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Proper 8 -- Genesis 22:1-14 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2001
Theme: The Lord Will Provide Call To Worship
Proper 8 -- Romans 6:12-23 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2001
Theme: Wages Versus Gift Call To Worship
Proper 8 -- Matthew 10:40-42 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2001
Theme: Rewards Call To Worship
Proper 8 -- Psalm 13 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2001
Words Of Assurance
Proper 9 -- Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - A -- 2001
Theme: Love And Marriage Call To Worship
Proper 9 -- Romans 7:15-25a -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - A -- 2001
Theme: Inner Conflict Call To Worship
Proper 9 -- Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - A -- 2001
Theme: Bring Your Burdens To The Lord Call To Worship
Proper 9 -- Psalm 72:1-17 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - A -- 2001
Words Of Assurance Jesus said: "Anyone who comes to me I will never drive away."
Proper 10 -- Genesis 25:19-34 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - A -- 2001
Theme: Patience Call To Worship
Proper 10 -- Romans 8:1-11 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - A -- 2001
Theme: Life In The Spirit Call To Worship
Proper 10 -- Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - A -- 2001
Theme: Parable Of The Sower Call To Worship
Proper 10 -- Psalm 25 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - A -- 2001
Words Of Assurance
Proper 11 -- Genesis 28:10-19a -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A -- 2001
Theme: How Awesome! Call To Worship
Proper 11 -- Romans 8:12-25 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A -- 2001
Theme: Children Of God Call To Worship
Proper 11 -- Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A -- 2001
Theme: Parable Of The Weeds And The Wheat Call To Worship
Proper 11 -- Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A -- 2001
Words Of Assurance
Proper 12 -- Genesis 29:15-28 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 2001
Theme: Paying The Price Call To Worship
Proper 12 -- Romans 8:26-39 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 2001
Theme: More Than Conquerors Call To Worship
Proper 12 -- Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 2001
Theme: What Is The Kingdom Of God Like? Call To Worship
Proper 12 -- Psalm 105:1-11, 45b -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 2001
Words Of Assurance
Proper 13 -- Genesis 32:22-31 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 2001
Theme: Encountering God Call To Worship
Proper 13 -- Romans 9:1-5 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 2001
Theme: For Whom Are The Promises Of God? Call To Worship
Proper 13 -- Matthew 14:13-21 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 2001
Theme: Caring For The Needs Of Others Call To Worship
Proper 13 -- Psalm 17:1-7, 15 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 2001
Words Of Assurance
Proper 14 -- Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 2001
Theme: Jealousy Call To Worship

