Passion/Palm Sunday March 27-28, 2021
PRAYER OF THE DAY – 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.
READING: Gospel : Mark 15:1-39 The passion story in Mark’s gospel presents Jesus as one who dies abandoned by all. He shows himself to be the true Son of God by giving his life for those who have forsaken him. A reading from Mark. 1As soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. They bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate. 2Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” He answered him, “You say so.” 3Then the chief priests accused him of many things. 4Pilate asked him again, “Have you no answer? See how many charges they bring against you.” 5But Jesus made no further reply, so that Pilate was amazed. 6Now at the festival he used to release a prisoner for them, anyone for whom they asked. 7Now a man called Barabbas was in prison with the rebels who had committed murder during the insurrection. 8So the crowd came and began to ask Pilate to do for them according to his custom. 9Then he answered them, “Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?” 10For he realized that it was out of jealousy that the chief priests had handed him over. 11But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release Barabbas for them instead. 12Pilate spoke to them again, “Then what do you wish me to do with the man you call the King of the Jews?” 13They shouted back, “Crucify him!” 14Pilate asked them, “Why, what evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify him!” 15So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas for them; and after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified. 16Then the soldiers led him into the courtyard of the palace (that is, the governor’s headquarters); and they called together the whole cohort. 17And they clothed him in a purple cloak; and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on him. 18And they began saluting him, “Hail, King of the Jews!” 19They struck his head with a reed, spat upon him, and knelt down in homage to him. 20After mocking him, they stripped him of the purple cloak and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him. 21They compelled a passer-by, who was coming in from the country, to carry his cross; it was Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus. 22Then they brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means the place of a skull). 23And they offered him wine mixed with myrrh; but he did not take it. 24And they crucified him, and divided his clothes among them, casting lots to decide what each should take. 25It was nine o’clock in the morning when they crucified him. 26The inscription of the charge against him read, “The King of the Jews.” 27And with him they crucified two bandits, one on his right and one on his left. 29Those who passed by derided him, shaking their heads and saying, “Aha! You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, 30save yourself, and come down from the cross!” 31In the same way the chief priests, along with the scribes, were also mocking him among themselves and saying, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. 32Let the Messiah, the King of Israel, come down from the cross now, so that we may see and believe.” Those who were crucified with him also taunted him. 33When it was noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. 34At three o’clock Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” 35When some of the bystanders heard it, they said, “Listen, he is calling for Elijah.” 36And someone ran, filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink, saying, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down.” 37Then Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last. 38And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. 39Now when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was God’s Son!” The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
HOMILY Wow! That was a long Gospel, huh? And coming down from the high of hearing about Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, with the shouts of Hosanna and blessed be the King of the Jews, the son of David…a bit exhausting going from such a high point to such a low point. Jesus gets anointed in anticipation of his death-because there would be no time after his crucifixion. He goes up to the Upper Room for the Passover meal and shares the bread and wine and makes of them his Body and Blood. Then on to the Mount of Olives and in the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus anxiously prays to his heavenly Father while his disciples sleep. Then the arrest-signaled with a kiss, no less. Then the trial, the walk through the streets of Jerusalem dragging his cross, all the way to Golgotha, nailed to the cross at Calvary, incredible agony for three hours, then Jesus breathed his last. His body was then quickly removed from the cross, wrapped in linen, and laid in a tomb with a stone rolled against the opening to seal it. ~~~Such an enormous amount of information shared on this day. The same crowds who screamed “Hosanna” on Sunday were screaming “Crucify him” by Friday. And one of his disciples, Judas, betrayed him.
~~~My daughter Christina sent me an article she had seen that touched her deeply and she sent it on to me. I have the tagline written on a post it note and it is stuck to my fridge. It is a powerful reminder of how big Jesus’ love is. It reads “And Judas ate, too.”
~~~My friends, while the Church in its wisdom wants us to understand the events of the Great and Holy Week that are shared today because not all attend Maundy Thursday and Good Friday worship – from triumphal entry to the tomb with the stone rolled in place, in all of this, if we grasp nothing else, perhaps we can keep in mind-and Judas ate, too.
~~~Jesus knew Judas would betray him. He knew. He knew. And yet Jesus shared the bread and wine which had become his Body and Blood-and Judas ate, too. The one who was making his way to his sacrifice and death on the cross did not deny his betrayer the gift of love and reconciliation of the holy Sacrament of Communion. And Judas ate, too. ~~~As we walk these next few days with Jesus, as we hear again the events leading up to his crucifixion and death, let us always keep in mind that Jesus died for all of us. Jesus died for Judas – he died for you and me. As we live our lives, disciples in this day and time, we, too, fail Jesus. We too turn away from him. We too betray him. We sin. You and I? We are Judas. ~~~But my friends, there is powerfully good news in all this…even as we see the very worst of what humanity can do we also see the best of what God has done. Jesus, the one who loves us enough to die for us. He shares his Body and Blood with you and me. He forgives us, is willing to die so that we might be reconciled to God again and our sins forgiven. His love is bigger and more unconditional and lasting than we can ever imagine. Remember – and Judas ate, too. A blessed Great and Holy Week be with you all. Amen.
