First Congregational Church
April 5, 2008 – 10:00 A.M.
Service of Worship for Palm-Passion Sunday

THE LITURGY OF THE PALMS (In the Atrium)

GREETING Julie Peay

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 A. 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 Rev. Robert J. Brink Mark 11:1-11

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.

*THE RESPONSE Teach Me, O Lord, the Way of Thy Statutes

Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes, And I shall keep it unto the end.

The Old Testament Lesson Isaiah 50:4-9a Bible, page 667 Children’s Bible, page 1035

The Anthem Hosanna Sleeth
Junior Choir, directed by Roxanne Trump-Miles

*HYMN 170 When I Survey the Wondrous Cross verses 1 & 2
[Children ages 4 to 8th grade are invited to go to Sunday School during the singing of the hymn.]

The New Testament Lesson (unison) James Santelle
Philippians 2:5-11 Bible, page 1069

The Gospel Lesson Mark 14:1-15:47 Bible, page 926 Children’s Bible, page 1449

*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 A King Came Riding By Wagner

*The Response We Give Thee But Thine Own Hymn 438, 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.

THE LITURGY OF THE LORD’S TABLE

INVITATION TO THE TABLE
Jesus said: I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

THE GREAT THANKSGIVING PRAYER

[The Ministers then offer prayer after “to the glory of your name” we all say:]

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

[The Ministers then continue the prayer.]

THE COMMUNION

THE PRAYER FOLLOWING COMMUNION

THE SENDING FORTH OF THE CHURCH

*HYMN 537 Lift High the Cross

*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

*POSTULDE Les Rameaux J. B. Faure

*Indicates where the congregation is asked to stand.

The Palms this Sunday are dedicated to the expectation of the coming Glory of the Christ
and as a symbol of our Congregational Spirit.

Worship Preview for Easter Sunday, April 12, 8:00 & 10:00 A.M.

Dr. Peay’s sermon is entitled “Looking for Life on Earth.”
Thomas Gregory is the organist.
Lee Jacobi directs the Choir of First Church.