A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of Church of Christ, Union
Palm Sunday March 24. 2013
Meditation
“Like splendid palm branches, we are strewn in the Lord’s path.”
—Latin antiphon
Gathering to Worship
Welcome and Announcements
Prelude Meditation on “All Glory, Laud and Honor” Paul Manz
* Gospel Lesson Luke 19:28-40 (p. 1265)
The liturgy of the Palms is the story of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem.
* Palm Processional Fanfare (excerpt) John Cook
Everyone is invited to join in the Processional. When invited, please move to stand lining the aisles as the pastors, Sunday School children, and adults process through “the crowd.” Those processing will begin by the door under the Peace Bell. All who would like to do so may gather in that hall, or join as the procession passes your pew. Bring your bulletin with you for the Call to Worship.
¨ Call to Worship
One: Let us enter the city with God today,
All: and sing hosannas to our king,
One: let us turn our backs on the powers that grasp and control,
All: and open our hearts to the son of God riding on a donkey.
One: Let us join his parade,
All: surrounded by outcasts and prostitutes, the blind and the leper.
One: Let us follow the one who brought freedom and peace,
All: and walk in solidarity with the abandoned and oppressed.
One: Let us shout for joy at Christ’s coming and join his disciples,
All: welcoming the broken, healing the sick, dining with outcasts.
One: Let us touch and see as God draws near,
All: riding in triumph towards the Cross.
~ written by Christine Sine, and posted on Godspace. http://godspace.wordpress.com
Receiving New Members
Introduction and Invitation to Membership
Union Church is a vital and growing family of faith, a home to those committed to the way of Christ’s sacrificial love and service. All who feel led to join today are invited to join the pastors at the front of the sanctuary during the last verse of the hymn and will be received in joy. The Congregation is invited to return to their seats and those who wish to join the church as members, please stay at the front. Thanks be to God for these ministers among us.
¨ Opening Hymn #213 Black “Hosanna, Loud Hosanna “ Ellacombe
* Questions of the Congregation and New Members
¨ Covenant of Welcome
And we, the members of this church, renewing our own covenant to God and to each other, do now heartily welcome you to our fellowship, promising to watch over you in love, and praying that you and we may be true witnesses for Christ, a light in the world, and continue to increase in usefulness and joy in his service.
Hearing the word
* Passing the Peace of Christ
All who come to this sanctuary are welcome companions on this day. Please turn to those nearest you and greet them with words of peace.
Children’s Moment As the children return to their seats we sing: May God’s presence 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.
Following Children’s Moment, child care for ages kindergarten & under is available in the Nursery, downstairs off the Fellowship Hall, and Children’s Church for kids ages 5-8 is available in Room 104. The activities provided acquaint the children with the structure of the regular service in a way that engages them and encourages their participation. Children’s Church is staffed by Anna Kate McWhorter, and parents who wish to accompany their children are very welcome.
Anthem Hosanna, Hosanna A. Caldara/A. Carpenter
Union Church Choir
Hosanna! Hosanna! Sing Glory to God in the highest evermore. Awake, my heart to sing thy praise, Thou Prince of Life and Fount of Grace, Hosanna in the highest evermore.
Psalm 118:1-2,19-29 (Sung)
The Psalms were all originally musical compositions. During Lent we will pray the psalms in musical form with congregational responses. Please sing the response when invited.
Sermon Where Shall We Put Our Coats? Rev. Rachel Small Stokes
Offering Our Gifts
Offertory Song Without Words Kevin McChesney
Handbell Choir
Please use the envelope provided for your One Great Hour of Sharing offering. OGHS is a ministry of Church World Service that supports direct relief, food sustainability, education, and disaster relief around the world. Your gift could not be more important, nor better used.
* Doxology (Sung in English) Laudate omnes gent
* Prayer of Thanksgiving
Prayers of the People
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 Kiyosato, Japan and is also rung in the hope of peace for all nations.
Silent Prayers
Prayer of Confession
We will read these reflections silently.
Our 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 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.
Walking Forward in Faith
¨ Closing Hymn #190 Black Beneath the Cross of Jesus St. Christopher
* Benediction and Sending Forth
* Benediction Response Blessing Round Jonathon Jensen
_____________________________
¨ All are invited to rise or rise in spirit as you are able and willing
Especially in our prayers …
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. Let us hold the people of China, Hong Kong and Macao and our brothers and sisters at the Blue Lick Missionary Baptist Church in your hearts, and pray for them. Please also hold these concerns in your prayers today and throughout the week.
* Those in harm’s way in the service of our country, especially as we recognize the ten long years of war we have suffered.
* Linda Parsons, recovering well from heart bypass surgery.
* Laurinda Pool, at the death of her father, Frank Littlejohn.
* Mia, the new granddaughter of Lyle and Laurie Roelofs
* Steve and Sandy Bolster’s new granddaughter, Todd and Emilie’s daughter, Haylee, born February 18
* Matt and Carrie Jadud, at the birth of their baby, Simon Owens Jadud, on March 18
* Dorothy Chao, who will undergo surgery for breast cancer Tuesday
* For our campus community in the loss of Yohance Fegan, whose memorial service was held here on Wednesday
* Joan Moore, recovering from her auto accident at a friend’s home in Winchester and for her father, Bob, being cared for by Joan’s sister.
* Paul Wells, recovering from heart surgery at home.
* Carol Shaffer, recuperating from shoulder surgery at daughter Beth’s.
* Whitney Louise Wellinghurst, who was born at 25 weeks on December 8, weighing 1 pound, 7 ounces, now weighs over 5 pounds! Please hold the family in prayer as Whitney faces some serious health challenges.
* Abi Dietz, who is now in rehab in Philadelphia. Cards may be sent care of her mom, Georgina Bard, 403 Edge Hill Rd., Glenside, PA, 19038. Abi is showing some small signs of improvement!!
* Edith Hansen, at The Terrace
* Shirley Dean, on hospice care for lung cancer
* Ruth Wesley, now at The Terrace
Easter Morning Team Needed: Volunteers are needed for special ushering and Easter preparations. Team members meet with Rev. Kent and Rev. Rachel on Saturday, March 30th to plan and practice. They then participate in the morning processional during the service, helping transform the darkness to light and joy! To sign up please visit www.union-church.org/easter-volunteers. All ages are welcome. Many thanks!
Lunch for Woman’s Industrial We’re hosting a pot-luck lunch for Woman’s Industrial on April 5. Join us at 11:00 to meet, socialize, and eat with Woman’s Industrial members. Bring a pot-luck dish if you can but it’s not required. Sign up on the Service Board in the rear of the sanctuary or contact Doug Hindman at 582-5806.
Tuesday Coffee, Bagels, and Church Fixes: Come One Come All… Tuesday 8:30-Noon – Come join for whatever time you can in fellowship and helping with minor repairs, etc. There will be job opportunities for people of all skill levels, including some bulletin sorting (we found the missing bulletins!).
Easter Lilies Available for Sale…Easter morning flowers are a glorious way to celebrate the joy of resurrection. Now you can order sanctuary lilies in honor or memory of loved ones for just $15 and a click or call! Sales of the flowers will benefit the El Salvador Mission and Service Trip, scheduled for June. Call the church office (986-3725) or use the church webpage: www.union-church.org/lilies to place your order and list your designation “in honor” or “in memory” of someone, if you’d like. All flowers will be delivered to the church and will be available to take home after the Easter Service if you wish!
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