Palm/Passion Sunday @ St. Paul's UMC: Worship

Welcoming new members to St. Paul's

The choir shares the anthem

Today’s Meditation Verse: “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” —Matthew 21:9b

Welcome... Pastor Charles

Prelude... Lorie Courier / “Triumphal Entry”

*Call to Worship... Bob Muckle

We come to prepare for the holiest of weeks. We will journey through praise, with joy on our lips; we will travel through betrayal and death, cradling hope deep in our hearts. Jesus leads us through this week, and we will follow, for He is the life we long for, He is the Word who sustains us. We wave palm branches in anticipation, we lay our love before Him, to cushion His walk. Setting aside all power, glory, and might, He comes: modeling humility and obedience for all of us. Hosanna! Hosanna! Blessed is the One who brings us the kingdom of God. —written by the Rev. Thom Shuman

*Hymn... “Hosanna, Loud Hosanna” (UMH #278)

Prayer: Surely Not I? (inspired by Mark 14:18-19)... Bob Muckle

Surely, I would never betray You, never deny You. Surely? Beloved, give me the faith to doubt my righteousness. Give me the assurance to question, to examine myself honestly, to ask. Give me the confidence to wonder how I might betray Your perfect love, to see. Give me grace to confess how my promises are broken, my heart broken. Give me the peace to be troubled by my smugness and repent. Open my eyes to see what You see, You know, and knowing, You keep right on eating with

me.  —written by the Rev. Steve Garnaas-Holmes, Mountain Sky Conference

Community prayer requests, concerns, and celebrations

Reception of New Members (UMH p. 48)

Pastoral Prayer... Pastor Charles

Choral Anthem... “Gospel Hosanna!” by Jack Schrader

Scripture Lesson: Matthew 26:14-27:66... Pastor Charles

This is the Word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God.

Sermon... Pastor Charles / “There’s nothing left to say”

Communion / The Lord’s Prayer 

*Hymn... "In the Cross of Christ I Glory” (UMH #295)

*Words for the Journey... Pastor Charles

Postlude... Lorie Courier / “Sing Hosanna”