A Hopeful Vision

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Service of Worship

Morning Reverie
Steven Scott

Opening Prayer
The story of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem,
tells us that after his celebrated arrival.
He went into the Temple
and looked around at everything.
As we gather here for worship today
may it be with a sense that Jesus
has walked in too, and is looking around.
May our eyes be open to see Him,
may our hearts be ready to be seen by Him,
may our worship be worthy of His presence,
and may we be transformed
so that we see the world through His eyes.
Amen.

Scripture Reading — Matthew 21:1-11 (NRSV)

1 When they had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, just say this, ‘The Lord needs them.’ And he will send them immediately.a” 4 This took place to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet, saying,
5 “Tell the daughter of Zion,
Look, your king is coming to you,
humble, and mounted on a donkey,
and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”
6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; 7 they brought the donkey and the colt, and put their cloaks on them, and he sat on them. 8 A very large crowda spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting,
“Hosanna to the Son of David!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
10 When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, “Who is this?” 11 The crowds were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.”

Opening Hymn — Palm Procession Video

Children’s Time with Ms Becky

Announcements, Joys and Concerns, and Pastoral Prayer

Pastoral Prayer

God,
On this Holy day of Palm Sunday and Passion,
we have so many mixed feelings in side of us.
We remember your son’s triumphant entrance into Jerusalem
with the people shouting praises and waving Palm Branches.
And we join them with our own praises and yet….
we remember too that this wonderful parade for your son, becomes
another kind of parade before officials and the booing crowds.
And instead of the crowds singing his praises they are shouting to crucify him.
And our hearts are broken by those very shouts,
and the pain and suffering he bore that day.
And yet we know that it is because of his choosing to enter
Jerusalem and taking the path he knew he was taking,
there is hope, grace, love and salvation for all.
And there are still many in need of hope in our world.
There are still many in need of your grace in our world.
There are still many in need of your love in our world.
And there are still many in need of salvation in our world.

Lord, enter our lives, our churches, our cities, our countries
once again today.
Heal us, Lord.
Transform us.
Renew us.
Draw us closer to you in this journey of Holy Week,
empower us with strength and courage and
with the assurance that you are with us, world without end. Amen.

Offering Our Gifts to the Lord
For those who are called and able, gifts and tithes can still be made through online giving, by mailing them in, and by dropping them off to the office through the secure mail slot to the left of the double door entry to the church hallway.

Offertory — Hani

Hosanna, Loud Hosanna
Arr. Eric Thomas

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
praise him, all creatures here below;
praise him above, ye heavenly host;
praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow (Old 100th)
Louis Bourgeois | Thomas Ken
Public Domain

Offertory Prayer

Almighty and everlasting God, as we bring our gifts and lay them at your altar, we remember the crowds in Jerusalem who laid their cloaks on the road, shouting “Hosanna” as Jesus passed. We know they were looking for a Messiah who was different from who you sent Jesus to be – not one of political power and military might, but one who came in compassion and mercy to heal, love, and save. Search our hearts that we might be confident that the Messiah for whom we long is the one you know we need – Jesus Christ, your anointed one, in whose name we pray. Amen.

Scripture Reading — Revelation 22:1-5 (NRSV)

1 Then the angela showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 through the middle of the street of the city. On either side of the river is the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, producing its fruit each month; and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. 3 Nothing accursed will be found there any more. But the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servantsa will worship him; 4 they will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 And there will be no more night; they need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.

Sermon – Pastor Stacy Dickson
A Hopeful Vision

Closing Song We Want To See Jesus Lifted High

Verse
We want to see Jesus lifted high
A banner that flies across this land
That all men might see the truth and know
He is the way to heaven
(Repeat Verse)

Chorus 1
We want to see we want to see
We want to see Jesus lifted high
We want to see we want to see
We want to see Jesus lifted high

Verse
We want to see Jesus lifted high
A banner that flies across this land
That all men might see the truth and know
He is the way to heaven
(Repeat Verse)

Chorus 1
We want to see we want to see
We want to see Jesus lifted high
We want to see we want to see
We want to see Jesus lifted high

Bridge
Step by step we’re moving forward
Little by little taking ground
Ev’ry prayer a powerful weapon
Strongholds come tumbling down
And down and down and down

Verse
We want to see Jesus lifted high
A banner that flies across this land
That all men might see the truth and know
He is the way to heaven
(Repeat Verse)

Chorus 1
We want to see we want to see
We want to see Jesus lifted high
We want to see we want to see
We want to see Jesus lifted high

Chorus 2
We’re gonna see we’re gonna see
We’re gonna see Jesus lifted high
We’re gonna see we’re gonna see
We’re gonna see Jesus lifted high

Benediction

This is a vision of the way it can be, the way it should be—
Shouts of welcome, a joyful procession,
a community celebrating together.
The same vision is offered to us today:
We can welcome Christ into our lives;
We can celebrate his transforming power.
How swiftly things changed back then,
How swiftly we, too, can be distracted.
May we hold fast to his vision of goodness—
Peace from the practice of justice,
equality from the practice of respect.
As this week unfolds,
We will let ourselves be overtaken by God’s love
We will pour it back out into the world. Amen.

Postlude – Hani

Hosanna in the Highest
Tom Birchwood

CCLI Streaming Licence: CSPL052773