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Anywhere But Home -- Mark 6:1-13 -- George Reed -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B -- 2005
The Gospel of Mark is filled with action.
The Cost Of Being A Prophet -- Mark 6:14-29 -- George Reed -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B -- 2005
John the Baptist is one of the heroes of the Christian faith.
Coming Apart So We Don't Come Apart -- Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 -- George Reed -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B -- 2005
The Gospel Reading from Mark is a clear picture of the Christian life.
The Word Behind The Text -- John 6:1-21 -- John T. Ball -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B -- 2005
Entering her office, the Reverend Ashley Baker-Campbell noticed her secretary was paging her: "Sally
Finding Jesus -- John 6:24-35 -- John T. Ball -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B -- 2005
Martin Hanford is the author of several popular children's books featuring "Waldo," a dapper little
Jesus -- The Bread Guy -- John 6:35, 41-51 -- John T. Ball -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 2005
In the Gospel of John, Jesus is often the "Bread Guy." Here he is different from the Jesus of Matthe
Resisting Jesus -- John 6:51-58 -- John T. Ball -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B -- 2005
Sometimes people have difficulty understanding Jesus, or say they do.
The Unsuccessful Jesus -- John 6:56-69 -- John T. Ball -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B -- 2005
John 6:56-69 is a great passage from John's Gospel.
Time For A Minimalist Faith -- Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 -- John T. Ball -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B -- 2005
Some years ago, a San Francisco author who often worked as a stevedore on the city's docks, wrote,
A Healing Ministry For The Modern Church -- Mark 7:24-37 -- John T. Ball -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 2005
The mission and ministry of Jesus was preaching, teaching, and healing.
Generosity As The Clue To Life -- Mark 8:27-38 -- John T. Ball -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 2005
All the great founders of our religious traditions offer secrets to the good life.
The Inversion Of Ambition -- Mark 9:30-37 -- John T. Ball -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2005
In today's text, Jesus teaches the disciples about the power of evil.
An Inclusive Faith -- Mark 9:38-50 -- John T. Ball -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2005
In 1948, the World Council of Churches was formed in the war-torn rubble of Amsterdam.
Pay Attention To The Context -- Mark 10:2-16 -- John T. Ball -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 2005
A lot of confusion could be eliminated by paying attention to the context of our theological and eth
Living With Money -- And Still Being Christian -- Mark 10:17-31 -- Stan Purdum -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 2005
News from the financial section of the paper is seldom as interesting as whatever's on the front pag
The Strange Economy In The Kingdom Of God -- Mark 10:35-45 -- Stan Purdum -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 2005
I saw one of those Far Side-type cartoons a while back that showed Adam and Eve being expelle
Far From The Obscuring Crowd -- Mark 10:46-52 -- Stan Purdum -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 2005
More than forty years ago, an accidental chemical spill robbed Antonio Sanchez-Migallon of his sight
The Kin Of Qoheleth -- Mark 12:28-34 -- Stan Purdum -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 2005
Today's Gospel Reading is from Mark, but I want to begin in the Old Testament.
Giving Of Ourselves -- Mark 12:38-44 -- Stan Purdum -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 2005
Have you ever wondered if growing up poor could somehow imbue you with deeper character?
Signs -- Mark 13:1-8 -- Stan Purdum -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 2005
In 2002, there was a popular Mel Gibson movie called Signs.
Why God Has No Grandchildren -- John 8:31-36 -- Stan Purdum -- Reformation Sunday - B -- 2005
Children of pastors have their share of strange experiences.
Lilies Of The Field -- Matthew 6:25-33 -- Stan Purdum -- Thanksgiving Day - B -- 2005
In 1635, the Puritan clergyman, Roger Williams, was banished from Massachusetts Bay Colony for promo
Letting Go And New Beginnings -- Mark 9:2-9 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Transfiguration Sunday - B -- 2005
It had been an exhausting climb up the mountain.
Water And Spirit -- John 3:1-17 -- George Reed -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B -- 2005
The story of Nicodemus coming to Jesus by night is familiar to most folks who have spent any time at
Discipleship: The Beauty And The Cross -- Luke 2:22-40 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 2005
Once upon a time a bowl was born.

