First United Methodist Church of Schenectady
Palm Sunday

April 2nd, 2023

Photo by Amanda Taylor

Gathering

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 who hears, hear our prayers”

Prelude

“In the Cross of Christ I Glory” by Ithamar Conkey, arranged by John Cooper

Call to Worship

One: Hosanna!
Many: God save us!
One: Truly, God, we could use some help!
Many: Hosanna!

Hymn #278: “Hosanna, Loud Hosanna”

Passing the Peace

Song of Transition #557: “Blest Be the Tie That Binds” verse 1

Praying

Unison Prayer

God Who Save the People from Oppression,
God Who Threatens the Status Quo,
God Who Works for the Common Good,
God Who is With Us,
God Who Holds the Living and the Dead, the grieving and the violent.
Save us. Help us. Help. Amen

Cares and Celebrations

Silent Prayer

Poem: “Hymn for the Hurting” by Amanda Gorman

Sung Prayer: “God, Our Nation Feels the Loss”

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.

Listening and Reflecting

Scripture Reading: Galatians 3:23-4:7

Hymn #277: Tell Me The Stories of Jesus

Time With Young People

Scripture Reading: Matthew 21:1-11

Sermon: “Protest or Revolt”, Rev. Sara E. Baron

Responding

Offertory: “I Gave My Life for Thee” by Philip B. Bliss, arranged by Mary McDonald

A Time to Consider 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?

Offertory Prayer

The Great Thanksgiving

The Lord be with you.
And also with you
Lift up your hearts
We lift them up to the Lord
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
It is right, … we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might. Heaven and earth are filled with your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
Holy indeed are you, … as we proclaim the mystery of faith:
Dying you destroyed our death, rising you restored our life, Lord Jesus come in glory!
Pour out your Holy Spirit on us gather here … now and forever, Amen

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

Benediction

Fanfare on “Hosanna, Loud Hosanna” from Gesangbuch der H.W.K. Hofkapelle, 1784, arranged by Vicki Collinsworth