Palm/Passion Sunday
Veradale United Church of Christ
An Open & Affirming Congregation
Worshiping God in Christ – Welcoming All – Working for Justice & Peace
“No matter who you are, or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here!”
Palm/Passion Sunday, March 24, 2024 • 10:30 a.m.
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Gathering and Prelude
Wayne Shull, Music Director
Charlie Salt, AV
Tom Cuilla, AV and Usher
Jerry Brines, Usher
Kelly Cuilla, Scripture Reader
Diane Smith, Candle Lighter
Scotty Patton, Zoom Monitor
Gregg Glisson, Fellowship Set-Up
Naomi Hanvey, Fellowship Clean-up
Rev. Gen Heywood, Pastor
10:30am Land Acknowledgement
We worship on the unceded traditional territory of the Spokane, Cayuse, Umatilla, Walla Walla, Coeur d’Alene, and other tribes. We acknowledge the history of indigenous genocide, removal, and erasure that continues to this day. We recognize the role that Christian communities played in these injustices, and we recommit ourselves to seeking more peaceful, just, and neighborly ways of sharing this land with all who call it home.
10:30am Worship begins
God is with us . . all the time! All the time . . . God is with us!
Service and Fellowship Opportunities
String-A-Lings practice Monday 6pm
Bible Study Monday at 7pm
Silent Prayer, Tuesday 9:00 to 9:30am
Sing-A-Lings (a.k.a.Choir) practice Wednesday 6:30pm
Our Lord’s Last Supper, Thursday 6pm
Community giving this month: Mardi-Bras
One Great Hour of Sharing – donating to global helping ministries.
Welcoming Our Lord!
We gather on Zoom, Facebook, and in person. Those in the sanctuary, we will have a palm parade from the sanctuary out to the church sign and back. For those with us at a distance, find a branch (bay leaf branch if you have a tree), scarf, or other way to remember the crowd that cheered on Jesus.
CALL TO WORSHIP
Pastor: Hosanna to the Son of David, the Sovereign of the World!
All: Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest!
PROCLAMATION OF THE ENTRANCE INTO JERUSALEM
Mark 11:1-11When they were approaching Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden; untie it and bring it. If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ just say this: ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately.’” They went away and found a colt tied near a door, outside in the street. As they were untying it, some of the bystanders said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” They told them what Jesus had said, and they allowed them to take it. Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it, and he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields. Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting,
“Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David!Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
Then he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple, and when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.
BLESSING OF THE PALMS
Pastor: God be with you.
All: And also with you.
Pastor: Let us give thanks to God Most High.
All: It is right to give God thanks and praise.
Pastor: Let us pray.
All: Beloved Jesus, today we remember that you entered Jerusalem in peace and dignity, heralding a week of pain and sorrow. Be with us now as we follow. Remind us again that you have sealed the closeness of death and resurrection, of humiliation and exaltation. We thank you for these branches that become for us reflections of the past and visions of the future. Bless them and us that their use this day may announce in our time that Christ has come, Christ is here, and Christ will come again. Amen! Come, Christ Jesus!
PALMS DISTRIBUTED
Pastor: Let us welcome the Christ!
All: Let us receive Christ with Praise!
Processional Hymns:
Our God is an Awesome God,
Who reigns from heaven above;
With wisdom, pow’r, and love.
Our God is an Awesome God.
Once we get to the front door we sing:
“Hosanna, Loud Hosanna” 213 (NCH)
Hosanna, loud hosanna the little children sang; through pillared court and temple the lovely anthem rang, to Jesus, who had blessed them, close folded to his breast, the children sang their praises, the simplest and the best.
From Olivet they followed amid a cheering crowd, the victor palm branch waving, and chanting clear and loud. The one whom angels worship rode on in lowly state, and glad to see the children slowed down the donkey’s gate.
"Hosanna in the highest!” That ancient song is ours, we hail the great Redeemer and sing with all our powers. “Hosanna, Christ, we praise you with heart and life and voice. Hosanna! In your presence forever we rejoice!”
Silence
Call to Confession
One: Let us return to God.
Prayer of Confession
ALL: Holy One, we have travel through this season of Lent, opening our lives to your transforming love. We offer to you all that we have done and all that we have left undone. We return our life to your way of mercy and justice. We place before you the truth of ourselves. Set us free from our regrets. Let shame have no power over us. Help us begin anew. Help us to return to you. We ask following the way of Jesus. Amen
Silent Confessions with God
This is the last Sunday we bring rocks forward.
Assurance
One: God longs for our return and holds nothing against us.
All: We thank God with humble hearts.
Community Prayer
Taize chant: Where love and caring are there is God. (Repeat)
Prayers of Gratitude
Where love and caring are there is God. (Repeat)
Prayers of Concern
Where love and caring are there is God. (Repeat)
Silent Prayer
Where love and caring are there is God. (Repeat)
A version of The Lord’s Prayer fromThe New Zealand Prayer BookEternal Spirit, Earth-maker, Pain-bearer, Life-giver, Source of all that is and that shall be, Father and Mother of us all, Loving God, in whom is heaven: The hallowing of your name echo through the universe! The way of your justice be followed by the peoples of the world! Your heavenly will be done by all created beings! Your commonwealth of peace and freedom sustain our hope and come on earth. With the bread we need for today, feed us. In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us. In times of temptation and testing, strengthen us. From trials too great to endure, spare us. From the grip of all that is evil, free us. For you reign in the glory of the power that is love, now and forever. Amen.
Response: 812 (NCH) Amen. Amen. Amen.
A Time of Offering
An Invitation to Share
*Offering Acclamation: Taizé Chant: Lord Jesus Christ your light shines within us, let not my doubt nor my darkness speak to me. Lord Jesus Christ your light shines within us. Let my heart always welcome your love.
