Palm Sunday 2023

All glory, laud, and honor
to you, Redeemer, King,
to whom the lips of children
made sweet hosannas ring.
You are the King of Israel
and David’s royal Son,
now in the Lord’s name coming,
the king and Blessed One.

Shout for joy, you heaven, rejoice, all the earth!. The glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people together will see it. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

Rejoice greatly, shout for joy!  See, your king is coming to you.  He is righteous and brings salvation.

We praise you, the Lord God of Israel!  You came to the help of your people and have set them free.

You have raised up for us a mighty Savior, a descendant of your servant David.

You promised through your holy prophets long ago that you would save us from our enemies, from the power of all those who hate us.

You have shown the mercy promised to our ancestors and have remembered your holy covenant.

With a solemn oath to our ancestor Abraham, you promised to rescue us from our enemies and allow us to serve you without fear,

So that we might be holy and righteous before you all the days of our life.

By your tender mercy you cause the bright dawn of salvation to rise on us,

To give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

The voice of the messenger echoes from the desert, calling us to prepare the way of the Lord and to make a straight path on which he may come.  Let us confess our sins, so that our crooked ways will be made straight and the rough ways smooth.

Our sovereign Redeemer, we join the people of Jerusalem offering our own shouts of praise and celebration at your coming. Although we welcome you today with the multitude on Palm Sunday, we confess we have also stood with the condemning crowd on Good Friday.  Our thoughts, words, and deeds have cried, “Crucify!” We turn to you for help and forgiveness, gracious Savior; not because we deserve it, but because you are forgiving. Save us from our sinful ways, and restore us to a life of loyalty to you.  Amen.

Through John the Baptizer, we hear the Lord’s promise. Turn away from your sins, and God will forgive your sins.

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“Hosanna in the highest!”

That ancient song we sing,

For Christ is our Redeemer,

The Lord of heav’n our King.

O may we ever praise him

With heart and life and voice

And in his blissful presence

Eternally rejoice!

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Eternal God, Ruler of all ages, graciously you come to us in order that we might come to you, through the merit of Jesus Christ, strengthened by the Holy Spirit.

Help us and all your children to respond to the call of your gospel with faith, love, and hope.

God of faith, you created humanity to serve and praise you and even when we rebelled against you, you promised to send a Savior to redeem us from our sins.

Strengthen our faith in your saving work through Christ. As you chose the people of Israel to hear the promise of redemption through the prophets, may people today believe in your good will for all that you have made.

God of love, you fulfilled your promise of a redeemer in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ:

Grant us the gifts of the Holy Spirit that we may share your love with the sick and the afflicted, with the poor and the homeless, with the victims of injustice and discrimination, and with all who are experiencing times of trouble.

God of hope, you comfort us through our Savior’s promise to return in glory at the end of time:

As we await the coming of the Prince of Peace, let us not despair. We long for you to inspire all the nations and peoples of the world to turn to cooperation and nurture, rather than to hatred and destruction.

God of faith, love, and hope, to you and to you alone we pray:

For you are our God, the only God, forever and ever.  Amen.

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Watchword for the Week                                                            

And being found in human form, Jesus humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death – even death on a cross.  

Philippians 2:7, 8

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Today’s Watchword

I will turn their mourning into joy.

Jeremiah 31:13

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Doctrinal Text

Jesus said, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted”.

Matthew 5:4

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Prayer

Jesus of Nazareth, as you rode into Jerusalem, ride into our hearts today. Hear us as we shout, “Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord.” Let us bless you even as you bless and comfort us with freedom, purpose, and joy. AMEN.

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Statement of Purpose

“By the grace of God to make disciples of all people, both local and global. To enhance the deeper experiences with our Lord Jesus Christ through prayer, Bible Study, witnessing and the worship hour.

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Congregation Watchword for the Year

If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

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