First United Methodist Church of Schenectady
Worship for Palm Sunday

April 10, 2022

Photo by Sue Learner

Getting Centered

It may help to center yourself into worship by lighting a candle, as a symbol of God’s presence with you during the time of worship. You may also want to pay attention to lighting, the position of your body, and the availability of distractions.

Breath Prayer

“God of justice, help us hear.”
Breath prayers involve breathing in the first phrase, and breathing out the second.
You may wish to simply pray for a moment before starting, or you may wish to pray while listening to the prelude.

Prelude

“Tell Me the Story of Jesus” by J.R. Sweney

Call to Worship

One: Hosanna!
Many: Blessed be the ones who come in the name of the Lord!
One: Peace be on earth!
Many: God saves!

Hymn #280: “All Glory, Laud, and Honor”

Connecting in Prayer

Shared Prayer

Giver of light,
your steadfast love endures forever.
Open our hearts to the Blessed One
who entered Jerusalem
on a borrowed colt.
Open before us the
gates of your justice,
that we may enter,
and guide others in.
Amen

Silent Prayer

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father (Creator) 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, for ever. Amen.

Word and Reflection

Scripture Reading: Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 and Luke 19:28-40

Children’s Time: “Palm (not Psalm) Sunday”

Hymn #277: “Tell Me the Stories of Jesus”

Passing of the Peace

If you are worshiping with others, please pass the Peace of Christ.
Whether you are alone or with others, please take a moment to find God’s peace within, and then to share it with the world. You may want to reach out to speak peace to another during this week.

Sermon: “Nonviolent Protests” – Rev. Sara Baron

Responding

Offertory: “What Wondrous Love Is This”

Offering

Photo by Larry McArthur
If you wish, you are welcome to use this time to make a donation to the church online, or to put a check in the mail.
The time of offering is not only about our financial gifts to the church, it is about offering our lives to God and the building of the kindom. This is a time for reflection: What is being asked of us? What is being given to us? What are we able to offer? What do we need?

A Palm Sunday Protest Prayer

Holy One,
We have seen how you’ve worked through your prophets,
and through those faithful to you,
to change the world for the better.
We see how you work for justice.
We offer ourselves to you,
to work with you in justice work,
in kindom building,
in giving and receiving love.
Guide us, individually and together,
so the gifts we give
may be useful to your kindom.
Amen

Hymn #278: “Hosanna, Loud Hosanna”

Benediction

Dear Ones, get up on your colts, and ride towards Jerusalem.
God is doing new things for justice, and calls us to work along side.
Thanks be to God! Amen

Postlude

“Open the Gates of the Temple” by Joseph Knapp