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GREETING
Pastor: God be with you.
All: And also with you.
Hosanna. Beloved, Save us!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Holy One.
Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven.
SONG
GOSPEL — Mark 11.1-11
PRAYER
Beloved, that we may praise Christ in all we do,
grant us mindfulness, O God.
That Jesus may truly be our ruler,
grant us obedience, God.
That we may be as gentle as Christ,
grant us humility, O God.
That we may turn to you alone to save us,
grant us faith, O God.
Hosanna. Save us! Amen.
SILENCE
NEW TESTAMENT — Philippians 2.5-11
PRAYER
For the gift of Christ, who comes among us as our humble servant,
we give you thanks.
For our lust for power, and for wanting our own way,
forgive us, Lord.
For our distrust of your grace,
heal our fearful hearts.
For deep trust in the power of resurrection,
give us faith, O God. Amen.
SILENCE
OLD TESTAMENT Isaiah 50.4-9:
God has called me to reach out to those in need,
to sustain the weary with good news.
Morning by morning God awakens me
and calls me to humble awareness.
God has opened my understanding,
therefore I won’t turn away.
I stand in solidarity with those who suffer;
I give my heart to those who know injustice.
I will not hide from our cruelty.
God helps me to enter the suffering of the world.
I will not fear disgrace.
Therefore I have courage to move forward.
I am not afraid of the world’s taunts.
I believe only God’s gracious love.
To those who don’t believe this
I will come near, without fear.
Even to those who would oppose me
I am not afraid to act in love.
SILENCE
SONG
PRAYERS
We pray that we may be at peace with Christ, our savior and our sovereign.
We pray that we may be at peace with all that is wounded in us.
We pray that we may be at peace with all people, and all Creation.
We pray for those in need.
We pray for the work of your Spirit in our lives and in the life of the church.
We pray for justice, and the coming of your Realm.
THE PRAYER OF JESUS (“Lord’s Prayer)
SONG
BLESSING AND SENDING
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Suggested Songs
See all songs with tags for “Cross,” but especially these:
Behold the Lamb of God (Original song)
Behold the lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.
Come, let us follow, come let us follow
the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
Kyrie – Six Versions (The traditional words set to six original tunes.)
Kyrie Eleison. Christe Eleison. Kyrie Eleison.
(“Lord have mercy. Christ have mercy. Lord haver mercy.”)
O Jesus, Wounded Sovereign (Tune: O Sacred Head Now Wounded)
Dear Jesus, you who suffer and walk among the poor
whose hearts and lives are broken, whose faith is still unsure:
despised, accused and battered, you do not say a word.
So powerless, yet loving!— you are my Sovereign Lord.
You bear no arms but loving, no threats nor flags unfurled.
You wear no kingly robes, but the sorrows of the world.
Yet your forgiveness conquers each worldly rule and reign,
and rises, whole, undaunted, from evil, death and pain.
While emperors abuse you, and people shrug or stare,
and dark injustice troubles the ones for whom you care,
your mighty grace arises, and hidden from our sight,
enfolds all living beings in your triumphant light.
O Jesus, wounded Sovereign, I pray, give me the nerve
without this world’s armor to love and bless and serve.
My master and companion, rule all eternity
with grace and deep compassion, and, Love, begin with me.
Woeful Cross (Original song)
Woeful cross, saddest wood, death in me of all that’s good,
I confess. Mother/Father, bless. Mercy.
Holy cross, mystery, love from fear of death set free.
Sin’s dark lie. Here I die. Mercy.
Gentle Christ on the cross, for our life your own life’s loss.
You forgive, and we live. Mercy.
Our own cross calling us to your love and gentleness:
may we live, as you give, mercy.