24C – Palm Sunday

CALL TO WORSHIP (from Psalm 118:1, 2, 19-29)
Give thanks to the LORD, who alone is good;
whose steadfast love is everlasting! 
Let the gates of righteousness be opened
that I may enter through them and give thanks to the LORD. 
Gracious and eternal God,
Let the silent mystery of your Spirit
surround, sustain and excite us.
Transform our gathering to your glory,
and perfect our worship for your praise.
We pray in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

CALL TO WORSHIP (from Psalm 118:1 ,2, 19-29)
Give thanks to the LORD, who alone is good;
whose steadfast love is everlasting! 
The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.
This is the LORD’s doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.

PSALM 118:1-2,19-29 (a version for today)
Give thanks to the LORD, who alone is good,
and whose lovingkindness is everlasting.
Let all God’s faithful declare:
Indeed, everlasting lovingkindness is the LORD’s
Open for me the gates of justice,
so that I may enter and give thanks to the LORD.
This is the gate of the LORD,
where those who live justly may enter.
I give thanks because you have answered me
and became my rescuer. 
The stone which the builders scorned
has become the first, the cornerstone.
The LORD has brought this about,
and it is astounding.
This is the day the LORD has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
LORD, save us;
let us enjoy success.
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the LORD.
We bless you from the house of the LORD.
The LORD is God, and has given us light;
join in celebratory procession up to the horns of the altar.
You are my God, and I give you thanks;
You are my God, and I praise you with great joy.
Give thanks to the LORD, who alone is good,
and whose lovingkindness is everlasting

OFFERING
Blessed the one who comes in the name of our God.
May our gifts and our living
restore life to others,
bring reconciliation
and encourage true holiness,
to your glory and praise, O God;
through Jesus Christ, our Lord,
whom you have exalted
and given a name above every name. Amen.

For use in worship, with acknowledgement. © Jeff Shrowder 2000, 2013.

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A CREATIVE MOMENT – Isaiah 50:4-9a
During Lent the primary focus of these creative moments is on the lections from the Hebrew Scripture, in which we see God’s steadfast, sure love expressed in covenant, promise and abundant provision.

Create a banner/graphic depicting last week’s symbol of water and soil to add to the banners/graphics from the previous four weeks. This week’s symbol of ‘awakening’ could be a graphic/banner of a sunrise offset by a symbol of darkness (i.e. the insults and spitting of the adversaries).

Click here for some ideas for worship in Lent and Easter gleaned from the pages of “On the Move” (now out of print) which was published by the Joint Board of Christian Education, Melbourne, Australia.

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THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
(A prayer to gather the spoken and silent concerns/joys/thanks expressed by the congregation and lead into a more structured Intercession with connection to the lections for the day. Sometimes this prayer borrows lightly from other sources e.g. Uniting in Worship 2 or publications of the Iona Community.)
Be a sustaining presence, O God,
to those we name on our lips
and in the silence of our hearts…
a blessing to those
who love and care for them…
Pour out your Spirit of comfort
on all who are weighed down with grief;
those whose troubles are known only to you;
and be present to those who have no-one …
In Jesus’ name …
      (The Prayers of the People continue)

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Looking for contemporary music and song resources?
Try David MacGregor’s Together to Celebrate

HYMN SUGGESTIONS FOR PALM SUNDAY – YEAR C
Isaiah 50:4-9a
God has spoken to his people, hallelujah	TIS 636
O breath of God, breathe on us now	TIS 408
O sacred head, sore wounded	TIS 339
Sing praise and thanksgiving,	TIS 107
Psalm 31:9-16
Great God, we sing that mighty hand	TIS 124
Have faith in God, my heart	TIS 619
Philippians 2:5-11
All hail the power of Jesus’ name	TIS 224
Brother, sister, let me serve you	TIS 650
Come, your hearts and voices raising	TIS 297
Create in us a clean heart, O God	TIS 712
Faith will not grow from words alone	TIS 691
God, we praise you, God, we bless you	TIS 99
He became poor that we may be rich	TIS 721
Jesus shall reign where’er the sun	TIS 207
Let earth and heaven combine	TIS 305
Lord, You are the light of life to me	TIS 261
O Spirit of the living God	TIS 405
Praise and thanksgiving, Father, we offer	TIS 627
Praise the God who changes places	TIS 178
Praise to you, O Christ our Saviour	TIS 258
John 12:12-16
All glory, praise and honour	TIS 333
Hark the glad sound! the Saviour comes	TIS 269
Ride on, ride on in majesty	TIS 348
The King of glory comes, the nation rejoices	TIS 279
The glory of our King was seen	TIS 353
Trotting, trotting through Jerusalem	TIS 244
When his time was over,	TIS 357
Luke 19:28-40
All glory, praise and honour	TIS 333
Hail to the Lord’s anointed	TIS 275
Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest	TIS 724
Lift up your heads, you mighty gates	TIS 267
My song is love unknown	TIS 341
Ride on, ride on in majesty	TIS 348
The King of glory comes, the nation rejoices	TIS 279
The glory of our King was seen	TIS 353

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