My dear Hope Family, God’s love and peace be with you all. My heart is grieving that we cannot be together face to face, but I know our hearts are linked in prayer, worship, and love for God and each other at this time of separation.
Please keep the friends and family of Mary Rosen in your prayers. Mary was called home to Christ this past week after a long illness.
Attached please find a bulletin for Passion/Palm Sunday and the sermon for this week, explaining why we begin with “Hosanna!” and end with “Crucify!” at the beginning of Holy Week.
The palms for this weekend have been blessed. In the body of the bulletin you will discover the prayers spoken over them, joining the palms with God’s Word to make them holy.
They are sitting on the porch of the church on Saturday and Sunday, so as you drive out to go to the grocery store, please stop by and take a few home with you for this celebration.
Display them-on your front porch, or in your home behind a picture, or on the windowsill- as you remember that we all welcome the King of Kings and Lord of Lords into our lives.
During this Great and Holy Week that begins this weekend during an unprecedented time in our world history, I invite you to walk with me -Passion/Palm weekend, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil on Saturday and Easter Day. I will share the readings, prayers, and sermon for each day, along with a simplified version of the Stations of the Cross on Good Friday for our shared contemplation.
Thanks to our amazing Administrative Assistant. Fran Kostrowsky, we have the following to share with you. The Lutheran Hour on radio is channel 98.1 on Sunday at 10am in Port Charlotte, and channels 107,5 or 1530 at 10:30am Sundays in Englewood. Roman Catholic Worship (as close to our own worship as it gets) on TV with Comcast is Sundays, channel 4 at 6:30am, DirecTV and Dish Network channel 36 at 6:30am or DirecTV channel 307 and Dish Network channel 239 Sundays at 8am. Other churches have some livestreaming or taped worship on websites as well. We are looking at this as well to provide the most opportunity to stay connected with each other.
In all this, we remain church together. Honoring physical distancing is a both needful and painful reality right now. I ask your prayers and know that I pray for you. Don’t hesitate to call me at 813-391-2027 or at the church office at 941697-2345. I will be in daily to check the phone message and to send out messages and robocalls to all of you. Please continue to know that our God is in control, God has got this, and God is asking each of us to continue to seek ways to be his disciples in the world as together we are led by his Spirit to serve him and Share Christ’s love with all.
I love you all-and I am sending each of you a virtual hug! In Jesus’s peace, Pr. Jen+
PASSION/PALM WEEKEND WORSHIP
GATHERING
{{THESE WORDS WERE SPOKEN OVER THE PALMS TO BLESS THEM}}
ACCLAMATION
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
PROCESSIONAL GOSPEL: MATTHEW 21:1-11
The holy gospel according to Matthew.
Glory to you, O Lord.
1 When they had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of
Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 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. 3 If anyone says anything to you, just say this, ‘The Lord needs them.’ And he will send them immediately.” 4 This took place to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet, saying, 5 “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.” 6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; 7 they brought the donkey and the colt, and put their cloaks on them, and he sat on them. 8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 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!” 10 When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, “Who is this?” 11 The crowds were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.” The gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
BLESSING OF PALMS
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray. A brief silence is kept. 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. Amen.
PROCESSION
Let us go forth in peace, in the name of Christ. Amen.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
As we now enter into the contemplation of the passion of our Lord Jesus Christ and meditate on the salvation of the world through his sufferings, death, burial, and resurrection, let us pray. Everlasting God, 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.
WORD
GOSPEL: MATTHEW 27:11-54
The holy gospel according to Matthew. Glory to you, O Lord.