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Proper 6 -- 1 Kings 21:1-21a, Galatians 2:15-21, Luke 7:36--8:3 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C -- 2003
Seasonal ThemeJesus' acts of compassion and teaching ministry.
Proper 7 -- 1 Kings 19:1-4 (5-7) 8-15a, Galatians 3:23-29, Luke 8:26-39 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C -- 2003
Seasonal ThemeJesus' acts of compassion and teaching ministry.
Proper 8 -- 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14, Galatians 5:1, 13-25, Luke 9:51-62 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C -- 2003
Seasonal ThemeJesus' acts of compassion and teaching ministry.
Proper 9 -- 2 Kings 5:1-14, Galatians 6:(1-6) 7-16, Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2003
Seasonal ThemeJesus' acts of compassion and teaching ministry.
Reformation Sunday -- Jeremiah 31:31-34, Romans 3:19-28, John 8:31-36 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Reformation Sunday - C -- 2003
Theme For The Day
Day Of Thanksgiving -- Deuteronomy 26:1-11, Philippians 4:4-9, John 6:25-35 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Thanksgiving Day - C -- 2003
Theme For The Day
The Transfiguration Of Our Lord -- Exodus 34:29-35, 2 Corinthians 3:12--4:2, Luke 9:28-36 (37-43a) -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Transfiguration Sunday - C -- 2003
Seasonal Theme
Trinity Sunday -- Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31, Romans 5:1-5, John 16:12-15 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C -- 2003
Seasonal ThemeJesus' acts of compassion and teaching ministry.
First Sunday After Christmas/Holy Family -- 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26, Colossians 3:12-17, Luke 2:41-52 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 2003
Seasonal ThemeThe Savior is born into the human world and circumstances.
Second Sunday After Christmas -- Jeremiah 31:7-14, Ephesians 1:3-14, John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Second Sunday after Christmas - C -- 2003
Seasonal ThemeThe Savior is born into the human world and circumstances.
The Sign Of The Fig Tree -- Luke 21:25-36 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
1. Text
The Blind Leading The Blind -- Luke 6:39-49 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - C -- 2003
1. Text
The Fruitless Fig Tree -- Luke 13:1-9 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Third Sunday in Lent - C -- 2003
1. Text
The Prodigal Sons -- Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2003
1. Text
The Good Samaritan -- Luke 10:25-37 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2003
1. Text
A Midnight Friend -- Luke 11:1-13 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 2003
1. Text
The Rich Fool -- Luke 12:13-21 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C -- 2003
1. Text
Watching Servants -- Luke 12:32-40 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2003
1. Text
Weather Signs -- Luke 12:49-56 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 2003
1. Text
Places Of Honor -- Luke 14:1, 7-14 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C -- 2003
1. Text
Counting The Cost -- Luke 14:25-33 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C -- 2003
1. Text
Lost And Found -- Luke 15:1-10 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C -- 2003
1. Text
The Clever Crook -- Luke 16:1-13 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - C -- 2003
1. Text
Rich Man, Poor Man -- Luke 16:19-31 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C -- 2003
1. Text
A Decent Obsession -- Luke 17:5-10 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - C -- 2003
1. Text

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Violence -- 1999
In the movie Witness Grandpa tells his grandson Samuel, "What you take into your hand, you ta
Witness -- 1999
Mercedes Benz has an ad on television in which a big, new, black Mercedes crashes into a wall for re
Worship -- 1999
In The Covenant Book of Worship published by Covenant Press in 1981 (p.
Danielle's Laughter -- Matthew 24:36-44 -- Timothy J. Smith -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 1998
Five-year-old Danielle, along with her younger sister and brother, arrived in time for Sunday School
The Exit Ramp -- Matthew 3:1-12 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Second Sunday of Advent - A -- 1998
He stood there at the exit ramp, an imposing figure.
Jane's Encounter -- Matthew 11:2-11 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 1998
Even though Jane's children were all grown and had families of their own, she still enjoyed attendin
Mary's Christmas Letter -- Isaiah 7:10-16 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 1998
Mary was a loving, thoughtful woman who took the time to write personal notes with her Christmas car
Forest's Mark -- Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Ash Wednesday - A -- 1998
Forest never said much when he came to church.
Jack's Surprise -- Matthew 3:13-17 -- Timothy J. Smith -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 1998
Jack was one of those people that when you first met him you immediately liked him.
Take Me Out To The Ball Game! -- Matthew 25:31-46 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A -- 1998
Whenever visiting the community park he could not help but notice ten-year-old Tony and his younger
Home Movies -- Matthew 28:1-10 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Easter Day - A -- 1998
One evening, for some unknown reason, Kay found herself alone in her basement watching old home movi
Harry's Legacy -- John 20:19-31 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Second Sunday of Easter - A -- 1998
Harry was a quiet, gentle, kind-hearted man who daily demonstrated his concern for people.
Life From Death -- Rick's Discovery -- Luke 24:13-35 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Third Sunday of Easter - A -- 1998
Rick asked the pastor if he could say a few words to the congregation on Sunday.
The Joy Of Bible Study -- Acts 2:42-47 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A -- 1998
Patty longed to study and gain a better understanding of the Bible.
Bruce's Integrity -- 1 Peter 2:2-10 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A -- 1998
No one was expecting the announcement that Bruce would retire after many years serving on the state
If Only I Had Known! -- John 14:15-21 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - A -- 1998
Diane, by her own admission, was a difficult teenager who often gave her mother a tempestuous time.
The Cookout -- John 17:1-11 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 1998
When Steve and Jan moved into their new home in a new neighborhood, it seemed like a dream come true
Vacation Of A Lifetime -- Matthew 2:1-12 -- Timothy J. Smith -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 1998
Phil and Paula, along with their four young children, planned a two-week vacation in the western sta
Day On -- 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A -- 1998
Early in January the students in Ms.
The Memorable Meeting -- 1 Corinthians 1:10-18 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 1998
The church meeting erupted in contention over, of all things, a new piano.
Send In The Clowns -- 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A -- 1998
It certainly was a risky thing to do -- to invite clowns to participate in the worship service.
TALK The Walk -- Matthew 5:13-20 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - A -- 1998
A group of mothers has been meeting once a month to pray for their children, as well as for other st
Reconciled -- Matthew 5:21-37 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - A -- 1998
No one could remember when the trouble between Mark and Sue began.
Trek Of The Cross -- John 18:1--19:42 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Good Friday - A -- 1998
It was easy to miss the small town nestled between the mountains.
Stealing Candy -- Matthew 4:1-11 -- Timothy J. Smith -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 1998
Mark was one of those teens that other kids wanted to be with; at the same time parents strongly enc

