THE GATHERING

Palm Sunday
April 2, 2023

Welcome

Welcome/Opening Prayer

Song

Worship

Creed

Song

Song

Prayer

Teaching

Scripture Reading : Matthew 21:1-11

When they had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, just say this, ‘The Lord needs them.’ And he will send them immediately.” This took place to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet:

“Tell the daughter of Zion,
Look, your king is coming to you,
humble and mounted on a donkey,
and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”

The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; they brought the donkey and the colt and put their cloaks on them, and he sat on them. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting,

“Hosanna to the Son of David!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, “Who is this?” The crowds were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.”

Sermon

“The King is Here”

Song

Communion

Invitation, Confession, Pardon and Peace

Prayer of Confession

L: We have not believed you or trusted in your power.
ALL: Lord, help our unbelief.
L: We have stained our souls by our action and inaction.
ALL: Cleanse us, Lord.
L: We are broken by disease, bruised by the sins of others, weakened and unable to repair ourselves.
ALL: Heal us, Lord.
L: We ignore your call to center our lives in you, and so are deaf to the hopes and cries of the poor, the sick, the needy, and the earth.
ALL: Ground us, Lord!
L: When we confess our sinful ways, God abundantly pardons.
In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven.
ALL: In the name of Jesus Christ, we are all forgiven. Glory to God!

L: The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be always with you!
ALL: And also with you.

The Great Thanksgiving

L: The Lord be with you.
ALL: And also with you.

L: Lift up your hearts.
ALL: We lift them to you, Lord.

L: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
ALL: It is right to praise you, Lord.

L: It is right, and a good and joyful thing,
Always and everywhere to give thanks to you,
Holy Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
From the rising of the sun to its setting
your name is praised among all peoples.

Therefore we praise you,
joining our voices with your people on earth
and all the company of heaven
who for ever sing this hymn to the glory of your name:

ALL: Holy, holy, holy, Lord,
God of power and might
Heaven and earth are full…
Full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest!
Hosanna in the highest!
Blessed is the One who comes
In the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest!
Hosanna in the highest!

L: You are holy, Almighty One!
Blessed are you, Jesus Christ!
In the power of the Spirit
you created all things, blessed them, and called them good.
You called to yourself a people
To make your mercy and truth known in all the world.
We betrayed your calling;
ALL: You were faithful.
L: We wandered from the way;
ALL: You called us to return, and led us home.

L: And still we turned from your ways,
abused your creatures,
and made ourselves slaves to sin and death.

At the right time
you came and dwelt among us,
as one of us,
bringing good news to the poor,
healing the sick, raising the dead,
sharing table with the unrighteous,
and teaching the way that leads to life.

By your incarnation, life, suffering, execution and resurrection
You gave birth to your church,
delivered us from slavery
and made a new covenant with us
by water and the Spirit.

On the night of your betrayal, Lord Jesus,
you took bread, blessed it, broke it, gave it to your disciples and said,
“This is my body which is given for you.
Do this in remembrance of me.”
You did the same with the cup after the supper, saying,
“This cup that is poured out is the new covenant in my blood.”

Blessed Trinity, in remembrance of all you have done to save us,
we offer ourselves to you in praise and thanksgiving
as a holy and living sacrifice, in union with Christ’s offering for us,
as we sing (proclaim) the mystery of our faith:

ALL:
Christ has come among us. Christ has died.
Christ has risen. Christ abides with us.
Christ will come again.

L: Pour out your Spirit on us
Pour out your Spirit on these gifts
Make these gifts the body and blood of Christ
ALL: Make us, through them, Christ’s body alive in the world.

L: We thank you, Father!
ALL: Let Your Kingdom come.

L: Come, Lord Jesus!
ALL: Be our daily bread.

L: Holy Spirit!
ALL: Send us to the world.

L: Holy, Blessed Trinity!
ALL: One God forever and ever! Amen.

