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Palm Sunday

Kurt Christenson

Sunday, April 13, 2025

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SUNDAY OF THE PASSION/PALM SUNDAY

April 13, 2025

10:00 a.m.

For those who brought garments to lay before the path of Christ; now is the time to enter the sanctuary and lay them out down the center aisle. After today’s worship they will be collected and given to TACO for distribution.

WELCOME ON THE PATIO

GATHERING

THE PROCESSION WITH PALMS

*palms are distributed to all

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

Hosanna to the Son of David.

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

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.

Amen.

PROCESSIONAL GOSPEL Saint Luke: 19:28-40

28 After he had said this, Jesus went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.

29 When he had come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples, 30 saying, “Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ just say this, ‘The Lord needs it.’ ” 32 So those who were sent departed and found it as he had told them. 33 As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?” 34 They said, “The Lord needs it.” 35 Then they brought it to Jesus; and after throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. 36 As he rode along, people kept spreading their cloaks on the road. 37 As he was now approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen, 38 saying,

“Blessed is the king

who comes in the name of the Lord!

Peace in heaven,

and glory in the highest heaven!”

39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, order your disciples to stop.” 40 He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.”

*please raise your palm branches high for this thanksgiving and the hymn which follows:

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give God thanks and praise.

We praise you, O God, for redeeming the world through our Savior Jesus Christ. Today he entered the holy city in triumph and was proclaimed messiah and king by those who spread garments and branches along his way.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

Hosanna to the Son of David.

Bless these branches and all who carry them around the world this day. Grant us all 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, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Amen.

Let our worship begin in peace,

in the name of Christ. Amen.

*please raise your palm branches and join in singing this processional hymn:

OPENING HYMN All Glory, Laud, and Honor

We will sing verse one on the patio and begin moving into the sanctuary to the organ fanfare processional. When most have found their seats we will continue with at the Cantor’s direction.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

Let us pray together: 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.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

THE WORD

THE OLD TESTAMENT LESSON: Isaiah 50:4-9a

The Lord God has given me the tongue of a teacher, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word. Morning by morning he wakens—wakens my ear to listen as those who are taught. The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, I did not turn backward. I gave my back to those who struck me, and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard; I did not hide my face from insult and spitting.

The Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame; he who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who are my adversaries? Let them confront me. It is the Lord God who helps me; who will declare me guilty?

Word of God, Word of Life

PSALM 31 Father, I put my life in your hands.

In you, O Lord I take refuge; let me never be put to shame.

In your justice rescue me, oh my faithful Lord, in your hands I commend my spirit.

For all my foes reproach me; all my friends are now put to flight.

I am forgotten, like the unremembered dead, like a dish that now is broken.

I place my trust in you, Lord; in your hands is my destiny.

Let your face shine upon your servant, Lord, in your hands I will place my life.

SECOND LESSON: Philippians 2:5-11

Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross.

Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Word of God, Word of Life

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Christ humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death— even death | on a cross.*

Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above | ev’ry name.

(Phil. 2:8-9)

THE PASSION OF CHRIST ACCORDING TO ST. LUKE

Surely He Died on Calvary Dale Fleming, Spiritual

HYMN OF THE DAY My Song is Love Unknown

Choir sings vs 2

Here might I stay and sing -- no story so divine!

Never was love, dear King, never was grief like thine.

This is my friend, in whose sweet praise I all my days could gladly spend!

I all my days could gladly spend!

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

*after each petition: God, in your mercy, …receive our prayer.

APOSTLES’ CREED

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

OFFERING The Holy City sung by Dale Fleming, Soprano

The Holy City is a Victorian ballad dating from 1892, with music by Michael Maybrick writing under the alias Stephen Adams, with lyrics by Frederic Weatherly. It was sung by Jeanette MacDonald in the 1936 hit film San Francisco. The melody formed the basis of a Spiritual titled Hosanna, which in turn was the basis for the opening of Duke Ellington's "Black and Tan Fantasy".

OFFERING PRAYER

Let us pray: Gracious Provider, you set your immense treasures among us, opening your heart to the world. As we prepare to feast on your bountiful love, deepen our commitment to sharing those treasures with others, through our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

GREAT THANKSGIVING

The Lord be with you. And also with you.

Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise.

It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places

give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God, through our Savior Jesus Christ, whose suffering and death gave salvation to all. You gather your people around the tree of the cross, transforming death into life. And so, with all the choirs of angels,

with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, …Do this for the remembrance of me.

For as often as we eat of this bread and drink from this cup, we proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

Christ has died.

Christ is risen.

Christ will come again.

Therefore, O God, with this bread and cup we remember the life our Lord offered for us. And, believing the witness of his resurrection, we await his coming in power to share with us the great and promised feast.

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

Send now, we pray, your Holy Spirit, that we who share in Christ’s body and blood may live to the praise of your glory and receive our inheritance with all your saints in light.

Amen. Come, Holy Spirit.

Join our prayers with those of your servants of every time and every place, and unite them with the ceaseless petitions of our great high priest until he comes as victorious Lord of all. Through him, with him, in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, almighty Father, now and forever.

Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

Lord, remember us in your Kingdom as you have taught us to pray:

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.

INVITATION TO COMMUNION

Here is food and drink for the journey. Take and be filled.

