THE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

Neillsville, Wisconsin

Pastor Jacoba Koppert

Church 715-743-2147

Pastor's Office 715-743-2117

www.uccneillsville.org

April 14, 2019 10:00 a.m.

Palm/Passion Sunday

All who are comfortably able are invited to stand at those

places in the service indicated by an asterisk*

We ask you to please turn off all telephones and

electronic devices.

We Gather to Worship God

PRELUDE Deon Spangler

“Lift Up Your Heads” (Arr. David Paxton)

RINGING OF THE BELL

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

We would like to welcome all of you who have gathered with us today for worship. We come from many places to this time and place. From our varied and hectic lives, we gather in this sacred space, as a community to be challenged, to give thanks and to worship. No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey you are welcome here.

GATHERING MUSIC “They that Wait Upon the Lord”

They that wait upon the Lord, shall renew their strength, they shall mount up on wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. Help us Lord, help us Lord on our way.

PRAYERS OF THE CONGREGATION

CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader: Seek the LORD while God may be found.

People: We are ready to follow Jesus.

Leader: Support one another for the journey to the cross is not easy.

People: Even Jesus faced betrayal, denial, rejections and torment.

Leader: Call on God as you face the challenges of life, even death itself.

People: We remember as Jesus moved toward the cross, he taught and walked in love.

Leader: To him be the Glory!

The Procession of Palms

Children and others in the congregation may parade around the sanctuary singing and waving palms.

*HYMN “All Glory, Laud and Honor”

1.All glory, laud, and honor to you, Redeemer, King,
to whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring.
You are the King of Israel and David's royal Son,

now in the Lord's name coming, the King and Blessed One.

2. The company of angels is praising you on high;
and we with all creation in chorus make reply.
The people of the Hebrews with palms before you went;
our praise and prayer and anthems before you we present.

3.To you before your passion they sang their hymns of praise; to you, now high exalted, our melody we raise.
As you received their praises, accept the prayers we bring,
for you delight in goodness, O good and gracious King!

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

PRAYER OF OUR SAVIOR

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.

INVITATION TO OFFERING

THE OFFERTORY Deon Spangler

“Just A Closer Walk With Thee” (James Denton)

*DOXOLOGY

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;

Praise God, all creatures here below;

Praise God for all that love has done;

Creator, Christ and Spirit One. Amen.

PRAYER OF DEDICATION

THE CHILDREN’S TIME “Holy Week”

The Entry into Jerusalem (Luke 19:28-40)

Readers: Pastor Jacoba Koppert, Paul Vine & Sue Vornholt

Congregational Responses – (Will also be projected on the screen)

Crowd (Youth): ³⁸“Blessed is the One who comes in the name of Our God! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest!”

Pharisees (Adults): “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!”

CHOIR RESPONSE

“Lift High the Palms!” Joseph Martin

The Passion According to St. Luke (Luke 22:14-23:56)

Disciples: “Where do you want us to prepare the Passover?”

Disciples: “No, nothing!” they replied.

Disciples: “Look, Rabbi, here are two swords!”

HYMN “Journey to Gethsemane”

Journey to Gethsemane Go and feel the tempter’s power;

Your Redeemer’s conflict see;

Watch the anguish of this hour;

Do not hide or turn away; Learn from Jesus how to pray.

Disciples: “Rabbi, should we strike them with our swords?”

Soldiers: “Play the prophet! Which one struck you?”

Interrogators: “Tell us, are you the Messiah?”

Interrogators: “So you are God’s Own?”

Interrogators: ⁷¹“What need do we have of witnesses? We have heard it from his own mouth!”

Crowd: “We found this one subverting our nation, opposing the payment of taxes to Caesar and even claiming to be Messiah, a king.”

Crowd: “He stirs up the people wherever he teaches, through the whole of Judea, from Galilee to Jerusalem.”

Crowd: “Take him away! We want Barabbas!”

Crowd: “Crucify him, crucify him!”

