday, April 5, 2020
Palm/Passion Sunday
Welcome
Centering Music
Scripture of the Palms | Matthew 21:1-11
When they had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them,
“Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and her colt with her;
untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, just say this, ‘The Lord needs them.’
And they will be sent immediately.”
This took place to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet, saying,
“Tell the daughter of Zion, look, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey,
with a colt, the foal of a donkey.”
The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; they brought the donkey and the colt, and put their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on the cloaks. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The 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 God!
Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, “Who is this?”
The crowds were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.”
Call to Worship | Pastor Joe Welty (adapted)
Jesus rode over the cloaks and under the branches,
Jesus rode through the shouts and past the praises,
Jesus rode toward the controversy and the cost,
Jesus rode toward the curses and the cross,
Jesus rode on!
May we – remember the journey Jesus took?
May we – commit ourselves to walking in the same way?
May we – communicate strength, hope, and joy as we follow in the footsteps of Jesus – as we Ride On!
Opening Song | “All Glory, Laud, and Honor”
1. All glory, laud, and honor, to you, Redeemer, King, to whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring! You are a child of Israel, Great David’s greater son; you ride in lowly triumph, Messiah, blessed one!
2. The company of angels are praising you on high, and we with all creation in chorus make reply. The people of the Hebrews with palms before you went; our praise and prayer and anthems before you we present.
3. To you before your passion they sang their hymns of praise; to you, now high exalted, our melody we raise. As you received their praises, now hear us as we pray. Since you delight in goodness, rule in our hearts today.
Children’s Time | Barbara Wagoner
“The Donkey That No One Could Ride” by Anthony DeStefano, illustrated by Richard Cowdrey
Invitation to Give
Giving Music | “Earth and All Stars” | arr. Sandra Eithun
Giving Prayer
Prayer Song | “Count Well the Cost” | #437
Prayers of the People
Special Music | “Hear Us, O Never-Failing Light”
Adapted and abridged by Elizabeth Alexander
Hear us, O Never-failing Light, may our souls be lamps of Thine, kindled and illuminated by Thee.
May they shine and burn with truth, and never go out in ashes.
May we be Thy dwelling, shining from Thee, shining in Thee, kindled and illuminated by Thee.
May we shine and fail not; may we ever worship Thee.
May we shine forth inwardly and may the light of perpetual faith abide with us.
Mozarabic Easter Eve prayer. Translated from the Latin ca. 1862 by William Bright. Adapted and abridged version © 2016 by Elizabeth Alexander
Message | “Let’s Wave the Palms” | Jerry Bowen
When we are the hands and feet of Jesus, we run the risk of facing opposition from those in power.
Nevertheless we ‘count well the cost’, persist and act – honoring the call to be God’s people.
Scripture of the Passion | Matthew 27:11-23
Jesus stood before Pilate, the governor; and Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?”
Jesus said, “You say so.”
But when Jesus was accused by the chief priests and elders, he did not answer.
Then Pilate said to Jesus,
“Do you not hear how many accusations they make against you?”
But Jesus gave Pilate no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.
Now at the festival the governor was accustomed to release a prisoner for the crowd, anyone whom they wanted. At that time they had a notorious prisoner, called Barabbas. So after they had gathered, Pilate said to them,
“Whom do you want me to release for you, Barabbas or Jesus who is called the Messiah?”
For Pilate realized that it was out of jealousy that they had handed Jesus over.
While Pilate was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him,
“Have nothing to do with that innocent man, for today I have suffered a great deal because of a dream about him.”
Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus who is called the Messiah, killed. Pilate again said to them,
“Which of the two do you want me to release for you?”
And they said, “Barabbas.”
Pilate said to them, “Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?”
All of them said, “Let him be crucified!”
Then Pilate asked, “Why, what evil has he done?”
But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!”
Sending Music | “Were you There” | Eric Goering, trombone
Organist/Pianist: Ellen Gilbert
Technical Crew: Eric Goering, Ryan Goering, Shane Kirchner, Doug Lengel, Steve Lolling & Chris Whitacre
Trombone: Eric Goering
Vocalists: Deb & Allan van Asselt
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