worship service april 13 2025
Palm Sunday
SERMON: Beginning of a Momentous Contest
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 21:1-11
INTERACTIVE READING (By Marilee Zdenek)
Minister: If we had been Jews, would we have spoken out for Him when the Sanhedrin accused Him of blasphemy? If we had been Gentiles, would we have defended Him when the Romans condemned Him to death? If we had been disciples, would we have stayed with Him when the crowd became a crucifying mob? Or would we have been like Peter—who followed Him and loved Him and denied Him three times before dawn?
Choir (sings): Were you there when they crucified my Lord? O! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Minister: And the Christ who was crucified there, once said: “As you have done it to the least of these, My brothers, you have done it to me.” As nations rise in war, as governments oppress the poor, as passive people turn and look aside in silence, we crucify. Again, we crucify.
Everyone: As indifference forms the pattern of our lives, as hungry children cry for food, as widows mourn alone in empty rooms, in apathy we crucify. Again, we crucify.
Choir (sings): Were you there when they nailed him to a tree? O! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble
Minister: I think of the nails tht crucified my Lord. They were made of iron; but more—they were made of hatred, prejudice, and greed. And I wonder—what part of myself is found in the shadow of that mob that stretches down through history? What part of myself creates nails in other forms that wound my brother—and my Lord?
Everyone: You know how many times I have betrayed You, Lord. You know the
times I have chosen evil over good. Guilt lies upon me like an iron cloak. My soul is heavy—my burden hard.
Choir (sings): Were you there when he rose up from the grave? O! sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Minister: In the act of death, He absorbs our sins. In love, He forgives our failures. In the act of resurrection, He gives the promise of acceptance, the assurance of forgiveness, the affirmation of eternal life. “Your sins are forgiven you”, He said, “Go and sin no more.”
Everyone: Through your love, I am made whole, through your death, I have found new life. You are my shield, my redeemer and my hope. My sins are forgiven—Hallelujah!
THE 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
ANTHEMS AND HYMNS
Anthem: A Palm Sunday Jubilation
Offertory: In the Shadow of the Palms
Click on the hymns below to follow or sing along
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 21:1-11
INTERACTIVE READING (By Marilee Zdenek)
Minister: If we had been Jews, would we have spoken out for Him when the Sanhedrin accused Him of blasphemy? If we had been Gentiles, would we have defended Him when the Romans condemned Him to death? If we had been disciples, would we have stayed with Him when the crowd became a crucifying mob? Or would we have been like Peter—who followed Him and loved Him and denied Him three times before dawn?
Choir (sings): Were you there when they crucified my Lord? O! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Minister: And the Christ who was crucified there, once said: “As you have done it to the least of these, My brothers, you have done it to me.” As nations rise in war, as governments oppress the poor, as passive people turn and look aside in silence, we crucify. Again, we crucify.
Everyone: As indifference forms the pattern of our lives, as hungry children cry for food, as widows mourn alone in empty rooms, in apathy we crucify. Again, we crucify.
Choir (sings): Were you there when they nailed him to a tree? O! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble
Minister: I think of the nails tht crucified my Lord. They were made of iron; but more—they were made of hatred, prejudice, and greed. And I wonder—what part of myself is found in the shadow of that mob that stretches down through history? What part of myself creates nails in other forms that wound my brother—and my Lord?
Everyone: You know how many times I have betrayed You, Lord. You know the
times I have chosen evil over good. Guilt lies upon me like an iron cloak. My soul is heavy—my burden hard.
Choir (sings): Were you there when he rose up from the grave? O! sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Minister: In the act of death, He absorbs our sins. In love, He forgives our failures. In the act of resurrection, He gives the promise of acceptance, the assurance of forgiveness, the affirmation of eternal life. “Your sins are forgiven you”, He said, “Go and sin no more.”
Everyone: Through your love, I am made whole, through your death, I have found new life. You are my shield, my redeemer and my hope. My sins are forgiven—Hallelujah!
THE 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
ANTHEMS AND HYMNS
Anthem: A Palm Sunday Jubilation
Offertory: In the Shadow of the Palms
Click on the hymns below to follow or sing along
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| 297 Hosanna, Loud Hosanna |