11 Now Jesus stood before the governor; and the governor asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You say so.” 12 But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he did not answer. 13 Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many accusations they make against you?” 14 But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed. 15 Now at the festival the governor was accustomed to release a prisoner for the crowd, anyone whom they wanted. 16 At that time they had a notorious prisoner, called Jesus Barabbas. 17 So after they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you, Jesus Barabbas or Jesus who is called the Messiah?” 18 For he realized that it was out of jealousy that they had handed him over. 19 While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that innocent man, for today I have suffered a great deal because of a dream about him.” 20 Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus killed. 21 The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” 22 Pilate said to them, “Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” All of them said, “Let him be crucified!” 23 Then he asked, “Why, what evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!” 24 So when Pilate saw that he could do nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took some water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.” 25 Then the people as a whole answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” 26 So he released Barabbas for them; and after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified. 27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor’s headquarters, and they gathered the whole cohort around him. 28 They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, 29 and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on his head. They put a reed in his right hand and knelt before him and mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” 30 They spat on him, and took the reed and struck him on the head. 31 After mocking him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him. 32 As they went out, they came upon a man from Cyrene named Simon; they compelled this man to carry his cross. 33 And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull), 34 they offered him wine to drink, mixed with gall; but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. 35 And when they had crucified him, they divided his clothes among themselves by casting lots; 36 then they sat down there and kept watch over him. 37 Over his head they put the charge against him, which read, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” 38 Then two bandits were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. 39 Those who passed by derided him, shaking their heads 40 and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” 41 In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes and elders, were mocking him, saying, 42 “He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him. 43 He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he wants to; for he said, ‘I am God’s Son.’ ” 44 The bandits who were crucified with him also taunted him in the same way. 45 From noon on, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. 46 And about three o’clock Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” 47 When some of the bystanders heard it, they said, “This man is calling for Elijah.” 48 At once one of them ran and got a sponge, filled it with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink. 49 But the others said, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him.” 50 Then Jesus cried again with a loud voice and breathed his last. 51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, and the rocks were split. 52 The tombs also were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised. 53 After his resurrection they came out of the tombs and entered the holy city and appeared to many. 54 Now when the centurion and those with him, who were keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were terrified and said, “Truly this man was God’s Son!” The gospel concludes: The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
SERMON Silence for reflection follows the sermon.
PEACE The peace of Christ be with you always. And also with you. The people greet one another with a sign of Christ’s peace, saying “Peace be with you”.
MEAL
ACCORDING TO THE GUIDANCE FROM OUR BISHOP AND THE PRESIDING
BISHOP, WE WILL FAST FROM THE HOLY MEAL UNTIL WE CAN GATHER
TOGETHER IN JOY AND SAFETY.
SENDING
BLESSING
Almighty God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit be with you and keep you safe and whole in the palm of his hand, now and forever. Amen.
DISMISSAL
Go in peace. Share the good news as together we are led by the Spirit to serve God and share Christ’s love with all!
Thanks be to God.
From sundaysandseasons.com. Copyright © 2020 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.
PARISH NEWS FOR HOPE LUTHERAN CHURCH
Attendance last week — Sunday: 18 Amount needed each week: $3,140.00
Saturday: 25 General Offering last week: $1,814.00
Word in Season Devotionals are available on the narthex table.
Next Week’s Reading: Acts 10:34-43; Colossians 3:1-4; Matthew 28:1-10
PRAYER LIST If you know someone who is in the hospital or needs a visit at home, please let the office know.
Laura, Henry, Florence, Sandy & Larry, Suzette, Paul, Jason, Darleen, Arthur, John, Ava, Ray, Russell, Jack & Linda, Doris, the homeless, all refugees, victims of violence and victims of natural disasters, our troops, those who live in fear, all medical professionals and 1st responders.
HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE –Please check your email each day throughout Holy Week for a brief devotional from Pastor Jen, especially on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Day. Maundy Thursday through Easter are called the Sacred Triduum, the holy three days, where we go from the Upper Room with the institution of the Eucharist and the foot washing practice as a living example of being servants to one another in love, to the arrest and trial and scourging, to the walk through the streets of Jerusalem bearing the cross, to Calvary, and ending up in the Garden and an empty tomb. Together, let us walk with Jesus through the final days of his earthly life so that we once again, and maybe with even greater depth, appreciate the sacrifice of his life for you and me. This is a holy and sacred time-please join with us daily as we contemplate God’s love shown us through Jesus our Savior.
