Introit:                    

Lift Up Your Heads

Words: Psalm 24:7-10
Music: Giovanni Gabrieli, 1557-1612
Sanctuary Choir, Brass, Organ, and Percussion

Words: Psalm 24:7-10

Music: Givanni Gabrieli, 1557-1612

Call to Worship

People of Hope, we come on this Palm Sunday to praise our God:

The One who calls us beloved;
Who meets us on our Holy Week journey;
And who teaches us how to live together in the middle.

So rise, Cathedral, in body or spirit. Give glory to our God!

**Processional Hymn:

All Glory, Laud and Honor

All glory, laud and honor to you, O Christ, we sing,
to whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring!

You are the King of Israel and David’s royal Son,
Now in our God’s name coming, the King and blessed One.

All glory, laud and honor to you, O Christ, we sing,
to whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring!

The multitude of pilgrims with palms before you went;
our praise and prayer and anthems before you we present.

All glory, laud and honor to you, O Christ, we sing,
to whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring!

Words: Theodulf, Bishop of Orléans, c. 820; translated by J.M. Neale, 1854

Music: Melchior Teschner, 1613

** Processional Gospel:

Matthew 21:1-11

One: Blessed is the One who comes in the name of our God!

All: Hosanna in the highest!

One: The Holy Gospel according to Matthew.

All: Glory to You, O God.

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 they will send them immediately.”

This took place to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet, saying, “Tell the daughter of Zion, Look, your Sovereign 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 Jesus 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 Jesus 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 Jesus 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.”

One: This is the Gospel of Christ.

All: Praise to Christ, the Word. 

**Hymn:

All Glory, Laud and Honor

All glory, laud and honor to you, O Christ, we sing,
to whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring!

As you received their praises, receive our prayers today,
whose justice and whose mercy and sov’reignty hold sway.

All glory, laud and honor to you, O Christ, we sing,
to whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring!

Welcome and Life of the Church

**Sharing of the Peace

Modern Lesson

Our Modern Lesson is from our Lenten Study Book Good Enough, by Kate Bowler and Jessica Richie. Hear these words:

Liminality is also a place where we are not yet settled. Not yet solidified. Exposed is one way to put it. But also open to something new. So, let’s take a minute here, in the in-between. Sometimes when we feel lost, floating outside of what we know, who we wanted to be and where we wanted to be, it’s tempting to feel small and wonder… maybe.

Maybe I should just shut this down a bit. Maybe no one needs to hear from me. Maybe that’s enough for now. 

So, my loves, bless you if you are there, in that place that is in-between. In-between can be an awfully lonely place. In transition, exposed, that place of waiting and vulnerability. A place that doesn’t fit anyone’s idea of normal because there aren’t words for it and it isn’t there yet. Instead of trying to escape it, let us settle there for the moment. Knowing and trusting we aren’t alone. We’re in this strange middle place… together. 



May God bless the hearing of these new words. Amen.

Gradual

Word of God, Speak

Choir:          Holy Spirit lead me to the wilderness,
beyond the music, beyond the noise.
All that I need is to be with you
and in the stillness to hear your voice.

All:                Word of God, speak, would you pour down like rain,
washing my eyes to see your majesty,
to be still and know that you’re in this place?
Please let me stay and rest in your holiness.
Word of God, speak.

**Word of God, speak, would you pour down like rain,
washing my eyes to see your majesty,
to be still and know that you’re in this place?
Please let me stay and rest in your holiness.
Word of God, speak. Word of God, speak.
Word of God, speak.

Words and Music: Peter Kipley and Bart Millard
©2002 Simpleville Music/Wordspring Music, LLC/Songs from the Indigo Room

**Scripture Lesson: Acts 1:4-8 The Message, edited 

One: Our Scripture Lesson is from the First Chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, as paraphrased in The Message. Hear these words:

As they met and ate meals together, Jesus told them that they were on no account to leave Jerusalem but “must wait for what God promised: the promise you heard from me. John baptized in water, you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit. And soon.” When they were together for the last time they asked, “Jesus, are you going to restore the kin-dom to Israel now? Is this time?” 

Jesus told them, “You don’t get to know the time. Timing is God’s business. What you’ll get is the Holy Spirit. And when the Holy Spirit comes on you, you will be able to be my witness in Jerusalem, all over Judea and Samaria, even to the ends of the world.” 

One: This is the Word of God for the People of God.

All: Thanks be to God. Amen. 

**Scripture Response                

Word of God, Speak 

Word of God, speak, would you pour down like rain,
washing my eyes to see your majesty,
to be still and know that you’re in this place?
Please let me stay and rest in your holiness.
Word of God, speak. Word of God, speak.
Word of God, speak.

Sermon        

In-between

Offering Call                                                                                   

Offertory

At the Name of Jesus

Words adapted from Philippians 2:6-11
Music by Cindy Berry

Sanctuary Choir and Orchestra

Jesus, though he was God, did not cling to his rights as God,
but laid aside his mighty power, his mighty power and glory,
Taking the form of a servant, and becoming like us.

He humbled himself, he humbled himself
and became obedient unto death, even death on the cross.

At the name of Jesus, at the name of Jesus,
every knee shall bow in heaven and in earth.

