Liturgy

O Christ, you entered the city as a poor man not not in style
but in simplicity, yet still you caused uproar, and raised
questions everywhere; you drew the expectations of a
hungry crowd, and brought buried conflicts to the light.

May we, who are sometimes swayed by the crowd’s
approval, and who often avoid conflict for fear of its
cost to us, hold fast to the gospel of peace and justice.

May we follow faithfully in your way of compassion and solidarity
with those who are poor and excluded, wherever it may lead us.

We ask in the name
of the Father,
of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Community Confession

We come to prepare for the holiest of weeks.
We will journey through praise, with joy on our lips;
we will travel through betrayal and death,
cradling hope deep in our hearts.

Jesus, leads us through this week, and may we follow,

for you are the life we long for,
you are the Word who sustains us.

We wave palm branches in anticipation,
we lay our love before Christ, to cushion his walk.

Setting aside all power, glory, and might, he comes:
modeling humility and obedience for all of us.

Hosanna! Hosanna!
Blessed is the One who brings us
the kingdom of God.

We pray in the name
of our Creator, God,
of our Savior, Jesus,
and our breath of life in the Holy Spirit,
Amen.

(Thom Shuman)

Sermon and Reflection

Sermon Podcast 4.14.19 – Fetching Transformation

What is bringing my transformation now?

How am I being converted into gentleness?

Benediction

Inspire our hearts, O God,
to follow where Christ walked,
for Christ has marked us as his own.

Let us all take new willingness to carry
our cross and be led through sacrifice
and suffering, but also to the glory and
triumph of the Risen Life of the Savior.

God, as we move through this week, give us
the gifts of introspection and of empathy, as
we seek to determine where your astonishing story,
which feels both so familiar and yet so incredible,
fits with our own narratives.

We enter now into our Holy Week,
remembering the name
of the Father,
of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

(Sam Lee)

Go in peace and live the church.
See you throughout the week.

[Photo by Sayaka M @ Flickr]