Dedication prayer:
ALL: Holy One, you came to be among us to show us the way of life through compassion and justice and a heart open to the divine. May your vision of a just and compassionate world be known in us. Amen
Listening for God
Mark 14:12-25
On the first day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb is sacrificed, his disciples said to him, “Where do you want us to go and make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?” So he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you; follow him, and wherever he enters, say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.” So the disciples set out and went to the city and found everything as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover meal.
When it was evening, he came with the twelve. And when they had taken their places and were eating, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.” They began to be distressed and to say to him one after another, “Surely, not I?” He said to them, “It is one of the twelve, one who is dipping bread into the bowl with me. For the Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that one by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that one not to have been born.”
While they were eating, he took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, and all of them drank from it. He said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. Truly I tell you, I will never again drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”
Choir: Do This and Remember Me
Mark 14:32-46 They went to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” He took with him Peter and James and John and began to be distressed and agitated. And he said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and keep awake.” And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. He said, “Abba, Father, for you all things are possible; remove this cup from me, yet not what I want but what you want.” He came and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep awake one hour? Keep awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” And again he went away and prayed, saying the same words. And once more he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy, and they did not know what to say to him. He came a third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? Enough! The hour has come; the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up, let us be going. Look, my betrayer is at hand.”
Immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived, and with him there was a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.” So when he came, he went up to him at once and said, “Rabbi!” and kissed him. Then they laid hands on him and arrested him.
Hymn: My Song is Love Unknown 222 (NCH) Verses 1,4, and 5
My song is love unknown, my Savior’s love for me. Love to the loveless shown, that they might lovely be. O who am I, that for my sake my God should take frail flesh and die? My God should take frail flesh and die.
What has my Sovereign done? What makes this rage and spite? Christ gave new strength to run, restored the gift of sight. Sweet injuries! Yet they at these themselves displease, ‘gainst Christ rise; themselves displease, and ‘gainst Christ rise.
I sing my plain belief, one song my heart outpours. Never was pain nor grief, never was love like yours. This is my Friend, in whose sweet praise I all my days could gladly spend. I all my days could gladly spend.
Mark 14:53 – 65 They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes were assembled. Peter had followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest, and he was sitting with the guards, warming himself at the fire. Now the chief priests and the whole council were looking for testimony against Jesus to put him to death, but they found none. For many gave false testimony against him, and their testimony did not agree. Some stood up and gave false testimony against him, saying, “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another, not made with hands.’ ” But even on this point their testimony did not agree. Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, “Have you no answer? What is it that they testify against you?” But he was silent and did not answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah,[k] the Son of the Blessed One?” Jesus said, “I am, and
‘you will see the Son of Manseated at the right hand of the Power’and ‘coming with the clouds of heaven.’”
Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “Why do we still need witnesses? You have heard his blasphemy! What is your decision?” All of them condemned him as deserving death. Some began to spit on him, to blindfold him, and to strike him, saying to him, “Prophesy!” The guards also took him and beat him.
Mark 14:66 – 72 While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the female servants of the high priest came by. When she saw Peter warming himself, she stared at him and said, “You also were with Jesus, the man from Nazareth.” But he denied it, saying, “I do not know or understand what you are talking about.” And he went out into the forecourt. Then the cock crowed. And the female servant, on seeing him, began again to say to the bystanders, “This man is one of them.” But again he denied it. Then after a little while the bystanders again said to Peter, “Certainly you are one of them, for you are a Galilean, and you talk like one.” But he began to curse, and he swore an oath, “I do not know this man you are talking about.” At that moment the cock crowed for the second time. Then Peter remembered that Jesus had said to him, “Before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.” And he broke down and wept.
Mark 15: 1- 20 As soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. They bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate. Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” He answered him, “You say so.” Then the chief priests accused him of many things. Pilate asked him again, “Have you no answer? See how many charges they bring against you.” But Jesus made no further reply, so that Pilate was amazed.
Now at the festival he used to release a prisoner for them, anyone for whom they asked. Now a man called Barabbas was in prison with the insurrectionists who had committed murder during the insurrection. So the crowd came and began to ask Pilate to do for them according to his custom. Then he answered them, “Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?” For he realized that it was out of jealousy that the chief priests had handed him over. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release Barabbas for them instead. Pilate spoke to them again, “Then what do you wish me to do with the man you callthe King of the Jews?” They shouted back, “Crucify him!” Pilate asked them, “Why, what evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify him!” So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas for them, and after flogging Jesus he handed him over to be crucified.
Then the soldiers led him into the courtyard of the palace (that is, the governor’s headquarters), and they called together the whole cohort. And they clothed him in a purple cloak, and after twisting some thorns into a crown they put it on him. And they began saluting him, “Hail, King of the Jews!” They struck his head with a reed, spat upon him, and knelt down in homage to him. After mocking him, they stripped him of the purple cloak and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him.
Hymn: Were you there 229 (NCH)
1 Were you there when they crucified my Lord? Were you there when they crucified my Lord? Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble. Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
2 Were you there when they nailed him to the tree? Were you there when they nailed him to the tree? Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble. Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?
3. Were you there when they laid him in the tomb? Were you there when they laid him in the tomb? Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble. Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?
Message: “God’s Suffering”
Silence
Meditation in Music: In the Presence of Jehovah sung by our Choir
Our Light moves into the World God Loves
*Hymn: “Micah 6:8” sung three times
He has shown thee O Man, what is good and what the Lord requires of thee. He has shown thee O Man, what is good and what the Lord requires of thee, but to do justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God.
Benediction and Blessing
Be Yourself.
Grow in Christ.
Live with Compassion.