A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union
Palm Sunday 10:30 am
Meditation
I want to hold what matters most with both hands. ~Rev. Sarah Are (excerpt from “Peaceful Protest”)
From There to Here: We Gather
Prelude
Sing Hosanna in the Highest Eugene Butler
Union Church Choir; Olivia Puckett, trumpet
Sing hosanna in the highest, blest be the King who comes, King of Israel, King of heaven, Lord of all his earthly sons. Sing Hosanna, peace in heaven, glory be to God on high. Spread your branches and your garments, raise your anthems to the sky. Sing hosanna to the savior as he comes in mighty love, praise the king who reigns forever with our holy God above.
Welcome
Gospel Lesson Mark 11:1-11
When they were approaching Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples and said to them, ‘Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately as you enter it, you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden; untie it and bring it. If anyone says to you, “Why are you doing this?” just say this, “The Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately.” ’ They went away and found a colt tied near a door, outside in the street. As they were untying it, some of the bystanders said to them, ‘What are you doing, untying the colt?’ They told them what Jesus had said; and they allowed them to take it. Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it; and he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields.
Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David! Hosanna in the highest heaven!’ Then he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple; and when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.
¨ Palm Processional
Rev. Kent, the children and choir members will lead off our processional. As they pass your pew, all who wish are invited to join the procession, circling the sanctuary until you are back at your seat. Like the crowds did in Jerusalem, all are welcome to shout “Hosanna!,” “Free us!,” “God Reigns!” and other hopes of liberation as we embody the story of Jesus triumphal entry to Holy Week.
¨ Hymn #216 All Glory, Laud and Honor St. Theodulph
1 All glory, laud, and honor to you, O Christ, we sing, to whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring! The people of the Hebrews with palms adorned your way; our praise and prayer and anthems we offer you this day.
2 O Promised One of Israel, of David’s royal line, the one called “God’s beloved,” of flesh and yet divine, to you before your passion they sang their hymns of praise; to you, now high exalted, our melody we raise.
3 As you received their praises, receive our prayers today, whose justice and whose mercy and sovereignty hold sway. All glory, laud and honor to you, O Christ, we sing, to whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring!
¨ Passing the Peace of Christ
All who come to this sanctuary are welcome companions on this day! You are invited to turn to those nearest you and greet them with words of peace.
Word and Worship
Anthem Here Comes Our King! Schram, Williams Union Church Choir
Shout with joy, here comes our King! With one voice, we praise our King! He’s our salvation; Light of all nations. Join with angels as they sing! Highest hosanna! He rides on a donkey low, as was foretold long ago. Jesus is the One we’ve been waiting for. There’s hope in our hearts as we adore Him. Shout with joy, here comes our King! He’s humble, but filled with power, and in this very hour, we exalt the One we’ve been waiting for. There’s hope in our hearts as we adore Him. We adore Him! Shout with joy, here comes our King! With one voice, we praise our King
Children’s Moment as the children return to their seats we sing:
May God’s blessings guard, protect and guide you. God bless you, God bless you. Our savior’s loving arms be ever ’round you. God bless you, God bless you.
Sung Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 p. 700
The psalms were originally musical compositions. During Lent we will pray the psalms in musical form. You are invited to sing the response when invited, at the “R” if using the hymnal.
Scripture Reading Isaiah 50:4-9a
The Lord God has given me the tongue of a teacher, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word. Morning by morning he wakens– wakens my ear to listen as those who are taught. The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, I did not turn backward. I gave my back to those who struck me, and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard; I did not hide my face from insult and spitting.
The Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame; he who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who are my adversaries? Let them confront me. It is the Lord God who helps me; who will declare me guilty?
Sermon We Can Do Hard Things Rev. Kent Gilbert
Video Reflection
Living Prayer
Call to Prayer
Ringing of the Peace Bell
The Union Church Peace Bell was created by Jeff Enge in honor of Union Church member Carl Eschbach (1904-1998). A twin bell hangs in Berea’s sister province in Japan and is also rung in the hope of peace for all nations.
