WELCOME AND CONCERNS OF THE CONGREGATION

PRELUDE            “Hosanna, Lord Hosanna”           David Cherwien           

SERVICE FOR LENTEN CANDLES

LITANY – from Psalm 18:19-20, 27

   One: Let us enter God’s gates of justice with thankful hearts.

   All: Anyone who is right with God can enter.

   One:  This is God’s day to celebrate.

   All:  Palm branches at the altar mark our celebration.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

PRAYER OF THE DAY

*HYMN 196              All Glory, Laud, and Honor 

PRAYER OF CONFESSION                                         

O Lord, who on this day entered the rebellious city

that later rejected you, we confess that our wills are as rebellious as Jerusalem’s, that our faith is often more show than substance, that our hearts are in need of cleansing.

Have mercy on us, Son of David, Savior of our lives.

Help us to lay at your feet all that we have and all that we are, trusting you to forgive what is sinful, to heal what is broken, to welcome our praises, and to receive us as your own.…

Silent Prayers of Confession

ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS 

Hear the good news: “Jesus, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave...and became obedient to the point of death -- even death on a cross.” (Philippians 6,7a,8b) Through his obedience we are therefore freed from whatever sin enslaves us. Thanks be to God! 

*HYMN 197               Hosanna, Loud Hosanna

THE ENTRANCE INTO JERUSALEM – Matthew 21:1-11

MEDITATION                                 

ANTHEM                   “Fear Not, Ye People”                   Jon Paige 

GOSPEL NARRATIVE 

*HYMN 228              Were You There?

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH – Philippians 2:5–11

Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God,

did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited,

but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave,

being born in human likeness.

And being found in human form

he humbled himself

and became obedient to the point of death—

     even death on a cross.

Therefore, God also highly exalted him

and gave him the name that is above every name,

so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend,

in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

and every tongue should confess to the glory of God:

Jesus Christ is Lord! Amen.

PASTORAL PRAYER AND THE LORD’S PRAYER 

OFFERTORY          “Go to Dark Gethsemane”          Wilbur Held 

RECEIVING OF GOD’S TITHES AND OFFERINGS

*DOXOLOGY – Hymn 606       

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION

*HYMN 221               O Sacred Head, Now Wounded

*BENEDICTION  

*POSTLUDE        “The Royal Banners Forward Go”      Wilbur Held

                        *Those who are able are invited to stand.