Procession with Palms
Pastor: Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.
People: Hosanna to the Son of David.
Pastor: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Pastor: Let us pray. Mercifully assist us, O Lord God of our salvation, that we may enter with joy upon the contemplation of those mighty acts whereby you have given us life everlasting; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
People: Amen.
The reading of the processional Gospel: Matthew 21:1-11
Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem
When they had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, ‘Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, just say this, “The Lord needs them.” And he will send them immediately.’ This took place to fulfil what had been spoken through the prophet, saying, ‘Tell the daughter of Zion, Look, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’ The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; they brought the donkey and the colt, and put their cloaks on them, and he sat on them. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!’ When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, ‘Who is this?’ The crowds were saying, ‘This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.’
Pastor: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Pastor: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right to give God thanks and praise.
Pastor: We praise and thank you, O God, for the great acts of love by which you have redeemed the world through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. On this day he entered the holy city of Jerusalem in triumph, and was acclaimed messiah, Son of David and King of kings by those who scattered their garments and branches of palm in his path.
We ask that you bless these branches and those who carry them, and grant that we may ever hail him as our Lord and King and follow him with perfect confidence. Give us grace to follow our Lord in the way of the cross, so that, joined to his death and resurrection;, we enter into life with you, through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever,
People: Amen.
Pastor: Let us go forth in peace,
People: in the name of the Lord.
The people process into the church holding their branches
and singing “All Glory, Laud, and Honor.”
Hymn: All Glory, Laud and Honor (click here https://youtu.be/z9X4-lIRFOE)
Pastor: Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.
People: Hosanna in the highest.
GREETING
Pastor: From our God who loves us with an everlasting love
who brings forth a new creation in Christ,
who leads us by the Spirit in the wilderness,
grace, love and abundant peace be with you all.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Everlasting God, in your endless love for the human race you sent our Lord Jesus Christ to take on our nature and to suffer death on the cross. In your mercy enable us to share in his obedience to your will and in the glorious victory of his resurrection, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
GOSPEL READING
Matthew 21:1-11 (see above)
SERMON
HYMN OF THE DAY
“Beneath the Cross of Jesus” (Click here https://youtu.be/_1zdsf0uhV8)
TODAY IN OUR PRAYERS
Bill, Carol, Curtis, and Christine Buchkowsky, Teri Peterson, Mabel Zolotarchuk, Wayne Turner, Janet Gregory, Norm Gregory, the Rose family, Jody Giesbrecht, Marge McMillan, Kyrie Parimi, John Beaven, Doris Turner, Hilda Anderson, Linda Wolfe, Naomi, Mary Anderson, Joan Schock, Bev Gregory, Dale Robinson, Bryan Matschke, the family of Lyle Sand, the family of Hildegard Schneider (Renita Falkenstern’s mother), and the family of Cortney Palmer (Pat and Carol Sarich’s niece).
We remember the missing and murdered indigenous women in Canada, the people of Syria, Iraq, Iran, Ukraine, Sudan, South Sudan, Afghanistan, Turkey, Yemen, Venezuela, Somalia, Libya, Hong Kong, the Palestinians and Israelis, the Rohingya Muslim refugees, all at the Mexico/United States border seeking refuge, the people of Haiti suffering from natural and political disasters, the people of the Bahamas suffering from hurricanes, and those throughout the world, in Canada, and in our community threatened by the coronavirus.
THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE OF FAITH
[The congregational response after each petition is: “ GRANT US YOUR PEACE.”]
Pastor: As we journey with Jesus to the cross, the tree of life, witnessing to the transformation of life that comes with faith, repentance and forgiveness, let us pray for the renewal of the Church and the restoration of the whole world to the life of God, saying, “O God, in your compassion” and responding, “Grant us your peace.”
