April 13, 2025
Sunday Gathering
Palm Sunday
. . . . . . . . . .
-|-
-ACKNOWLEDGEMENT-
We acknowledge that the place where we are gathered today is the ancient and ancestral homeland of more than twenty Indigenous tribes. We mourn the loss of their lives, livelihoods, homes, and cultures, and acknowledge the legacy of violence against them.
We acknowledge that the space where we worship today was established and built by those whose Black ancestors were also abused and mistreated - some even bought and sold as enslaved people right here in our city.
We acknowledge the women who’ve faced unfair treatment and misogyny throughout the ages and we acknowledge those who identify as LGBTQ or other who’ve been mistreated and misunderstood.
We acknowledge our role and responsibility as professed followers of Christ to stand for and alongside all of these and others who have been and continue to be oppressed.
-|-
-PRELUDE-
"Majesty”
Brenda Gardiner & Lisa Loeffler
-|-
-WELCOME & GREETING-
-|-
-SINGING TOGETHER-
"Make Us One”
MAKE US ONE, LORD, MAKE US ONE;
HOLY SPIRIT, MAKE US ONE.
LET YOUR LOVE FLOW SO THE WORLD WILL KNOW
WE ARE ONE IN YOU.
-|-
-CALL TO WORSHIP-
On this day, Jesus marched
IN BETWEEN THE CITY WALLS
AND THE TEMPLE,
IN BETWEEN JOYFUL HOSANNAS
AND DOUBTFUL WHISPERS,
IN BETWEEN OPPRESSIVE POVERTY
AND GREEDY POWER,
IN BETWEEN RAMPANT FEAR
AND HOPE UNFURLED.
On this day, Jesus marched in between
what had been and what could be.
SO MAY WE MEET CHRIST
IN THAT LIMINAL SPACE.
MAY WE LAY DOWN OUR COATS
IN THAT MESSY MIDDLE.
Hosanna in the highest!
HOSANNA IN BETWEEN!
-|-
-SINGING TOGETHER-
"Make Us One”
MAKE US ONE, LORD, MAKE US ONE;
HOLY SPIRIT, MAKE US ONE.
LET YOUR LOVE FLOW SO THE WORLD WILL KNOW
WE ARE ONE IN YOU.
-|-
-PRAYER-
-|-
-COMMUNAL PRAYER-
GREAT CREATOR, FORGIVE ME
WHEN I SPEAK BEFORE LISTENING,
WHEN I SPEAK OVER MY NEIGHBOR,
WHEN I SPEAK WITH BARBED WORDS.
CREATOR GOD, FORGIVE ME
WHEN I LISTEN TO SOCIETY,
WHEN I LISTEN TO MY FRIENDS,
WHEN I LISTEN TO THE NEWS,
BUT I DO NOT LISTEN TO YOU.
CREATOR GOD, FORGIVE ME
WHEN I SHOUT OUT,
BUT DO NOT SHOUT YOUR NAME,
WHEN I LISTEN,
BUT DO NOT LISTEN FOR YOUR VOICE.
FORGIVE ME.
CREATE IN ME A HEART LIKE YOURS.
AMEN.
-|-
-GREETING ONE ANOTHER-
-|-
-SINGING TOGETHER-
"Tell Me the Story of Jesus”
TELL ME THE STORY OF JESUS,
WRITE ON MY HEART EVERY WORD;
TELL ME THE STORY SO PRECIOUS,
SWEETER THAN EVER WAS HEARD.
TELL HOW THE ANGELS, IN CHORUS,
SANG AS THEY WELCOMED HIS BIRTH,
"GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST!
PEACE AND GOOD TIDINGS TO EARTH."
TELL ME THE STORY OF JESUS,
WRITE ON MY HEART EVERY WORD;
TELL ME THE STORY SO PRECIOUS,
SWEETER THAN EVER WAS HEARD.
FASTING ALONE IN THE DESERT,
TELL OF THE DAYS THAT ARE PAST;
HOW FOR OUR SINS HE WAS TEMPTED,
YET WAS TRIUMPHANT AT LAST.
TELL OF THE YEARS OF HIS LABOR,
TELL OF THE SORROW HE BORE;
HE WAS DESPISED AND AFFLICTED,
ROAMING, REJECTED, AND POOR.
TELL ME THE STORY OF JESUS,
WRITE ON MY HEART EVERY WORD;
TELL ME THE STORY MOST PRECIOUS,
SWEETEST THAT EVER WAS HEARD.
TELL OF THE CROSS THAT HE CARRIED,
HEAVY WITH ANGUISH AND PAIN;
TELL OF THE GRAVE WHERE THEY LAID HIM,
TELL HOW HE NOW LIVES AGAIN.
LOVE IN THAT STORY SO TENDER,
LOVE FOR THE WHOLE WORLD TO SEE:
LET US DECLARE IT FOREVER,
LOVE HAS BEEN GIVEN SO FREE!
TELL ME THE STORY OF JESUS,
WRITE ON MY HEART EVERY WORD;
TELL ME THE STORY MOST PRECIOUS,
SWEETEST THAT EVER WAS HEARD.
-|-
-SCRIPTURE-
Luke 19: 29-40 (CEB)
As Jesus came to Bethphage and Bethany on the Mount of Olives, he gave two disciples a task. He said, “Go into the village over there. When you enter it, you will find tied up there a colt that no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks, ‘Why are you untying it?’ just say, ‘Its master needs it.’” Those who had been sent found it exactly as he had said.
