Call to Worship – April 9, 2017 (Palm Sunday)

After a carefully prepared processional, Jesus rode into Jerusalem in triumph. “Hosanna!” the crowd shouted. “Praise now! Hosanna in the highest!” As wise and insightful as Jesus was, he knew exactly what was coming, but he savored the Palm Sunday parade. He wanted all his followers who were there on that first Palm Sunday to remember how glorious it was. Then, when they looked back on it, they could record it in all its splendor. Let us worship the God who inspired Jesus to face what lay ahead of him, trusting in God’s ultimate purposes, whatever they might be.

 

Pastoral Prayer

 

            All praise be to Thee, Thou gracious and loving God. Thy grace and love permeate every moment of every day of our lives, and for that we give Thee our deepest thanks. Help us to reflect Thy gracious and loving purposes in how we choose to live our lives, so that we may become bright beacons of Thy light in the world. Though we are unworthy of Thine unceasing care, we ask Thee to make us ever more devoted to Thee and to Thy kingdom, and thus may we become more worthy as Thy daughters and sons.

 

            Once again we turn to Thee in concern for the people of Syria, especially for innocent children and adults who are caught in the crossfire of bitterly conflicting political, cultural, and religious positions. We pray for Thy spirit to enter those whose decisions regarding this war carry the most influence, especially for the President of the United States of America, the President of Syria, and the President of Russia. We pray also for other civilians involved in other wars which are less likely to make it into our media headlines, but which are no less deadly . O God of love, O King of peace; make wars throughout the world to cease. In order for that to happen, therefore we ask Thee to make all of us instruments of Thy peace.

 

            As we begin the holiest week of the Christian year, we remember Jesus: how he lived his life, how his selfless devotion to Thee became an inspiration to countless millions of people for the past two thousand years, and how he courageously faced his enemies during the last few history-filled days of his life. Make us brave Christian disciples, who refuse to back down or give in or hold back when we, like Jesus, are confronted by evil and hatred. May love glow in our hearts, so that it also may glow in the world around us. We ask all these prayers in Jesus’ name, whose deathless example has led us into a deathless life. Now we join together in the prayer Jesus taught us, saying, Our Father….