Week 20: April 9 - April 15, 2017
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Palm Sunday, April 9, 2017
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Blessed is He Who Comes in the Name of the Lord Matthew 21.1-11
The sovereign plan of God was to bring his Son to the nation, to raise up from among his people a Conqueror and Ruler who was destined to rule on David’s throne, and rule as Lord and Christ forever. For all of those who had eyes to see and ears to hear, the sign was given as was prophesied by Zechariah: “Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden” (Zech. 9.9). Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem during his Passion fulfills the prophecy, Matthew tells us, that the king is coming to us, humble, on a donkey. As the crowd spread their cloaks along with branches on the road, they shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”We know that he is, indeed, the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee. But he is much more than that: the One who comes into Jerusalem is the Christ, the Lord, the Savior of the world.
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Invocation: Our Prayer of Acclamation
We praise you, O God, for your redemption of the world through Jesus Christ. Today he entered the holy city of Jerusalem in triumph and was proclaimed Messiah and king by those who spread garments and branches along his way. Let these branches be signs of his victory, and grant that we who carry them may follow him in the way of the cross, that, dying and rising with him, we may enter into your kingdom; through Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.
~The Book of Common Worship, p. 253
Call to Worship
Blessed are you, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And blessed is your Kingdom, both now and forever, Amen.
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Te Deum Laudamus
You are God: we praise you; you are the Lord; we acclaim you; you are the eternal Father: All creation worships you. To you all angels, all the powers of heaven, Cherubim and Seraphim, sing in endless praise: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory.
The glorious company of apostles praise you. The noble fellowship of prophets praise you. The white-robed army of martyrs praise you. Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you; Father, of majesty unbounded, your true and only Son, worthy of all worship, and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.
You, Christ, are the king of glory, the eternal Son of the Father. When you became man to set us free you did not shun the Virgin’s womb. You overcame the sting of death and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. You are seated at God’s right hand in glory. We believe that you will come and be our judge. Come then, Lord, and help your people, bought with the price of your own blood, and bring us with your saints to glory everlasting.
Praise and Thanksgiving (songs and prayers)
Gloria Patri
Glory be to the Father, And to the Son and to the Holy Spirit: As it was in the beginning, Is now, and ever shall be, World without end. Amen, amen.
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Chronological Reading for the DaySunday: Matt. 21.1-17; Mark 11.1-11; Luke 19.28-48; John 12.12-50
* Our chronological Bible reading schedule fills 52 weeks; the current Church Year has 53 weeks. Therefore, we will focus on the Holy Week reading of the Gospels this week and return to the chronological Bible readings next week.
Lectionary ReadingsPsalm: Psalm 118.1-2;19-29
OT: Isa. 50:4-9a
Gospel: Matthew 21.1-11
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The Apostles' Creed
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he arose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven and sits on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic* church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.*In the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds, the term catholic refers to the Church’s universality, through all ages and times, of all languages and peoples. It refers to no particular tradition or denominational expression (e.g., as in Roman Catholic).
Prayers of Confession
Let us now confess our sins to God and receive mercy and grace to help in our time of need.Assurance of Pardon
Having faithfully confessed and renounced your sin, Christ also has been faithful to forgive your sins and to purify you from all unrighteousness. It is certain, that there is One who has spoken to the Father in your defense, Jesus Christ, the Righteous One who is the atoning sacrifice for our sins and for the sins of the whole world. His grace and peace are with you now. Amen.Petitions and Supplications, Ending with The Lord's Prayer
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in 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, for ever. Amen.--Matthew 6.9-13 (KJV)
Doxology (and/or closing song)
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him all creatures here below;
Praise Him above ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen. -
Benediction
Almighty and Everlasting God, who hast sent Thy Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, to take upon Him our flesh and suffer death upon the cross that all mankind should follow the example of His great humility, mercifully grant that we may both follow the example of His patience and also be made partakers of His resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God world without end. Amen.~ Lindemann, p. 92
Affirmation from the Psalms
Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord. [20] This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous shall enter through it. [21] I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation. [22] The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. [23] This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. [24] This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. [25] Save us, we pray, O Lord! O Lord, we pray, give us success! [26] Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! We bless you from the house of the Lord. [27] The Lord is God, and he has made his light to shine upon us. Bind the festal sacrifice with cords, up to the horns of the altar! [28] You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God; I will extol you. [29] Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!~ Psalm 118.19-29
Pray without Ceasing - Flash Prayer for the Day
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest! -
Let God Arise! Seasonal Focus
But If It Dies
John 12.20-36
Book ReadingBilezikian, Doriani, Women in MinistrySpecial Church Year Service
Maudy Thursday: Thursday, April 13, 2017Good Friday, April 14,2017Holy Saturday: Saturday, April 15, 2017