St. Paul United Church of Christ, Taylor, Michigan
Palm/ Passion Sunday, March 24, 2024
Silent Prayer and Reflection
Gospel writer, Mark takes good care to show that all people fall short in their following of Jesus. The adoring crowd of Palm Sunday is fickle—Crucify Him!
Ringing of the Bell
Announcements/ Welcome Rev. Linda Anderson
Opening Voluntary John Joanette
*Call to Worship/Passing of the Peace Conrad Heidt
L: Sing for joy! The Master comes!
P: Riding on a colt, he enters in victory!
L: If all shouting stopped, the rocks would ring with joy.
P: But there will be some who will not sing or shout.
L: There will be some who will cling to their fear.
P: Be ready, O Jerusalem, for your king truly is coming!
All: Hosanna in the highest! AMEN.
One: The peace of Christ be with you.
All: And also with you.
*Hymn No. 192 “All Glory, Laud, and Honor”
Prayer of the Day Conrad Heidt
Almighty God, you sent your Son, our Savior Jesus the Christ, to take our flesh upon him and to suffer death on the cross. Grant that we may share in his obedience to your will and in the glorious victory of his resurrection; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Blessing of the Palms Rev. Anderson
Responsive Reading
`O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
His steadfast love endures forever!
This is the day that the LORD has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it!
Jesus Christ, you were the stone we rejected,
Yet you have become our Cornerstone,
The one we look to as the best example of God’s Love;
The one we exalt above all others.
We are spreading our cloaks out on the path
Laying palm branches at your feet
We offer every good thing we have:
Every talent
Every blessing
Every moment
Every word and thought.
Every thing of value that we claim
We lay at the feet of the King who comes
In humility, in peace, and in Divine Love.
Anthem “Hosanna, Loud Hosanna,” Chancel Choir
First Lesson: Isaiah 50:4-9 Conrad Heidt
Gospel Lesson: Mark 11:1-11 Rev. Anderson
Message: “Everyone Loves a Parade,” Rev. Anderson
*Hymn No. 129 “Lift up Your Heads, O Mighty Gates”
Offertory Invitation/ Offertory/ *Dedication of Gifts
*Doxology Praise God from Whom all blessings flow; praise Him all creatures
here below. Praise Him above ye heavenly host; praise Father, Son, and
Holy Ghost. Amen.
A Time of Prayer Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy
kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give
us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we
forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver
us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the
glory, forever and ever Amen.
Hymn No. 191 “Ride On, Ride On in Majesty!”
*Invitation to Receive Palms
Worshippers will be invited to step up to the front of the church for palms using the center aisle. Worshippers will then depart using the side aisles without returning to their pews./ Closing Voluntary.
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WELCOME TO ALL SHARING TODAY’S MORNING SERVICE IN PERSON AND FACEBOOK LIVESTREAMING You now must have a Facebook account to view our Worship Services live each Sunday and at other times. It is possible to set up a Facebook account and not be engaged in Social Media. An email address is required. Please contact Dan Case, Gary Peters, or Michael Isaacs if you have questions/ need more information.
COFFEE HOUR this morning following our worship service in Fellowship Hall. Coffee, tea, donuts, and other refreshments served.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY AND FELLOWSHIP
Calendar Week March 24 – March 31
Sunday Worship Service 10:00 a.m. – Rev. Linda Anderson
Distribution of Palms/ Sunday School Easter Party & Egg Hunt 10:00 a.m./ Coffee hour 11:00 a.m.
Tuesday Bible Study 10:30 a.m.
Wednesday Exercise 10:30 a.m./ No Choir Rehearsal
Thursday Maundy Thursday Service w/Communion 7:00 p.m.
Friday Good Friday Service 12 noon
Sunday Worship 10:00 a.m. – Rev. Linda Anderson
Easter Service w/ Communion 10:00 a.m./ Continental Breakfast 11:00 a.m.
SERVING YOU IN WORSHIP TODAY
The Rev. Linda Anderson, Interim Minister
Tracy Hoffman, Music Director
John Joanette, Pianist
Conrad Heidt, Liturgist
Dan Case, Council Rep
Jennifer Ruffner, Deacon
PALM SUNDAY marks the beginning of Holy Week and Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. Maundy Thursday Service with communion, March 28, 7: 00 p.m.; Good Friday Service, 12 noon, March 29; and Easter Service, March 31, 10 a.m. with communion. At the close of service, the Easter Cross will be carried outside and set in place in front of the church. Following service, we will gather in Fellowship Hall for a special “Continental Breakfast.” Lilies can be taken after the service. Come share this important week of faith with Jesus Christ and your church family.
YOUTH FLOWER/ PLANT SALE Once again the youth are holding their annual flower sale. The flowers will be coming from Blocks Stand and Greenhouse. Order forms will be available Easter Sunday in the Narthex. Order forms need to be turned in NO LATER than April 24. Orders will be ready for pickup on May 5th before/after worship service. Any questions please contact Candace Poet.
OUR SPRING RUMMAGE SALE set-up begins Monday April 1 in fellowship hall and Monday, April 8 in the west room. Donations will be welcomed Tuesday, April 2- April 30, 12 noon. Donations can be dropped off Monday thru Friday from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Tables are set up with signs indicating where items should be deposited. Household items (kitchenware and small appliances) can be taken to the west room. Your cooperation is appreciated and will help with final sorting and displaying of goods. All donated items should be clean and in a good state of condition and repair. Volunteers are needed Monday April 1 to set up tables and racks and then to begin sorting the donations. Further assistance will be needed Saturday May 4 for cleanup. Please contact the church office (313-291-1221) or Trustee Toni Hill to volunteer. Any time you can share is greatly appreciated.
ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING OFFERING is received during the month of March. You are invited to participate in this UCC Mission Offering which assists our Christian friends world-wide in the development of health and education, disaster and refugee relief. An offering envelope is included in the March Tidings and available in the Narthex. See an Usher for assistance. We also offer the option of making your donation through our electronic giving process. Visit us at www.stpaulucctaylor.org/giving, click on the blue Online Giving button, scroll through the “Donations” listing, select UCC – One Great Hour of Sharing and enter the amount of your donation. Please prayerfully consider your gift to those in need.
LAST DAY TO ORDER YOUR EASTER LILY. White envelopes (found in the pew racks) are due no later than today. Lilies will be displayed in the sanctuary on Easter morning and can be taken after service. Please indicate whom you would like to honor or commemorate. The ‘Lily List’ is published in the Easter morning bulletin and on the church website. $10 each.
2024 FLOWER CHART IS UP IN THE NARTHEX. Altar vases are $20.00 for one vase, $40.00 for two.
Sharing altar flowers is a nice way to honor a loved one or special event.
THE THIRD SUNDAY OF EACH MONTH DESIGNATED AS “MISSION SUNDAY”. Mission/ outreach items will be blessed on the third Sunday of each month. During Mission Sunday, April 21, we will hear from a past UCC disaster relief mission trip volunteer. The UCC Disaster Relief Ministry provides support for individuals and communities impacted by natural disasters such as hurricanes, earthquakes, wildfires and other natural disasters globally. A donation box will be placed in the narthex for anyone interested in donating to this ministry. Please contact Pastor Schalm with any questions.