Order of Service / Palm Sunday / April 13, 2025

 *Gathering Hymn and Words Hosanna, Loud Hosanna(#123 VU)

Hosanna, Loud Hosanna (v.1 | #123 VU)

Sing: Hosanna, loud hosanna the happy 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.

 

One: We join with the crowd that eagerly awaited the coming of Jesus.

  All: Blessed is the One who comes in the name of God! Hosanna in the highest!

One: Fulfilling prophecy, Jesus entered the city riding humbly on a donkey.

All: Blessed is the One who comes in the name of God! Hosanna in the highest!

 

Hosanna, Loud Hosanna (v.2 | #123 VU)

Sing: From Olivet they followed 'mid an exultant crowd,

the victory palm-branch waving, and singing clear and loud;

the Lord of earth and heaven rode on in lowly state,

content that little children should on his bidding wait.

 

One: Jesus’ followers were excited, filled with anticipation. Yet, within a few short days, they were scattered, disillusioned, and frightened, unwilling to follow as far as Christ would have them go.

  All: Blessed is the One who comes in the name of God! Hosanna in the highest!

We, too, long to join the triumphal procession, only to find ourselves burdened by the past, fearful of the future, reluctant to accept the way of the cross.

All: Blessed is the One who comes in the name of God! Hosanna in the highest!

 

Hosanna, Loud Hosanna (v.3 | #123 VU)

Sing: "Hosanna in the highest!"That ancient song we sing,

for Christ is our Redeemer; earth, let your anthems ring.

O may we ever praise him with heart and life and voice,

and in his humble presence eternally rejoice!


One: Yet this Palm Sunday, we receive palm branches, a reminder of the welcome offered to Jesus as he travelled toward the cross.

  All: Blessed is the One who comes in the name of God! Hosanna in the highest!

One: Like the crowd in Jerusalem 2000 years ago, we take our palm branches and greet Jesus, shouting:

All: Blessed is the One who comes in the name of God! Hosanna in the highest!

*Celebrate God’s Presence. Page 165.

Welcome & Land Acknowledgement

Lighting the Christ Candle

Call to Worship

One: On this Palm Sunday, we remember the words of the prophet:

All: Pay attention, your king is coming to you, humble and mounted on a donkey.

One: We join the crowds who greeted Jesus:

All: Hosanna to the son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of God!

One: And we respond with praise:

All: Hosanna! Hosanna in the highest heaven!

One: Let us worship God, waving palm branches and singing together.

*Catherine Elsdon, Gathering L/E 2025. Page 38.

Opening Prayer

*Opening Hymn All Glory, Laud and Honour (#124 VU | vs. 1,2,4)

Prayer of Confessional and Renewal (Unison)

God who is just and generous, we confess we can prioritize the wrong things. We can use the talents, skills, and resources you have given us for our own gain and glory alone. We confess that fear can keep us stuck, shaping us into defensive, hoarding people, unwilling to take the risk of welcoming you and living in your way. Shape us more and more in your image, O God. Forgive us. Transform us, as only you can. Love us into the people you dream us to be. (a time of silent confession) Amen.

*Elaine Bidgood Sveet, Gathering L/E 2025. Page 39.

Words of Assurance

One: God meets us in our fear, and does not turn away.

All: We are forgiven. We are set free.

One: Grace is already at work in us.

All: We are being made new—again and again. Amen.

Announcements and Minute for Mission

Prayer for Illumination

Proclaiming the Scriptures

Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 (VU p. 837 | P 1,3,4) The stone that the builders rejected.

Luke 19:28-40 Jesus enters Jerusalem to cheering crowds.

Anthem

Sermon

*Hymn He Came Riding on a Donkey (#124 VU)

*Offering

*Offertory Hymn (#581 VU, v. 2 | When We Are Living)

Through all our living, we our fruits must give.

Good works of service are for offering.

When we are giving, or when receiving,

We belong to God, we belong to God.

*Offertory Prayer (Unison)

Loving God, the world we have fashioned within your good Creation is incomplete and flawed—yet ripe for renewal. In Jesus, you show us the path that mends what is broken. Bless these gifts we offer in Jesus’ name, we pray, using them to transform woundedness into healing. Amen.

*Gord Dunbar, Gathering L/E 2025. Page 39.

Sacrament of Communion

< All are welcome to this table.>

*This order of the communion is attributed to Advent Communion Liturgy of the United Church & Celebrate God’s Presence

Invitation to Communion

As we come to this table, we are reminded that this is the table of Jesus Christ, a banquet prepared for everyone. All who seek to be nourished and sustained in the journey of faith, all who seek wholeness and compassionate paths to peace and justice, are welcome here.  

Call to Give Thanks

One: God be with you.

  All: And also with you.

One: Lift up your hearts.

  All: We lift our hearts in prayer.

One: Let us give thanks to God.

  All: It is good to give God thanks and praise.

Prayer of Thanksgiving

Thanks and praise be to you, O God, for you create life out of the dust, and sustain us even in the desert. We thank you that in the face of every temptation and trial, every principality and power, you are present to direct and guide, to renew and revive. We praise you for sending us Jesus, your Suffering Servant, to walk before us the way of the cross, to turn us to you and to one another. Therefore, we join your long procession of pilgrims praising you along the way:

The Song of Creation (#203 MV)

O holy, holy, holy God, O God of time and space.

All earth and sea and sky above bear witness to your grace.

Hosanna in the highest heav'n, creation sings your praise.

And blessed is the One who comes and bears your name always!

The Story Remembered

On the night before he died, it was Jesus who took a loaf of bread, gave you thanks, broke it, and said, “Take and eat; whenever you do this, remember me.”Likewise, after supper, he took the cup, saying, “This is the new covenant; remember me.”

Prayer of Self-Giving

Remembering your boundless love for us in Jesus Christ, we offer you our praise, as we proclaim the mystery of faith:

Affirmation of Memory and Hope (#204 MV)

Sing Christ has died and Christ is risen, Christ will come again! (X 2)

Prayer for Transformation

Send, O God, your Holy Spirit upon us and upon these gifts, that all who share in this bread and cup may be the body of Christ:

Doxology Great Amen (#205 MV)

Amen, Amen, O Holy One! Hosanna and Amen! (X2)

Prayers of the People and Lord’s Prayer

Sharing of Bread and Wine

Prayer after Communion (Unison)

Life-giving God, we give you thanks for the gift of our Saviour’s presence n the simplicity and splendour of this holy meal. Unite us with all who are fed by the life of Christ that we may faithfully proclaim the Good News of your love and that your church may be a rainbow of hope

in an uncertain world; through Jesus Christ our Redeemer. Amen.

*Closing Hymn Ride On! Ride On in Majesty (#127 VU)

*Commissioning

One: We have begun our journey with Jesus toward the cross. The cross will confront you with power used selfishly.

All: We will carefully question the power we have and the powerful ones whom we encounter.

One: The cross will remind you of loyalty overcome by fear.

All: We will carefully question those who affirm their loyalty and those who will not get involved.

One: The cross will challenge you to acknowledge rampant injustice.

All: We open ourselves to understanding those who are exploited and vulnerable.

One: In hope and in faith, let us journey with Jesus toward the cross.

*David Sparks, Gathering L/E 2025. Page 39.

*Commissioning Song May God’s Sheltering Wings (#214MV)

May God’s sheltering wings, her gathering wings protect you,

May God’s nurturing arms, her cradling arms sustain you,

And hold you in her love, and hold you in her love.

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