
Worship for Palm Sunday
First United Methodist Church of Schenectady
Worship for Palm Sunday
April 5, 2020
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.
Breath prayer
King of Kings, lead us now.
OR
Leader of all, lead us now.
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: All Glory, Laud and Honor
Chris Stroh – Organist
Call to Worship
If you are with another person, you may wish to read this out-loud. Otherwise, you can read it as a reminder that this is communal worship done in a large geographical area.
One: We remember the crowds lifting high the palm branches,
Many: But sometimes we shudder thinking of the danger of crowds.
One: We hear of the shouts of Hosanna, and the hope in the air,
Many: But Hosanna and hope aren’t feeling entirely natural.
One: We imagine Jesus riding into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey,
Many: And we remember how radical that was,
One: How Jesus stood up for the people, even to the powers of empire,
Many: And God’s hope returns.
Hosanna!
Hymn #280: All Glory, Laud and Honor
If you wish to sing along, the sheet music is here: Hosanna, Loud Hosanna
A Time for Prayer
Morning Prayer
Source of our Salvation,
Healer of our Brokenness,
As ancient people shouted “save us, we pray”
we join in their chorus,
asking for your help in the world today,
your guidance in our day to day lives,
and your wisdom when it becomes time to rebuild.
We know you are with us,
and with all.
May we find the moments to breath deeply,
see beauty,
savor goodness,
and connect with you.
Amen
We will share joys and concerns during the Second Hour Zoom conversation.
If you have joys or concerns to add, please send them to the office.
Silent Prayer
Photo credit to Sue Learner
Pastoral Prayer
You are welcome to read this out-loud or silently.
Normally the pastoral prayer is in response to the prayers of the body,
this one is written hoping to respond to the prayers of the body
without hearing them first.
Source of our Salvation,
Healer of our Brokenness,
We bring to you our gratitude for all that help us to connect and to survive:
for the people whose work cares for us,
for the signs of springs,
for flowers and buds,
for this faith community,
for generosity and courage being expressed by so many people,
for times when the whole world works together.
We thank you for loving relationships, safe homes, and good health.
Which all serve to remind us of the struggles of those who don’t have such
gifts.
We bring our attention to those in broken or abusive relationships, who live in inadequate or unsafe homes, for those who are ill and those who are
grieving.
We continue to offer gratitude for frontline workers and essential workers,
whose work cares for us all, but comes with risk. We seek to keep them
safe and support in all the ways we can, and ask you to surround them with
our love.
We bring our attention to those living with cancer and other illnesses, many of whom are even more isolated right now, and without their communities of support.
We bring our attention to those who live with addiction, and are struggling
without the forms of support that usually sustain them.
We bring our attention to all those struggling with mental illness, including depression, anxiety, and addiction, knowing that the very real stresses of day to day life right now are overwhelming for many.
We are deeply aware of the many who have lost jobs and are worried about
having enough resources to survive. May we become a society that cares
for its people, and supports those who are unable to access enough
otherwise.
We are aware, as well, of the record number of migrants and refugees
around the world right now who are not in safe places, or getting access to
care. With them, we name all those who are homeless, and exposed. May
mercy surround them, and may we find ways to care for them well.
In particular, we name together Zach, who has been sick; Matt who has
cancer but can’t get chemo; Mary who lost her son at age 36; Lynn who is
struggling in isolation in a nursing home; Otto in whose nursing home there
is now great danger; the residents of Glen Eddy and other facilities where
the virus has been found; and those grieving for Marylois.
In all that we name together, we trust that you are already present, Holy
One. In all that we name together, we seek goodness, love, light, and
peace for those who need blessings.
Amen
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 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
Choir Anthem
Hosanna! Blessed Is He – Hal H. Hopson
Scripture Psalm 118:1-2,19-29
Scripture is meant to be read out-loud.
Below is the version from the New Revised Standard Version.
You are more than welcome to read it in other versions if you wish.
If you are worshiping with children, please take some time to “wonder” about this passage and what it means. (The pastor happily takes questions.) Adults may also enjoy this.
118:1 O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever!
118:2 Let Israel say, “His steadfast love endures forever.”
118:19 Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them
and give thanks to the LORD.
118:20 This is the gate of the LORD; the righteous shall enter through it.
118:21 I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation.
118:22 The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.
118:23 This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.
118:24 This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
118:25 Save us, we beseech you, O LORD! O LORD, we beseech you, give us success!
118:26 Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the LORD. We bless you
from the house of the LORD.
118:27 The LORD is God, and he has given us light. Bind the festal procession with branches, up to the horns of the altar.
118:28 You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God, I will extol you.
118:29 O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures
forever.