HYMN “Journey to Gethsemane”

Follow then to Pilate’s hall, View the Lord of life arraigned; Crowned with thorns and mocked by all, Faithfully this pain sustained. Greater still than shame, or loss; Jesus now must face the cross.

Leaders: “He saved others, let him save himself—if he really is the Messiah of God, the Chosen One!”

HYMN “Journey to Gethsemane”

Calv’ry’s mournful mountain climb; See the Savior lifted high. Mark that miracle of time, God’s own Child is sacrificed; “It is finished!” Jesus cries;

learn from Jesus how to die.

*HYMN “O Sacred Head Now Wounded”

O Sacred head now wounded,

with grief and shame weighed down,

Now scornfully surrounded with thorns your only crown.

How pale you are with anguish, with sore abuse and scorn!

How does your visage languish

which once was bright as morn!

What language shall I borrow to thank you dearest friend;

For this your dying sorrow, you pity without end.

May I be yours forever and though my days be few,

O Savior, let me never out live my love for you!

Silence for reflection

POSTLUDE Deon Spangler

Festival March on” St. Theodulph” (Melchior Teschner)

Going into the World Seeking God’s Presence;

Calling on God’s Name; Proclaiming God’s Love

From Palms to Passion: The Story of Jesus’ Last Days in Jerusalem for Palm/Passion Sunday was written by the Rev. John A. Nelson Copyright 2019 United Church of Christ, Permission granted to reproduce or adapt this material for use in services of worship

or church education. All publishing rights reserved.

Scripture text is reprinted by permission of the publishers from The Inclusive Bible:

Sheed and Ward.

Announcements

We welcome you to this service of worship. We hope you will experience the love of God and your neighbors. You are invited to join us in the Fellowship Hall downstairs for coffee/refreshments and conversation. Whoever you are and where ever you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.

Note: You will find the attendance folders in the pews on the center racks of every pew - please take time to fill out the attendance sheet including your full address and return them to the side aisles, ushers will collect them during the last hymn. Thank you.

Radio Broadcast Sponsors – Today the radio broadcast portion of our worship service is given by Bob and Ruth Schmidt in memory of sister, Joyce Schmidt.

“Silent Auction” Items can be found downstairs …Get your bids in!

Calendar

Monday, April 15 – 6:30-7:30 p.m. Nar-Anon.

Tuesday, April 16- 5:30 p.m. Trustees; 6:30 p.m. Deacons and Deaconesses; 7:30 p.m. Church Council.

Wednesday, April 17- 3:30 p.m. CD’s & Confirmation.

Thursday, April 11 – 1:30 p.m. Circle of Friends meeting.

Today: Deadline to order Easter Lilies – $13 each (make checks out to Falls Florist) Check with Audrey. Take your Easter Lily home with you following Easter Worship service.

Date to Remember

Sunday, April 28 – Silent Auction bidding ENDS; Congregational Quarterly meeting following worship; “Spaghetti Luncheon” Free Will Offering. 3 p.m. Communion served at Neillsville Retirement Community.

Today: Sunday, April 14 – Palm/Passion Sunday – Waving of Palms – Senior Choir singing.

Maundy Thursday, April 18- 7 p.m. Maundy Thursday Service; the Last Supper will be served.

Good Friday, April 19 - 7 p.m. Good Friday service at Calvary; Neillsville Ministerial Alliance Service; Youth Minister from Living Hope preaching; Ecumenical Choir singing; (Practice prior to the service.)

Easter Sunday, April 21 – 10 a.m. Easter Sunday Service; Communion (Intinction) Senior Choir singing; NO Sunday School or Fellowship/Coffee Hour.

General Synod 32 June 21-25 - 20

Check out the back side of this page – Volunteers are needed to help out at the General Synod. This would be a great opportunity to learn about the UCC and see our diversity. If you have any questions – contact Sue Vornholt 715-797-4031. If you need help in registering on-line, she will help you out.

Also check out the flyer on the bulletin board for the opportunity to go to the General Synod by bus for only $20.00.