PRELUDE: Ain’t No Rock Gonna Shout for Me by Lloyd Larson
Here comes the Lord riding on a donkey with people waving branches and calling him “King.” Here comes the Lord riding through Jerusalem. If the people don’t shout, the rocks will cry out! Rocks, keep silent! Jesus comes to set me free. Rocks, keep silent! I’m gonna’ shout in victory! Rocks, keep silent! Jesus reigns in majesty. Ain’t no rock gonna’ shout for me. Here comes the Lord as thousands throng to see him. Children stand on tip-toe to see the King. Here comes the Lord; excitement in the air. Here comes the Lord; hosannas fill the air. The people bow and worship the promised King! Here comes the Lord, “Hosanna in the highest!” If the people don’t shout, the rocks will cry out! Ain’t no rock gonna’ shout for me. [J. Paul Williams – based on Luke 19:38-40]
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP
PRAYER OF INVOCATION
FIRST SCRIPTURE LESSON: Matthew 21:7-9
HYMN: All Glory, Laud, and Honor [Valet Will Ich Dir Geben]
PRAYER OF PRAISE
INTROIT: A Hosanna for Our Time by Karen Marrolli; Maria Schafer, soprano solo; Mark Waters, tenor solo; Julie Metz, violin
When the world cries for power will our souls cry for peace? Does the kingdom we’re seeking comfort with refuge and release? Does the realm of our longing reign with riches or welcome with grace? What kingdom shall we choose? Hosanna, sing hosanna! Behold the King of Peace, riding lowly among us, conquering the reign of fear! Hosanna, sing hosanna! Behold the King of Love! Now the light of justice shatters the bow and spear! Hosanna! Will our souls cry for healing while the world cries for war? Does the kingdom we’re seeking rule with a peace that shall endure? Does the realm of our longing boast of power or soothe with love? What kingdom shall we choose? Will we choose to rage with strength and strife? Will we choose to heal with words of life? Will we bow to riches and might? Will we reach for the crown of light? Let the stones cry out in songs of praise as we turn from earthly power to walk in humbler ways! Hosanna! [based on Zechariah 9:9-12 and Luke 19:28-40]
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
SONG OF GRATEFUL PRAISE: I Will Exalt My God, My King [Te Exaltare, Mi Dios]
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
SECOND SCRIPTURE LESSON: 1 Corinthians 2:1-5
HYMN: Ride On! Ride On in Majesty! [St. Drostane]
SERMON: “At the Heart of It All”
FIRST ANTHEM: Lead Me to Calvary by Howard Helvey; Julie Metz, violin
King of my life I crown Thee now, Thine shall the glory be; lest I forget Thy thorn-crowned brow, lead me to Calvary. Lest I forget Gethsemane, lest I forget Thine agony, lest I forget Thy love for me, lead me to Calvary. May I be willing, Lord, to bear daily my cross for Thee; even Thy cup of grief to share, Thou hast born all for me. Lead me to Calvary. [Jennie Evelyn Hussey]
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
HYMN: O Sacred Head, Now Wounded [Passion Chorale]
BENEDICTION
SECOND ANTHEM: Beneath the Cross of Jesus by St. Christopher-Frederick C. Maker/arr. Albert L. Travis; Julie Metz, violin
Beneath the cross of Jesus I fain would take my stand; the shadow of a mighty rock within a weary land, a home within the wilderness, a rest upon the way, from the burning of the noontide heat, and the burden of the day. Upon the cross of Jesus, mine eye at times can see the very dying form of one who suffered there for me. And from my smitten heart, with tears, two wonders I confess: the wonder of His glorious love and my unworthiness. I take, O cross, Thy shadow for my abiding place; I ask no other sunshine than the sunshine of His face; content to let the world go by, to know no gain nor loss, my sinful self my only shame, my glory all the cross! [Elizabeth C. Clephane]
DEPARTURE IN SILENCE
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