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Jesus Prays for his Disciples -- John 17:1-11 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 1998
A Celebration Of ResurrectionInvitation to the Easter Celebration
Visit of the Magi to Jesus -- Matthew 2:1-12 (3:13-17) -- Wayne H. Keller -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 1998
Adoration And PraiseInvitation to the Celebration
The Lamb of God and the Calling of Several Disciples -- John 1:29-42 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A -- 1998
Adoration And PraiseInvitation to the Celebration
Jesus Begins His Ministry and Calls Some Disciples -- Matthew 4:12-23 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 1998
Adoration And PraiseInvitation to the Celebration
The Beatitudes -- Matthew 5:1-12 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A -- 1998
Adoration And PraiseInvitation to the Celebration
Salt, Light, Righteousness -- Matthew 5:13-20 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - A -- 1998
Adoration And PraiseInvitation to the Celebration
Anger, Adultery, Divorce, Oaths -- Matthew 5:21-37 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - A -- 1998
Adoration And PraiseInvitation to the Celebration
Concerning Retaliation and Loving Enemies -- Matthew 5:38-48 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - A -- 1998
Adoration And PraiseInvitation to the Celebration
Serving Two Masters with Anxiety -- Matthew 6:24-34 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - A -- 1998
Adoration And PraiseInvitation to the Celebration
The Last Hours of Jesus' Life and his Burial -- John 18:1--19:42 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Good Friday - A -- 1998
Print these statements at the beginning of the order of worship: We are here to discover the meaning
The Temptations of Jesus -- Matthew 4:1-11 -- Wayne H. Keller -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 1998
The Community GathersInvitation to the Celebration
Nicodemus and Jesus -- John 3:1-17 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 1998
The Community GathersInvitation to the Celebration
Jesus and the Woman of Samaria -- John 4:5-42 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 1998
The Community GathersInvitation to the Celebration
Physical and Spiritual Blindness -- John 9:1-41 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 1998
The Community GathersInvitation to the Celebration
Lazarus' Death and Resurrection -- John 11:1-45 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A -- 1998
The Community GathersInvitation to the Celebration
Jesus Washes the Disciples' Feet, and the New Commandment -- John 13:1-17, 31b-35 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Maundy Thursday - A -- 1998
For this worship, use a small room for closeness that can be expanded easily to accommodate those wh
Palm Sunday and Jesus' Passion -- Matthew 26:14--27:66 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Passion Sunday - A -- 1998
The Community GathersInvitation to the Celebration
Rivers of Living Water -- John 7:37-39 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Day of Pentecost - A -- 1998
Pre-preparations for Pentecost
Destruction of the Temple Foretold -- Matthew 24:1-14 -- Wayne H. Keller -- 1998
Alleluia! Alleluia!Invitation to the Celebration
Pentecost -- Wayne H. Keller -- Day of Pentecost - A -- 1998
Pentecost (formerly Kingdomtide [Trinity] -- Season of the Kingdom of God on Earth), meaning "fiftie
Parable of the Soils -- Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - A -- 1998
Celebrating The Presence Of God
Parable of the Wheat and the Weeds -- Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A -- 1998
Celebrating The Presence Of GodInvitation to the Celebration
Parables of the Mustard Seed, the Yeast, Hidden Treasure, Pearl of Great Price, the Fishing Net -- Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 1998
Celebrating The Presence Of GodInvitation to the Celebration
Feeding the Five Thousand -- Matthew 14:13-21 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 1998
Celebrating The Presence Of GodInvitation to the Celebration
Jesus Walking on Water -- Matthew 14:22-33 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 1998
Celebrating The Presence Of GodInvitation to the Celebration