Petitioner: Merciful God, in your boundless compassion you lived among us and suffered death at human hands. Hold the way of the cross before your people by your Spirit working through your Word and sacraments to make us faithful witnesses of your steadfast love. Plant Christ’s cross in our hearts, so that as palms were carried in a procession of praise, so now our palms are offered in a life of service to the neighbour and all in need. O God, in your compassion …
Petitioner: God of wisdom, through the cross of Christ you have called all people from darkness to light, from error into truth, from death into life. Raise us by your Spirit. Revive us by your Word. Form us by your hand. Remind us of our baptismal waters of life and nourish us with your bread and cup of blessing that we might see a future of hope, start life anew, and bear witness to your grace. O God, in your compassion …
Petitioner: Righteous God, break down the walls of division throughout the world, so that in this Holy Week, people of all faiths may grow in understanding and mutual respect for one another. Teach us to live with humility with one another and to live with humility and gratitude for the world you created that is groaning under our faithlessness, so that we might show reverence for all people and be humble stewards for all living things. O God, in your compassion…
Pastor: Comforting God, you meet us in the depths of human suffering. Care for all who are weary and weak and who endure doubt, despair, illness, conflict, loss, trials and grief. We remember especially before you …. Sustain all in their times of testing. O God, in your compassion …
Petitioner: God of new life, we pray for the fragile gift of creation, that our world’s many scars and sufferings find healing in your gracious life-giving love. Give us the faith and the courage to live in such a way that we do not betray, deny or mock this precious gift, but dedicate our lives to the care and redemption of all that you have made. O God, in your compassion …
Petitioner: Praiseworthy God, rescue your beloved, war-weary world from hatred and terror, so that all nations may turn from evil and walk in paths of peace. Lead all courts and judges, nations and rulers, in your ways of justice. Be with all who suffer from violence, abuse, oppression, terrorism; end torture, that all may be free from needless and useless suffering. O God, in your compassion …
Petitioner: Generous God, fill us with compassion and concern for others, young and old, that we may look after one another in these challenging days. Bring healing to those who are sick with the virus and be with their families. Comfort the family and friends of those who have died. Strengthen and protect all medical professionals caring for the sick and all who work in our medical and health care facilities. Give wisdom to leaders in healthcare and governance that they may make the right decisions for the well-being of people. We pray in gratitude for all those in our country who will continue to work in the days ahead in so many fields of life for the sake of us all. Bless them and keep them safe. O God of creation and life, we place ourselves in your protection. May the mantle of your peace enfold us this day and tomorrow. O God, in your compassion …
Petitioner: Sustaining God, guard us from betraying you, give us courage that we not deny you, help us wear the cross marked on us in our baptisms and enable us to remain faithful to the new covenant poured out for us in the cup of your salvation. During this Holy Week guide our walk in the way of the cross, so that we find in it the way of life, joy, peace, service, and hope. O God, in your compassion …
Pastor: Gracious God, hear us as we pray. As you have made us and redeemed us, so now sustain us with your hope, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
People: Amen.
BENEDICTION
Pastor: God give you the strength to raise up the cross of Christ,
wisdom to follow in the cross of Christ,
and the guidance of the Spirit to carry the cross of Christ
into our world.
People: Amen.
DISMISSAL
Pastor: Go in peace. Proclaim the love of the life-giving cross.
People: Thanks be to God.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The draft website for all seven ELCIC congregations in Saskatoon is now up and the address is https://saskatoonelcic.com/ It will be used now mainly for sharing information during the pandemic. Thanks to Wayne Turner who is our website master and facebook poster and has been involved in setting up this website.
Offerings:
Even though we are not meeting together we still have expenses and need your offerings so that we can pay them. Church Council has decided that best way to receive your offerings is that you mail a cheque (Please no cash for mail security reasons) to the church and we can process them from there.
Send your contributions to: King of Glory Lutheran Church
3318 Merritt Street
Saskatoon, SK S7M 3P6
Thank you for your generosity.
King of Glory Lutheran Church 