Sermon Tone Analysis

Prelude

Welcome

Drama

Call to Worship....................

The Journey Begins

 

L  Jesus said, “I am the light of the world.

Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”

C Come, let us turn to the Lord, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.

L  “I will lead the blind by a road they do not know.

I will turn the darkness before them into light.”

C You show me the path of life.

In your presence there is fullness of joy; in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

L  “My sheep hear my voice.

I know them, and they follow me.”

C He leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

L  “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.”

C Oh, send out your light and your truth; let them lead me.

In the path of your judgments, O Lord, we wait for you.

L  /Who is this who enters the city?

Who is this riding into our lives in humility but with all the authority of good?/

C*  It is the Christ who comes among us in grace.*

L  /Who is this who dares to ride toward our life, facing us in determined truth, and refusing to bow to our compromises?/

C*  It is the Christ who comes among us in truth.*

L  /Who is this who will not wear the garb of power, who simply stays in open-armed humanity,/

/while those who are confronted plan their deathly responses?/

C*  It is the Christ who comes among us in costly love.

Let us bring our praises.*

* *

*Palms to the front of Sanctuary*

 

~*Hymn of Praise                              Hosanna, King of Kings

 

Invocation (the Lord’s Prayer) Ride into our lives in gentleness, brave Jesus.

Come through the center of our gathering here, so that we may see in our midst the grand hope of your courage.

Awaken in us echoes of your amazing life, that we may leave here as different people.

Come, gracious Jesus, come.

Turn to the Lord ... Abide With Me

Turn to the Lord; repentant, seek his face,

For God abounds in steadfast love and grace.

They shall not perish who in Christ believe,

But everlasting life they shall receive.

Choir                                       All Glory, Laud, and Honor

Responsory Psalm ...        Psalm 130

L  Out of depths I cry to you, O Lord.

Lord, hear my voice!

C Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications!

L  If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, Lord, who could stand?

C But there is forgiveness with you, so that you may be revered.

L  I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope.

C My soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning, more than those who watch for the morning.

L  O Israel, hope in the Lord!

For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with him is great power to redeem.

C It is he who will redeem Israel from all its iniquities.

Take Up Your Cross

 

Take up your cross and walk, believing,

This Lenten road our Savior trod,

His help and steadfast love receiving,

The blessings of the Son of God

Freely and graciously bestowed

On all who walk this Lenten road.

Take up your cross, your burden bearing.

This road you need not walk alone.

Christ is beside, the burden sharing;

His yoke is light, his mercy known.

Your Savior eases ev’ry load

Of those who walk this Lenten road.

Take up your cross and follow Jesus;

This is the way your Savior leads,

Where from our sin and guilt he frees us;

His blood for sinners intercedes,

Opens the way to heav’n’s abode

For all who walk this Lenten road.

Our  Offering to God                Let us join the cheering crowds of long ago and bring our offerings before the passage of the Christ.

Your gifts will now be received.

Doxology

Prayer of Dedication                 Just as you were thankful for the gifts of people as you traveled to Jerusalem, O Christ, so receive our gifts now, we pray.

Amen.

~*Hymn of Prayer                      # 150               My Lord Has Garments So Wondrous Fine

Pastoral Prayer  Lead us to the cemetery, Lord Jesus Christ, and weep with us there.

Console everyone who mourns.

Send us to be, in any way we can, agents of your comfort.

And move us to use the gifts and opportunities we have to honor you, Lord Christ, in all the ways in which you make us capable.

Receive the offerings of all who give, however they give, and sanctify our giving as you have sanctified our grieving.

Lead us now through this Holy Week.

Help us to meditate on the full message of your suffering and death, that it may be for us the good news of our redemption.

Receive the glad praises we offer you, even in this solemn season.

Help us look forward to even more full-throated praise when the fast is done, and to welcome you into our midst always as the One who comes in the name of the Lord.

Even as we await that glorious day when, with all the company of angels, you will welcome us who approach your throne in your name and lead us into the new Jerusalem.

Hosanna, Lord Jesus Christ!

Hosanna in the highest!

Living God, there are many places around the world that long for the strong, glad entry of justice and love.

Come into the streets of our cities and towns, we pray.

Ride along them toward all who would oppress.

Gather as you go, all who cannot believe that they could be loved,who have never been able to stand near to kindness and acceptanceor see it travel by surrounded by applause.We bring before you our special concerns now.

/The people pray.

/Give us the strength to face all who would destroy your dream for creation, O God.  Make pathways of your courage for our feet, lay carpets of green for our greater growing in hope, and sound cheering voices in our ears as we dare to venture forth in your name.

Go with us, loving Jesus; lead us on, Holy Spirit.

Amen.

~*Hymn of Praise          # 134                   Hosanna, Loud Hosanna

Scripture Reading            John 12:1-19

    1 Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 2 There they gave a dinner for him.

Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him.