ST. PAUL’S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH OF STEINBACH INC. MEMBER OF THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN CANADA

465 Henry Street, Steinbach MB R5G 0H1 204-326-3758 Fax 204-326-2548

email: office@stpaulsteinbach.org www.stpaulsteinbach.org

Lead Pastor Rev. Terry Gudmundson 204-380-3293 Associate Pastor Rev. Melissa Frankland 204-293-7930 Minister for Youth & Young Adults Jacob Tamlin 204-381-8966

Welcome & Announcements

THE GATHERING: (Congregation reads bold parts)

L. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! All. Hosanna to the Son of David! L. Praise to Christ who comes as Messiah and Savior of

the world! All. Hosanna to the Son of David! L. We gather here today and remember as the first

Christians gathered and laid their garments before you as you entered Jerusalem in triumph. We raise our palm branches and boldly proclaim for the whole world to hear:

All. Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. We hail you as the Son of God, our Savior and King! We worship you in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS: L. Holy God, you heard how quickly the “hosannas”

turned to shouts of “crucify him.” Because the story of your cross is a story of love for each of us we can con-fidently bring our confession to you, trusting that you will forgive our sin.

All. Merciful God, we stand before your cross and we are in awe of your plan to save the world from sin and death. Your gift of love and mercy that comes through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ brings what we could never achieve on our own. Forgive us.

L. Your love is so amazing. You bled and died for us. You walked this road to the cross to give us life in eternity with you. Truly, you are the Son of God. Truly you are innocent.

All. Jesus, remember us when you come into your kingdom. Amen.

APOSTOLIC GREETING: L. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. All. And also with you.

PRAYER OF THE DAY: L. Let us pray together: All. Sovereign God, you have established your rule in

the human heart through the servanthood of Jesus Christ. By your Spirit, keep us in the joyful procession of those who with their tongues con-fess Jesus as Lord and with their lives praise him as Savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Gathering Hymn: “All Glory Laud and Honor”

GOD’S WORD: Readers: 9:30 Ralph Krentz; 11:00 Lisa Wilson

FIRST READING: Isaiah 50:4-9a

4 The Lord GOD has given me the tongue of a teacher, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word. Morning by morning he wakens— wakens my ear to listen as those who are taught. 5 The Lord GOD has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, I did not turn backwards. 6 I gave my back to those who struck me, and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard; I did not hide my face from insult and spitting. 7 The Lord GOD helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame; 8 he who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who are my adversaries? Let them confront me. 9 It is the Lord GOD who helps me; who will declare me guilty?

L. The Word of the Lord. C. Thanks be to God.

SECOND READING: Philippians 2:5-11

5Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, 7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness.

Palm Sunday March 28, 2021

And being found in human form, 8 he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death— even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

L. The Word of the Lord. C. Thanks be to God. HOLY GOSPEL: Mark 11:1-11

Congregational response after the announcement: Glory to you, O Lord.

1 When they were approaching Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, he 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 bystanders 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! 10 Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David! Hosanna in the highest heaven!’ 11 Then 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.

L. This is the Gospel of the Lord. C. Praise to you, O Christ.

Sermon

Hymn of the Day: “My Song is Love Unknown”

Apostles’ Creed

Prayers of Intercession PRAYER OF BLESSING: L. Let us pray together, All. Blessed Lord, we are moved to be your faithful

disciples. Like the palms laid long ago in honor of your Son, we present these gifts for your reverent design. We proclaim that your sovereign existence will transform the lives of all who believe in your Son, Jesus Christ. Hosanna in the highest! Amen.

THE GREAT THANKSGIVING: L. The Lord be with you. All. And also with you. L. Lift up your hearts. All. We lift them to the Lord. L. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God All. It is right to give our thanks and praise.

The Lord’s Prayer

Distribution

Hymns (sung during the distribution): “Bread of Life, Our Host and Meal” “The Love of God”

Prayer after Communion

Benediction

Closing Hymn: “Ride On, Ride On in Majesty”

DISMISSAL: L. Go in peace for Christ goes with you. All. Thanks be to God. Amen.