As they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?” They replied, “Its master needs it.” They brought it to Jesus, threw their clothes on the colt, and lifted Jesus onto it. As Jesus rode along, they spread their clothes on the road. As Jesus approached the road leading down from the Mount of Olives, the whole throng of his disciples began rejoicing. They praised God with a loud voice because of all the mighty things they had seen. They said, “Blessings on the king who comes in the name of the Lord. Peace in heaven and glory in the highest heavens.” Some of the Pharisees from the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, scold your disciples! Tell them to stop!” He answered, “I tell you, if they were silent, the stones would shout.”
-|-
-THE MESSAGE-
“The Rocks Know”
Kenny Bishop
-|-
-AFFIRMATION OF FAITH-
We believe that many years ago
a peaceful parade wove its way
through the streets of Jerusalem.
We believe that on that day
the people cried out,
longing and praying for a better world.
We believe that these longings
came from a place of deep hope,
and we believe
that hope cannot be silenced.
So we listen for the Spirit.
WE SING HOSANNA.
We pay attention.
WE SING HOSANNA.
For in between the silence and the song,
we believe the Spirit is speaking.
WE SING HOSANNA.
Amen.
-|-
-SINGING TOGETHER-
"In the Quiet Curve of Evening”
IN THE QUIET CURVE OF EVENING,
IN THE CLOSING OF THE DAYS,
IN THE MOMENTS OF MY DARKNESS,
YOU ARE THERE.
IN THE RHYTHMS OF MY BREATHING,
IN THE SPACE BETWEEN MY WAYS,
IN THE WEARY TIMES OF SADNESS,
YOU ARE THERE.
YOU ARE THERE,
YOU ARE THERE,
YOU ARE THERE.
-|-
-JOYS & CONCERNS-
-|-
-PASTORAL PRAYER-
-|-
-SINGING TOGETHER-
"In the Quiet Curve of Evening”
YOU ARE THERE,
YOU ARE THERE,
YOU ARE THERE.
-|-
-COMMUNION INVITATION-
-|-
-SINGING TOGETHER-
"The Open Table”
COME, OH COME, COME TO THE TABLE.
GATHER ‘ROUND, COME WITHOUT FEAR.
KNOWN BY NAME HERE AT THE TABLE, THIS TABLE;
WELCOME HERE TO THE TABLE OF LOVE.
CIRCLE ‘ROUND, LET’S JOIN TOGETHER.
SHARE YOUR JOYS, AND BRING YOUR TEARS.
STRENGTH AND HOPE FOUND AT THE TABLE, THIS TABLE;
WELCOME HERE TO THE TABLE OF LOVE.
GOD IS LOVE; LOVE IS CREATING
SOMETHING NEW, RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW.
WE’RE CHILDREN OF GOD, HERE AT THE TABLE, THIS TABLE;
WELCOME HERE TO THE TABLE OF LOVE
-|-
-IN GRATITUDE-
-|-
-OFFERING-
-|-
-ANNOUNCEMENTS-
-|-
-INVITATION TO RESPOND-
-|-
-SINGING TOGETHER-
"Hosanna, Loud Hosanna”
"HOSANNA, LOUD HOSANNA,"
THE LITTLE CHILDREN SANG;
THROUGH PILLARED COURT AND TEMPLE
THE LOVELY ANTHEM RANG;
TO JESUS, WHO HAD BLESSED THEM
CLOSE FOLDED TO HIS BREAST,
THE CHILDREN SANG THEIR PRAISES,
THE SIMPLEST AND THE BEST.
FROM OLIVET THEY FOLLOWED
AMID A CHEERING CROWD,
THE VICTOR PALM BRANCH WAVING,
AND CHANTING CLEAR AND LOUD.
THE ONE WHOM ANGELS WORSHIP
RODE ON IN LOWLY STATE,
AND GLAD TO SEE THE CHILDREN,
SLOWED DOWN THE DONKEY'S GAIT.
"HOSANNA IN THE HIGHEST!"
THAT ANCIENT SONG IS OURS,
WE HAIL OUR GREAT REDEEMER
AND SING WITH ALL OUR POWERS;
"HOSANNA, CHRIST, WE PRAISE YOU
WITH HEART AND LIFE AND VOICE.
HOSANNA! IN YOUR PRESENCE
FOREVER WE'LL REJOICE!"
-|-
-BLESSING & BENEDICTION-
-|-
-SINGING TOGETHER-
"Make Us One”
MAKE US ONE, LORD, MAKE US ONE;
HOLY SPIRIT, MAKE US ONE.
LET YOUR LOVE FLOW SO THE WORLD WILL KNOW
WE ARE ONE IN YOU.
. . . . . . . . . .
-THE TEAM-
ACCOMPANIST: Brenda Gardiner, Lisa Loeffler, Timmy Smallwood
BUILDING CARE: Travis Hines, Keith Reid, Barry Thompson
FACILITIES CARE: Edmond Edwards, Lisa Loeffler, Kathy Lyons, Steve Melton, Barry Thompson, Seth Tuska
NURSERY: Linda Netherton
PHOTOGRAPHY: Cynthia Buckner
PROPERTY CARE: West Gillium, Lee Hamilton, Morgan Hamilton, Lorie Yaste
SERVICE PREPARATION: Travis Hines, Keith Reid, Barry Thompson
SONG LEADER: Chris Prichard, Lisa Loeffler, Chris Cook
TECH: Nancy Alspach, Mason Bishop, Dale Hamilton, Morgan Hamilton, Timmy Smallwood
APRIL BULLETINS
JANUARY BULLETINS