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The Power Of The Future -- Jeremiah 33:14-16 -- Steven E. Albertin -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
We have all had them. We all hate them. You know what I am talking about: boring history teachers.
Be Careful What You Ask For! -- Malachi 3:1-4 -- Steven E. Albertin -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
It is a piece of worldly wisdom we often hear in the course of our daily conversations: "Be careful
Why Rejoice? -- Zephaniah 3:14-20 -- Steven E. Albertin -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
I recently saw a survey conducted by the Muzak Holiday Channel concerning the most popular Christmas
The Regenerating Power Of A Little One -- Micah 5:2-5a -- Steven E. Albertin -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
Regardless of the size of a town, it is important for the residents to have a sense of civic pride.
Sainthood Means Overcoming Obstacles -- Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- All Saints Day - C -- 2003
In 1989 an 8.2 magnitude earthquake flattened much of the state of Armenia and killed over 30,000 pe
In The Event Of Power Failure -- Acts 1:1-11 -- Charles D. Reeb -- Ascension of the Lord - C -- 2003
A friend of mine once shared a story about his first visit to Niagara Falls.
Come Clean -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 -- Charles D. Reeb -- Ash Wednesday - C -- 2003
There is an old story about a mother of eight who walked into her house after visiting with a neighb
Don't Forget Your Nametag! -- Isaiah 43:1-7 -- Steven E. Albertin -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C -- 2003
I'm glad to see that so many of you are wearing your nametags this morning.
God Has The Last Word! -- Acts 10:34-43 -- Charles D. Reeb -- Easter Day - C -- 2003
It is amazing how sounds will stir the mind and heart.
The Life You've Always Wanted -- Acts 5:27-32 -- Charles D. Reeb -- Second Sunday of Easter - C -- 2003
The other day I came across some interesting epitaphs.
A Vexing Vision -- Acts 9:1-6 (7-20) -- Charles D. Reeb -- Third Sunday of Easter - C -- 2003
Have you have heard the expression, "Something got lost in the translation?" On the Internet there a
Need A Lift? -- Acts 9:36-43 -- Charles D. Reeb -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2003
Journalist Bob Garfield researched health articles in The Washington Post, USA Today, and The New Yo
Love Without Limits -- Acts 11:1-18 -- Charles D. Reeb -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2003
The eloquent preacher Tom Long tells the story of a small church-related college that held an annual
When All Is Said And Done -- Acts 16:9-15 -- Charles D. Reeb -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2003
Life has a way of presenting us with defining moments.
More Beyond -- Acts 16:16-34 -- Charles D. Reeb -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C -- 2003
Centuries ago, Portugal adopted a national motto.
Love For Herbert And Dorothy -- Isaiah 62:1-5 -- Steven E. Albertin -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C -- 2003
The miracle that Jesus performed at the wedding at Cana in today's Gospel is recalled in the prayer
The Good News And The Bad News -- Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10 -- Steven E. Albertin -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C -- 2003
Have you ever had someone come up to you with a message and then introduces it by saying, "I've got
The Cure -- Jeremiah 1:4-10 -- Steven E. Albertin -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C -- 2003
"The land of the free and the home of the brave." So ends our national anthem sung today at many lar
A Holy God And A Holy People -- Isaiah 6:1-8 (9-13) -- Steven E. Albertin -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - C -- 2003
Perhaps some of you saw the pictures in the newspaper or on television when officials in New York Ci
No Middle Ground -- Jeremiah 17:5-10 -- Steven E. Albertin -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - C -- 2003
It was the dirty secret. We were never supposed to talk about it openly.
Forgiving And Not Forgetting -- Genesis 45:3-11, 15 -- Steven E. Albertin -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - C -- 2003
Someone has wronged you, betrayed you, stabbed you in the back.
The Living, Reliable Word -- Isaiah 55:10-13 -- Steven E. Albertin -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - C -- 2003
(Holding up a Bible) This is the most important book ever written.
Wounded Healers -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12 -- Charles D. Reeb -- Good Friday - C -- 2003
I once watched a television show which scared the daylights out of me.
One Heaven Of A Party -- Deuteronomy 26:1-11 -- Charles D. Reeb -- First Sunday in Lent - C -- 2003
Moses saw that look in their eyes. He saw that glimmer of hope on their faces.
Falling Into Faith -- Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18 -- Charles D. Reeb -- Second Sunday in Lent - C -- 2003
Woody Allen once quipped, "If there is a God, he is the ultimate under-achiever." This statement is