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
Relying on the promises of God, we pray boldly for the church, the world, and all in need. A brief silence. In Jesus you came among us as a suffering servant. Give your church humility. Redeem your people from pride and the certainty that we always know your will. Heal us and empower us to confess Christ crucified. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
In creation, life springs from death. Redeem your creation awaiting resurrection: restore lost habitats and endangered species. Create new possibilities for areas affected by climate change, grant relief from natural disasters, and nurture new growth. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
Jesus was handed over to the powers of this world. In all nations, instruct the powerful, that they would not exploit their power but maintain justice. Sustain soldiers, and guide those who command them, that they serve those in greatest need. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
On the cross Jesus joined all who feel forsaken. Abide with those who are condemned to death. Defend those who are falsely accused. Console and strengthen those who are mocked or bullied. Accompany all who suffer especially those we name aloud or in the silence of our hearts…. grant respite and renewal. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
You inspired the centurion to confess Jesus as your Son. We praise you for the faith you have given to people of all places and times. Give us also such faith to trust the promises of baptism and, with them, to look for the resurrection of the dead. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
We entrust ourselves and all our prayers to you, O faithful God, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
OUR FATHER…
BLESSING – Almighty God, the Father, + the Son, and the Holy Spirit be with us now and always. Amen.
DISMISSAL – We go in peace with grateful hearts for all God has done for us as together we are led by the Spirit to serve God and share Christ’s love with all! Thanks be to God!!!.
HOPE HAPPENINGS
We welcome all who worship with us today. Please complete one of the visitor cards at our guest table. If you would like to make Hope your church home, please speak to Pastor Jen. Everyone is welcome at Hope Lutheran Church.
Next Week’s Readings: Jeremiah 31:31-34; Hebrews 5:5-10; John 12:20-33
The April thru June Word in Season Devotionals are available on the narthex table.
LAY SERVANTS Financial Information
Altar Guild: Gail Zahs & Delores Hall February Total Income $10,537.22
Usher: Alan Beicht February Total Expenses $10,152.60
Counters: Lorraine Maass Income Less Expense $ 384.62
PRAYER LIST
Please call the church office or email Pr. Jen with any prayer requests you may have so they may be shared with the congregation.
Please continue to hold in prayer:
Cyndi and Fred for healing
Ken Zwara for healing
Jenny for healing and God’s love
Alec for healing
Pr. Marilyn for healing & God’s peace
Cindy Beicht for healing after surgery
Vinny for healing
Ian for sure and strong presence of God’s healing grace
Doris Puerner for healing
Marirose for a healthy pregnancy
Helen for healing
Kristin, Ron and Carolyn Rasmussen’s daughter, for healing after surgery
Jean Holcomb for healing
Florence, Lou Szepi’s mom, for God’s comforting presence
Dawn Seibert for healing
Carol for healing, hope, and God’s will.
Laura Everill, daughter of Phyllis and Tom Agness, residing in a healthcare facility.
Walter Crowley, husband of Kathryn and father of Ginger Toomire recovering from pneumonia.
Joyce, sister-in-law of Elaine Dougan, recovering from brain cancer surgery.
John Greene, Millie’s husband, for strength and healing
Cheryl Burke who is in need of healing
Larry and Barbara Brady, as they focus on healing.
Pr. Pat for healing
Susan for healing
Jason for healing
NEW AT HOPE
EASTER FLOWERS – If you would like to purchase Easter flowers in memory of or in honor of someone, please complete the sign-up sheet in the Narthax or call the office at 941-697-2345.
HOLY WEEK WORSHIP SCHEDULE
Passion/Palm Weekend March 27th at Saturday 5:30pm. Sunday 8:30 AM & 10:00 AM.
Maundy Thursday April 1st at 10:00 AM and 4:30 PM.
Good Friday April 2nd at 10:00 AM and 4:30 PM.
Holy Saturday-Easter Vigil April 3rd at 5:30 PM.
Easter-The Resurrection of our Lord Sunday, April 4th at 7:00 AM & 8:30 AM in the parking lot and 10:00 AM in the sanctuary.
Please join us as we grow in faith and love together throughout the Lenten season and prepare our lives and our hearts to celebrate the saving events of Holy Week and Jesus’ glorious resurrection at Easter. ALL ARE WELCOME!
DORIS PUERNER is currently recuperating in Windsor House of Canfield. If you would like to send her a card, her address is Windsor House of Canfield, 6445 State Route 446, Canfield, OH 44406-8475.
LUTHERANISM 101!! Monday from 11:00 to 12:00PM. If you have never studied Luther’s Small Catechism or have questions about why we do what we do as Lutherans in our worship and faith, this class is for YOU! Please join Pr. Jen as we explore the five principal parts of the Catechism-Baptism, Holy Communion, The Lord’s Prayer, the Creed, and the Ten Commandments as well as worship and liturgy and more so together we can grow in our understanding of our Christian faith and our Lutheran expression of that faith.
MONDAY BIBLE STUDY on God sightings every Monday at 10:00 AM in the Fellowship Hall.
WOMEN OF HOPE –Next meeting with be April 18th, 2021.
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