Offertory
A Chance for Generosity: www.easytithe.com/union
A community of caring relies on support. Your recurring or one-time donation will make a ministry of healing, justice, and teaching available to all in need.
¨ Use your smart phone or computer and go to www.easytithe.com/union. No registration required, but registering once makes future generosity simply an amount and a click.
¨ Baskets for checks or cash are located at the head of each aisle for those who wish to make an in-person donation.
¨ Give by Text. Text an amount to 859-448-3403 (Example: Text “$50.00 Offering”)
¨ Give by Mail to: 200 Prospect St., Berea, KY 40403
Your contribution is love made visible. Thank you!
Prayer and Reflection Questions
Hard Things: Glennon Doyle, a famous author and writer, frequently uses the phrase, “We can do hard things.” As a result, this declaration, “We can do hard things,” has become an anthem for many.
These five simple words are powerful because life and faith require courage. And we need the reminder:
Vulnerability requires courage.
Relationships require courage.
Advocacy and justice require courage. Facing our privilege requires courage.
Faith requires courage.
Even confession requires courage. So what hard things are before you this day?
As you work toward your courage, stop and allow yourself to feel God filling you with what you need to do them. What are they? How will you know when you are ready? Pray. Then act.
¨ Kyrie
In this season of Lent, we come together in prayer with the beautiful chant of “Kyrie Eleison,” meaning “God, have mercy on us,” and “Christe Eleison,” meaning “Christ have mercy.” You are invited to sing back the phrase after the cantor, prayerfully remembering that God’s mercy is a gift of love, freely given to us.
¨ Prayer of Confession
One: God of palm branches and hallelujahs: We confess—we love a good Palm Sunday celebration.
All: We love the sound of a joyful parade. We love shouting, “hallelujah!” We love that Palm Sunday means Easter is just around the corner.
One: We love good news. However, when we slow down and pay attention, We know there was risk for you in that celebration.
All: There was fear that week so long ago. There was the threat of violence.
One: You were leading an unsupported protest against an unjust empire, unforgiving, and unrelenting.
All: Forgive us for glossing over the courage this day took. Forgive us and change us. Again and again, remind us that the story of faith is a story of courage, and even we can do hard things.
One: If we could buy our way closer to you, we’d sell everything we have.
If we could work our way to you, we’d never take a day off.
If we could walk our way to you, we’d keep our tennis shoes on tight.
But I know—we know—we cannot buy, or work, or walk our way closer to you.
We must listen our way closer to you.
So holy God, as you have so often done again and again,
Open our ears to hear the hard things.
Clear out the self-talk that keeps us from you.
Dust out the negativity and distractions.
Remove any doubt hindering our way.
All: As we move toward Easter in the week, may we move toward Easter in our living. In this week of hard stories– in our lives of difficult discipleship– help us walk with you, and may you walk with us. Again and Again, we pray as you taught us…
¨ Our Lord’s Prayer
Our Maker, Our Mother, and 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 sins as we forgive those who sin against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
From Here to There
¨ Hymn # I Want Jesus
Reprinted with permission using OneLicense #A-723786
Community Connections
Announcements
We share opportunities for Beloved Community and ways to serve. Please see the listing of church & community events, prayers, and notices in the pages following the service.
Lighting the Justice Candle to Lead us Forth
Union Church’s Palm Sunday worship service uses fair trade palms purchased from Eco-Palms. Eco-Palms is committed to the issues of justice and environmental stewardship. Each palm plant produces 2-5 harvestable fronds over a 2 to 4 month period. At least a quarter of farmers in the central area of Guatemala earn additional income from harvesting fronds; and more than a quarter of households support themselves exclusively by collecting fronds. Historically, gatherers have received a low price for them, except those who work for companies invested in fair trade practices.
