Palm Sunday Worship

First Presbyterian Church

and

Rehoboth Presbyterian Church

Palm Sunday Combined Worship and Celebration of the Lord's Supper First Presbyterian Church and Rehoboth Presbyterian Church

Pastors. Mary Kay Glunt and Donald T. Glunt April 5, 2020

We will observe the Lord’s Table individually in our own homes. If you have grape juice, great! But the formulation of the drink doesn’t determine its symbolism. In this time when we are asked to stay at home, God honors our desire to worship and praise Him. Please come to worship with bread and juice to share as we celebrate God with us in this service.

COLLECT (For Preparatory Meditation):

Holy God, whose steadfast love offers direction and purpose to our lives, help us to be faithful in the small things you ask of us day by day, that we may see all that you reveal to us, give thanks in all circumstances, and grow toward the mind of Christ. In obedient trust , we enter this holy week, eager to participate in a world transformed by love and healed by your power and grace. Amen.

– ASSEMBLE IN GOD’S NAME –

WELCOME:

CALL TO WORSHIP: Leader: This is a day of joyous welcome. Yet joy is tempered by impending doom. People: We welcome Christ with waving branches.

We wait with Christ through hours of agony. Leader: Our leader comes humbly, riding a donkey.

Blessed is the one who comes in God's name. People: Jesus rides into the tumult of our times.

People still oppose the way of love. Leader: Yet love prevails in spite of opposition.

Give thanks that God's steadfast love endures forever. People: Open to us the gates of righteousness.

Let us enter in the light God offers. INVOCATION

Be gracious to us, O God, in our moments of grief and fear. Be with us as we rejoice in the day you have made. Our times are in your hands, both when we mourn and when we celebrate. Guide our thoughts and actions so we may appreciate the possibilities in every day. We trust in you, O God. Let your face shine on your servants. Amen

HYMN: #89 (BLUE hymnal) 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 mid an exultant crowd, the victor palm branch waving, and chanting clear and loud. The Lord of earth and heaven rode on in lowly state, nor scorned that little children should on his bidding wait. "Hosanna in the highest!" that ancient song we sing, for Christ is our Redeemer, the Lord of heaven our King. O may we ever praise him with heart and life and voice, and in his blissful presence eternally rejoice! CALL TO CONFESSION: In the garden, Jesus directed the disciples to watch and pray. But they failed in their support. Have we not also fallen asleep? How constant and persistent is our prayer life? How eager are we to take the risks of trusting in Christ's leading? Will we be tray rather than follow? God is waiting to hear our plea for mercy. PRAYER OF CONFESSION: Holy God, we have blamed you when the hosannas die and the parade turns into a mob scene. We heap our doubts on you even though our inaction adds power to those who shout, "Crucify." We rebel against the risks of discipleship. Why raise our voices against the evil we see? One voice simply becomes one more victim. O God, we protest, but we know down deep that the victim of our silence is the way of love, the way of life. Forgive our cowardice and help us to stand with Christ in a world that has forgotten humility and obedience to you. O God, we want to be faithful. Why does it cost so much? Amen. *SILENT CONFESSION

*KYRIE: Lord have mercy upon us; Christ have mercy upon us; Lord have mercy upon us.

*WORDS OF ASSURANCE:

God does not forsake us. In times of terror and suffering we are not alone. In Christ, we are strengthened as we watch and pray. We receive courage to love in the face of ridicule and to act for truth amid the oppressive forces of deceit. Love is at the heart of creation, bringing us to new beginnings, to resurrection life in all its fullness.

In Christ we are forgiven and made new. Praise be to God.

*GLORIA PATRI:

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, As it was in the beginning Is now and ever shall be, World without end. Amen. Amen.

Passing the peace of Christ

Peace be with you.

And also with you!

Children’s Time Pastor Mary Kay

Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 (Responsive)

Leader: O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever! Let Israel say, “His steadfast love endures forever.”

People: Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord.

Leader: This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous shall enter through it.

People: I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation.

Leader: The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.

People: This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.

Leader: This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

People: Save us, we beseech you, O Lord! O Lord, we beseech you, give us success!

Leader: Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.

People: We bless you from the house of the Lord. The Lord is God, and he has given us light.

Leader: Bind the festal procession with branches, up to the horns of the altar.

People: You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God, I will extol you.

Leader: O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, People: for his steadfast love endures forever.

