“HOSANNA! HOSANNA! HOSANNA!”
VIDEO PRESENTATION “Jesus Rides into Jerusalem”
Like that first Palm Sunday on a hillside facing Jerusalem, our journey begins with expressing much exuberance and excitement. By all means, wave high and wildly your palm branches and sing loudly your “hosannas” in hopes of drawing the attention of Jesus, the King of kings and the Lord of lords, who is entering triumphally into the city and into our neighborhoods.
MATTHEW 21:1-9 “The Events of Palms & Triumphant Entry”
*SING TO THE LORD “Hosanna”
*CALL TO WORSHIP (Adapted from Psalm 118: 1, 19-29)
Give thanks to God for God is good;
God’s steadfast love endures forever! Hosanna!
We give thanks to God who answers us, for God is our saving help!
The stone the builders rejected is now the cornerstone! Hosanna!
Our salvation is at hand!
It is marvelous to behold! Hosanna!
This is the day that the Lord has made!
Let us rejoice and be glad! Hosanna!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Come save us, Lord! Hosanna!
Give thanks to God for God is good;
God’s steadfast love endures forever! Hosanna!
*SING TO THE LORD “Hosanna (Praise Is Rising)”
MINUTE FOR MISSION “Elijah’s Tree Ministry,” Dana Barre
RELEASING THE BLESSING (Tithes & Offerings)
Offertory – “All Glory, Laud, and Honor,” Worshipbook #227 (to the higher setting found on page 58)
*“Doxology,” Worshipbook #48
Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise Him all creatures here below
Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts
Praise Father Son and Holy Ghost, Amen
We would like the older children to participate in the full worship service today and on Easter Sunday,
so no Junior Church. The nursery is always available!
THE PASSOVER MEAL & LAST SUPPER
Just a few days after Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, during the Jewish Passover celebration, Jesus spent an instructive and intimate moment with his disciples, initiating the Last Supper, i.e. Holy Communion, and demonstrating true servanthood and love by washing each of their feet. That same evening, Jesus would be left alone to watch and pray in the Garden of Gethsemane before being arrested.
MATTHEW 26:26-28 “The First Holy Communion”
SONG “The More I Seek You”
JOHN 13:2-17, 33-35 “Jesus Washes the Feet of the Disciples”
LORD, HEAR OUR PRAYERS FOR OTHERS & OURSELVES
SONG – “Come to Jesus”
MATTHEW 26:36-46 “Jesus Is Left Alone”
SONG “Go to Dark Gethsemane”
“CRUCIFY HIM! CRUCIFY HIM!”
TRIAL, CRUCIFIXION, AND BURIAL
On Friday, Jesus would find himself facing charges for claiming to be the “King of the Jews” and God incarnate, i.e. “fully God, fully human.” Some of the same folks, who a few days earlier, waved high and wildly their palm branches and shouted loudly their “hosannas,” are now heard shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” Before the day ends, Jesus whispers his last words and takes his final breaths before dying on a Roman cross. Before the day ends, Jesus’ battered and lifeless body is removed from the cross, wrapped, and buried in a damp and dark tomb outside the city gates.
MATTHEW 26:47-50 & 27:19-26, 45-50, 57-60 “Jesus’ Final Moments”
VIDEO PRESENTATION “The Passion of Christ (Crucifixion Scene)”
Warning: Disturbing graphics depicted of the crucifixion scene from Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of Christ.”
SING TO THE LORD “Were You There,” Worshipbook #240
The removal of all signs of light, life, and Jesus from our sanctuary, observing the reality and cost of Jesus’ death.
Please depart in silence.