Order Your Easter Plants 
First Congregational Church
March 16, 2008 – 8:45 A.M.
Service of Worship for Palm-Passion Sunday
THE LITURGY OF THE PALMS (In the Atrium)
Greeting Rev. Samuel Schaal
Liturgist: Hosanna to the Son of David, the King of Israel.
People: Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
All: Hosanna in the highest!
Collect and Thanksgiving Over the Palms Rev. Steven Peay, Ph.D.
Minister: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Minister: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
The Proclamation of the Triumphal Entry Matthew 21:1-11
Rev. Robert J. Brink
Processional Hymn All Glory, Laud, and Honor Hymn 178
All glory, laud, and honor to thee, Redeemer, King,
To whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring!
The people of the Hebrews with palms before Thee went;
Our praise and prayer and anthems before Thee we present.
Thou art the King of Israel, Thou David’s royal son,
Who in the Lord’s name comest, the King and Blessed One;
To Thee, before Thy passion they sang their hymns of praise;
To Thee, now high exalted, our melody we raise.
Thou didst accept their praises; accept the prayers we bring,
Who in all good delightest, thou good and gracious King.
All glory, laud, and honor to thee, Redeemer, King,
To whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring! Amen.
THE LITURGY OF THE PASSION
*The Prayer for Illumination and the Lord’s Prayer (unison)
God our Redeemer, you sent your Son to be born of a woman and to die for us on a cross; By your Holy Spirit, illumine our lives with your Word so, as the Scripture is read and proclaimed this day, we may be reconciled and won wholly to your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord who taught us to pray:
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.
*Ascription of Glory Be Thou, O God, Exalted High Hymn 560
Be Thou, O God, exalted high; And as Thy glory fills the sky,
So let it be on earth displayed, Till thou art here, as there, obeyed.
The Anthem Hosanna We Sing Bailey/Mayo
Combined Junior and Cherub Choirs
directed by Roxanne Trump-Miles & Michelle Russ
The Old Testament Lesson Isaiah 50:4-9a Bible, page 667 [RB]
The Invitation to Sunday School [RB]
*Hymn 189 Before the Cross of Jesus
[Children are dismissed to Sunday School during the singing of the hymn.]
The Responsive Psalm Psalm 57 Hymnal , no. 638
The New Testament Lesson Philippians 2:5-11 Bible, page 1069
The Gospel Lesson Matthew 26:14-27:66
Matthew 26:14-29 Jesus institutes the Lord’s Supper Samuel Schaal
Congregational Response My Song Is Love Unknown Hymn 329, verse 1
Matthew 26:30-35 Peter’s denial is foretold Cindy Payette
Congregational Response My Song is Love Unknown Hymn 329 verse 2
Matthew 26:36-56 Jesus in Gethsemane Chris Fink
Congregational Response My Song is Love Unknown Hymn 329, verse 3
Matthew 26:57-68 Jesus before Caiaphus David Moore
Congregational Response Ah, Holy Jesus Hymn 193, verse 1
Matthew 26:69-75 Peter denies Jesus Charlotte Baptie
Congregational Response Ah, Holy Jesus Hymn 193, verse 2
Matthew 27:1-10 Jesus is delivered to Pilate and Judas dies Daniel Miles
Congregational Response Ah, Holy Jesus Hymn 193, verse 3
Matthew 27:11-26 Jesus before Pilate; the release of Barabbas Ari Russ
Congregational Response O Sacred Head Hymn 183, verse 1
Matthew 27:27-31 Jesus is mocked Julie Peay
Congregational Response O Sacred Head Hymn 183, verse 2
Matthew 27:32-55 The crucifixion and death of Jesus Steven Peay
Congregational Response When I Survey Hymn 170, verse 1
Matthew 27:57-61 The tomb is sealed and guarded Julie Peay
Congregational Response When I Survey Hymn 170, verse 2
Pastoral Reflection “The Crux of the Matter” Dr. Peay
*Hymn 170 When I Survey the Wondrous Cross verses 3 & 4
The Call to Prayer and Silent Meditation
The Prayer of Minister and People
The Choral Response
The Offertory
The Anthem Behold the King Martin
*THE Response We Give Thee But Thine Own Hymn 428, verse 1
We give Thee but Thine own, What e’er the gift may be:
All that we have is Thine alone, A trust, O Lord, from Thee. Amen
*PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING AND DEDICATION
THE SENDING FORTH OF THE CHURCH
*Hymn 388 Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart
*Charge and Benediction
*Postlude Theme and Variations on Marion
The Palms are dedicated to the understanding of this day and what it means to our lives in Christ.
Holy Week Services
Maundy Thursday 10 A.M. in the Chapel 7 P.M. in the Nave
Good Friday Tenebrae Service 7 P.M. in the Nave
Holy Saturday Easter Vigil begins at 7 P.M. at TRINITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH concludes here at FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
Worship Preview for Easter Sunday, March 23, 8:45 A.M.
Dr. Peay’s sermon is entitled: “Easter: The Prevalence of UP!”
Thomas Gregory is the organist.
Lee Jacobi directs the Combined Choir at 8:45.
Order Your Easter Plants
Bring springtime into your church and home.
Plants will decorate the Nave for Easter services on March 23 and may be taken home after the 11:00 service. Return this form to the office with your check for $15.00 for each plant ordered, by TODAY.
Tulips_____ Daffodils_____Lillies_____Hyacinths_____Total $______
Given by _____________________________________________________________
In Memory of
_____________________________________________________________
In Honor of
_____________________________________________________________
Check here if you’d like your flowers delivered to member shut-ins._______