Online Worship Guide
Palms into Passion Sunday
April 5, 2020
11am
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FELLOWSHIP AND GROWING -
Join Pastor Marie for "Coffee Hour" at 9:30am (CST) on Zoom;
click here to join our casual check-in
on Sunday for a short time of seeing friendly faces and chatting. You will want to use a device (smart phone or computer) with camera and microphone abilities.
Let's worship together at 11:00am Sunday, to go through this guide and be together in spirit.
Today, as part of our liturgy, please locate something
green
to wave during the Procession of the Palms!
It could be the palm frond mailed to you by the church, a long blade of grass, or even a piece of paper or a green sock! We're going for
symbolism
here. Enclosed are underlined links to videos and music, and any instructions are in parentheses. You can also have this guide open in your browser and walk through the videos on
our church webpage
.
We need to offer our thanks and gratitude to all who gave of their gifts for this worship, including the confirmation class youth and Youth Director Ryan Rush, as well as Kevin and James Mainard O'Connell and liturgist Carleton Philbrick; our gratitude also goes to musicians Jesse Macom-Teague and his band, Br. Andee Book for our organ postlude, the Bell Choir and Lewis family for the prelude and of course Annabel Stavey.
You are encouraged to worship at home as if in person. Take comfort in knowing this guide is shared among our whole membership, and mailed to those who do not use the internet. We are united in worship, regardless of our location.
Find a place to be still. Turn off other distractions. Be fully present.
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PRAYER NOTES
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For Helen Y., just released from the hospital for shortness of breath and edema and now in precautionary quarantine at Foxridge; may she find physical & spiritual relief from anxiety.
-For Stephen P., son of Elizabeth P., who suffered a fall at home and compound fracture of his ankle. He had successful surgery at the VA and is awaiting a room in an assisted living facility; prayers they find the right space for him and he receives visitors from among the staff, prayers also for the emotional well-being of Elizabeth in this anxious time.
-For Ann M., who also fell at home but is only bruised and also battling intestinal discomfort. Prayers for swift healing and care with her husband Jack.
-For Pastor Marie's cousin Isaac Toenies; born with a rare neurological disease, Isaac is almost 2 years old and hospitalized with adenovirus, with thick lung secretions and difficulty breathing. Prayers the doctors will find ways to keep his fever down and address his symptoms.
-For everyone confined to their homes and in need of company and cheering; may this time of worship encourage us all.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
Please join us later this week for two special home services.
On Thursday, we invite you to dine at home and remember the last meal of Jesus. Please follow along with the short liturgy mailed to your home or in the emailed worship guide, ideally at 6pm but also at your convenience.
On Friday, you are invited to a special Tenebrae Service of scriptures, music and darkening candlelight as we walk through the passion of Christ in his final hours. Please follow your mailed worship guide or join in viewing the video of the service also at 6pm.
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Palms into Passion Sunday
GATHERING IN THE WORD
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Today this
is a special service because we celebrate Palm Sunday, Jesus’ joyous entry into Jerusalem. But we also turn to the events that followed, walking through the moments that led up to Jesus’ arrest and passion day by day.
Today you will hear from six voices: a young disciple who watched the parade, a woman who saw Jesus flip the tables in the temple, a Pharisee, the woman with the alabaster jar who anointed Jesus’ feet in Bethany, Judas, and one of Jesus’ disciples in the garden where Jesus was arrested.
Today different church members portray the characters as they reflect on their own involvement in the story. As you listen, we invite you to lean in. Imagine yourself there. Feel the truth of this narrative—for it was a holy week, and it was a hard week. Let us begin
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Liturgy by Sarah Are | A Sanctified Art LLC | sanctifiedart.org used with permissio
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played by the Bell Choir, video remastered by Caleb and Matt Lewis
CALL TO WORSHIP
(Please read this call out loud)
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On Palm Sunday so many years ago, the people saw Jesus and asked,
“Who is this?” So in worship, we respond. We declare:
Jesus is the apha and omega. Jesus is our teacher and preacher.
Jesus is a miracle worker and healer. Jesus is our source of love.
Jesus is our path in the wilderness. So may we lay down our hearts like they laid down their coats. Let us worship Holy God!
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READING AND HEARING GOD'S WORD
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PALM SUNDAY LITANY
(Please read aloud)
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Who is this?
I heard he was a carpenter’s son.
I heard he was from Nazareth.
Can anything good come from Nazareth?
Who is this?
I heard he knew John the Baptist.
I heard he can heal people.
Do you think he can heal me?
Who is he?
I heard he talks to gentiles.
I heard he talks to children!
And women!
And tax collectors!
Seriously, who is this?
I heard he’s the Son of David.
I heard he’s the Son of Man.
Seriously, who is this?
I heard he’s the one we’ve been waiting for.
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I heard he was born of a Virgin.
I heard he was born in a stable.
Who is this?
Why is he riding a donkey?
How does he have so many followers?
Do you think Caesar knows he’s been welcomed with such a large parade?
Who is this?
I don’t know who he is, but I’ve heard he’s gracious and kind.
I heard he fed five thousand.
I heard he survived the wilderness.
I heard he helped the blind man see.
Do you think he sees me?
I heard he can save us.
I heard he can save all of us.
Who is this?
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PALMS PROCESSIONAL
(Please use your palm or branch to wave symbolically as you sing)
(yes, we are still doing this tradition, even online)
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CONFESSION OF THE WHOLE CHURCH
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(
Please pray aloud if you are able)
God—for all the things we try to hide from you, forgive us. For all the ways we ignore your words, forgive us. For all the ways we justify our lack of prayer, forgive us. For all the things we do not do, which we know we should, forgive us and help us to change. Amen.
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INVITATION TO OFFERING
What would you give if you could? What treasure is hidden away, what love has been left untapped? Church, may we be grace embodied as we give our tithes and offerings.
Each year near Easter is the "One Great Hour of Sharing" offering, a global witness of the PCUSA supporting Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, the Presbyterian Hunger Program, and Self-Development of People - all of which work in different ways to serve individuals and communities in need. Click below to learn more about this vital ministry to peoples in distress and how you can help address the COVID-19 response through our larger connectional church.
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Your financial support remains vital to our ability to do ministry during this strange time. You can give online by
going to our website,
or you can mail your offerings to
Park Hill Presbyterian Church,
3520 JFK Blvd,
North Little Rock, AR 72116
or call the office at 501-753-9533 for how to set up automatic bank drafts.
During the COVID-19 crisis, we know that church members may be in upsetting new circumstances, and in need of assistance themselves. If you are in need of assistance —supplies, bills, health or hope— please call the church office or Pastor Marie at 214-686-6347. She will work with you to connect you to community resources, or our own Emergency Fund, a benevolence of the church aimed at lifting individuals in crisis.
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PRAYER OF DEDICATION FOR THE OFFERING
(Please read aloud if you are able
Gracious God, forgive us when we hide our treasure in cupboards our of fear. Inspire us to be as gracious as the woman with the alabaster jar.
Gratefully we pray, Amen.
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BEING SENT OUT IN THE WORD
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As you go forth into the world, know that the Lord of Heaven and Earth, the God of Creation, the maker of stars and mountain valleys, of the great blue whales and even the tiniest bacteria, goes with you, shepherding your path in the world. You are not alone.
(Let us join together in saying the Priestly Blessing together:)
“May the Lord bless you and keep you;
may the Lord’s face shine upon you, and be gracious to you;
may the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.”
Amen.
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