First Presbyterian Church Founded 1835 Corner of Jefferson and Clinton Streets Marianna, Florida (850) 5262430 website: www.firstpresmarianna.org EMail: firstpresmarianna@earthlink.net THE SIXTH SUNDAY IN LENT A CELEBRATION FOR PALM SUNDAY SUNDAY, APRIL 1, 2007 11:00 A.M. THE CHURCH GATHERS . . . PRELUDE With the first notes of the organ please silently prepare yourself for worship. CHIMING OF THE HOUR WELCOME AND SHARING OF COMMUNITY LIFE INTROIT “Beneath the Cross of Jesus” Words by Elizabeth C. Clephane. Music by Frederick C. Maker PROCESSIONAL OF PALMS BY THE CHILDREN OF THE CHURCH * CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: Come, let us continue our journey of Lent, Unison: that leads us to stand beneath the cross of Jesus. Leader: Come, let us remember the way in which our journey of Lent concludes, Unison: with all of the mixture of events that we remember during Holy Week: Leader: The cries of “Hosanna, Blessed is King who comes in the name of Lord,” Unison: that turn so quickly to, “Crucify Him, Away with this man!” Leader: Come, let us remember what it means to sing, “All Glory, Laud and Honor,” Unison: to Jesus who died on the cross for us. * HYMN OF PRAISE FOR PALM SUNDAY No. 88 Valet Will Ich Dir Geben “All Glory, Laud and Honor” CALL TO CONFESSION UNISON PRAYER OF CONFESSION This day again, O God, we remember how Jesus wept over the city of Jerusalem because the people there refused your ways of peace. How many tears must Jesus have shed over the years, and still today, because people have not been ready to accept your ways of peace. In Jesus Christ and his death for us on the cross you have shown us most clearly your ways of love and of peace. Yet we continue to reject your ways of peace. We prefer ways of hatred and indifference rather than your ways of love. We choose ways of trying to get even rather than your ways of forgiveness. We see peace as something for which we have to strive rather than as a gift to be accepted. Forgive us, we pray. Bring us again to stand before the cross of Jesus. Help us there to see your ways of peace, and strengthen us to walk in them. PERSONAL PRAYERS OF CONFESSION IN SILENCE SUNG RESPONSE SEEKING GOD’S FORGIVENESS Hamburg When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of glory died, My richest gain I count but loss, And pour contempt on all my pride. THE ASSURANCE OF PARDON * THE SUNG RESPONSE OF ASSURANCE Hamburg Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast, save in the death of Christ my God; All the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to His blood. TO HEAR AND REFLECT ON GOD’S WORD . . . A TIME WITH OUR CHILDREN Suzanne Owens (Children age 5 and under are excused to go downstairs after Children’s Time) JESUS LAMENTS OVER JERUSALEM Luke 13:31-35 The Response: Leader: This is the Word of the Lord People: Thanks be to God ANTHEM: “The Holy City” Words by F.E.Weatherly Music by Stephen Adams, arranged by Ellen J. Lorenz JESUS WEEPS OVER JERUSALEM Luke 19:29-44 The Response: Leader: This is the Word of the Lord People: Thanks be to God SERMON “THE CROSS OF JESUS: THE PLACE OF PEACE” Dr. Christopher TO RESPOND TO GOD’S WORD . . . * THE AFFIRMATION OF FAITH: from the Confession of 1967 of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) To be reconciled and at peace with God is to be sent into the world as part of his reconciling community. This community, the church universal, is entrusted with God’s message of peace and reconciliation and shares God’s labor of healing the enmities which separate people from God and from each other. The life, death, resurrection, and promised coming of Jesus Christ has set the pattern for the church’s mission. His life as a human being involves the church in the common life of all people. His service to human beings commits the church to work for every form of human well-being. His suffering makes the church sensitive to all of the sufferings of human beings so that it sees the face of Christ in the faces of all people in every kind of need. His crucifixion discloses to the church God’s judgment on human inhumanity to one another, and the awful consequences of its own complicity in injustice. In the power of the risen Christ and the hope of his coming, the church sees the promise of God’s renewal of human life in society, and of God’s victory over all wrong. * HYMN OF RESPONSE FOR PALM SUNDAY No. 89 Ellacombe “Hosanna, Loud Hosanna” THE PRESENTATION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS THE OFFERTORY * THE OFFERTORY RESPONSE FOR LENT Hamburg Were the whole realm of nature mine that were an offering far too small; Love so amazing so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all. TO CELEBRATE THE LORD’S SUPPER . . . * INVITATION TO THE LORD’S TABLE * THE PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING Leader: The Lord be with you. People: And also with you. Leader: Lift up your hearts. People: We lift them to the Lord. Leader: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. People: It is right to give our thanks and praise. Leader: It is indeed right, and our duty and delight that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to you.... joining our voices in their unending praise, saying, Unison: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of Power and Might: The whole earth is full of your glory. Hosanna in the Highest. Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. Leader: All glory and blessings are yours.... as we proclaim the assurance of our faith: Unison: Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ will come again. Leader: Gracious God, by your Holy Spirit bless us and these your gifts ...we pray with confidence as Jesus has taught us, Unison: Our Father who art in heaven... (The Lord’s Prayer, Presbyterian Hymnal, page 16 traditional, using debts and debtors) COMMUNION OF THE PEOPLE (Please hold the elements until all have been served.) PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION AND SUPPLICATION TOGOOUTANDSERVE . . . * HYMN OF CELEBRATION FOR PALM SUNDAY St. Gertrude 1. With our glad hosannas, all God’s children sing, “Glory, laud and honor unto Christ our King!” Hail, the true Messiah, David’s royal Son In the Lord’s name coming, God’s own Blessed One! With our glad hosannas, all God’s children sing, “Glory, laud and honor unto Christ the King!” 2. “Glory, laud and honor!” happy pilgrims sang; Pillared court and temple with the anthem rang. Cloaks were spread before him, palms were waved with glee As the Sov’reign entered in humility. With our glad hosannas, all God’s children sing, “Glory, laud and honor unto Christ the King!” 3. Angels in the heavens raised their song on high; Saints on earth in chorus make their glad reply: “Glory in the highest to the Prince of Peace!” With our palms and praises, let the song increase! With our glad hosannas, all God’s children sing, “Glory, laud and honor unto Christ the King!” 4. Onward, all God’s children, join the happy throng; Raise to Christ your voices in exalted song, Sing aloud his glory, tell his praise about, For if we were silent, lo, the stones would shout! With our glad hosannas, all God’s children sing, “Glory, laud and honor unto Christ the King!” (Reprinted under OneLicense.net A-708810) * THE CHARGE AND BENEDICTION * THE CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE FOR LENT Crucifer Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim, Till all the world adore His sacred name. Come, Christians, follow where our Savior trod, The Lamb victorious, Christ, the Son of God. Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim, Till all the world adore His sacred name. * POSTLUDE * All who can do so comfortably will stand Pastor: Huw Christopher Director of Music: Lawrence R. Nelson Elder of the month: Chuck Morgan Organist: Stanley Littleton Nursery Assistant: Susie Barber To Our Guests – Welcome to First Presbyterian Church of Marianna. We are glad to have you worship with us today and invite you to join us each Sunday as we worship and study God’s word. If you would like more information concerning our church you may fill out one of the pew cards, talk to the ushers or the pastor, or call the church office, 526-2430. Nursery is available for infants and pre-kindergarten children during Sunday morning activities. Our Prayer Calendar: Will Rountree (requested by JoAnn Rountree), Mary Larkin (Jesse Olive’s sister, requested by Bud Wierman), Michelle and Kristen (friends of Amanda Morgan), and Nell Martin (Jackie Spivey’s aunt). The new purple stoles being worn by our choir this morning have been provided through gifts given to our church in memory of Milton Wynn. We are grateful for all who have made these stoles possible. Lenten Celebrations This Week On Tuesday from 12 noon our Lenten Luncheon of soup, sandwich and dessert luncheon will be provided by the Good News Women Circle. Huw Christopher will lead our reflections on the history and meaning of the Cross in the Seal of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), which is portrayed on the front of our bulletin. The guided reflection time on Tuesday from 1 until 1:45 p.m. will be based on music of God’s peace from the Celtic tradition and the Taize’ Community. “What does the Cross of Jesus mean to me?” In the baskets in the narthex and on the table in the hallway are: Small crosses which can be placed in pockets or purses with the poem, “The Cross in my Pocket.” Yellow cards with the words, “Come and Kneel at the Cross” and “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross, blue cards with the words, “Come to the Foot of the Cross,” grey cards with the words, “Will Your Anchor Hold in the Storms of Life,” a salmon card with the words of Charles Wesley’s hymn, “And Can It Be That I Should Gain?” and the green card with the words, “Your Hands.” These may also be used for personal reflections during the week. Our pastor for the week on our history board in the fellowship hall will be Jim Lowry. Information and pictures about will be added by the time of our Lenten luncheon. On Maundy Thursday, beginning at 6:30 p.m. we will have a prepared meal typical of that which would have been shared by Jesus and his disciples using Cod, Bitter Greens, Fruit, Root Vegetables and Unleavened Bread. As the meal concludes we will then celebrate the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper around the tables, and share in a Tenebrae Service of increasing darkness as we trace the events from that Last Supper to the death of Jesus. Reservations for the meal are requested. They may be made by filling out the reservation card in the pew rack and placing it on the offering plate or by calling the church office or e-mail to firstpresmarianna@earthlink.net by noon this Tuesday. Donation baskets to cover the cost of the supper will be available with any additional funds being donated to the One Great Hour of Sharing Easter Offering. The whole celebration will be designed for families of children first grade and above to share in together. Childcare will be made available for children kindergarten and below if this is requested when making your reservations for the meal. Celebration on Easter Day, next Sunday, April 8 Help to transform our cross outside by bringing cut flowers or greenery to place on it. Refreshments in the fellowship hall from 9:30 until 9:45 a.m. A Celebration of the Joy of Easter for all Ages, which will include music, puppets and crafts will begin at 9:45 a.m. in the fellowship hall, and conclude with a group picture on the steps of sanctuary, the decorating of the flower cross, and the annual Easter Egg Hunt. (Parents and other adults are asked to bring plastic eggs filled with candy to the church office by Thursday afternoon for use in this Easter Egg hunt). At 11 a.m. we will celebrate in Word and Music “our sharing in the victory of Jesus through baptism, special Easter anthems by our choir, and Easter hymns for the congregation. At this service members of the Confirmation Class, Erin Christopher, Emily Fuqua, Branham Skipper and Connor Ward, will make their Professions of Faith, and other new members will be introduced. The Evangelism and Fellowship Committee wants to know if there is any interest in a covered dish luncheon on Easter Day. If you would like to participate in such a luncheon please call Kip Blighton (482-4661) or Mary Wierman (482-1083) or the church office (526-2430) by noon on Tuesday. The One Great Hour of Sharing Easter Offering will be received next Sunday. The insert in the bulletin outlines some of this program. Please use the special envelopes in the bulletin for this offering. A church picnic will be held on April 15 at Daffin Lake. The Evangelism and Fellowship Committee will provide fried fish, hushpuppies and hotdogs. Everyone is asked to bring a side dish. Canoeing and games begin at 3 p.m. with the meal at 4 p.m. Mark your calendar now for the next PALS luncheon on Tuesday, April 17 at 12 noon and for the Older Adult Day at Dogwood Acres on Thursday, April 26. More details are in the newsletter which was mailed out this past Thursday. This week in the life of the church . . . Monday Ladies Exercise Class 9:00 Circle I in the parlor at 10:00 Circle II in the fellowship hall at 4:00 Good News Women’s Circle at 7:00 at the home of Gina Stuart Tuesday Lenten Luncheon at 12 noon in the fellowship hall Lenten Reflections from 1 until 1:45 p.m. Christian Education Committee at 5:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall Wednesday Food pantry is open from 9:00 -11:00. Volunteers are Betty Brendemuehl and Mary Ann Gibbs M and Ms for children Kindergarten through Grade 5 from 3 until 5 p.m. Choir Practice at 5:15 p.m. JuBELLees practice at 6 p.m. Youth Group (Grades 6-12) meets at 7 p.m. Thursday Maundy Thursday Celebration at 6:30 p.m. beginning in the sanctuary Friday Good Friday -Church Office will be closed Ladies Exercise Class 9 a.m. Sunday (8th) Easter Day – please bring your flowers to adorn our cross outside. Coffee and Juice in fellowship hall from 9 until 9:45 a.m. The Joy of Easter Celebration for all ages at 9:45 a.m. Session Meeting at 10:35 a.m. in the parlor A Celebration of Our Sharing the Victory of Jesus in Baptism and Professions of Faith by our Confirmation Class at 11 a.m.