Palm Sunday
VISUAL ARTS (PARAMENTS, GENERAL DECORATIONS, SPECIFIC DECORATIONS)
Brim: Creative Overflow in Worship Design
Banner Designs for the Church Year
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CALL TO WORSHIP
—based on Matthew 5:3-10, 21:1-11
Who is this that enters Jerusalem and stirs the whole city?
He is the one who says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit.”
Why is he riding a colt?
He is the one who says, “Blessed are those who mourn.”
Why are they cutting tree branches and laying them in the street?
He is the one who says, “Blessed are the meek.”
They are removing their cloaks and placing them in the colt’s path!
He is the one who says, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.”
Is this Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee?
He is the one who says, “Blessed are the merciful.”
Hosanna! Hosanna to the Son of David!
“Blessed are the pure in heart.”
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
“Blessed are the peacemakers.”
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness.”
Hosanna in the highest! This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.
—TJ Malinoski
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INVOCATION
Hosanna rings out and blessings well within us. We gather to worship and praise your name, O God. May our praises, confession, thanksgiving, and love be all in your name. Amen.
—TJ Malinoski
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MUSIC (HYMNS, SONGS, ANTHEMS)
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CALL TO CONFESSION
We go about doing what we have always done even when it leaves us feeling lonely and anxious. We take for granted God’s grace that is always present. Let us seek the peace we so desperately need by confessing our sins and accepting the grace. Let us pray.
—TJ Malinoski
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PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Most gracious God, we acknowledge the apathy in our ways, the anger in our voices, and the distrust in one another. Hypocrisy and impatience have become our companions, negligence abounds in our prayer and worship. All of this pushes you away; away from our thoughts and our being. With shame in our hearts we seek your forgiveness and your mercy to create us anew. Amen.
—TJ Malinoski
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ASSURANCE OF PARDON
What has been is now cleared away. Like cloaks and tree branches covering the earth, God makes way for the possibility to live in grace, love, and peace that far exceeds what we vision as possible. Today, we are a forgiven people.
Praise be to God!
—TJ Malinoski
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CHILDREN’S SERMON
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PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
Pour out your Spirit, O God, to make the scriptures come alive, real and tangible. May we be inspired and filled with awe in the hearing of your word. May the scriptures move us beyond our understanding, and to receive its message with wisdom and grace. Amen.
—TJ Malinoski
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SCRIPTURE TEXTS/SERMON IDEAS
- Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 or 31:9-16; Luke 19:28-40
- Isaiah 50:4-9a; Philippians 2:5-11
- Luke 22:14-23:56 or 23:1-49
—TJ Malinoski
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SOCIAL MEDIA HELPS (VIDEOS, TAPED SONGS)
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PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
God of listening and healing, we pray for those who have rejected you because of the faults of the Church. We lift up those whose daily wage keeps them in poverty. We call upon you for those where medical assistance is not a reality, and for children who are treated as objects rather than persons. We pray for those who suffer abuse from a family member, co-worker or stranger. We pray that our words and actions are building your kingdom here on this earth and reveal the love of Christ where it is needed most. In your son’s name we pray. Amen.
—TJ Malinoski
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LITANY
God of the suburbs, the city and the farm.
Hear our prayer.
God of politics, medicine, and the internet.
Hear our prayer.
God of vision, voice, and the human touch.
Hear our prayer.
You call each one of us by name and know us intimately.
We rejoice in your presence, and your nature gives us solace and hope.
Today, we seek your ways, wisdom and grace;
And seek to let go of things that we hold dear and sacred: prestige, honor, and recognition.
Redefine us, shape us, and make us new;
To be a creation that sees the needs around us and shares the gifts of comfort, friendship, and love. Amen.
—TJ Malinoski
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INVITATION TO THE OFFERING
Let us with gladness present our offerings for this is our life and labor for God.
—TJ Malinoski
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OFFERTORY PRAYER
Most gracious God, you have given us so much to be used and shared for your glory and service. With gratitude to your abundant love and mercy we share our gifts with joyfulness and are excited by the opportunity to help enrich the lives of others and the ministries you are calling us to. Amen.
—TJ Malinoski
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CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
Go out and share the hosannas and spread the great news.
We thank God for this time together to worship, celebrate, and grow.
Explore new possibilities to bring hope and love where you travel.
We are going out to be God’s people in the world.
Through the call of the Holy Spirit and the grace of God, may we love others as though loving Jesus. Amen.
—TJ Malinoski