COMMUNION DISTRIBUTION

Solo Dale Fleming He Never Said a Mumblin’ Word Spiritual

They crucified my Lord, and he never said a mumbalin’ word; Not a word, not a word,

not a word.

They nailed him to a tree,

They pierced him in the side,

The blood came trickalin’ down,

He bowed his head and died,

POST COMMUNION BLESSING & PRAYER

Now may the body and blood of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ strengthen and keep you in his grace. Amen.

Embodied God, at your table, we have tasted the goodness of Jesus.

With the eyes of our hearts open to your promise, empower us to hear the needs of our neighbors and touch the world with your love.

Amen.

CLOSING HYMN When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

BENEDICTION

Go now and follow Christ in obedience. Have the same mind as was in Christ Jesus;

Keep your ears open to God’s teaching; Be humble, even in the face of hostility

and do not turn back. And may God help you and keep you from disgrace;

May Christ Jesus lead you through the gates of justice; And may the Holy Spirit keep you in God’s steadfast love and fill your mouths with praise to the glory of God.

Go in peace. Serve in love.

Thanks be to God.

POSTLUDE

When I survey the Wondrous Cross Isaac Watts 1674 -1748 arranged by Gilbert Martin

As the mood swings from loud Hosannas to the Passion and Holy Week, I dedicate this postlude to Gary Kashefska and flowers to Erin for her Blessed Day! - Engel

Sanctuary Flowers were given by Rich & Joann Masters in honor of Palm Sunday and Christ’s entrance into the City

The Rev. Kurt Christenson, Pastor

Bill Engel, Music Director

Earl Vaults, Tenor Sax

Jan Neuhaus, Cantor

Erin Pfaff, Lector

Eric Sloniker, Assisting Minister

David Pohl, Joann Masters, Deacon Randy Sensmeier, Joyce Sensmeier, Paul Engel,

Ellen Beck, Jan Neuhaus, Billie Thompson, Elizabeth Connolly, Victoria Pearson, Singers

Brian Jensen, Rebecca Kjonegaard, Melodie Baker, Sound, Video, & Computer

Ruth Clayton, Melinda Person, Dan Kjonegaard, Ushers

Hymns, Prayers, Liturgy

from Sundays and Seasons 2020, Year C

reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies annual license #SB137579

closing blessing

by Nathan Nettleton

a gift to the wider Church from the South Yarra Community Baptist Church

Melbourne, Australia

www.laughingbird.net

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Keeping it out Front…Our Strategic Ministry At Work

First Lutheran Church Congregational Priorities:

Connecting with each other
Fostering leadership
Attending to our Virtual Community
Incorporating Children, Youth, & Families into the Life of the Congregation.
Justice focus of Anti-Racism, Diversity and Racial Justice

Holy Week Schedule:

Maundy Thursday

7:00pm at FLC

Good Friday

8:30am Stations of the Cross walk (meet at the Rescue Mission)
12:00 FLC
7:00pm 1st Presbyterian

Saturday Easter Vigil

5:30 (begins on FLC patio)

Easter Lilies: DEADLINE TODAY!

If you would like to help beautify the sanctuary on Easter with a lily in honor/memory of a loved one, please complete the form in the bulletin and drop it in the offering plate. You can include cash or check or pay online using this QR code.

Magnifying Christ’s Light

Thanks to your generous support, we have reached $475,000 in gifts and pledges, surpassing our goal of $450,000! We are now reaching out to our extended community for one-time gifts. Any additional money raised will go toward project overages and additional facility repairs. We are on track to have our MIF loan paid off in three years! Visit the “Going Solar” page of our website for more progress details. You may begin giving toward your pledge, either online using this QR code or through check/cash by designating “Capital Appeal” on the memo or envelope.

Book Group News

First of all, please note that although we usually meet on the 3rd Thursday of the month, this month’s meeting has been pushed back a week since Easter comes so late this year, and we will meet on Thursday, April 24. That being said, 6 weeks of Lent may have uniquely positioned us to appreciate this month’s selection, The Best of Us, by Joyce Maynard. This memoir follows the author’s joy at her unexpected discovery of love in her late 50s and, after just one year of marriage, her deep sorrow at the cancer diagnosis and death of her new husband. Their story is an ultimately life-affirming one of discovering strength and coming to understand true love through the experience of great loss. Anne Lamott, a favorite author of many of us, reviews this book as “heart-wrenching, inspiring, full of joy and tears and life”. Please join us for fellowship and discussion on Thursday, April 24 in the church Library. Mary Claire and Sheri Bengtson will host.

TACO Bites

Congratulations to Jeffrey, TACO’s housing Interfaith Shelter Network’s “Spirit of Service” Award
Calling all crafters! Got any spare yarn around your house? Donate it to FLC! Nancy Sutter’s knitting/crochet group will use it to make hats for TACO clients.
Empty Bowls is back! May 10 at La Jolla United Methodist Church. $20 at the door for a bowl and soups. See Heartbeat for more info.
Follow TACO (Third Avenue Charitable Organization) on Facebook for more updates!

This week at FLC

Monday	12:00 AA in the lounge
Tuesday	6:30 FLC Council Meeting in the library
Wednesday	10:00 TACO Starbucks and snacks; Clothing closet
Thursday	12:00 Al Anon in the library
Friday	9:00 TACO meal 12:00 AA in the lobby
Sunday	NO BIBLE STUDY TODAY 10:00 Easter Sunday Worship 3:00 Chinese Bible Church Worship