READING FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT 1 Peter 4:7-11

READING FROM THE GOSPEL Matthew 21:1-11

Sermon: Praise that Lasts Rev. Mary Kay Glunt

HYMN: #374 (RED hymnal) Rejoice, the Lord is King

Rejoice, the Lord is King: Your Lord and King adore! Rejoice, give thanks and sing, And triumph evermore. Lift up your heart, Lift up your voice! Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

Jesus, the Savior, reigns, The God of truth and love; When He had purged our stains, He took his seat above; Lift up your heart, Lift up your voice! Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

His kingdom cannot fail, He rules o'er earth and heav'n; The keys of death and hell Are to our Jesus giv'n: Lift up your heart, Lift up your voice! Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

Rejoice in glorious hope! Our Lord and judge shall come And take His servants up To their eternal home: Lift up your heart, Lift up your voice! Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

Affirmation of Faith (ecumenical) Apostles Creed 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 the People / Lord’s Prayer

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 debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

OFFERTORY INVITATION

For thirty pieces of silver, Jesus Christ was betrayed . And still today he is denied in the way we use the resources entrusted to us. God does not ask of us a token of support. We are called to give our all, of which our financial offerings are but a symbol. Will our gifts shout good news to the world?

OFFERTORY PRAYER

May all that we offer bring life-changing good news, both to those who give and to all who are reached by the caring ministries of the church. May they help to restore relationships of trust among us and outpourings of generosity that echo your steadfast love around the world. May your saints be raised to new life that cuts through the deceptions of society to bring your new order among us, O God of all times and places. Amen.

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

WORDS OF INSTITUTION

BREAKING OF THE BREAD AND POURING OF THE CUP

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION:

Merciful God, we give thanks that you have invited us to this Table. We give thanks that you have received us as members of the body of Christ and have affirmed us as a community of faith. Lead us to live as faithful and dedicated disciples in service to all the world; in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

HYMN: #495 (RED hymnal) It Is Well with My Soul

When peace like a river, attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say It is well, it is well, with my soul

It is well (it is well) With my soul (with my soul) It is well, it is well with my soul

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought My sin, not in part but the whole, Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more, Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, o my soul

It is well (it is well) With my soul (with my soul) It is well, it is well with my soul

COMMISSION AND BLESSING Pastor Don

Lift high the branches that honor Jesus Christ. Lift high the cross that proclaims love's sacrifice. We will wave our greeting with joyous praise. We will risk the commitment that led to a cross. We are under oath before the living God. May we have no reason to weep when the cock crows. The promises we have made excite and challenge us. We seek to be loyal and courageous in Christ's service. God keeps covenant with us in all circumstances. The cup of blessing is extended to us every day. May our flesh be strengthened to match our willing spirits. May love prevail in all our dealings this week. Amen. Amen.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

THE COMMUNION OFFERING, unique to our congregation, is taken up each time we celebrate communion, reminding us that as Christ gave Himself for us, we are called to give ourselves for others. Today's offerings will go to Pine Springs Camp. Please send your communion offering to the church. SHARING OUR BLESSINGS: The Session has approved an online giving program. Registration and setup are in process; however, until it is in place, please continue to send in your giving or bring it to the parish house. FOOD BANK: For next month's Food Bank, we need helpers who are considered non risk to help pack bags and carry them to the cars. Face masks and gloves will be provided, and volunteer safety will be first consideration.

HOLY WEEK Holy Week Prayer Walk Thank you for being safe by avoiding others. But when you need to get out, we want to invite you to come to the church to participate in our Prayer Walk. The purpose is to have a virtual prayer meeting on our church grounds where we can pray with and for one another, even when we aren't physical walking together. 1. On the church steps pick up a bag of chalk. 2. Find a place on the front sidewalk (street) or leading up to and around the church and chalk your prayer request or praise. If you cannot physically come to the church or cannot get down that far to chalk your message, e-mail Natalie or Pastor Mary Kay, and we will write them for you. 3. Come to the church for some fresh air and to walk the prayer walk, praying for others and getting some fresh air. Please stay at least six feet away from others. 4. Pastor Mary Kay will be videotaping the requests daily and sharing them on a virtual walk on YouTube for you to do a virtual walk on your computer. Maundy Thursday Service will be live-streamed at 7 p.m. Please prepare communion for your family to share during the service. Simple bread and juice or wine will be sufficient. God will bless anything we bring during this time! Good Friday service will be live-streamed beginning at 12 noon. Easter Sunday: Sunrise Service in the parking lot at 7 a.m. Worship will be at 11 a.m. live-streamed.