That every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord!
At the name of Jesus! At the name of Jesus!

Words based on Philippians 2:6-11

Music: Cindy Berry

© 1985 Fourth Day Publishing/Word Music

The Great Thanksgiving for Lent          

Sursum Corda

One: God be with you

All:    And also with you.

One: Lift up your hearts.

All:    We lift them up to God.

One:  Let us give thanks and praise to God.

All:    It is right to give God thanks and praise.

One:  Our hearts overflow with love for you, God of the ages.

When there was no time, you crafted day and night.

When we turned away from you, you remembered the promises you made to Noah, Sarah, Josep, and Hannah, and sent the prophets to remind us of your covenant and to point the way to your heart.

When we continued to ignore the prophets’ words, you sent Jesus to be with us, to set us free from the bonds we created for ourselves.

So, we life our voices with those who waited patiently and with those who saw the fulfillment of your promises, joining the choirs of heaven and earth to forever sing your praise:

Words of Institution 

Faithful and holy are you, Creator of all, and blessed is Jesus the Christ.

When he could have stayed at your side, Jesus came to be Emmanuel, God-with-us.

When he could have feasted on power, Jesus came to prepare a Table for us where our broken lives might be made whole.

When he could have had the angels wait on him, Jesus came to offer us your grace, enduring death on the cross so we could have life eternal.

On the night in which he was betrayed…. When we eat of this bread, and drink from this cup, we remember the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, as we proclaim the mystery of our faith:



Prayer of Consecration  

Let us pray.

Pour out your Spirit on this bread and this cup, gifts of your creation.

As we are filled with the Bread of Life, may we never cease to feed the hungry of our world.

As we are nurtured by compassion’s cup, may we take the lost, last and least by the hand, walking together into the realm you have prepared for all.

As we gather around the Table with your beloved children of every time and place, may we join our voices with theirs, praising you,

God of the priests and the prophets, God of the apostles and martyrs, God of our mothers and our fathers, God of our children to all generations.

Words: adapted by Marcia Pruner © The Church Pension Fund
Music: American Folk Tune, The Sacred Harp, 1844

Invitation

Music during Communion 

Just as I Am

Just as I am, without one plea but that thy love was shown to me,
and that thou bidd’st me come to thee, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, thy love unknown has broken every barrier down;

now to be thine, yea, thine alone, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

I come broken to be mended, I come wounded to be healed.
I come desperate to be rescued, I come empty to be filled.
I come guilty to be pardoned through the love of Christ, the Lamb.
And I’m welcomed with open arms, praise God, just as I am.

Just as I am, I would be lost, but mercy and grace my freedom bought.
And now, to glory in the cross, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

I come broken to be mended, I come wounded to be healed.
I come desperate to be rescued, I come empty to be filled.
I come guilty to be pardoned through the love of Christ, the Lamb.
And I’m welcomed with open arms, praise God, just as I am.

Words and Music: Charlotte Elliot, David Moffitt, Sue C. Smith, 
Travis Cottrell, and William B. Bradbury
© 2009 Universal Music – Brentwood Benson Publishing/First Hand Revelation Music/
CCTB Music

Just a Closer Walk with Thee

I am weak but thou art strong; Jesus, keep me from all wrong.
I’ll be satisfied as long as I walk, let me walk close to thee.

Just a closer walk with thee, grant it, Jesus, is my plea.
Daily walking close to thee, let it be, dear Lord, let it be.

Through this world of toil and snares, if I falter, Lord, who cares?
Who with me my burden shares? None but thee, dear Lord, none but thee.

Just a closer walk with thee, grant it, Jesus, is my plea.
Daily walking close to thee, let it be, dear Lord, let it be.

Words and Music: Anonymous
Traditional North American Hymn

You Are My All in All

You are my strength when I am weak, 
You are the treasure that I seek, you are my all in all.
Seeking you as a precious jewel, Lord, to give up I’d be a fool, 
you are my all in all.

Jesus, Lamb of God, worthy is your name. 
Jesus, Lamb of God, worthy is your name.

Taking my sin, my cross, my shame, 
Rising again I bless your name. You are my all in all.
When I fall down, you pick me up; When I am dry, you fill my cup. 
You are my all in all!

**Jesus, Lamb of God, worthy is your name. 
Jesus, Lamb of God, worthy is your name.

Words and Music: Dennis L. Jernigan
© 1990 Shepherd’s Heart Music, Inc./PraiseCharts.com

**Prayer of Thanksgiving

**Recessional:          

Lift High the Cross

Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim;
Let all adore and praise that sacred name.

Come, Christians follow where our Savior trod,
the Lamb victorious, Christ, the Child of God.

Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim;
Let all adore and praise that sacred name.

O Christ, once lifted on that glorious tree,
your death has brought us life eternally.

Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim;
Let all adore and praise that sacred name.

So shall our song of triumph ever be:
praise to the crucified for victory.

Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim;
Let all adore and praise that sacred name.

Words: George William Kitchin, 1887; alt. M.R. Newbolt

Music: Sydney H. Nicholson, 1916

OneLicense.net License #A-705445 / CCLI License #12333

**Benediction 

Postlude for Dismissal