Eco-Palms protect income to forest communities and preserve trees which are needed for shade through sustainable harvest programs. Of the $4.5 million per year spent on palms, those purchased by Union Church are but a small number, but they confirm our commitment to justice in any way possible.
¨ Benediction
One: Family of faith, Even when we gloss over the truth,
All: Even when our courage fails us, Even when we doubt,
One: God is with us.
All: God loves us.
One: God forgives us and trusts us to go and do the right thing. Hear and believe this truth: We are known. We are loved. We are forgiven and transformed. Again and again and again, and even though we walk through the valley of death, our call is clear, our hope is sure. Thanks be to God for a love like that!
All: Amen!
¨ Benediction Response The God of Second Chances David Haas
Those who are able & willing are invited to fill the aisles as we sing the Benediction Response together. If you’re at home or in the balcony, you are part of the embrace too. The embrace is as wide as God’s love!
Peaceful Protest
I wonder if Jesus could feel his heartbeat
In his throat, the way I do when I’m afraid.
I wonder if he had to take deep breaths,
In through his nose, out through his mouth,
Tricking his body into a state of calm.
I wonder if he was nauseous, like I am
When I’m headed into a hard conversation.
I wonder if he had to summon his courage,
Tucking fear away so that he could hold onto
What mattered most with both hands.
I wonder, because time has taught us
That it is not uncommon
For a peaceful protest
To start or end
With an unjust death.
So I wonder,
Did he know?
Was he afraid?
Did anyone see it?
I want to hold what matters most with both hands.
Our Prayers for Others
¨ Each week we join millions of Christians who pray for one another through the ecumenical prayer cycle and, locally, the Berea Ministerial Association’s prayer cycle (World Council of Churches Ecumenical Prayer cycle: union-church.org/ministries/prayer) Let us hold the people of the Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia; and our brothers and sisters at Faith Decision Baptist Church in our hearts, and pray for them today and throughout the week.
¨ All the people of Ukraine for their safety and sovereignty. Prayers also that the government of Russia will turn to reason & respect for their own peoples’ lives as well as for Ukrainian families.
¨ All those affected by the devastating losses in the current conflict in the Middle East.
¨ Our church family members in nursing homes or who are homebound: Jan Hamilton, Betsy Hoefer, Dorie Hubbard, Lois Morgan, Sara Parker, Cheryl Payne, Alva Peloquin, Laura Robie, Sally Zimmerman.
¨ All those suffering from mental strain, trauma, and disease: may God soothe and heal all who are troubled.
¨ Members and Friends who need safer housing and income security.
¨ JoAnn Russell, Reda Hutton’s aunt, facing several medical challenges.
¨ Barb Taylor, recovering at home from a stroke.
¨ NoraRuth Jenkins, recovering from two recent surgeries.
¨ Cron Carpenter, recovering from extensive heart surgery, and Delores as she cares for him.
¨ Rita Lashley Barlow and the family, at the death of her oldest sister, Janet.
¨ Andrea Wescott, at the loss of her grandmother, Ella Fay Rader
¨ Keila Thomas, recovering from recent surgery.
¨ Seth Hutchins, recovering from a complicated shoulder surgery.
¨ Muse Watson, at the loss of a dear cousin.
¨ Tennant Kirk’s family, at the sudden loss of her brother’s grandson, Chad Nicely, at just 40.
¨ Carla Gilbert, Jeff & Jennifer Melton, Don & Rhonda Cardwell, and others in the church family with recent Covid infections.
¨ Celebrations with Prayers of Joy!
Birthdays: Today, March 24 – Claire Garrett; 25 – Lynette Willis; 26 – Cron Carpenter, Don Cardwell, Cansas Dowell; 27 – Judith Singleton; 31 – Colin Perman
Anniversaries: March 29 –Jerry & Gail Manning
If we haven’t got your important dates, let us know. We’ll help you get connected in FellowshipOne Go!
Leave a Reply