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Ascension -- Mark 16:19-20, Luke 24:44-53, Acts 1:1-11 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Ascension of the Lord - A -- 1998
1. Text
Spirit's Coming -- Acts 2:1-21 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Day of Pentecost - A -- 1998
1. Text
Feeding 5,000 -- Matthew 14:13-21, Mark 6:30-44, Luke 9:10-17 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 1998
1. Text
Walking On Water -- Matthew 14:22-33, Mark 6:45-52 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 1998
1. Text
Demon-Possessed Child -- Matthew 15:21-28 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 1998
1. Text
First Sunday in Advent -- Isaiah 2:1-5, Romans 13:11-14, Matthew 24:36-44 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 1998
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Isaiah 2:1-5 (C, RC, E)
Second Sunday In Advent -- Isaiah 11:1-10, Romans 15:4-13, Matthew 3:1-12 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Second Sunday of Advent - A -- 1998
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Isaiah 11:1-10 (C, RC, E)
Third Sunday In Advent -- Isaiah 35:1-10, James 5:7-10, Matthew 11:2-11 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 1998
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Isaiah 35:1-10 (C, E); Isaiah 35:1-6, 10 (RC)
Fourth Sunday In Advent -- Isaiah 7:10-16, Romans 1:1-7, Matthew 1:18-25 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 1998
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
All Saints' Sunday -- Revelation 7:9-17, 1 John 3:1-3, Matthew 5:1-12 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- All Saints Day - A -- 1998
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
The Ascension Of Our Lord -- Acts 1:1-11, Ephesians 1:15-23, Luke 24:44-53 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Ascension of the Lord - A -- 1998
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Acts 1:1-11 (C, RC, E)
Ash Wednesday -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17, 2 Corinthians 5:20b--6:10, Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Ash Wednesday - A -- 1998
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 (C, E); Joel 2:12-18 (RC)
Miracle 8 Walking On Water -- Matthew 14:22-33, Mark 6:45-52 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 1998
1. Text
Miracle 9 Demon--Possessed Child -- Matthew 15:21-28 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 1998
1. Text
Miracle 7 Feeding 5,000 -- Matthew 14:13-21, Mark 6:30-44, Luke 9:10-17 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 1998
1. Text
Miracle 6 Spirit's Coming -- Acts 2:1-21 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Day of Pentecost - A -- 1998
1. Text
Miracle 3 Raising Lazarus -- John 11:1-45 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A -- 1998
Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha.1
Miracle 2 The Man Born Blind -- John 9:1-41 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 1998
1. Text
Miracle 4 Resurrection -- John 20:1-18, Matthew 28:1-8, Mark 16:1-8, Luke 24:1-10 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Easter Day - A -- 1998
1. Text
Miracle 5 Ascension -- Mark 16:19-20, Luke 24:44-53, Acts 1:1-11 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Ascension of the Lord - A -- 1998
1. Text
Miracle 1 Nativity -- Matthew 1:18-25 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 1998
1. Text Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this
Christ The King -- Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24, Ephesians 1:15-23, Matthew 25:31-46 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A -- 1998
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Corpus Christi -- Deuteronomy 8:2-3, 14-16, 1 Corinthians 10:16-17, John 6:51-58 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- 1998
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Deuteronomy 8:2-3, 14-16
The Resurrection Of Our Lord (Easter Day) -- Acts 10:34-43 or Jeremiah 31:1-6, John 20:1-18 or Matthew 28:1-10 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Easter Day - A -- 1998
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Acts 10:34-43 (C, E); Acts 10:34, 37-43 (RC)
Second Sunday Of Easter -- Acts 2:14a, 22-32, 1 Peter 1:3-9, John 20:19-31 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Second Sunday of Easter - A -- 1998
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Acts 2:14a, 22-32 (C, E)