Mission Moment: Food pantries and food banks during the coronavirus pandemic – Jan Huston
Food pantries and food banks are among the many organizations struggling
during the current crisis. They need our help!
Food Pantries
Recently WAMC interviewed Natasha Pernicka, executive director of The Food
Pantries for the Capital District. Their website states, “Given unprecedented times The Food Pantries for the Capital District is working to ensure that our local food pantries are prepared in the face of circumstances that are devastating to the most vulnerable community members.”
Ms. Pernicka coordinates the 68 food pantries in this area. Four were closed at the time of the interview. The rest continue to try to fill the need for food for local families.
The pantries are facing several difficulties:
- They are short-staffed. Many of their usual volunteers are older people who need to stay home. Other volunteers are unable to serve because their children are home from school.
- Schools are closed. Many workers are losing income. Businesses are hurting. Seniors are isolated. The need for food has increased greatly.
Food pantries are considered an essential service and remain open. There is no income requirement for being eligible to receive food – just a need. People needing food can call the food access referral line – 518-458-1167 ext. 108
Some of the ways they are working to maintain safe conditions as they work are:
- Clients are asked to make appointments so that they can be physically distant from each other and from volunteers.
- Bags of food are pre-packed instead of having clients browse and choose their foods.
- They are working on being able to deliver food when needed.
- Volunteers who might have ridden in the truck in the past now drive their own vehicles and follow the delivery trucks.
Ways to help during the current crisis are:
- Donate money. Donating money is more effective than having a food drive. Food pantries are able to purchase food from the food banks at a reduced price. $1.00 can buy 6.25 pounds of food. The best way to donate is by using the website listed above. Also at this time grocery stores are often low on stock so it is not beneficial to reduce their inventory.
- Volunteer if possible. The primary need is for volunteers who are able to lift heavy boxes. Volunteer by calling the above number
or by going to the website.
Food Banks
Ms. Pernicka stressed the difference between food pantries and food banks. Pantries are where the food is distributed. Food banks are warehouses where large amounts of food are stored and are available for purchase by pantries and similar organizations. FUMC’s Community Breakfast program buys food from the Regional Food Bank in Latham. At this time food banks are well stocked, although they are also in need of volunteers to sort through what they have. The pantries need financial donations so that they can access the food for distribution.
Children’s Time
Passing 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. This may take several breaths or moments. Sometimes sharing works best this way: to think of a dearly beloved with whom to share the peace, then to think of other beloveds, then of friends, then acquaintances, then those who frustrate you, then those you don’t really know, then those you don’t known at all.
God’s peace is spread to all.
Hymn #278: Hosanna, Loud Hosanna
If you wish to sing along, the sheet music is here: Hosanna, Loud Hosanna
Scripture Reading: Matthew 21:1-11
Scripture is meant to be read out-loud.
Below is the version from the New Revised Standard Version.
You are more than welcome to read it in other versions if you wish.
If you are worshiping with children, please take some time to “wonder” about this passage and what it means. (The pastor happily takes questions.) Adults may also enjoy this.
21:1 When they had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples,
21:2 saying to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me.
21:3 If anyone says anything to you, just say this, ‘The Lord needs them.’ And he will send them immediately.”
21:4 This took place to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet, saying,
21:5 “Tell the daughter of Zion, .ook, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”
21:6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them;
21:7 they brought the donkey and the colt, and put their cloaks on them, and he sat on them.
21:8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.
21:9 The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting,
“Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
21:10 When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, “Who is this?”
21:11 The crowds were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in
Galilee.”
Sermon: “Dry Bones Live”
Responding
Offering
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 banking team is going to be in the
office on Wednesday of this week – so if
you are mailing a check, you might actually
want to stop now, write it out, and put it out
for the postal service. Thanks!! This is also a particularly good time to reflect on how you are giving of yourself to God – using your time, your talents, and your treasure towards the building of the kindom. It may even be a good time to consider a deeper commitment.
Offertory Anthem
“To the King of Glory” – Katherine K. Davis and the Choir of the Second Reformed Church of Hackensack, New Jersey
Listen here to To the King of Glory
Prayer of Presentation
Source of our Salvation,
Healer of our Brokenness,
With these gifts we offer to you our gratitude and our hope.
May they be used for the building of your kindom and the lessening of suffering.
Amen
Hymn #277: Tell Me the Stories of Jesus
If you wish to sing along, the sheet music is here: Healer of our Every Ill
The hymnal lyrics and the video lyrics do not match
Benediction
It is God who saves us, may we be ready to receive God’s acts! Amen
Postlude
Toccata on “All Glory, Laud and Honor” – Michael Burkhardt
Tom Leonard – Organist