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Welcome to Worship
Palm Sunday
10:00 AM Service March 24, 2024
The service begins at the Youth/Activity Building for those who are able. Palm branches are distributed before the service begins.
GATHERING
Acclamation
P: Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord!
C: Hosanna in the highest.
The Processional Gospel:
P. The holy gospel according to Mark 11: 1—11
C: Glory to you, O Lord.
1When they were approaching Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, [Jesus] sent two of his disciples 2and said to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately as you enter it, you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden; untie it and bring it. 3If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ just say this, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately.’ ” 4They went away and found a colt tied near a door, outside in the street. As they were untying it, 5some of the by-standers said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” 6They told them what Jesus had said; and they allowed them to take it. 7Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it; and he sat on it. 8Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields. 9Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! 10Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” 11Then he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple; and when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.
P: The gospel of the Lord. C: Praise to you, O Christ.
Blessing of the Palms
P: The Lord be with you. C: And also with you.
P: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
We praise you, O God, for redeeming the world through our Savior, Jesus Christ. Today he entered the holy city in triumph, and was proclaimed messiah and king by those who spread garments and branches along his way. Bless these branches and those who carry them. Grant us grace to follow our Lord in the way of the cross, so that, joined to his death and resurrection, we enter into life with you; through the same Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C: Amen
The Procession Enters the Sanctuary
The procession walks to the sanctuary with shouts of “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’”
P: Let us go forth in peace
C: In the name of Christ. Amen
Processional Hymn #344 “All Glory, Laud, and Honor”
Refrain: All glory, laud, and honor to you, Redeemer, King,
to whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring.
1. You are the king of Israel and David’s royal Son, Now in the Lord’s name coming, Our King and Blessed One. Refrain
2. The company of angels are praising you on high; Creation and all mortals in chorus make reply. Refrain
3. The multitude of pilgrims with palms before you went, Our praise and prayer and anthems before you we present. Refrain
4; To you, before your Passion, they sang their hymns of praise. To you, now high exalted, our melody we raise. Refrain
5. Their praises you accepted; accept the prayers we bring,
Great author of all goodness, O good and gracious King. Refrain
P: Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord!
C: Hosanna in the highest.
Welcome and Announcements
Ringing of the Bell
Greeting
L: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
C: And also with you.
P: Let us pray.
Everlasting God, in your endless love for the human race you sent our Lord Jesus Christ to take on our nature and to suffer death on the cross. In your mercy enable us to share in his obedience to your will and in the glorious victory of his resurrection, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C: Amen.
Please be seated.
Word
First Reading: Philippians 2:5-11 Pg. 1827
R: Word of God, Word of Life C: Thanks be to God.
Introduction to the Reading of the Passion of our Lord
Gospel: Mark 14:1--15:47 Pg. 1578
Our Readers: Wendy Kuenemann, Tom Pearson, Kirsten Meyer, Ken Kleid, and Judy Hillegeist
Silence for Reflection.
Hymn #351 “O Sacred Head Now Wounded”
L: Together with the whole church, we confess our faith:
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.*
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
Prayers of Intercession
L: . . .Hear us O, God,
C: Your mercy is great.
Sharing the Peace
A: The peace of Christ be with you always.
C: And also with you.
A: Please share Christ’s peace with one another.
Offering and Offering Hymn # 336 “Lamb of God”
The offering is collected as the hymn is sung. Please stand on the last verse as the offering is brought forward.
L: Let us pray.
A: Jesus, you are the bread of life and the host of this meal. Bless these gifts that we have gathered that all people may know your goodness. Feed us not only with this holy food but with hunger for justice and peace. We pray this in your name. Amen.
MEAL
P: It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise. . . We praise your name and join their unending hymn:
Eucharistic Prayer
Blessed are you, O God of the universe. Your mercy is everlasting and your faithfulness endures from age to age.
Praise to you for creating the heavens and the earth.
Praise to you for saving the earth from the waters of the flood.
Praise to you for bringing the Israelites safely through the sea.
Praise to you for leading your people through the wilderness to the land of milk and honey.
Praise to you for the words and deeds of Jesus, your anointed one.
Praise to you for the death and resurrection of Christ.
Praise to you for your Spirit poured out on all nations.
In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying:
Take and eat; this is my body, given for you.
Do this for the remembrance of me.
Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks,
and gave it for all to drink, saying:
This cup is the new covenant in my blood,
shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin.
Do this for the remembrance of me.
With this bread and cup we remember our Lord’s Passover from death to life as we proclaim the mystery of faith:
Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.
O God of resurrection and new life: Pour out your Holy Spirit on us and on these gifts of bread and wine
Bless this feast.
Grace our table with your presence.
Come, Holy Spirit.
Reveal yourself to us in the breaking of the bread.
Raise us up as the body of Christ for the world.
Breathe new life into us and send us forth, burning with justice, peace and love.
Come, Holy Spirit.
With your holy ones of all times and places,
With the earth and all its creatures, with sun and moon and stars,
We praise you O God, blessed and holy Trinity, now and forever.
Amen.
P: Remember us in your kingdom and teach us to pray…
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. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
Invitation to Communion
P: Bread for the journey. A feast for hungry hearts. Come!
Communion Hymns
Hymn #608 “Softly and Tenderly, Jesus is Calling”
Hymn #616 “Jesus, Remember Me” (x 3)
Blessing
P: The body and blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ, strengthen you and keep you in his grace.
Prayer after Communion
P: Generous God, at this table we have tasted your immeasurable grace. As grains of wheat are gathered into one bread, now make us one loaf to feed the world; in the name of Jesus, the Bread of life. Amen.
Benediction
P: Beloved, we are God’s own people, holy, washed, renewed. God bless you and keep you, shower you with mercy, fill you with courage, and give you peace.
Hymn # 338 “Beneath the Cross of Jesus”
L: Go in peace. Share your bread.
Thanks be to God.
Postlude
Our thanks to those who serve as our worship leaders::
Our Reader—Wendy Kuenemann
Our Liturgist—Ken Kleid
Organist—Angela Lau
Music Accompanist—Doris Menke
Hand Bell Director—Wendy Kuenemann
Transitional Pastor—Rev. Kristine Franke Hill