Tithes and Offerings

Communion

Communion Prayer

Closing

Announcements

Benediction

Song

Easter Love Offering
During the Season of Lent, we ask for a special Easter Love Offering. This year we will be using these funds to help build a home through the Urban Ministry WE Build program. We have a sponsor willing to match any donations, dollar-for-dollar, up to $25,000. Our goal is to raise 100% of that amount. To make a donation, please write “Easter Love Offering” in the memo line of your check and place it in the offering plate or bring it by the church office. The Easter Love Offering is sponsored by the BPUMC United Appeal Fund.

Stations of the Cross
The Stations of the Cross, also known as “The Way of Sorrows” recreates the journey of Jesus carrying his cross through the Via Dolorosa, the streets through Jerusalem to Calvary. In our Sanctuary the stations are permanently affixed to the walls, and we remember his life also through the stained glass windows. During Holy Week we will have times for self-guided prayer and tour of the Stations. An illustrated outline with instructions and liturgy will be provided, and you can come and experience the Stations as you desire during the times provided. The Sanctuary will be open from 4-6pm on April 5th and from 6-8pm on April 6th and 7th. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Pastor Kevin.

Church-Wide BBQ, Bake Sale, and Plant Sale
Friday, April 14th 5-7pm and Saturday, April 15th 10am-3pm. One ticket ($10.00) will get two sandwiches, a bag of chips and a drink OR one pound of chopped BBQ. Whole Boston Butts must be ordered in advance and prepaid. Butts cost 4 tickets/each or $40. To reserve a Boston Butt call the church office or visit the reservation table in the Narthex on Sunday mornings. Friday Drive Thru will take place at the Fellowship Hall Portico. Saturday Drive Thru in the church parking lot. There will also be a Bake Sale and Plant Sale on Saturday.

Rise Against Hunger
Mark your calendars for April 16th and 17th to register for a 2-hour “Meal Packing Event” at Vestavia Hills Methodist Church. Register online at:
BluffParkUMC.org/rise

Volunteer Opportunities
We have a number of important volunteer opportunities here at the church. If you would like to see the options and get involved, visit the Serve Our Church page on our website. If you have any questions contact volunteer@bpumc.org.

Thank you for supporting the ministry and mission of our church family! Click the link below to give online safely and secure through Realm

We would love to pray you. Submit a prayer request below and our team with be praying for you. You can also pray for other needs posted below.

Prayer List:

Jennie Alley, Linda Phillips, The Family of Billie Crain, Libby Godwin and Baby, Wayne Williams and Family, The Family of Dot Watterson, Olivia Howard, Pam McDonald, Gail Cooch, The Family of Jamie Howell, The Family of Geneva Myers, Nathan and Amy Pearman, Paula Hardy and Family, The Family of Betty Knowles, The Family of Michele Cahoon, The Family of Bennie Huguley, James Howard, The Family of Bill and Peggy Fields, The Family of Joe Thomas, Sue Pearson, The Family of Odessa Harbor, Bill Cooch, Nathan and Alice Chase, Rosemary Hill, The Family of Frances Bellows, Glen McGarity and his family, Sylvia Harper and the family of Horace Pate, Marjorie Dulin, Joe Black and his family, The Family of Diane Broome, Sandra Morgan and her family, Carol Westbrook and Elizabeth Davis and their family, Sheree Beavers and her family, Jennifer Johnston, Ann Bice, The family of Patricia Shanlever, The people of Ukraine, Pan Cahoon, Mark and Becky Blankenship, Matt and Pat Reeder, Barbara Wilson, Betsy Delionback, Catherine Hallmark, Ann Gilliland, Lisa Avant, Mildred Stokes, Pam Parker, Gayle Pierce, Joan Cook, Kandis Scudder, Jim Ketchersid, Juanita Knight, Myra Gray, Maya Wright, David Walker, Roxie and Larry Langham, Pauline Hendricks, Charlotte Word, John McCrary, Connie Steele.

Prayers for Our World:

Lord, we pray for the Mississippi and Alabama communities devastated by last week’s exceptionally strong tornados. We especially lift up the people of Rolling Fork, Silver City, and Amory and pray for those who are injured, and those who have lost loved ones, their livelihoods, and their homes. Be with them and their neighbors as they reorient their lives and with the many responders who will assist in the long recovery process.

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