PRAYER REMINDERS

In your prayers this week, please remember Larry Henzel, Peter Harder, Chris Funk, Laura Heckert, Tina Heckert, Wanda Hoehn, Albert

Kihn, Margaret Kihn, Marlene Klassen, Jennifer Kowaluk, Henrietta Reimer, Helmuth Renz, Ann Renz, Joan Schultz and Jennifer Stepaniuk.

HOLY COMMUNION

Holy Communion is offered in the continuous for-mat, with all COVID-19 virus related regulations adhered to. Please wait for an usher to direct you.

There is tape in the aisle to assist with social distancing as you line up.

GIFT OF REMEMBRANCE In a tribute of love and remembrance, a Memorial Gift has been received from FaithLife Financial in memory of Harry Harder, who passed away November 23, 2020. “Loved forever and missed always.”

SERVICE INFORMATION In-person worship services continue, with Sunday services with communion at 9:30 and 11:00am. Coming up during Holy Week are the Maundy Thursday service on April 1, 7:30pm, and Good Friday services April 2, 9:30am and 11:00am. Please remember, reservations are required for all services. Contact the church office at 204-326-3758, or email office@stpaulsteinbach.org. Deadline to register for all services next week is Thursday, April 1 prior to 2:00pm. Video services will continue to be posted no later than the Wednesday following the service.

NOW AVAILABLE: Portals of Prayer and Eternity for Today devotion books for April-June 2021, and Gott ist für uns booklets for March-May 2021. Also just in, latest issue of Canada Lutheran. May be picked up in the narthex or from the church office.

DID YOU KNOW?

On Palm Sunday the word

“Hosanna” is often spoken

and heard. It is not a word

that is used by most people

in their daily lives and it is

not used on most other

Sundays in the church as

well. Did you know that the word “Hosanna” means

“I beg you to save” or “please deliver us?”

So, as Jesus rode the colt into Jerusalem, the crowds

were perfectly right to shout “Hosanna!” They were

acknowledging Jesus as their Messiah, as shown in

their address “Son of David.”

In saying “Hosanna!” the people were crying out for

salvation, and that’s exactly why Jesus had come.

Within a week he would be hanging on a cross pro-

viding that very salvation for them, just not at all

what they were expecting. Jesus, to this very day,

continues to help us in ways that we do not expect.

I encourage you during this Holy Week to fully im-

merse yourselves into the events that will transpire

in order to better comprehend the depth of God’s

love for you.

SPECIAL WORSHIP SERVICE A special worship service will be held on Sunday, April 11 at 3:00pm which will include the annual congregational meeting. One item on the agenda is the sale of the church lots. Pre-registration is required by calling the church office before 2:00pm Friday, April 9. The annual report book will be available for pick-up next Sunday, April 4 in the narthex, or at the church office Mon-day to Friday, 10:00am-4:00pm. Please take time to read the reports prior to the service, and bring your copy with you. The following people have allowed their names to be submitted by the Nominating Committee for the 2021 Church Council:

President (1 - 2 yr term) George Sawatzky Vice-president (1 - 2 yr term) Sylvia Nilsson Barkman Elder (1 - 3 yr term) Michael Andres Deacons (2 - 3 yr terms) Richard Harder Acie Sobering (1 - 1 yr term) Temara Pidsadny Trustee (1 - 3 yr term) Doug Kreutzer Recording secretary (1 - 1 yr term) Brenda Krentz Sunday School Superintendent (1 - 1 yr term) Lisa Wilson 2022 Nominating Chair (1 - 1 yr term) Don Neufeld

ON THE CALENDAR

• Monday, March 29, 7:00pm, Prayer Gathering via Zoom. Contact the church office for online connection. Ques-tions? Contact Rev. Melissa.

• Tuesday, March 30, 10:00am, Coffee with the Pastors via Zoom. See contact details on back page, or contact the church office.

• Tuesday, March 30, 7:00pm, All Committees night.

