April 2 – Palm Sunday – Hosanna!

Hosanna! Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord!

We will be celebrating communion today, so if you are worshipping with us from home, please gather the elements before the service begins. All are welcome at God’s table.

WELCOME

PRELUDE – O Sacred Head – Hustad

INTROIT – Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord – Schwartz

*CALL TO WORSHIP
One: Hosanna! Jesus of Nazareth is coming down the road!
All: Hosanna!
One: He’s headed this way!
All: Hosanna in the highest!
One: He’s coming closer and closer.
All: Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord!

*HYMN – Hosanna, Loud Hosanna – #233

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 Mid an exultant crowd,
The victor palm branch waving, And chanting clear and loud.
The Lord of men and angels Rode on in lowly state,
Nor scorned that little children Should on his bidding wait.

“Hosanna in the highest!” That ancient song we sing,
For Christ is our Redeemer, The Lord of heaven, our King.
O may we ever praise Him With heart and life and voice,
And in His blissful presence Eternally rejoice!

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION
God of love and majesty; you carry us through tiring days and through anguishing nights. Your faithfulness to us is why we want to shout our own words of welcome to you. We have witnessed the amazing power of your compassion, Jesus. You are the Messiah! You are God’s Blessed One! This is a day to shout and sing! There is joy in the air! Hosanna in the highest! No wonder people of every generation sing your praises! Today, people gather along roadsides throughout the world to worship you, Christ Jesus. Amen.

*RESPONSE – In the Name of the Lord – #19

There is strength in the name of the Lord;
There is pow’r in the name of the Lord:
There is hope in the name of the Lord!
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!

GOD’S WORD – Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29

ANTHEM – Hosanna! (Raney) – The Children of Ivy Chapel UCC and the Chancel Choir

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE

GOD’S WORD – Matthew 21:1-11

SERMON – Pastor Dan

*HYMN – One Bread, One Body – worship booklet, pp. 72-73

Refrain
One bread, one body, one Lord of all;
one cup of blessing which we bless,
and we, though many throughout the earth,
we are one body in this one Lord.

1 Gentile or Jew, servant or free,
woman or man, no more. Refrain

2 Many the gifts, many the works,
one in the Lord of all. Refrain

3 Grain for the fields, scattered and grown,
gathered to one for all. Refrain

THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
We celebrate Christ’s Extravagant Welcome through “open” Communion.
All who desire to receive the gifts of God are welcome to receive the bread and the cup at this table.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER – Pastor Dan

*HYMN – All Glory, Laud and Honor – #234

All glory, laud, and honor to Thee, Redeemer, King,
To whom the lips of children Made sweet hosannas ring.
Thou art the King of Israel, Thou David’s royal Son,
Who in the Lord’s name cometh, the King and Blessed One!

The company of angels Are praising Thee on high;
And mortal men and all things Created make reply.
The people of the Hebrews with palms before Thee went;
Our praise and prayer and anthems Before Thee we present.

To Thee before Thy passion, They sang their hymns of praise;
To Thee now high exalted, Our melody we raise.
Thou didst accept their praises Accept the prayers we bring,
Who in all good delightest, Thou good and gracious King!

*BENEDICTION – Pastor Dan

*POSTLUDE – O Welt, ich muss dich lassen – Walther

Holy Week 2023 at Ivy Chapel

The final days of our walk toward Easter are upon us. We hope you’ll take a moment this week to pause, reflect and join us for special Holy Week worship services.

Sunday, April at 10 a.m.
Palm Sunday
Online and in-person worship

Friday, April 7 at 1 p.m.
Good Friday
Online and in-person worship

Sunday, April 9 at 10 a.m.
Easter
Children’s message during worship
Coffee fellowship after worship

All are welcome to join us as we complete our Lenten journeys. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us.

April 10 Livestream – Palm Sunday – Hosanna!

Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!

Please join us for a special service on Good Friday at 7:30 p.m., and then for our Easter Celebration Worship at 10 a.m. next Sunday.

WELCOME

PRELUDE – Beneath the Cross – Hustad

*CALL TO WORSHIP – (inspired by lyrics of Jennette Threlfall, 1873)
One: Hosanna, loud Hosanna!
All: Blessed is the One who is coming!
One: Hosanna, loud Hosanna!
All: May the rivers of justice run!
One: Children singing, families dancing,
All: Elders give a shout!
One: Glory in the highest!
All: Even stones cry out!
One: Hosanna, loud hosanna!
All: May this refrain never cease.
One: Hosanna in the highest!
All: Here comes the One who brings peace.

*OPENING HYMN – All Glory, Laud and Honor – #234
All glory, laud, and honor to Thee, Redeemer, King,
To whom the lips of children Made sweet hosannas ring.
Thou art the King of Israel, Thou David’s royal Son,
Who in the Lord’s name cometh, the King and Blessed One!

The company of angels Are praising Thee on high;
And mortal men and all things Created make reply.
The people of the Hebrews with palms before Thee went;
Our praise and prayer and anthems Before Thee we present.

