PALM SUNDAY 2023
April 2, 2023 – St. John American Lutheran Church + ELCA + Sioux Falls
Today, we encounter the paradox that defines our faith: Jesus Christ is glorified king and humiliated servant. We too are full of paradox: like Peter, we fervently desire to follow Christ, but find ourselves afraid, denying God. We wave palms in celebration today as Christ comes into our midst, and we follow with trepidation as his path leads to death on the cross. Amid it all we are invited into this paradoxical promise of life through Christ’s broken body and outpoured love in a meal of bread and wine. We begin this week that stands at the center of the church year, anticipating the completion of God’s astounding work.
GATHERING
MUSIC Amber Holtberg
WELCOME, ANNOUNCEMENTS, PRAYER CONCERNS
CONFESSION & ABSOLUTION
L Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God, who journeys with us these forty days, and sustains us with the gift of grace.
C Amen.
L Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
C Amen.
L Let us acknowledge before God and one another our need for repentance and God’s mercy.
Silence for reflection and prayer.
L Holy God,
C we confess that we are held captive by sin. In spite of our best efforts, we have gone astray. We have not welcomed the stranger. We have not loved our neighbor as ourselves. We sinned against you and those around us. Restore us, O God. Wake us up and turn us from our sin. Renew us each day in the light of Christ. Amen.
L Hear the good news: God so loved the world that God gave the only Son, so that all may receive life. This promise is for you! God embraces you with divine mercy, ☩ and forgives you in Christ’s name.
C Amen.
CHILDREN’S SERMON (in the back of the church)
PROCESSIONAL GOSPEL
BLESSING OF THE PALMS
P The Lord be with you.
C And also with you.
Pastor Heidi Kvanli
Mark 11:1-11
P We praise you, O God, for redeeming the world through our Savior Jesus Christ. Today he entered the holy city in triumph and was proclaimed messiah and king by those who spread garments and branches along his way. Bless these branches and those who carry them. Grant us grace to follow our Lord in the way of the cross, so that, joined to his death and resurrection, we enter into life with you; through the same Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C Amen.
P Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
C Hosanna in the highest! Hosanna in the highest!
HYMN OF PRAISE
No. 344 (verses 1 & 2) (Red Hymnal)
All Glory, Laud, and Honor
GREETING AND PRAYER OF THE DAY
L The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
C And also with you.
L Everlasting God,
C in your endless love for the human race you sent our Lord Jesus Christ to take on our nature and to suffer death on the cross. In your mercy enable us to share in his obedience to your will and in the glorious victory of his resurrection, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
FIRST READING
Philippians 2:5-11 (Holy Bible p. 954)
SPECIAL MUSIC St. John Adult Choir
“One Thousand Hosannas”
Sarah Jorgensen, Director Amber Holtberg, Piano
The congregation stands for the reading of the Gospel.
GOSPEL Mark 15:1-11 (Holy Bible p.828)
SERMON Pastor Lon Kvanli
HYMN OF THE DAY
No. 351 (Red Hymnal)
O Sacred Head, Now Wounded
PROFESSION OF FAITH: APOSTLES’ CREED
C I believe in God the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.
THE PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH
After each petition, the leader says, “Lord, in your mercy.” Congregational response is, “Hear our prayer!”
OFFERING & OFFERTORY OFFERTORY PRAYER
L God of good gifts,
C receive these and all our offerings as we present them in faithful service for the sake of your gospel. Prepare our hearts to receive you in this meal as you pour out your very presence through Christ Jesus, the wellspring of eternal life. Amen.
GREAT THANKSGIVING
L The Lord be with you.
C And also with you.
L Lift up your hearts.
C We lift them to the Lord.
L Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
C It is right to give our thanks and praise.
L It is indeed right, … we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
C Holy, holy, holy Lord, 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. (Red, pp. 152-153)
WORDS OF INSTITUTION & LORD’S PRAYER
L In the night in which he was betrayed…
C Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.
HYMNS DURING DISTRIBUTION
POST-COMMUNION BLESSING & PRAYER
#481, #496, #465
L The God who faithfully brings forth justice and breaks the oppressor’s rod bless, strengthen, and uphold you, today and always.
C Amen.
L Embodied God,
C at your table, we have tasted the goodness of Jesus. With the eyes of our hearts open to your promise, empower us to hear the needs of our neighbors and touch the world with your love. Amen.
BENEDICTION
RECESSIONAL HYMN
No. 347 (Red Hymnal)
Go to Dark Gethsemane
SILENT PRAYER & EXTINGUISHING OF ALTAR CANDLES
DISMISSAL
L Go in peace. Serve in love.
C Thanks be to God.
POSTLUDE Amber Holtberg
Portions of the liturgy are reprinted from EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN WORSHIP © 2006, by permission of Augsburg Fortress Press.
