Centering Practice
On this Palm Sunday, we proclaim our joy in the saving love of Jesus
- Begin by closing our eyes and taking several slow, deep breaths
- Take a moment to write a word or short phrase of praise to Jesus on your ribbon
Call to Worship
We join with saints from days of old, proclaiming:
Hosanna! Salvation belongs to Jesus!
Open wide the gates of praise.
We welcome Jesus with branches and songs of praise.
Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord!
Hosanna to the King of kings! Amen.
Worship Songs
Sound of Adoration
When we were lost ones
You were the Shepherd that carried us home
When we were prodigals
You ran to meet us with open arms
And we can’t hold back our praise
When we were refugees
You were the One who took us in
When we were enemies
You paid the price for all our sin
And we can’t hold back our praise
This is the sound of adoration
Oh, how we love You
Jesus, we love You
You are the joy of all creation
Oh, how we love You
Jesus, we love You
You are the Risen One
You conquered death and made a way
You sang our freedom song
Now we are dancing on our chains
And we can’t hold back our praise
By the cross, I am free
Your grace changes everything
I was blind, now I see
Your grace changes everything
Great Are You Lord
You give life, You are love
You bring light to the darkness
You give hope, You restore every heart that is broken
And great are You, Lord
It’s Your breath in our lungs
So we pour out our praise, we pour out our praise
It’s Your breath in our lungs
So we pour out our praise to You only
All the earth will shout Your praise
Our hearts will cry, these bones will sing
Great are You, Lord
All the earth will shout Your praise
Our hearts will cry, these bones will sing
Great are You, Lord
Prayer of Confession
Jesus, our Humble King,
in this world of self-centered pursuits,
Your love amazes us.
You call us to serve,
yet we confess how much we prefer to be served.
Lead us to the cross, step by step,
and forgive us, O God, we pray:
— Moment of silent prayer —
By Your Spirit, lead us in the way of steadfast love.
Let Your dreams become reality
in and through our lives.
Amen.
Assurance of God’s Love
Prayers of the People
After each phrase, the congregation will reply with one voice:
Lord, have mercy.
For those longing for hope in our world…
For those suffering
from violence, hatred, and war…
For our friends who need to know Your love
and the friendship of our Anchor & Hope community…
For our partners & collaborators,
and for the mission of our church…
Amen.
Communion
Send the Rain
Lord, we come to You
Now with open hands
Broken lives and dreams
Washed up on the sand
We’ve been beaten down
But still we choose to stand
We choose to stand
Lord, we long for You
For Your hand to move
Heal this barren land
Come and make it new
Jesus, You’re the life
That is breaking through
You’re breaking through
The saints of old in ancient days
They worked the ground
that we reap from today
So use our hands to cultivate
The harvest that
our children’s children taste
We’re ready God, so send the rain
Lord, we’ll follow You
To unbroken earth
On the path not used
Where new hope is birthed
We will work as one
Holding to Your truth
To Your truth
Heal the ruined cities
We destroyed with our own hands
Bring us back together
Let us see the promised land
Pour out Your Spirit
On this dry and thirsty ground
O God of the harvest
Could it be right here and now
Could it be right here and now
Open up the heavens,
let Your rain fall down
We are thirsty, we are thirsty
Announcements
- Thanks for worshiping with us today! We hope you experience meaningful connection with God and others in our community. If you’re visiting for the first time today, we’d love to get to know you better. Please take home a visitor’s card with QR code so that we can stay in touch & build a relationship!
- Art Day with Sandburg: Thank you to Ann for leading this wonderful partnership and to Yang & Deleine for volunteering on Wednesday!
- Good Friday service: We will gather in-person here at Sandburg this Friday, March 29th at 7:00 pm for a time of quiet prayer & reflection.
- Easter Sunday: We will celebrate Jesus’ resurrection together this Sunday, March 31st with a special family service! Please sign up with Tae for the potluck today and bring your candy/Easter egg donations next Sunday!
- Visit a garden: As we reflect on “the garden” of God’s grace throughout Lent, we encourage you to visit one of the many gardens around the San Diego region. If you get a chance to visit, we’d love to hear about it!
- Mira Mesa Prayer Walk: We invite you to join us Saturday, April 6th at 9:00 am to pray for our neighborhood here! Coffee from Jaunt on your pastors for all who can join us 🙂
Passing of the Peace
Let’s greet each other at this time!
Family Praise
Jump, Jump, Jump
Blessing of the Children
Go in peace and go in joy;
Filled with wonder for this day.
Go in faith and go in love;
God will guide you on your way!
Worship Song
Open Space / Hosanna
Hosanna, Hosanna
Hosanna in the highest
Pull me in closer
Close to Your heart
May I be a pure reflection of all You are
Love that is patient
Love that is kind
And love that keeps no offences
or wrongs in my mind
Make me like Jesus
Make me like Jesus
You’re faithful to find me
Right where I am
Though even in my wandering You call me friend
And mercy receives me
and lifts me to my feet
And I’m caught up in the wonder and mystery
Of knowing Jesus
Of knowing Jesus
My heart is an open space
for You to come and have Your way
I’m open, I’m open
Scripture Reading
John 12:12-16
12 The next day the great crowd that had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. 13 So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord— the King of Israel!”
14 Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written:
15 “Do not be afraid, daughter of Zion. Look, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt!”16 His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written of him and had been done to him.
Reader: This is the Word of the Lord.
Together: Thanks be to God.
Sermon
Palm Sunday
Pastor Jeya So
Reflection Questions:
- What comes to mind as you think of the things that you’ve heard today? (Jesus the King, Sequoia fairy rings and root systems)
- Where do you find hope?
- Where do you need hope?
- Where in the world needs hope?
- Take some time to pray together for hope where it’s needed
Worship Song
Send the Rain
Lord, we come to You
Now with open hands
Broken lives and dreams
Washed up on the sand
We’ve been beaten down
But still we choose to stand
We choose to stand
Lord, we long for You
For Your hand to move
Heal this barren land
Come and make it new
Jesus, You’re the life
That is breaking through
You’re breaking through
The saints of old in ancient days
They worked the ground
that we reap from today
So use our hands to cultivate
The harvest that
our children’s children taste
We’re ready God, so send the rain
Lord, we’ll follow You
To unbroken earth
On the path not used
Where new hope is birthed
We will work as one
Holding to Your truth
To Your truth
Heal the ruined cities
We destroyed with our own hands
Bring us back together
Let us see the promised land
Pour out Your Spirit
On this dry and thirsty ground
O God of the harvest
Could it be right here and now
Could it be right here and now
Open up the heavens,
let Your rain fall down
We are thirsty, we are thirsty
Anchor & Hope Church 