To Thee before Thy passion, They sang their hymns of praise;
To Thee now high exalted, Our melody we raise.
Thou didst accept their praises Accept the prayers we bring,
Who in all good delightest, Thou good and gracious King!

*PRAYER OF CONFESSION (liturgy by Michael Anthony Howard, adapted)
Dear God; Creator of Life; Giver of all that is Good; we confess that we have disregarded your calling and abandoned your love.
We have paid lip service to life while serving the powers of death.
Violence vulgarly scars the streets of Bucha, Ukraine and many other places throughout your world, God. We witness horrible acts of brutality, cruelty and evil-displaying no regard for human life.
We even accept violence at our own nation’s borders and in the Metro East. It seems that we have become accustomed to violence in the schools, the sanctuaries, the Sacramentos of our day.
In our politics; in our pockets; in our religion; in our relationships;
violence has invaded the imagination of our hearts. How can this be?
The time for transformation has come, but has found us unresponsive.
Creation groans. The very stones cry out!
Yet the Church has remained silent. Forgive us, O God. Cleanse our hearts and souls! Move us to action. Rejuvenate our communities. Restore our humanity. Revive our fervor for justice. Resurrect us as
your people, so that we may join with all creation in proclaiming,
“Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord!” Amen.

*ASSURANCE OF GOD’S FORGIVENESS

*RESPONSE – Shout to the Lord! – worship booklet, pp. 80-81
My Jesus, my Saviour
Lord there is none like You
All of my days I want to praise
The wonders of Your mighty love

My comfort, my shelter
Tower of refuge and strength
Let every breath, all that I am
Never cease to worship You

Shout to the Lord all the Earth, let us sing
Power and majesty, praise to the King
Mountains bow down and the seas will roar
At the sound of Your name

I sing for joy at the work of Your hands
Forever I’ll love You, forever I’ll stand
Nothing compares to the promise I have
In You

GOD’S WORD – Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 – Pastor Dan

SPECIAL MUSIC – Near the Cross – Curry

GOD’S WORD – Luke 19:28-40 – Pastor Dan

SERMON – Pastor Dan

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER

*HYMN – Hosanna, Loud, Hosanna! – #233
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 Mid an exultant crowd,
The victor palm branch waving, And chanting clear and loud.
The Lord of men and angels Rode on in lowly state,
Nor scorned that little children Should on his bidding wait.

“Hosanna in the highest!” That ancient song we sing,
For Christ is our Redeemer, The Lord of heaven, our King.
O may we ever praise Him With heart and life and voice,
And in His blissful presence Eternally rejoice!

*BENEDICTION – Pastor Dan

*POSTLUDE – A Song of Comfort – Brahms

March 28 Virtual Worship – Palm Sunday

Join us to hear to hear the good word! Jesus is near! Hosanna! Hosanna in the Highest! Raise and wave your palms!

Here is today’s order for worship:

WELCOME

PRELUDE – Anna DiVesta

*CALL TO WORSHIP (adapted Isaiah 50:4-9) – Pastor Dan
One: Come to worship! Come; join in this chorus of Hosannas!
All: Come to let your tongue shout God’s praises!
One: Come to find your voice.
All: Come to hear the response.
One: Come to open your ears.
All: Come to listen.
One: Come to be healed by the silence.
All: Come to stand together.
One: Come to experience what words cannot express!
All: Come to find God.

HYMN – Make Way – worship booklet, p. 69

1. Make way, make way, for Christ the King in splendor arrives.
   Fling wide the gates and welcome him into your lives.

CHORUS
Make way, make way for the King of kings.
Make way, make way and let his kingdom in.

2. He comes the broken hearts to heal the prisoners to free.
   The deaf shall hear, the lame shall dance, the blind shall see.

CHORUS

3. And those who mourn with heavy hearts, who weep and sigh;
   with laughter, joy and royal crown he’ll beautify.

CHORUS

4. We call you now to worship him as Lord of all,
   to have no gods before him – their thrones must fall.

UNISON PRAYER OF INVOCATION – Pastor Dan
God of exceptional moments; this morning, we recall the electric celebration of people enthusiastically welcoming Jesus along the road to Jerusalem. What a moment! We can imagine ourselves swept up in the party atmosphere of that lively parade! We can feel your great power! We want to cut loose ourselves in ways that faithfully offer you praise! Your holy love reaches out and blesses everyone. Come close now. Ride down Kingshighway here in our fair city, Jesus. Enter Metro St. Louis this day. Hosanna! Come on, Jesus! We choose you to be the grand marshal of our next big parade. Save us, we beg you. Hosanna in the highest! Amen.

