Worship Guide
April 13, 2025
Palm / Passion Sunday
Creating Disciples of Jesus who Transform the World
ENTRANCE WITH PRAISE
Greeting:
Minister: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you!
People: And also with you!
Special Music: “When I Fall” Stefanie
Centering Words:
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.
*Call to Worship:
Leader: Jesus is the rock of our salvation.
People: But the builders rejected that rock.
Leader: Jesus is the gate of righteousness.
People: But so many consider him a fraud.
Leader: Jesus has become the cornerstone of our lives.
People: Shall we enter his gate of righteousness?
Leader: Yes! Let us worship the Lord, as we pray.
ALL: Foundation of our faith, your Son humbled himself on the back of a colt. Then he entered Jerusalem in lowly estate to bring joy to the hearts of children. Forsaking his place at your side, Jesus emptied himself of prestige and power to become a servant to all. On this day of joy and remembrance, sing in our hearts once more, that we too may dance with the children-for to such belong the kingdom of heaven. Amen.
Hymn: “This is the Day”
This is the day, this is the day
that the Lord hath made, that the Lord hath made.
Let us rejoice, let us rejoice
and be glad in it, and be glad in it.
This is the day that the Lord hath made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
This is the day, this is the day
that the Lord hath made.
This is the day, this is the day
that the Lord hath made, that the Lord hath Made.
Let us rejoice, let us rejoice
and be glad in it, and be glad in it.
This is the day that the Lord hath made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
This is the day, this is the day
that the Lord hath made.
PROCLAMATION OF THE WORD
Words of Assurance
Christ has opened the gates of righteousness and beckons us to walk through.
The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone of our salvation.
Praises be to God.
*Reading from the Gospel: Luke 19:28-40
28 After he had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.
29 When he had come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples, 30 saying, “Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ just say this, ‘The Lord needs it.’ ” 32 So those who were sent departed and found it as he had told them. 33 As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?” 34 They said, “The Lord needs it.” 35 Then they brought it to Jesus; and after throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. 36 As he rode along, people kept spreading their cloaks on the road. 37 As he was now approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen, 38 saying,
“Blessed is the king
who comes in the name of the Lord!
Peace in heaven,
and glory in the highest heaven!”
39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, order your disciples to stop.” 40 He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.”
Leader: This is the Word of God for the people of God
People: Thanks be to God.
WORD AND RESPONSE
Time with Young Friends: “Jesus Loves Me”
Children’s Message: “Respect”
Hymn: “Tell Me the Stories of Jesus”
Tell me the stories of Jesus I love to hear;
things I would ask him to tell me if He were here;
scenes by the wayside, tales of the sea,
stories of Jesus, tell them to me.
First let me hear how the children stood round his knee,
and I shall fancy his blessing resting on me;
words full of kindness, deeds full of grace,
all in the love light of Jesus’ face.
Into the city I’d follow the children’s band,
waving a branch of the palm tree high in my hand.
one of his heralds, yes, I would sing
loudest hosannas, “Jesus is King!"
Sermon: “Open the Gates” Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29
1 O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his steadfast love endures forever!
2 Let Israel say,
“His steadfast love endures forever.”
19 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 chief 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 beseech you, O Lord!
O Lord, we beseech you, give us success!
26 Blessed is the one 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 given us light.
Bind the festal procession with branches,
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 O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
RESPONSE TO THE WORD
Hymn: “Open Our Eyes ”
Open our eyes, Lord, we want to see Jesus,
to reach out and touch him, and say that we love him.
Open our ears, Lord, and help us to listen.
Open our eyes, Lord, we want to see Jesus.
Open our eyes, Lord, we want to see Jesus,
to reach out and touch him, and say that we love him.
Open our ears, Lord, and help us to listen.
Open our eyes, Lord, we want to see Jesus.
Psalter: Affirmation from 1 Timothy
There is one God
and there is one mediator, Christ Jesus,
who came as a ransom for all,
to whom we testify.
This saying is sure
and worthy of full acceptance:
That Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners,
and was manifested in the flesh,
vindicated in the Spirit,
seen by angels,
proclaimed among the nations,
believed in throughout the world,
taken up in glory.
Great indeed is the mystery of the gospel. Amen
Gloria Patri
Glory be to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen. Amen.
Prayers of the People: Joys and concerns
Silent Prayer, Pastoral Prayer
SENDING FORTH
Hymn: “He Has Made Me Glad”
I will enter his gates with thanksgiving in my heart,
I will enter his courts with praise.
I will say, "This is the day that the Lord has made."
I will rejoice, for he has made me glad.
He has made me glad, he has made me glad.
I will rejoice, for he has made me glad.
He has made me glad, he has made me glad.
I will rejoice, for he has made me glad.
Benediction
Hymn: “May You Run and Not Be Weary”
May you run and not be weary.
May your heart be filled with song.
And may the love of God continue
to give you hope and keep you strong.
And may you run and not be weary.
May your life be filled with joy!
And may the road you travel
always lead you home.