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New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Nazish Naseem
Dean Feldmeyer
Thomas Willadsen
Katy Stenta
Christopher Keating
Mary Austin
George Reed
For March 29, 2026:

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Sandra Herrmann
The work of salvation is embodied in the crucifixion and death of Jesus. That, all Christians are agreed upon. But how does that work? Jesus is obedient to God, undergoing torture and a horrible death, naked and in public view. Unless someone will come forward and claim the body after the crucifixion is over, it will be disposed of like garbage, literally: it will be thrown in the garbage pit outside of Jerusalem and slaked with lime to hold down the smell of the decaying flesh and hurry the process of tissue breakdown.
Perhaps we lose the punch of the imagery of "servant" in the Bible when we in our day view on cable television a movie like Remains of the Day. Watching the ever meticulous and loyal Anthony Hopkins prepare a table for dinner in a British palatial estate enables us to see what the ideal servant should do, how he should dress and act and talk, and how he should close his ears to whatever conversation takes place between host and guest.
R. Craig Maccreary
I suspect that most preachers will not be looking for ways to dive headlong into lifting up the passion as the centerpiece of their homiletical offering for this Sunday. No doubt there are good reasons to avoid wandering off the usual beaten path of the Palm Sunday parade: the palms, on order for a year, beckon to be taken home and folded into family Bibles as bookmarks; the children wait to have the promise fulfilled that they will be able to act up a bit in the parade of palms with a passion that is not usually permitted; and the choir has practiced for months.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:
When Jesus died, the centurion who crucified him said, "Truly this man was God's Son!" Let us worship God's Son in all our activities today.


Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, forgive us when we fail to recognise you in other people.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, forgive us when we let ourselves down.
Christ, have mercy.
Jesus, forgive us for all those occasions when we crucify you afresh.
Lord, have mercy.

Reading:

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Bryan Meadows
David O. Bales
Contents
What's Up This Week
"Upwards Motion" by Bryan Meadows
"Is It Truth?" by David Bales


What's Up This Week
Judy Sepsey
David O. Bales


Contents
"In the Arms of Love" by Judy Sepsey
"Mother of Judas" by David O. Bales


