Worship Guide April 2, 2023
“Pine” Sunday
Prelude
THE STORY Matthew 21:1-11 New Revised Standard Version
When they had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage,
at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them,
“Go into the village ahead of you,
and immediately you will find a donkey tied and a colt with her;
untie them and bring them to me.
If anyone says anything to you, just say this,
‘The Lord needs them.’
And he will send them immediately.
This took place to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet:
“Tell the daughter of Zion,
Look, your king is coming to you,
humble and mounted on a donkey,
and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”
The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them;
they brought the donkey and the colt
and put their cloaks on them, and he sat on them.
A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road,
and others cut branches from the trees
and spread them on the road.
The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting,
“Hosanna to the Son of David!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, “Who is this?” The crowds were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.”
HYMN #197 Hosanna, Loud Hosanna (v. 1,3)
During the opening hymn, youth will lead the younger children to place local branches on the chancel steps, then remain gathered on the front pews.
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE Branches
SENTENCES OF SCRIPTURE: Romans 12
Let love be genuine.
Hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good.
Love one another with mutual affection.
Outdo one another in showing honor.
Do not lag in zeal.
Be ardent in spirit.
Serve the Lord.
Rejoice in hope.
Be patient in suffering.
Persevere in prayer.
Contribute to the needs of the saints.
Extend hospitality to strangers.
Bless those who persecute you.
Rejoice with those who rejoice.
Weep with those who weep.
Live in harmony with one another.
Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly.
Do not claim to be wiser than you are.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all.
If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
PASSING OF THE PEACE
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
God of Grace,
you call us to follow you and your Way,
but other ways are seductive,
and so we come here to be strengthened.
God of Vision,
you hold before us an alternate Way of life,
different priorities, different loyalties,
different values.
And we know that there other ways too;
ways that are tempting, manipulative and powerful,
and we are drawn to following those priorities,
accepting those values,
showing loyalty to those powers and practices.
God who blesses the meek,
the peacemakers, and the merciful,
forgive us when we lose sight of you,
and your Way
and we misunderstand our role in the world around us.
Silence is kept.
ASSURANCE OF GOD’S GRACE AND LOVE
Rejoice and be glad!
God is gracious and offers blessings,
calling us to new life, offering us the chance
to explore again how to live God’s vision.
We are called, we are forgiven,
we are blessed to be a blessing.
Thanks be to God. Amen.
HYMN: I Will Hide Your Word Inside My Heart
SERMON Rev. Cathi King
CELEBRATION OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
Song of Preparation #530 One Bread, One Body
Invitation to the Table
Great Prayer of Thanksgiving
The Lord’s Prayer
Sharing of the Meal
Prayer for the Church
OFFERINGS OF THANKSGIVING
OFFERTORY
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
CALL TO DISCIPLESHIP
So here’s what I want you to do,
God helping you:
Take your everyday, ordinary life—
your sleeping, eating, going-to-work,
and walking-around life—
and place it before God as an offering.
Embracing what God does for you is the best
thing you can do for him.
Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture
that you fit into it without even thinking.
Instead, fix your attention on God.
You’ll be changed from the inside out.
—Romans 12:1–2 (The Message)
HYMN #543 God, Be the Love to Search and Keep Me
Extinguish Christ Candle
First Presbyterian Church Tecumseh 