SERMON: HopelcpassionpalmA04052020matthew 271154
“Truly, this was God’s Son.” Today we celebrate Passion/Palm Sunday. Why is it, then, that the Gospel speaks of crucifixion when we start with the triumphal entry into Jerusalem? When I was little, the focus was on Jesus’ triumphal entry and we celebrated Palm Sunday. On the first Palm Sunday, our Lord came into Jerusalem hailed by the people as the Son of David, the One who comes in the Name of the Lord. We celebrated how the children and people of Jerusalem greeted him with Hosanna and waving palms as he rode in on a donkey. But in more recent decades, the church in its wisdom added the Passion part. The passion is shared today to let people know what is to come between this weekend and next. The reality of our world is that many folks don’t come in-between to see and hear of the events of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. They miss the opportunity to appreciate all of the events that led to the crucifixion and ultimately the resurrection at Easter. So today is a day of contrasts from the triumphal entry to the crucifixion. From Hosanna to crucify. Lots of contrasts.
~~~We began today with the palms and the shouts of Hosanna. But just five days later, that same crowd of people, just like us, is crying, “Crucify him!” How fickle we humans are! We accept what we imagine our Lord to be, but reject what he really is. Even his closest disciples rejected him, fled in terror when they saw what was coming. Hosanna to crucify.
~~~We all deny Jesus in our lives. In our Baptism, we promise to reject Satan and his works and to accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Yet we continually fall into sin, choosing our own will rather than God’s will for us. In every sin, we deny Jesus, and tragically, sin is a daily part of our lives.
~~~~How does Jesus respond to our faithlessness? He first prayed to God that we may be his, and that we not be lost. In the Garden of Gethsemane on Thursday night, Jesus prayed that this cup of suffering would be taken away from him. However, he remained totally committed to his Father’s will.
~~~Then on Good Friday, Jesus took upon himself the sins of all people who have ever lived, or who will ever live in the future. He who has never known sin, who is perfect in every way, took upon himself our corruption of sin and selfishness, cutting him off from the light of his Father and surrounding him in darkness and death.
~~~We know sin only too well. In fact, we have become used to it. For most of us, sin is so much a part of our lives that we don’t even feel bad about & “little” sins at all. But Jesus is never used to sin. The enormity of all the sin of every soul in the universe is too horrible for us to even grasp. But Jesus grasps the ugliness of sin, and cries out the words of the 22nd Psalm, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
~~~Today for a moment, we can share in a burst of truth and honestly about ourselves. Think for a moment: my sins, your sins, our sins – they nail Jesus to the cross. They caused the shedding of his innocent blood. They lead directly to his death. God has not forsaken Jesus, but we have. Jesus, truly the Son of God, dies on the cross to pay the price of my selfishness, my sinfulness. Our faithlessness.
~~~How can we respond to this unbelievable outpouring of love and compassion in Jesus dying for you and me? What can we say in the face of such a sacrifice? While human words are so inadequate at a time like this, the words of the second verse of the hymn “Beneath the Cross of Jesus” come to mind.
~~~Upon the cross of Jesus my eye at times can see the very dying form of one who suffered there for ME. And from my contrite heart, with tears, two wonders I confess: the wonder of his glorious love, and my unworthiness.
~~~Here is the real meaning of Passion/Palm Sunday; not the all-too-human triumphal entry, soon to be forgotten like a ticker tape parade for human heroes, but the entry of Jesus into our sinfulness, the greatest sacrifice ever offered. This can never be forgotten.
~~~Yes, we may have joined the crowd to shout, “Hosanna!” but we would most likely also have joined the same crowd to scream, “Crucify him!” As we move through this Great and Holy week from the triumphal entry in Jerusalem to the Upper Room and the first Holy Communion, to the Garden of Gethsemane and the arrest, to the hill at Calvary, let us pray that we can then join with the centurion on Easter morning in proclaiming, in awe and humility, and the greatest of all joy, “Truly, this was the Son of God.” Amen
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