* * * * * * * *


Introducing Judy Sepsey

SermonStudio

David O. Bales
The novel The Ugly American is based upon facts of how Americans related to people in Southeast Asia. The insensitivity and arrogance of American government officials was generally depressing. One chapter of the novel, however, is particularly inspiring. An American woman, Emma Atkins, has come with her engineer husband to the fictional nation of Sarkhan. Emma is a curious, good-hearted person and she soon notices that in their small village all the older people are permanently bent over.
Lee Griess
Different churches celebrate Palm Sunday in different ways. At one church in Chicago, there is a tradition for worshipers to gather outside the church. Palm branches are distributed, and when the time comes, another group of worshipers emerge from the front doors playing instruments and together they march around the block, singing the songs of Palm Sunday. One year as the procession made its way around the block of the church building, a young man living in an apartment across the street, threw open the window and in his pajamas shouted, "What's all this noise?
Mark Ellingsen
God simply does not seem to do the sort of things we would expect our God to do. He does not always give us what we want. Most of us do not have everything we had hoped and dreamed for in life. He does not always answer our prayers. After all, we have all lost loved ones.
Robert J. Elder
Preachers often wonder what to do with Palm Sunday. Frequently the day is given to a celebration of Jesus' triumphal procession into Jerusalem.

Sometimes, though, worship provides a different offering, given the alternate title of Passion Sunday, leaving behind the pomp and celebration of Palm Sunday for a hard look at the events of the coming week, the last supper, the betrayal, the crucifixion, the burial in the tomb. It is because we know about the passion that is coming that preachers always wonder what to do with the happy celebration of Palm Sunday.
Albert G. Butzer, III
One of the harsh realities of the life of faith is feeling abandoned by God. Sooner or later most of us will experience what college chaplain Will Willimon once called "vacant places of the heart when God seems far away, remote."1 We often hear people say, "I come to church to celebrate the presence of God in my life," which is true for many people much of the time. But if we listen carefully we will hear others say:

I come to church to try to find what's missing in my life.
I come hoping that Someone will shed some light on my darkness.
Bill Mosley
Things are hardly ever the way they appear and certainly not on Calvary's hill. The Passion story from Luke makes the turning tables graphically clear. The king is crucified. The court of law is not legal. Justice is not done. Even the Roman governor can find no crime in this man. The evidence is compromised. Everything points the other way. So why does Jesus have to die?
Dallas A. Brauninger
First Lesson: Isaiah 50:4-9a
Theme: Like Flint

Call To Worship

He, who could tenderly sustain the weary with a word, was about to be clobbered. He knew it. He did not run. He faced it. He turned his own other cheek.

Collect

We stand together with you, O Parent of Jesus, through the unholy events of this holy week. We stand with you as you wait with your own face set like flint as you hear him cry out to you on the cross.

Prayer Of Confession
Beverly S. Bailey
Hymns
At The Name Of Jesus (PH148, UM168, CBH342)
All Hail The Power Of Jesus' Name (PH142, 143, CBH106, NCH304)
He Is Lord (UM177)
Blessed Be The Tie That Binds (CBH421)
Go To Dark Gethsemane (PH97, CBH240)        
He Never Said A Mumblin' Word (PH85)
Hosanna, Loud Hosanna (UM27, PH89, NCH213)
Mantos y Palmas/Filled With Excitement (UM279, NCH214)
All Glory, Laud, And Honor (PH90, NCH216)

Anthems
Hosanna, Loud Hosanna, Kenyon, Agape, handbells

CSSPlus

Good morning, boys and girls. Everyone here this morning has taken an elevator ride before, right? (Let them answer.) Have you ever gotten on an elevator that was going down, (point down) and you wanted to go up, (point up) so you went down (point down) to go up (point up)? That's what we are going to do this morning. Only our elevator is an imaginary one.
Good morning! Today I brought a sign with me. Can someone tell me what it says? (Have one of the older children read it.) Now why do you think I brought this with me this morning? (Let them answer.) I brought this with me because it is very similar to the sign they put on Jesus' cross. (Here you can recap the Passion Sunday reading.)
Good morning! I brought two pictures to show you today. Here
is a picture of Jesus having a dinner with his friends (show the
picture), and here is one of Jesus suffering on the cross (show
the picture). Now, if you were Jesus, which of these two things
would you rather be doing? (Let them answer.) Yes, of course. If
any of us were given that choice, we would rather be doing
anything other than suffering on a cross. In fact, I doubt that
there is anything that would convince one of us to allow
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