March 29, 2026
Sunday Gathering
Palm Sunday
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-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.
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-PRELUDE-
“Majesty” -J. Hayford
Brenda Gardiner
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-WELCOME-
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-SINGING TOGETHER-
“Wilderness Wanderering People”
WE ARE A WILDERNESS WANDERING PEOPLE
ON A JOURNEY OF THE SOUL.
MAY WE FIND OUR DESTINATION
IN OUR LONGING TO BE WHOLE.
OUR HOLY GOD IS CALLING TO US.
WITH JESUS BY OUR SIDE
MAY COMPASSION BE OUR COMPASS;
MAY THE SPIRIT BE OUR GUIDE.
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-OPENING PRAYER-
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-SINGING TOGETHER-
“Wilderness Wanderering People”
WE ARE A WILDERNESS WANDERING PEOPLE
ON A JOURNEY OF THE SOUL.
MAY WE FIND OUR DESTINATION
IN OUR LONGING TO BE WHOLE.
OUR HOLY GOD IS CALLING TO US.
WITH JESUS BY OUR SIDE
MAY COMPASSION BE OUR COMPASS;
MAY THE SPIRIT BE OUR GUIDE.
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-CALL TO WORSHIP-
I’m going on a journey
TO FIND MY TRUEST SELF,
to take the things that weigh me down
AND PUT THEM ON THE SHELF.
I’m going on a journey
TO LAUGH, AND LEARN, AND PRAY.
I’m going on a journey
AND LOVE WILL LEAD THE WAY.
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-GREETING ONE ANOTHER-
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-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!"
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-SCRIPTURE-
Luke 19:28-40 (CEB)
After Jesus said this, he continued on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 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.”
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-THE MESSAGE-
“The beginning to the end to the beginning”
Pam Lee-Miller
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-SINGING TOGETHER-
“God Comes to Us”
GOD COMES TO US ON WINTER NIGHT,
IN BABY’S BREATH, BY FIRELIGHT,
GOD COMES TO US ON A STAR.
GOD COMES TO US AMIDST OUR FEARS,
UNSPOKEN JOYS, UNENDING TEARS,
GOD COMES TO US WHERE WE ARE.
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-SHARNG JOYS & CONCERNS-
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-PRAYERS FOR THE PEOPLE-
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-SINGING TOGETHER-
“As We Gather At Your Table”
AS WE GATHER AT YOUR TABLE,
AS WE LISTEN TO YOUR WORD,
HELP US KNOW, O GOD, YOUR PRESENCE;
LET OUR HEARTS AND MINDS BE STIRRED.
NOURISH US WITH SACRED STORY
TILL WE CLAIM IT AS OUR OWN;
TEACH US THROUGH THIS HOLY BANQUET
HOW TO MAKE LOVE’S VICTORY KNOWN.
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-INVITATION TO COMMUNION-
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-COMMUNION MEDITATION-
“Be Thou My Vision” -arr. M. Hayes
Brenda Gardiner
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-IN GRATITUDE-
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-OFFERING-
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-ANNOUNCEMENTS-
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-INVITATION TO RESPOND-
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-SINGING TOGETHER-
“In the Midst of New Dimensions”
IN THE MIDST OF NEW DIMENSIONS,
IN THE FACE OF CHARGING WAYS,
WHO WILL LEAD THE PILGRIM PEOPLES
WANDERING THEIR SEPARATE WAYS?
GOD OF RAINBOW, FIERY PILLAR,
LEADING WHERE THE EAGLES SOAR,
WE YOUR PEOPLE, OURS THE JOURNEY
NOW AND EVER, NOW AND EVER, NOW AND EVER MORE.
THROUGH THE FLOOD OF STARVING PEOPLE,
WARRING FACTIONS, AND DESPAIR,
WHO WILL LIFT THE BRANCHES?
WHO WILL LIGHT THE FLAME OF CARE?
GOD OF RAINBOW, FIERY PILLAR,
LEADING WHERE THE EAGLES SOAR,
WE YOUR PEOPLE, OURS THE JOURNEY
NOW AND EVER, NOW AND EVER, NOW AND EVER MORE.
AS WE STAND, A WORLD DIVIDED
BY OUR OWN SELF-SEEKING SCHEMES,
GRANT THAT WE, YOUR GLOBAL VILLAGE,
MIGHT ENVISION WILDER DREAMS.
GOD OF RAINBOW, FIERY PILLAR,
LEADING WHERE THE EAGLES SOAR,
WE YOUR PEOPLE, OURS THE JOURNEY
NOW AND EVER, NOW AND EVER, NOW AND EVER MORE.
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-BLESSING & BENEDICTION-
We will follow on The Way.
WE WILL FOLLOW ON THE WAY.
The Creator God fills us with breath
inviting us to this journey called Life.
WE WILL FOLLOW ON THE WAY.
Jesus, our Guide, shows us what it means
to make a new way with Love.
WE WILL FOLLOW ON THE WAY.
The Spirit gives us strength to move forward
with courage and compassion for all we meet.
WE WILL FOLLOW ON THE WAY.
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-SINGING TOGETHER-
“Wilderness Wanderering People”
WE ARE A WILDERNESS WANDERING PEOPLE
ON A JOURNEY OF THE SOUL.
MAY WE FIND OUR DESTINATION
IN OUR LONGING TO BE WHOLE.
OUR HOLY GOD IS CALLING TO US.
WITH JESUS BY OUR SIDE
MAY COMPASSION BE OUR COMPASS;
MAY THE SPIRIT BE OUR GUIDE.
ON THE WAY,
ON THE WAY,
ON THE WAY.
. . . . . . . . . .
-THE TEAM-
ACCOMPANIST: Brenda Gardiner, Lisa Loeffler, Timmy Smallwood
ARTIST IN RESIDENCE: Tiff Jones
BUILDING CARE: Travis Hines, Barry Thompson
FACILITIES CARE: Edmond Edwards, Lisa Loeffler, Steve Melton, Seth Tuska
NURSERY: Linda Netherton
PHOTOGRAPHY: Cynthia Buckner
PROPERTY CARE: Skeet Freytag, West Gillium, Lee Hamilton, Morgan Hamilton, Lorie Yaste
SERVICE PREPARATION: Travis Hines, Barry Thompson
SONG LEADER: Chris Prichard, Lisa Loeffler, Chris Cook
TECH: Nancy Alspach, Mason Bishop, Erin Drenkhahn, Dale Hamilton, Keith Moore, Timmy Smallwood