ORDER OF WORSHIP - APRIL 13, 2025
- John T. Redman, CRE
- Apr 9
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 15
ORDER OF WORSHIP
APRIL 13, 2025 10:30 AM
SIXTH SUNDAY OF LENT - PALM SUNDAY
**Kindly stand if you are able
PRELUDE Mary Lee Farris, Organ
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
EXTNGUISHING LENTEN CANDLES 1 – 6
CALL TO WORSHIP (Adapted from Psalm 118)
Leader O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever!
People: Let Israel say, “His steadfast love endures forever.”
Leader: Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the LORD.
People: This is the gate of the LORD; the righteous shall enter through it.
Leader: I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation.
People: The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.
Leader: This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.
People: This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Leader: With branches in your hands, start the festival and march around the altar
ALL: Give Thanks to the Lord, because he is good, and his love is eternal.
INVOCATION
O God, your messiah draws near. We have cut the palm branches; we have spread our coats over the muddy road all to welcome his coming. Shall we shout Hosanna with the crowd? Or if we remain utterly speechless as he passes by, if we stand by the road in timid silence, let the very stones beneath our feet cry out:” Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.” Amen.
**OPENING HYMN “Where Cross the Crowded Ways of LIfe“ Red #433
CALL TO CONFESSION
As we enter into the holiest week of our church year, we freely admit our sins and shortcomings, even as we seek a closer understanding of our world and our place within it. Let us come together in prayer.
PRAYER FOR UNDERSTANDING
Eternal God of mercy hear us. Every day we awake to the life you give us, yet we fail to be thankful for the rest we have received. Time waits for our decision to serve you, yet that time passes by as we think only of ourselves. Our lives afford us the chance to minister to others, yet we are absorbed with our own self-improvement. The day is soon passed, and it has been much the same as others. Forgive us for casting aside the precious time you have given.
(a moment for silent personal confession)
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
My sisters and brothers in faith, believe the message of the Gospels. By the grace of God and the Love of Jesus, we are forgiven.
**GLORIA PATRI (Avery & Marsh, back cover of the Red Hymnal)
**PASSING OF THE PEACE
**AFFIRMATION OF FAITH -- Apostle’s Creed (Traditional)
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of the Virgin Mary, Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into hell; The third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; The Holy catholic Church, the Communion of Saints; The Forgiveness of sins; The
Resurrection of the body, And the Life everlasting. Amen.
**HYMN OF PRAISE “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name” Red #95
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
Draw us close, Holy Spirit, as the Scriptures are read, and the Word is proclaimed. Let the word of faith be on our lips and in our hearts, and let all other words slip away. May there be one voice we hear today — the voice of truth and grace. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
OLD TESTAMENT READING Psalm 31: 9-16 Rob Ferguson
GOSPEL READING: Luke 19: 28-40
SERMON MESSAGE Contrasts and Questions John Redman, CRE
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE CHURCH
And Lord we pray for those in our own hearts whose names you already know, for their own healing and comfort, in your name and that of our redeemer Jesus Christ, who taught to pray, saying:
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 and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS:
Let us all consider what we have been blessed with and how we can best share it with those in greater need, even as we gift our church for its greater work to the Glory of God and the undying love of Jesus.
OFFERTORY “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross”
**DOXOLOGY Traditional
** PRAYER OF THANKS
Gracious God, accept our gifts that they may be used wisely in your service for those who hunger, or thirst, or merely seek a greater understanding of your love. This we gratefully pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
HYMN OF PARTING “Ride On, Ride On in Majesty” Red #205
BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE “All Glory Laud and Honor”
Mary Lee Farris, Piano
Candles in Our Worship Service: A bit of History: The seven-light candelabra are symbolic of the seven days of the week, meaning we ‘worship’ God every day, not just on Sunday. The two altar candles symbolize that Jesus is both God and Man, and the Christ candle is symbolic of Christ being the Light of the World.
The Christ candle is lit first and extinguished last. The ushers leave its light with the other candles during worship, and when extinguished after worship, the ushers carry the light out into the world.
The reason the Christ candle is larger and placed by the pulpit, is that in the past, it also provided light for reading!
Blessings! JTR |
John Redman, CRE
Mobile: (914) 474-0722
Union Church
44 Balmville Rd, Newburgh NY 12550
Phone: (845) 562-0954
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