• Thursday, April 1, 7:30 pm, Maundy Thursday service with communion

• Good Friday, April 2, 9:30am & 11:00am, Stations of the Cross worship service

• Sunday, April 4, 9:30am & 11:00am, Easter Sunday Worship Services with Communion

• LOOKING AHEAD: Sunday, April 11, 3:00pm, Special worship service including annual general meeting

ON AIR SERVICES

The St. Paul’s worship service will be aired on Radio Station AM1250 on Sundays, April 4 and 11 at 11:00 am. Spread the word!

SHARING OUR GIFTS Steinbach Community Outreach is a charity that helps people who are homeless or living in poverty in Steinbach and surrounding areas. They feed approximately 80 households a week every day, and are inviting us to donate a meal or two. Why not share a little of your holi-day meal leftovers? Frozen meals (in disposable contain-ers) may be dropped off at 345 Loewen Blvd. between 9am-4pm Monday to Friday. For further information con-tact Charlene at 204-380-2692.

THANK YOU DEPARTMENT Thank you to all who have assisted with the services today.

TUESDAY, March 30, 10:00AM

Grab your cuppa tea or joe and join us on your

coffee break for a time of fellowship. This is a great

time to check in and connect with each other, and to

spend a short time in prayer and in God’s Word.

INFORMAL COME AND GO GATHERING. ALL ARE WELCOME.

To participate, just click on the link below:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81711663950?

pwd=VkRPUGIyejRxeTQyTFNHeS9nSC93Zz09

Meeting ID: 817 1166 3950

Passcode: 774976

Dial by your location: 1-204 272 7920

Please Note: The link changes each week so please check

here or our online platforms.

Questions? Contact Rev. Melissa

We invite you to join us for an online Zoom

weekly Monday night prayer gathering when we join our

hearts in prayer seeking God’s help as we pray for the

church, the world, the sick, the lonely, and all who

mourn, and any other needs. It is a great way for us to

connect as a church family!

The next gathering will be held Monday, March 29, from

7-8pm. Please contact the office for the online connec-

tion details. If you have any questions, please do not hesi-

tate to contact Rev Melissa.

Mark 11:1-11

“Those who went ahead

and those who followed

were shouting,

‘Hosanna! Blessed is the

one who comes in the

name of the Lord!” (Mark 11:9). Notice how this

verse describes the entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem

on Palm Sunday. It says that some are ahead of him

while others are following behind. In other words,

Jesus is in the midst of them.

I find it easy to forget that Jesus is not only behind or

ahead of us. He is not simply a figure from 2,000

years ago or a savior who will meet us in the

moment of death and bring us to new life. Our verse

reminds us that Jesus is here now in our midst. He

comes to us today with a Word of forgiveness and

freedom. He meets us whenever and wherever we

meet a neighbor—in our homes, workplaces,

schools, and community.

Lord Jesus, we thank you for your presence in our

midst. May we and those we meet be enclosed in

your gracious Word of love. Amen.

Mark Tranvik ’92 Th.D.

Professor of Reformation History and Theology

THE LOVE OF GOD

The love of God is greater far

Than tongue or pen can ever tell;

It goes beyond the highest star,

And reaches to the lowest hell;

The guilty pair, bowed down with care,

God gave His Son to win;

His erring child He reconciled,

And pardoned from his sin.

Refrain:

Oh, love of God, how rich and pure!

How measureless and strong!

It shall forevermore endure -

The saints’ and angels’ song.

When years of time shall pass away,

And earthly thrones and kingdoms fall,

When men, who here refuse to pray,

On rocks and hills and mountains call,

God’s love so sure shall still endure,

All measureless and strong;

Redeeming grace to Adam’s race -

The saints’ and angels’ song. [Refrain]

Could we with ink the ocean fill,

And were the skies of parchment made,

Were every stalk on earth a quill,

And every man a scribe by trade;

To write the love of God above

Would drain the ocean dry;

Nor could the scroll contain the whole,

Though stretched from sky to sky. [Refrain]