Order of Worship

Opening Voluntary – “Ellacombe” by Graham Ross

Welcome/Greetings

Choral Introit

*Opening Hymn #278 – “Hosanna, Loud Hosanna”                     

*Call to Worship

L:  Hosanna! Hosanna!  Hosanna in the highest heaven!

P:  Blessed is the One who comes in the Name of the Lord!

L:  Blessed is the One who comes with healing and compassion.

P:  Blessed is the One who comes with forgiveness and mercy.

L:  Lord, rest your hand of healing on our hearts today.

P:  Gracious Jesus, let us walk with you today.  Amen. 

*Opening Prayer

Foundation of our faith, your Son humbled himself on the back of a colt.  Then he entered Jerusalem in lowly estate to bring joy to the hearts of children.  Forsaking his place at your side, Jesus emptied himself of prestige and power to become a servant to all.  On this day of joy and remembrance, sing in our hearts once more, that we too may dance with the children—for to such belong the kingdom of heaven.  Amen.

Prayer of Confession

God of righteousness, draw near to us in coming week.  We yearn to keep singing our hosannas, but fear that we too may lose our convictions in the face of an angry mob.  We long to see ourselves as your champions, but fear that we too might deny you or betray you with a kiss.  Strengthen our resolve during Holy Week, that we may remain your faithful disciples.  Amen.

Words of Assurance

Christ has opened the gates of righteousness and beckons us to walk through.  The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone of our salvation.

Passing of the Peace of Christ

L:  Jesus taught us to love one another as his disciples, so let us greet one another with signs of peace. The peace of Christ be with you. 

P:  The peace of Christ be with you always.

Children’s Message    Pastor Eumin Kim

Scriptures

Old Testament – Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29                    

¹ Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.  ² Let Israel say:  “His love endures forever.”  ¹⁹ Open for me the gates of the righteous; I will enter and give thanks to the Lord.  ²⁰ This is the gate of the Lord through which the righteous may enter.  ²¹ I will give you thanks, for you answered me; you have become my salvation.  ²² The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; ²³ the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes.  ²⁴ The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad.  ²⁵ Lord, save us!  Lord, grant us success!  ²⁶ Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.  From the house of the Lord we bless you.  ²⁷ The Lord is God, and he has made his light shine on us.  With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession up to the horns of the altar.  ²⁸ You are my God, and I will praise you; you are my God, and I will exalt you.  ²⁹ Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.

L:  The Word of God, For the People of God.  P:  Thanks be to God.

Gospel Reading – Luke 19:28-40                               

²⁸ After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.  ²⁹ As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, ³⁰ “Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden.  Untie it and bring it here.  ³¹ If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it.’”  ³² Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them.  ³³ As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?”  ³⁴ They replied, “The Lord needs it.”  ³⁵ They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it.  ³⁶ As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road.  ³⁷ When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:  ³⁸ “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!”  “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”  ³⁹ Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!”  ⁴⁰ “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”

L:  The Word of God, For the People of God.  P:  Thanks be to God.

*Hymn before Sermon #2235b – “We Are Marching”    (The Faith We Sing Hymnal)             

2^nd verse:  Living in the love… 

3^rd verse:  Moving in the power…

Sermon – “A Heart of Worship”      Pastor Eumin Kim

Pastoral Prayer

Lord’s Prayer and Choral Response

Invitation to Tithes and Offering

As we anticipate the transformation already begun within us, as we look toward being made perfect in God’s holy love, let us respond in the joy of our salvation and in the hope of God’s covenant people.

Chancel Choir – “Hosanna! Hosanna!” arranged by Timothy Mayfield

*Hymn No. 95 – Presentation of the Offering

*Prayer of Dedication

We thank you, O God, for your generous Spirit, We praise you for Christ’s gift of self, and your never-failing love.  For your many gifts, we thank you.  For walking with us in our weakness, we praise you.  Receive these gifts in token and thanks for the love you offer us—a love that makes us well and whole.  Amen.

*Closing Hymn #424 – “Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone”          

*Dismissal with Blessing

Closing Voluntary – “King’s Weston (Declamation)” by Craig Phillips