PALM SUNDAY ~ Sunday of the Passion WELCOME TO WORSHIP AT GRACE OF GOD April 9, 2017 9:00 am GATHERING WELCOME PROCESSION OF PALMS In the name of the Father and of the (+) Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest! Let us pray. Most merciful God, as the people of Jerusalem, with palms in their hands, gathered to greet your Son when he came into the Holy City of Jerusalem, grant that we may always hail him as our King. When he comes again, may we greet him with faithful hearts and follow him in the way that leads to eternal life; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. PROCESSIONAL GOSPEL Matthew 21:1-11 The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew the 21 st chapter. Glory to you, O Lord. 1 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, tell him that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away. 4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: 5 Say to the Daughter of Zion, See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. 1
6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt, placed their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them. 8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest! 10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, Who is this? 11 The crowds answered, This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee. This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. Let us go forth in peace. In the name of the Lord. (All are invited to follow the children in the procession. Please remain standing.) PROCESSIONAL HYMN "All Glory, Laud and Honor" 1. You are the king of Israel, And David's royal Son, Now in the Lord's name coming, Our King and Blessed One. refrain 2. The multitudes of pilgrims, With palms before you went, Our praise and prayer and anthems, Before you we present. refrain 3. To you, before your Passion, They sang their hymns of praise. To you now high exalted, Our melody we raise. refrain 4. Their praises you accepted; Accept the prayers we bring, Great author of all goodness, O good and gracious King. refrain Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest! PRAYER OF THE DAY The Lord be with you. And also with you. Let us pray. Everlasting God, in your endless love for the human race you sent our Lord Jesus Christ to take on our nature and to suffer death on the cross. In your mercy enable us to share in his obedience to your will and in the glorious victory of his resurrection, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. 2
SERVICE OF THE WORD CHILDREN S MESSAGE NEW TESTAMENT READING Philippians 2:5-11 5 Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, 7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, 8 he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. HYMN When I Survey the Wondrous Cross THE PASSION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST ACCORDING TO ST. MATTHEW 3
HYMN HOMILY Sorrow and Love APOSTLES CREED I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen PRAYERS (Response to each petition) Lord, in your mercy Hear our prayer SHARING OF THE PEACE The peace of the Lord be with you always. And also with you. OFFERING God So Loved the World God so loved the world That he gave his only begotten Son That who so believeth in him Should not perish but have everlasting life. 4
OFFERTORY PRAYER Merciful God, receive the sacrifice of our praise and thanksgiving and the offering of our lives, that following in the way of the cross, we may know the joy of the resurrection; through Christ our Lord. Amen. SERVICE OF THE SACRAMENT INVITATION TO THE MEAL God loved the world so much, that he gave his only Son. We give thanks to you, almighty and merciful God, through our Savior Jesus Christ. You call your people to cleanse their hearts and return to you for you are gracious and full of compassion. And so, with all the choirs of angels, with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn: SANCTUS Holy, holy, holy You are indeed holy, almighty and merciful God. You are most holy, and great is the majesty of your glory. You so loved the world that you gave your only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but have eternal life. We give you thanks for his coming into the world to fulfill for us your holy will and to accomplish all things for our salvation. WORDS OF INSTITUTION For as often as we eat of this bread and drink from this cup, we proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. All sing: 5
To you, O God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be all honor and glory in your holy church, now and forever. All sing: 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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass 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 and ever. Amen AGNUS DEI ( Lamb of God ) 6
COMMUNION DISTRIBUTION Scripture says, Whenever we eat this bread and drink this cup we proclaim the Lord s death until he comes. 1 Corinthians 11:26. Martin Luther s Small Catechism says, Holy Communion is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ under the bread and wine, instituted by Christ Himself for us Christians to eat and drink. All baptized Christians who have been instructed in this confession of faith and who share our belief in the real presence of Christ in the sacrament for the forgiveness of sins are invited to the Lord s Table today. Children who have not received their first communion are invited to come to the table and receive a blessing. As you approach the table down the aisles, receive an empty cup from the cart. Proceed to the left or the right and gather around the altar. After each gathered group has communed, they are dismissed in peace. As you return to your seat down the side aisles, place your cup in the racks on the tables to your left or right. Non-alcoholic wine is offered in pre-filled cups for those who cannot drink alcohol. These cups are marked in the rack. Gluten-free (and dairy-free and nut-free) wafers are offered in the small white bowl on the communion cart for those who prefer this option. SONGS DURING COMMUNION The Lamb 7
