Palm Sunday Virtual Worship

The Presbyterian Church, Coshocton, OH

Pastor Karen Crawford

April 5, 2020 

Prelude:                                                Do Not Be Afraid              Glory to God Hymnal #76

Sarah Heading, Soloist; Caroline Heading, Pianist

Refrain: Do not be afraid, for I am with you. Chosen and beloved, you are my own. Do not be afraid, for I have redeemed you: by your name I called you for my own.

Listen to Do Not Be Afraid:

 

Listen to my Greeting and Call to Worship:

Call to Worship (based on Psalm 118)

Sing our hymn with Caroline’s music; words below:

Hymn:                         Hosanna Loud Hosanna                 Caroline Heading, Piano

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, the 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 earth and heaven 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!

Hear me leading the call to confession, prayer of confession and assurance:

Call to Confession

Prayer of Confession

Lord, you hold nothing back, not even your Son. The lengths you will go to be in relationship with us are astounding. Jesus pours himself out for our sake and enters Jerusalem in order to take upon himself the sin of the world. Yet, we fail to respond with gratitude. We neglect to hear and heed your saving Word. We turn aside from your way and withhold that of which you have need. Forgive our fleeting faithfulness and our hollow shouts of Hosanna. Humble us, turn us toward you, help us to look to the interests of others, shape us into a closer imitation of Christ, our Savior. Amen.

Assurance of Pardon (based on Isaiah 50).

Time with Children and Youth!

Watch my message for children and youth:

Prayer for Illumination

Audio of prayer for illumination and scripture reading:

Scripture: Matthew 21:1-11

This is the gospel of the Lord.    Praise to you, O Christ.

Meditation                      Humble King on the Colt of a Donkey                       

Video of my message:

Musical Meditation:          Jesus Paid It All                     Caroline Heading, Piano

Audio of Caroline playing Jesus Paid It All:

Hear me leading the affirmation of faith, sharing joys and concerns, prayers of the people, Lord’s Prayer and Prayer of Thanksgiving/Dedication for our gifts to the Lord:

 

Affirmation of faith (The Apostles’ Creed)

I BELIEVE in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.

Sharing Joys and Concerns

Dear friends, I invite you to email me your joys and concerns to karenpts@gmail.com and let me know if you want me to put your concern on our prayer list or just pray in my personal prayers. My joy is that my family is well and that we—you and I—are still able to come together for worship of our Living God.

Prayers of the People

Lord, your word sustains the weary. You bind up the brokenhearted and bring good news to the poor. As you enter into the chaos of Jerusalem, we trust you come to us in whatever turmoil we are experiencing. Even as some of us shout our praises, others among us cannot even murmur a word of hope. You see us all, lined up by the road, isolated in our homes, incarcerated or incapacitated, worried about our loved ones and those who are ill, exhausted from caring for the sick and laboring at essential work, and you are moved with compassion. You come to Jerusalem, getting ever closer to the cross, pouring yourself out in order to bring forgiveness, reconciliation and salvation.

Seeing you, humble, riding on a donkey, vulnerable and unwilling to turn away from suffering, we are bold to pour ourselves to you, crying, “Hosanna!” and “God, help us!” We do not know how to voice our deepest needs or fears or hopes or longings, yet you know them all before a word is on our tongues. We cast everything before you, Lord of all, trusting your promise of an easy yoke and a light burden. We call out for healing for the sick, relief for the suffering, justice for the oppressed, relief for the exhausted, hope for the downtrodden and comfort for those who mourn.

As we wonder what will come next, as we struggle with countless uncertainties and mounting anxieties, we look to you, the blessed One who comes in the name of the Lord, for help, for assurance and for the peace that passes understanding. As we draw close to you and attempt to follow, even to the cross, we rejoice in your near presence. We give thanks for your selfless sacrifice. We give thanks for the health care professionals, the grocery store workers, the frontline responders. We remain grateful for all of those on the Way with us. United in you, Lord Christ, we will stand together and stand up for those who have fallen by the wayside and walk with those who fear they have been forgotten. Strengthen us for the days ahead so that we will remain faithful to you, your will and your call, until we see you face to face. We make our prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, who taught us to say when we pray…

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 but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

Call for the Offering

Like that day long ago, we welcome Jesus to Jerusalem, waving palm branches, throwing our cloaks on the road, and giving him our gifts in joyous response to his entry into the world, into Jerusalem and into our lives. Let us worship God with today’s offering and help the Kingdom to grow. I invite you to send your gifts to The Presbyterian Church, 142 N. Fourth St., Coshocton.

Prayer of Dedication

Lord, take our gifts, offered in gratitude, never adequate, but in your grace, always blessed, multiplied and used to show your love, compassion and care. May the resources you have entrusted to us, freely given to you, make visible here and now Jesus’ timeless mission of justice and mercy. Amen.

Charge/Benediction

Listen to my closing remarks, charge and Benediction:

 

Postlude:     What Wondrous Love Is This                     Caroline Heading, Piano 

Listen to Caroline playing What Wondrous Love Is This:

 

© Presbyterian Outlook, 2020. Liturgy written by Jill Duffield and provided for free distribution.