We are trying something new. This is our first attempt at a virtual service for FPCU. You will see that this post looks similar to a bulletin but with media and links.
Announcements and Pastoral Welcome
Introit
*CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: Crowds, crammed, crushed, congregate, multitude, mass, mayhem, melee, pressing, pushing, rolling, shouting, screaming, hosanna, redeemers, rescue us, hosanna, release us.
People: Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.
Leader: The crowds praised God for the great things they had witnessed in Jesus.
People: Blessed is the one who comes in the name of God.
Leader: if our voices are silent, the very stones will drop the mic.
All: Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
*HYMN We Shall Overcome
*HYMN #581 “Glory Be to the Father”
*HYMN Hosanna, Loud Hosanna
ANTHEM The Palms
SCRIPTURE READINGS:
NEW TESTAMENT READING
Matthew 21:1-20 Revised Standard Version (RSV)
Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem
21
1 And when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Beth′phage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples,
2 saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find an ass tied, and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me.
3 If any one says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord has need of them,’ and he will send them immediately.”
4 This took place to fulfil what was spoken by the prophet, saying,
5 “Tell the daughter of Zion,
Behold, your king is coming to you,
humble, and mounted on an ass,
and on a colt, the foal of an ass.”
6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them;
7 they brought the ass and the colt, and put their garments on them, and he sat thereon.
8 Most of the crowd spread their garments on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.
9 And the crowds that went before him and that followed him shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”
10 And when he entered Jerusalem, all the city was stirred, saying, “Who is this?”
11 And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth of Galilee.”
OLD TESTAMENT READING
Jeremiah 4.:22-28
The creation in reverse. The prophet describing the ordered world being dismantled before his eyes. A vision of God’s judgement upon the earth and the people.
“For my people are foolish,
they know me not;
they are stupid children,
they have no understanding.
They are skilled in doing evil,
but how to do good they know not.”
23 I looked on the earth, and lo, it was waste and void;
and to the heavens, and they had no light.
24 I looked on the mountains, and lo, they were quaking,
and all the hills moved to and fro.
25 I looked, and lo, there was no man,
and all the birds of the air had fled.
26 I looked, and lo, the fruitful land was a desert,
and all its cities were laid in ruins
before the Lord, before his fierce anger.
27 For thus says the Lord, “The whole land shall be a desolation; yet I will not make a full end.
28 For this the earth shall mourn,
and the heavens above be black;
for I have spoken, I have purposed;
I have not relented nor will I turn back.”
SERMON
PASTORAL PRAYER
God of all life, we are afraid to stand with you. We would rather be like everybody else then a solitary witness for justice and truth. We need safety and security. We fear risking involvement. We sing ‘hosanna’ with everyone else, but we run, like the disciples, when good Friday’s forces are upon us. We admit our fear. We do so now.
Moment of Silence
We believe that Jesus Christ came into the world to show us how to be whole. We know that means us, not just others. Please be patient with us and help us to understand our fears and resistance to your love. Then pour out your Grace and power in such a way that we are forever transformed. Do this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
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; Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
BENEDICTION
*”The Call to Worship, and Prayers of the People from The Whole People of God, ca. Jan. 2008.”
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