PRAISE RESPONSE – In the Name of the Lord – #19

1. Ride on, ride on, O Savior King, To set the sinner free!
   To sin cursed souls salvation bring And peace eternally!
   Ride on to dark Gethsemane, To untold agony,
   And on the cross of Calvary Procure our victory!
2. Ride on, ride on, O Savior King, To claim the hearts of men!
   Now death has lost its dreadful sting And hope is born again.
   O come, in human hearts to reign Suppress the pow’r of sin!
   Our own endeavor is in vain; Lord, You must help us win!
3. Ride on, ride on, O Savior King! Ride on o’er land and sea,
   For You alone to man can bring Eternal liberty.
   Ride on to sinbound nations, Lord, Until each heart shall own
   Your saving, sanctifying word and bow before Your throne!

There is strength in the name of the Lord;
There is pow’r in the name of the Lord;
There is hope in the name of the lLord!
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE – Jo Ann Moody

GOD’S WORD – Psalm 118:1, 21-29 – Pastor Dan

SPECIAL MUSIC – Holy City – Marsha Fix, Vocalist

GOD’S WORD – Mark 11:1-11 – Pastor Dan

SERMON – Pastor Dan

PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH – Pastor Dan – Pastoral Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer (debts… debtors)

HYMN – Ride On, Ride On, O Savior King – #236

BENEDICTION – Pastor Dan

POSTLUDE – Anna DiVesta

CCLI License #456361​​

Holy Week 2020: Palm Sunday

As we continue to observe stay-at-home orders, let us take comfort in the familiar journey toward Easter and Christ’s resurrection.

 

Today is Palm Sunday.

The Christian high holy day of Palm Sunday is the joyous occasion when God’s Church celebrates the arrival of Jesus of Nazareth in Jerusalem.  The Revised Common Lectionary Gospel Reading for this Sunday is Matthew 21:1-11.  This narrative describes Jesus sending two of his disciples to pick up a donkey and the foal of a donkey for Jesus to ride on his journey. The disciples successfully acquire the donkeys, and they bring the creatures to Jesus.  Next, the disciples place cloaks on the donkeys, and Jesus rides the donkeys up the road to the Holy City.

This event is considered the fulfillment of a prophecy. The quotation in Matthew 21:5 is a reference to Zechariah 9:9-10.  It was customary in ancient Near Eastern royal processions for the king to ride on a donkey.  By doing so, Jesus himself was behaving like a king.  The populous responded

In the Christian Church, it is a custom on Palm Sunday for a congregation to participate in a processional which serves as a reenactment of Jesus’ triumphal entry into the Holy City of Jerusalem.  Worshipers process throughout the sanctuary, wave palm branches, and shout, “Hosanna!” (This word “Hosanna” literally means “save us, we pray.”)

On the original occasion when Jesus rode to Jerusalem, crowds lined the roadside and cheered, “Hosanna to the Son of David!  Blessed is the One who comes in God’s name!  Hosanna in the highest!”

 

 

Palm Sunday Hymns

Hosanna, Loud Hosanna

1.      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,

         Then children sang their praises, The simplest and the best,

2.      From Olivet they followed ‘Mid an exultant crowd,

         The victor palm branch waving, And chanting clear and loud:

         The Lord of men and angels Rode on in lowly state,

         Nor scorned that little children Should on His bidding wait.

3.      “Hosanna in the highest!” That ancient song we sing,

         For Christ is our Redeemer, The Lord of heaven, our King;

         O may we ever praise Him With heart and life and voice,

         and in His blissful presence Eternally rejoice!

    The Old Rugged Cross

1.      On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,

         The emblem of suffering and shame;

         And I love that old cross where the dearest and best

         For a world of lost sinners was slain.

REFRAIN

         So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross

         Till my trophies at last I lay down;

         I will cling tot he old rugged cross,

         And exchange it some day for a crown.

 2.      O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,

          Has a wondrous attraction for me:

         For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above

          To bear it to dark Calvary.

 REFRAIN

3.      In the old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,

         A wondrous beauty I see;

         For ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died

         To pardon and sanctify me.

REFRAIN

4.      To the old rugged cross I will ever be true,

         Its shame and reproach gladly bear;

         Then He’ll call me some day to my home far away,

          Where His glory forever I’ll share.

CCLI License #456361

REFRAIN

Thank you for joining us today. Please check back here on Thursday for our Maundy Thursday service, remembering the Last Supper.

2014 Holy Week Schedule at Ivy Chapel

You are welcome to worship this week with us as we stop to pause and reflect on what it really means to be a follower of Christ. As we move from Palm Sunday to the joys of Easter, we strive to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. Come, make the journey to Easter with us, and celebrate God’s love.

Palm Sunday, April 13

10 a.m. worship

Maundy Thursday, April 17     

7:30 p.m. worship

Good Friday, April 18

7:30 p.m. worship

 Easter Sunday, April 20

6:30 a.m. Sunrise Worship (outdoor pavilion, weather permitting)

10 a.m. worship (Ivy Chapel Sanctuary)

 

Easter Egg Hunt!

We had a beautiful day for the Annual Ivy Chapel Easter Egg Hunt. Thanks to everyone who helped plan this fun event… and apologies to anyone who finds any still-hidden eggs in the heat of the summer.

The album below also includes photos from our Palm Sunday worship service.