Palm Sunday
April 13, 2025 | 10:00am
Rev. Jeremy Campbell, Temporary Minister | Larry J. Carey, Director of Music
Thought for Worship: In this piece there are three stones bordered in gold to reference the voice of God, the truth that will not be quelled. Down the sides of the image are the Pharisees or the “silencers” in postures of quieting judgment. My hope was for the silencers to be completely visually enveloped and drowned out by the stones. I left the silencers simplified and unfinished to signify that their attempts at diminishing the truth would ultimately and always be in vain.— -Rev. Lauren Wright Pittman
GATHERING
Welcome
Prelude Rejoice, the Lord is King | arr. Page
Call to Worship
Votum
Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Amen
Opening Sentences
It is holy to gather.
It is holy to sing.
It is holy to be generous, to throw our coats on the road.
It is holy to celebrate justice when we see it.
It is holy to shout, “Hosanna!”
It is holy to remember.
It is holy to gather.
It is holy to sing.
Here and now, let us do all of these things.
Salutation
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
Amen.
*Hymn of Praise Chorus of Our Faith
Call to Confession
The word ‘hosanna’ is often sung with joy and glee on this day. We process in, we wave palm branches, and it feels like a celebration. But the truth is, the word ‘hosanna’ actually means, “save us.” The people along that parade route so many years ago were crying out to Jesus for help, because they knew—this world is not as it should be. There is still too much hurt here. They were crying, “Save us!” In the prayer of confession, we have our own hosanna moment, because we cry out to God, admitting the ways in which we have fallen short, and we ask for God’s saving hand. So friends, let us pray together, for there is still too much hurt here.
Prayer of Confession
God of street parades and hosannas,
we know that you are counting on us to speak out against oppression,
to speak up for love and to speak hope to fear,
but so often we are silent.
We worry that we’ll say the wrong thing,
so we don’t say anything at all.
We worry that we’ll offend,
so we keep our convictions to ourselves.
We worry that we’ll speak up and won’t be heard,
so we stay silent.
And meanwhile, the parade marches on.
Unravel our fears. Spark conviction in us.
Give us the courage to yell, “Hosanna!”
Gratefully we pray, amen.
Assurance of Pardon
Friends, even when we are silent, even when we are scared, even when we miss the moment, even when we choose to speak and say the wrong thing—we belong to God. There is nothing said or unsaid, done or undone that can undo that, so rest in this good news:
We are forgiven. We are known. We belong to God, every day and always. Amen.
The Law of God:
*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
Anthem Hosanna | arr. Barrett
Prayer for Illumination
Holy God, sometimes life feels like a parade rushing by us as we stand on the sidelines and try not to miss it! There are hundreds of things that catch our eye, but the thing we fear missing the most is you. So slow down the speed on this parade. Paint the colors of this world a little brighter. And dance through the words in our scripture passage until it is almost impossible for us to miss you there. God we are here. We are trying to pay attention. Gratefully we pray, 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: Luke 19:28-40
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Sermon: “Even the Stones Cry Out” | Rev. Campbell
Silent Reflection
THE RESPONSE TO GOD
*Affirmation of Faith
We believe in a God who waits in the driveway for us. We believe in a God who leaves the porch light on and throws a feast when we are found. We believe in a God who doesn’t stop looking for us when we get lost. We believe in a God of prodigal grace— excessive, extravagant, over-the-top grace. In response to this grace, we hold tighter to each other. We remember that humans are not meant to go through life alone; so we look for ways to welcome each other in, to live like we are family, and to lead with grace—excessive, extravagant, over-the-top grace. We believe that this is our call. Let it be so. Amen.
Offering Day to Sing Hosanna | arr. Helvey
Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise him all creatures here below;
Praise him above ye heavenly hosts;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen!
Prayer of Dedication
Prayer of Thanksgiving and Intercession (ending with 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, the Power, and the Glory forever. Amen.
SENDING
*Hymn Hosanna, Loud Hosanna
Benediction
Postlude The Royal Banners | Mansfield
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!
Please consider making a weekly donation of eggs or milk to the P-G Food Pantry.
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