March 29 – Ever Faithful

All of the worship music can be found on this page.

Palm Sunday

Welcome to Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ. 
Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord!  Hosanna!

PRELUDE/PARADE OF PALMS  “Prepare the Way of the Lord!”

HYMN — Hosanna, Loud Hosanna!  — No.233   

WELCOME — Valerie Waterman

PRAYER OF INVOCATION — Kathryn Kuntzman
Dear Lord, as we gather today, we remember Your triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Just as the people laid down their palms before You, may we lay down our hearts, offering our worship and praise.  Just as the people shouted praises as You entered, may we also raise our voices in thanksgiving and adoration. May we celebrate Your goodness with hearts full of joy and gratitude, knowing that You are always with us. Amen.

A TIME FOR YOUNG PEOPLE with BLESSING OF THE PALMS — Linda Lowry                 

PRAYER OF TRANSFORMATION  —  Kathryn Kuntzman
ALL: Patient God, we confess that we love a parade. We are very happy to see banners waving and hear people shouting their praises. Our hearts thrill to the spectacle. But we fail to see the sadness on the face of the Savior; our shouts block out his sorrow. He comes to us as King, and we expect that royal treatment will follow. We do not and cannot believe that in a few days we will be among those who will turn our backs and run from his presence. How fickle we are, O Lord. Yet you continually forgive us and call us to turn our lives around–to see the needs of others, to reach out in trust and faith, to be willing to witness to your good news of saving love. Heal our hearts and give us courage for the days ahead; for we ask this in Jesus’ Name. Amen.                                       — written by Nancy Townley

ASSURANCE OF GOD’S LOVE AND FORGIVENESS  — Kathryn Kuntzman
One: Tell the daughters of despair, proclaim it to the sons of sadness: 
All: Christ has come to save us! Hosanna!  We will give our thanks to God, who offers us forgiveness and grace; who comes to bring us grace, hope, life. Hosanna in the highest.  Amen!

SPECIAL MUSIC  — With a Heart of Thanksgiving  —  by Howard Helvey

SCRIPTURE READING — Matthew 21: 1-11  —  Kathryn Kuntzman                         

HYMN — All Glory, Laud and Honor  — No. 234

SERMON  —   Rev. Doni Driemeier-Showers

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE  — Rev. Doni Driemeier-Showers               
Pastoral Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer (debts… debtors)

OFFERING

Invitation to Generosity:  Kathryn Kuntzman
One:  God calls us by name. We are called God’s own. Out of abundance of love shared with us, we too share ourselves and these gifts for God’s good purposes in the world. Let us receive the morning offering.

DOXOLOGY   Hymn No.623

Prayer of Dedication  — Rev. Doni Driemeier-Showers               

ALL: On my own, what I have to give doesn’t amount to much in the light of all you have given to me and in the face of so much need. Put together as a congregation, what we offer you here in love becomes more, not simply added together, but somehow multiplied in its usefulness. We ask you to bless our gifts and with the addition of your blessing, just as it was with the loaves and fishes, there is enough for all. Amen.                 ~ from the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand

SCRIPTURE   — Matthew 26:14 – 27:66

A Reading in Two Voices

Rev.Doni Driemeier-Showers &  Tara Lowry

HYMN — What Wondrous Love is This  — No. 250  

BENEDICTION — Rev. Doni Driemeier-Showers                  

POSTLUDE — An Elegy   — Frederik Magle