March 29, 2026 - Palm/Passion Sunday
Prelude: Fanfare and Hosanna!
Bender/Metzger
Welcome & Call to Worship
[Psalm 118]
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the LORD.
Hosanna! Save us, we beseech you, O LORD, give us success!
The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever.
Let us worship the LORD!
All Glory Laud and Honor (Hymn 88)
Theodulph of Orleans/Teschner
Refrain:
All glory, laud and honor to Thee, Redeemer, King!
To whom the lips of children make sweet hosannas ring.
Thou art the King of Israel, Thou David’s royal Son,
Who in the Lord’s name comest, the King and blessed One. (Refrain)
The people of the Hebrews with palms before Thee went;
Our praise and prayers and anthems before Thee we present. (Refrain)
To Thee, before Thy passion, they sang their hymns of praise;
To Thee, now high exalted, our melody we raise. (Refrain)
Thou didst accept their praises; accept the prayers we bring.
Who in all good delightest, Thou good and gracious King! (Refrain)
Confession
Jesus our teacher, you chose humility and obedience to God’s will while crowds gathered to praise you, and also when they turned against you. Forgive us for the ways we betray you and cause suffering for others, ourselves, and the world. Forgive us when our commitments crumble under pressure. Teach us to recognize your path, even amidst chaos, confusion, and violence. Trusting your help and faithfulness, give us courage to follow you through the darkness. Amen.
Silence
Great is Thy Faithfulness (Hymn 276)
Chisholm/Runyan
Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father,
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions they fail not;
As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.
Refrain:
Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
Forgiveness in Jesus Christ
Peace
The peace of Christ be with you.
And also with you.
Doxology (Hymn 592)
Ken/Genevan Psalter
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God above, ye heavenly host
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Readings
Alida Gowan
Old Testament: Isaiah 50:4–9a
New Testament: Philippians 2:5-11
May the Mind of Christ My Savior
Wilkinson/Barham-Gould
May the mind of Christ my Savior live in me from day to day,
By his love and power controlling all I do and say.
May the Word of God dwell richly in my heart from hour to hour,
So that all may see I triumph only through his power.
May the peace of God my Father rule my life in everything,
That I may be calm to comfort sick and sorrowing.
May the love of Jesus fill me as the waters fill the sea,
Him exalting, self abasing – this is victory.
Sermon: Being People of the Way
Scott Starbuck
Focus: The way of Christ—and therefore the way to Good Friday and Easter—runs downward through obedience and the cross before it rises by God’s act of resurrection and exaltation.
Response: Ah, Holy Jesus
Crüger/Biery
Jill Cathey, oboe
Pastoral Prayer & The Lord's Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on 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, and deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
Call to Stewardship
Mila Russell
Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find anyone else like this—one in whom is the spirit of God?” -Genesis 41:38
Sending: What Wondrous Love (Hymn 85)
American Folk Hymn/Walker’s Southern Harmony
What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul,
What wondrous love is this, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss
To bear the heavy cross for my soul, for my soul,
To bear the heavy cross for my soul!
To God and to the Lamb, I will sing, I will sing,
To God and to the Lamb, I will sing;
To God and to the Lamb who is the great I AM,
While millions join the theme, I will sing, I will sing;
While millions join the theme, I will sing!
And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on,
And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on;
And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing and joyful be,
And through eternity I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on,
And through eternity I’ll sing on!
Charge & Benediction
Postlude: Grave
Scheidemann
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