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Shared Power -- Acts 8:26-40 -- John E. Sumwalt, Robert Maeglin -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B
It had been a long day of meetings, and a group of scientists were returning from Manila to Los Bano
Peace Be With You -- John 20:19-31 -- John E. Sumwalt, Kenneth Lyerly -- Second Sunday of Easter - B
When my mother called the last time to tell us that Dad was in the hospital again, and not doing wel
Startled -- Luke 24:36b-48 -- John E. Sumwalt, Elaine H. Klemm-grau -- Third Sunday of Easter - B
Jackie was gone.
God Restores My Soul -- Psalm 23 -- John E. Sumwalt, John E. Sumwalt -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B
A few weeks ago, I started reading a psalm a day as part of my daily devotions.
Filled With The Spirit -- Acts 19:1-7 -- John E. Sumwalt, Eileen Fink -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B
I had been reading books on the baptism of the Holy Spirit, trying to figure out the controversy bet
Seeing Jesus -- Revelation 1:4b-8 -- John E. Sumwalt, Lee E. Meissner -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B
It was a nice summer day.
My Dad, Marlie -- 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 -- John E. Sumwalt, Patricia Gallagher Marchant -- Easter Day - B
For I handed on to you as of first importance what I in turn had received: that Christ died for our
Convincing Proof -- Acts 1:1-11 -- John E. Sumwalt, Margaret Nyland-brown -- Ascension of the Lord - B
I was born in 1970. My brother, Randy, was five years older than I. He died on February 28, 1982.
Ronny's Gift -- Psalm 51:1-17 -- John E. Sumwalt, Rebecca Henderleiter -- Ash Wednesday - B
In recovery circles, many tight-knit relationships are formed.
What Is God Saying? -- Luke 1:26-38 -- John E. Sumwalt, Susan D. Jamison -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B
In May of 1996, I attended an event at Kirkridge, located in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania.
Our Family In Heaven -- Revelation 21:1-6a -- John E. Sumwalt, Jeff Veenhuis -- All Saints Day - B
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "See, the home of God is among mortals.
Cameron's Story -- Isaiah 40:1-11 -- John E. Sumwalt, Todd Chrisler, John E. Sumwalt -- Second Sunday of Advent - B
I met Todd and Dawn at wedding reception in the fall of 1999.
To Bind Up The Broken Hearted -- Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 -- John E. Sumwalt, Roy H. Nelson -- Third Sunday of Advent - B
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good ne
A Safe Place To Tell Visions -- Isaiah 64:1-9 -- John E. Sumwalt, John E. Sumwalt -- First Sunday of Advent - B
Late on Maundy Thursday evening, in the year 2000, as I lay in bed, meditating on the format of this
Advent 1 -- 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 -- John Steward -- First Sunday of Advent - C
What is love?
Advent 2 -- Luke 3:1-6 -- John Steward -- Second Sunday of Advent - C
While Khrushchev was Premier of the Soviet Union, he came out against his predecessor Joseph Stalin
Advent 3 -- Luke 3:7-18 -- John Steward -- Third Sunday of Advent - C
When the Gettysburg Cemetery was being dedicated, those doing the planning wanted to have a speaker
Advent 4 -- Luke 1:39-45 (46-55) -- John Steward -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C
My friend, Pastor Ray Christenson in Las Vegas, once told about a pastor who would regularly visit a
All Saints' Day -- Ephesians 1:11-23 -- John Steward -- All Saints Day - C
"...
Ascension Sunday -- Luke 24:44-53 -- John Steward -- Ascension of the Lord - C
This is a story about two young men I once encountered.
Baptism Of The Lord -- Acts 8:14-17 -- John Steward -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C
Many years ago the founder and president of the National Cash Register Company of Dayton, Ohio, used
Easter -- 1 Corinthians 15:19-26 -- John Steward -- Easter Day - C
There was a little boy who would always come home late from school.
Easter 2 -- John 20:19-31 -- John Steward -- Second Sunday of Easter - C
A young couple fell in love in a very unique way.
Easter 3 -- John 21:1-19 -- John Steward -- Third Sunday of Easter - C
Since many of the followers of Jesus were fishermen, it made sense for Jesus to use fishing as an ex
Easter 4 -- Revelation 7:9-17 -- John Steward -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - C
Violet Asquith was once sitting next to Winston Churchill at a dinner party.

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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:

StoryShare

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
Good morning! Who knows what today is? (get responses) Yes! It's Palm Sunday, which is the last Sunday in Lent. That means that next Sunday is Easter! We've been waiting a long time to celebrate Easter. We're getting close, but we aren't quite ready to celebrate it yet. We still have to tell the story of Jesus' death before we can tell the story of his resurrection.

Special Occasion

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