My Song Is Love Unknown SENDING DISMISSAL The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen and keep us in his grace. Amen PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING Merciful God, accompany our journey through these forty days. Renew us in the gift of baptism, that we may provide for those who are poor, pray for those in need, fast from self-indulgence and above all that we may find our treasure in the life of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen 8
BLESSING The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace. Amen Go in peace. Christ lives in you. Thanks be to God. CLOSING HYMN Ride On, Ride On in Majesty 9
SERVING IN WORSHIP TODAY Worship leader and preacher Jon Marxhausen Elder Tom Schoenberg Piano Jill Olofson Lector Marilynn Epland Passion Readers Nichole White, Hannah Marxhausen Dan Evenson, Matt Onken and Bruce Gilman Ushers Becky Vigstol / Jenny Hanson Acolyte/Crucifer Logan Onken Greeters Wendy Bartz/Jenny Hanson DON T FORGET YOUR 3-MINUTE MINISTRY ALL ARE INVITED FOR FELLOWSHIP AND TREATS AFTER WORSHIP TODAY! (A $1 suggested donation for treats and coffee helps us to continue to serve our fellowship times!) 10
WELCOME TO GRACE OF GOD Thank you for worshipping with us today. Please fill out a welcome card and place it in the basket on the table in the entryway. Help yourself to a welcome packet that will tell you more about the ministry at Grace of God. You are always welcome at Grace of God. GRACE OF GOD MISSION STATEMENT Grace of God is a Christ-centered community gathered around Word and Sacrament, preaching Christ crucified, serving our neighbor and discovering what it means to live under the grace of God. SMALL CHILDREN ARE WELCOME IN WORSHIP AT GRACE OF GOD Busy bags for young children are available in the classroom adjacent to the worship space near the doors. That room X also has a speaker to hear the worship service. The Gospel of Gideon A Adult Bible Study Based on Judges 6 and 7 Led by the Rev. Steven E. King The Old Testament story of Gideon tells of how the grace of God was revealed to the people of Israel at a time of great struggling and hardship. Not only does the story give an interesting and accurate look into the realities of ancient life, but it also illustrates well some of the fundamental concepts of Christian theology we experience in our own lives of faith. The story may be called a prophetic "gospel" inasmuch as its themes foreshadow the salvation accomplished by God in Jesus Christ. Passover Seder Dinner Maundy Thursday, April 13 5:00 pm The celebration of the Lord s Supper has its roots in the Old Testament commemoration of God s great deliverance from slavery to freedom marked by the blood of the lamb. Our Passover Seder is a Christian observance of this Old Testament festival that shows the fulfillment that Christ brings by being the Passover Lamb who was slain for us. All are invited to participate in this special dinner experience. The cost is $11 a person or $45 for immediate family (parents and children). Sign up at the bulletin board by the kitchen door. 11
We have so much fun doing this show, we just HAVE to do it again! It s time to celebrate the gifts and talents here at Grace of God all in support of our summer youth mission trip to St. Louis. If you have a gift to share musical, comedy, whatever! please see Dawn Marxhausen to get on the program. YOU DON T WANT TO MISS IT! SERVING IN WORSHIP DATE ELDER ACOLYTE LECTOR USHERS GREETERS 4/9/17 Tom Schoenberg Logan Onken Marilynn Epland Becky Vigstol / Jenny Hanson Wendy Bartz/Jenny Hanson 4/13/17 Allen Warren John Frelix Eileen Ocone Derek Nutzman/ Bruce Gilman Eileen Ocone 4/14/17 Tom Schoenberg Jake Richter Matt Onken Lori Ruppel / Brenda Miller Angie McMorrow 4/16/17 Errol Bartz George Zetterwall Becky Vigstol & Jenny Hanson 4/23/17 Tom Schoenberg Ethan Onken Bruce Gilman Errol Bartz / Kathy Rehbein George & Kathy Rehbein CLEANING CREW SCHEDULE April 13-15 April 20-22 TEAM 6 Paul & Cami Hartleben/Tom& Karen Schoenberg TEAM 7 Byron and Marilynn Epland/Onken Family WORSHIP ATTENDANCE Attendance (4/02/17)... 69 April 27-29 TEAM 8 Evenson Family/Dinesen Family 12
EASTER EGG HUNT Saturday, April 15 at 10:30 am At 2697 Bexley Drive Woodbury, MN 5515 (Pastor and Dawn s house) All kids are invited! Bring your own basket or bucket HOLY WEEK WORSHIP Palm/Passion Sunday, April 9 9:00 am Worship (Procession with Palms and Reading of the Passion) Maundy Thursday, April 13 5:00 pm Passover Seder Dinner 7:00 pm Worship with Holy Communion (First Communion Celebration) Good Friday, April 14 7:00 pm Service of Darkness Easter Sunday, April 16 9:00 am worship with Holy Communion (light breakfast after worship) X 13
Sunday, April 9 April 9-16, 2017 9:00 am PALM SUNDAY/Sunday of the Passion 10:15 am Fellowship Sunday School and Adult Bible Study Tuesday, April 11 7:30 pm Cantate Choir Thursday, April 13 5:00 pm Passover Seder Dinner 7:00 pm Maundy Thursday worship Tuesday, April 11 7:00 pm Good Friday worship Sunday, April 16 9:00 am THE RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD 10:15 am Easter breakfast fellowship GRACE OF GOD LUTHERAN CHURCH 420 Hayward Avenue North Oakdale, Minnesota 55128 651.730.4900 www.graceofgodlutheran.com Jon Marxhausen, pastor 14