Palm Sunday
April 10, 2022 | 10:00am
The Rev. Alexander Arthurs, Pastor| Larry J. Carey, Director of Music
Thought for Worship: A carefree unconcern for possessions is what marks life in the Kingdom of God.– | Richard Foster
GATHERING
Prelude: Maestoso (All Glory, Laud and Honor) | Burkhardt
Introit: Hosanna | Smith/Barrett
Welcome
Call to Worship
Votum
Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Amen
Opening Sentences
The Lord be with you
And also with you.
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Hosanna! Hosanna in the highest!
Blessed is Jesus, who comes riding into Jerusalem on a borrowed donkey!
Hosanna! Hosanna in the highest!
Let us rejoice and be glad!
Hosanna! Hosanna in the highest!
Our Savior is here!
Hosanna! Hosanna in the highest!
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!
Salutation
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
Amen.
*Hymn of Praise: Hosanna, Loud Hosanna
Call to Confession
Prayer of Confession
Most merciful God,
We confess that we have sinned against you
In thought, word, and deed,
By what we have done,
And by what we have left undone.
We have not loved you with our whole heart;
We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.
We are truly sorry and we humbly repent.
For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ,
have mercy on us and forgive us; that
We may delight in your will,
And walk in your ways,
To the glory of your Name. Amen. Amen.
To the glory of your Name. Amen. Amen.
Silent Confession
Assurance of Pardon
Walking this earth,
facing temptation,
defeating sin,
Jesus has done for us,
what we could never do for ourselves.
This is good news! In Jesus Christ we are forgiven!
Thanks be to God!
The Law of God: Galatians 5:16-23
*Gloria Patri | #579
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen.
*Commitment to Peace Keeping and Peace Seeking
One: May the peace of Christ be with you!
All: And also with you!
Share a sign of peace with one another. After sharing the peace, let us all sing together:
Together, by grace, we witness and work, remembering Jesus, in whom we grow strong. Together we serve in Spirit and truth, remembering love is the strength of our song.
THE WORD OF GOD
Children’s Message
Anthem: Lift High the Palms | Martin
Lift a song all ye people. Clap your hands. Make a joyful noise.
Praise the Lord with a thousand glad Hosannas. Lift high the palms and rejoice.
Rejoice and sing to the Lord, hosanna! Sing to the Lord. Lift a song to the Lord.
Glory to God in the highest. Lift a song all ye people, REJOICE!
Prayer for Illumination
Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on us. Open our ears to hear your Word. Soften our spirits to receive your truth. Shape our hearts to love what you love. Speak, O Lord. Your servants are listening. Amen.
First Reading: Psalm 118:1-2; 19-29
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Hymn: Lift Up the Gates Eternal
Second Reading: Matthew 21: 1-11
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Sermon: Simplicity | Pastor Alex
Silent Reflection
THE RESPONSE TO GOD
*Affirmation of Faith
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; He descended to hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there He will come 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.
Offering Ain’t No Rock Gonna’ Shout for Me | Larson
Here comes the Lord, ridin' on a donkey with people waving branches and callin' him "King."
Here comes the Lord ridin' through Jerusalem. If the people don't shout, the rocks will cry out! Rocks, keep silent! Jesus come to set me free. Rocks, keep silent!
I'm gonna shout in victory!
Here comes the Lord as thousands throng to see him.
Children stand on tiptoe to see the King.
Here comes the Lord, excitement in the air.
If the people don’t shout, the rocks will cry!
Rock, keep silent, ain't no rock gonna shout for me!
Prayer of the People (ending with Lord’s Prayer)
Let us have the same mind that was in Christ Jesus as we pray for the world he came to save, saying: Have mercy, O God; hear our prayer.
We pray for the church . . . On this day of triumph and tragedy help us to bear witness to the saving grace of our suffering Lord. Have mercy, O God; hear our prayer.
We pray for the world . . . Help the victims of violence in every land. Give peace to those who live in fear and dignity to those who are despised. Have mercy, O God; hear our prayer.
We pray for this community . . . Teach us the self-emptying way of Jesus Christ. Humble the proud and lift up the lowly until we know that all are equal in your sight. Have mercy, O God; hear our prayer.
We pray for loved ones . . . Be gracious to all who are in distress, Hold their lives in your hand and look upon them with healing. (names read) Have mercy, O God; hear our prayer.
As we pour out our hearts in prayer, O God, lead us to pour out our lives in service to you— ever seeking your will, ever following your way; all in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.
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, the Power, and the Glory forever. Amen.
SENDING
Hymn: Ride On! Ride On in Majesty!
Benediction
Postlude: Hosanna Ring | Tescher
DEAR FRIENDS
Welcome to worship here at Peapack Reformed Church! If you are visiting with us, welcome! If you are a member, welcome back! Our mission is to be a congregation called by God, inspired by the Holy Spirit, and committed to being the very presence of Jesus Christ in the world. This mission is the catalyst for all that we do, and is our aim for who we want to be.
If you are visiting with us via Facebook Live and would like more information about our church, send us a message on Facebook or email office@peapackreformed.org and we will be in touch with you. Even under these odd and anxious circumstances, we would love to be your church home. Our virtual doors are always open wide and our hearts are always ready to welcome new faces into our fellowship.
FOOD PANTRY NEWS
Many thanks for all those who have shared their abundance with neighbors in need.
Our church refrigerators have plenty of space to hold even more!
Mark your calendars now to pick up these important items
and bring to church by the dates listed:
Sunday, April 10- eggs
Sunday, April 24 - Gallon(s) whole milk
Sunday, May 1 - eggs
We are changing our Online Giving System to a more efficient and church-friendly platform. If you would like to continue giving online or would like to set up online payments, please click the “Give Now” button below to set up your online gifts. If you have any questions or need help setting up payments, please contact the church office. We are so grateful for your flexibility as we make this change. Your generosity drives our mission forward!
• Email: office@peapackreformed.org • phone: (908) 234-2733 •
Peapack Reformed Church is a congregation called by God, empowered by the Holy Spirit and committed to being the very presence of Jesus Christ in the world.
CALLED • EMPOWERED • COMMITTED