for Sunday, 5 April 2009, post #2b

Hymn Change

For the communion hymn, I'm substituting An Upper Room with Evening Lamps Ashine on p. 428 of the Chalice Hymnal. This takes the place of A Stable Lamp Is Lighted. (Lamps lit & shining is obviously the theme I'm going for!)

for Sunday, 5 April 2009, post #2

Music & Liturgy

Hymns

• A Cheering, Chanting, Dizzy Crowd, CH #193, music at #130, Morning Song. During the singing of this hymn, we are going to come forward to the Table with our pieces of fabric. We'll sing 2 verses and then Ann will continue while the congregation comes forward to give their fabric to Allen Foster. When everyone has finished, we'll resume singing the hymn.
• Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29: Again the verses in the Chalice Hymnal and the lectionary don't match. So the words will be on the screen and the response will be from the hymnal, #758.
• Ride On, Ride On. From the Iona Community hymnbook. Ann, I'll bring a copy of the music with me tonight. The words will be on the screen.
• A Stable Lamp Is Lighted, CH #141

Liturgy

Call to Worship--Phyllis, I'm going to ask you to give instructions here for the congregation to hold up their fabric pieces and palm & wave them throughout the Call to Worship.

A cheering crowd greeted Jesus as he entered Jerusalem.
We join with the crowd in our praise & excitement.
The expectant crowd yelled “Hosanna” as they welcomed Messiah into their midst.
From our hearts and lips we cry out “Hosanna” as we too seek to be saved now.
Will we remain with the crowd though and abandon Jesus, calling for his death? Will we scatter in fear like the disciples after his arrest? Will we have the courage of the women in grief who approach the tomb of this state-declared criminal?
We pray that as we wave our fabric and palm fronds, we will find the courage to be a follower of the Christ whose triumphal entry was on a lowly colt and whose ministry sought to turn religious establishment upside down. © April 2009

First Hymn--Again, Phyllis, would you be willing to give the instructions for this hymn? (See my notes under the music above.)

Prayer of Approach

Untie our hearts and make our souls unbound. For you, God, have need of us. Help us to carry the Christ into the cities & towns--anywhere the Holy One is needed. Whether the crowd is shouting in anticipation or crying out for brutality, help us be the ones who show the true Messiah to the world. Make use of us in the world in which you have placed us. In the name of the Teacher from Nazareth we pray. Amen. © April 2009

There are only 2 scripture readings this week--the Psalm & the Mark reading. I don't know yet if I will ask you to read any of them or not, Phyllis.

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact me.

for Sunday, 5 April 2009, post #1

Palm Sunday

Since the Maundy Thursday service will focus on the Passion Narrative, we'll look to the Palm Sunday scriptures this week. For some reason, the lectionary only gives two scriptures for the Palm Sunday liturgy.

Please remember and remind people to bring a piece of cloth to worship on Sunday for our celebration. If there are those who won't be able to be with us but would like to participate in this way, they can get their cloth to me or someone else in the congregation or mail it to the church address & I'll pick it up on Sunday morning.

Lectionary

• Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29
• Mark 11:1-11

Worship Leaders

• Music Leader: Allen Foster
• Accompanist: Ann Willard
• Liturgist: Phyllis Stowell
• Elder: John Swan
• Preacher: Gerry Brague
• Journey Storyteller: John Swan

I'll have hymns and liturgy up as soon as possible.