Palm Sunday
Centering Practice
We invite you to slow down, breathe, and connect with God, each other, and yourself.
On this Palm Sunday, we remember the words of the psalmist: “Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story.” We will let Psalm 103 guide our centering practice as we proclaim the salvation of our Lord together:
- For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is God’s love for those who fear God • Stand and stretch your arms
- As far as the east is from the west, so far has God removed our transgressions from us • Stretch arms to sides
- As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him • Embrace yourself
Call to Worship
For Palm Sunday, adapted from Thom Shuman
We begin our journey through the holiest of weeks:
Through praise and celebration, with joy on our lips;
Through betrayal and death, cradling hope deep in our hearts.
We follow in the steps of Jesus, wherever He leads:
for in Him is true life and light;
He is the Living Word and hope of all creation.
We wave palm branches and proclaim:
Hosanna! Hosanna! Hosanna!
Blessed is the One who ushers in the kingdom of God.
Amen.
Worship Song
Hosanna (Praise is Rising)
Praise is rising,
Eyes are turning to You
We turn to You
Hope is stirring,
Hearts are yearning for You
We long for You
‘Cause when we see You
We find strength to face the day
In Your Presence all our fears
Are washed away
Washed away
Hosanna, hosanna
You are the God who saves us
Worthy of all our praises
Hosanna, hosanna
Come have Your way among us
We welcome You here Lord, Jesus
Hear the sound of
Hearts returning to You
We turn to You
In Your kingdom
Broken lives are made new
You make us new
Open Space w Hosanna tag
Heal my heart and make it clean
Open up my eyes
to the things unseen
Show me how to love like You
have loved me
Break my heart for what breaks Your
Everything I am
for Your Kingdom’s cause
As I walk from earth into eternity
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
Hosanna, Hosanna
Hosanna in the highest
Prayer of Confession
Adapted from: A Hosanna Litany from The Open Church
The streets were crowded.
A parade mood filled the air.
Shouts came from deep in the heart.
Hosanna! Save us!
Save us from lukewarm faith.
Hosanna! Save us!
Save us from callous indifference.
Hosanna! Save us!
Save us from paltry hopes and petty dreams.
Hosanna! Save us!
Save us from unquenchable greed.
Hosanna! Save us!
Save us from lazy habits and faithless commitments.
Hosanna! Save us!
Save us from soft-mindedness and hard-heartedness.
Hosanna! Save us!
We cry from the depth of our hearts and the very center of our souls.
Hosanna! Save us!
Assurance of God’s Love
Prayers of the People
Leaves from Interactive Night of Prayer & Worship
Communion
Offering Prayer
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!
- Good Friday: This Friday, April 18th at 7:30 pm, we will gather at Sandburg Elementary for a time of quiet prayer, reflection, and worship. We will have a separate gathering for our Sunday School children that evening as well.
- Easter Sunday: Please sign up to bring something for our potluck if you can. Please let Ian know if you have any questions. We look forward to celebrating Jesus’ resurrection next Sunday, April 20th together starting at 10:30 am!
- Youth Group: Yang will lead our Youth Group Bible study during service on Sunday, April 27th.
- Art & Faith Camp: Let’s continue to pray for this great day of creativity, faith, and outreach coming up on Sunday, May 25th from 1:00 to 4:00 pm. We need volunteers! Please talk to Ann Leong if you’d like to help out!
Family Praise
Give It Away
Scripture Reading
Luke 19:28-40
28 After he had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.
29 When he had come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples, 30 saying, “Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ just say this, ‘The Lord needs it’” 32 So those who were sent departed and found it as he had told them. 33 As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?” 34 They said, “The Lord needs it.” 35 Then they brought it to Jesus; and after throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. 36 As he rode along, people kept spreading their cloaks on the road. 37 As he was now approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen, 38 saying,
“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!
Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!”
39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, order your disciples to stop.” 40 He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.”
Reader: This is the Word of the Lord.
Together: Thanks be to God.
Sermon
Prayer Walk: Keep the Stones Silent!
Pastor Jeya
Reflection questions:
- What do you notice? How does what you notice lead you to pray for this neighborhood?
- What ways can we share the joy of Palm Sunday and Jesus with those in this neighborhood?
Worship Song
Hosanna
Heal my heart and make it clean
Open up my eyes to the things unseen
Show me how to love like You have loved me
Break my heart for what breaks Yours
Everything I am is for Your kingdom’s cause
Show me how to love like You have loved me
Hosanna, Hosanna
Hosanna in the highest
Anchor & Hope Church 