palm sunday - Redeemer Presbyterian Church

PALM SUNDAY /
Explanation of Cover Art
Blackened Branches - oil on canvas
This image that we use in our Lenten worship mirrors the seemingly dead branches all around us that will soon bloom
with life. This is a season of contemplation, of readiness, prayer and anticipation. God is bringing miraculous new life.
Wait for it. The title is taken from the song which reminds us nothing is impossible with God
~~~Kyle Ragsdale
Explanation of Vestments
The Christian community exists though a rough and imperfect network of fellowship. We are a broken people, tarnished
and stained. We look to Christ’s death and resurrection as redemption, yet we bear the marks of our fallen state until
the final perfection. The steel structure represents the network of believers with their struggles (rough unfinished steel)
and their crutches in relationship (burnt wood). The network will continue to expand to engage the reality of our fallen
nature and demonstrate small moments of purity experienced as we are sanctified by the Spirit. New and varying
forms will build into the redemption of the cross and resurrection.
~~~Dirk Elijah Edwards
Explanation of Communion Set
One of the joys of my life recently has been developing the new skill of woodturning. Turning grabbed hold of me a
few years ago and has yet to let go. There’s always something new to learn—and, of course, more than a fair share of
frustration along the way! I often find that finished projects with the most character can start out looking pretty ugly.
The things that distress the wood—storms, fire, insects, disease, the pressure of weight and age—can all contribute to
tortured grain and odd markings. But when turned, they can actually render surprising beauty. Some wood is simply
reclaimed from the firewood stack. However, just as we ourselves can be pretty ugly—and indeed, headed for the fire—
God can reclaim us and use us for His glory. It’s a blessing to have the privilege of revealing the beauty that God has
hidden in these woods. This altar service is made of Indiana hardwoods. The paten is black walnut, which includes
light sapwood (the outer ring of wood just inside the bark) and darker heartwood. The bowl of the chalice is ash; it has
an unusual swirled grain that runs the length of the tree from which it came. The stem is spalted maple, which gets its
distinctive look from fungus that invaded the wood. As I joined the woods to make the chalice, I included a small space
in which I sealed a picture of loved ones.
~~~Tom Peck
Explanation of Lent
The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ are at the heart of the Christian gospel, and Good Friday and Easter are
two of the most significant celebrations of the Christian year. Lent is a season of preparation and repentance during
which we anticipate Good Friday and Easter. Just as we carefully prepare for big events in our personal lives, such as a
wedding or commencement, Lent invites us to make our hearts ready for remembering Jesus’ passion and celebrating
Jesus’ resurrection. The practice of a forty-day preparation period began in the Christian church during the third and
fourth centuries. The number forty carries biblical significance based on the forty years Israel spent in the wilderness
and Jesus’ forty-day, wilderness fast. The forty days of Lent begin on Ash Wednesday and continue through holy week,
not counting Sundays (which are reserved for celebratory worship). In practice, many congregations choose to focus
Sunday worship on the themes of repentance and renewal, and the traditional color for the season is purple.
Please see the Sound Tech for Assisted Listening Devices.
4/13/2014
Reflection
To all who are spiritually weary and seek rest;
To all who mourn and long for comfort;
To all who struggle and desire victory;
To all who sin and need a Savior;
To all who are strangers and want fellowship;
To all who hunger and thirst after righteousness;
and to all who will come,
This church opens wide her doors
and offers welcome
in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Welcome
Call to Worship
based on Matthew 21:1-11, Zechariah 9:9
Reader
Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives,
then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and
immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them
to me. If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will
send them at once.”
The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. They brought the donkey and
the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them. Most of the crowd spread their
cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.
And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna
to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the
highest!” And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who
is this?”
Leader
People
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!
Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem!
Behold, your king is coming to you;
righteous and having salvation is he,
humble and mounted on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
The Son of David is our Savior!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
Hosanna in the highest!
Opening Hymn
“All Glory Laud and Honor”
All
All glory, laud and honor
To thee, Redeemer, King,
To whom the lips of children
Made sweet hosannas ring!
Thou art the King of Israel,
Thou David’s royal Son,
Who in the Lord’s name comest,
The King and blessed One.
The company of angels
Are praising thee on high,
And mortal men and all things
Created make reply.
The people of the Hebrews
With palms before thee went;
Our prayer and praise and anthems
Before thee we present.
To thee, before thy passion,
They sang their hymns of praise;
To thee, now high exalted,
Our melody we raise.
Thou didst accept their praises;
Accept the prayers we bring,
Who in all good delightest,
Thou good and gracious King!
All glory, laud and honor
To thee, Redeemer, King,
To whom the lips of children
Made sweet hosannas ring!
words Theodulph of Orleans, c. 820; tr. John Mason Neale, 1851; music Melchior Teschner, c. 1615; Public Domain
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Prayer of Adoration
Prayer of Confession
Leader
People
Holy God,
By our worship we are to show your welcome,
By our worship we are to testify to your grace,
By our worship we are to participate in your Spirit,
By our worship we are to glorify you.
But we have treated worship as consumers,
and made it about us rather than you.
We have not welcomed others with your hospitality.
We have not invited our family, friends, neighbors
and associates to meet you in worship.
We have not wholeheartedly participated in worship.
We have not entered into worship solely for your honor and glory.
All
Holy God, forgive us.
Cleanse us with the precious blood of Christ.
Renew us by your grace.
Restore in us a heart of worship.
Assurance of Pardon in the Gospel
based on 1 Corinthians 15:56-58
Leader
Though our sin deserves death, thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our
Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable,
always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
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Song of Thanksgiving
“I will Sing of my Redeemer”
All
I will sing of my Redeemer,
And his wondrous love to me;
On the cruel cross, he suffered,
From the curse to set me free.
I will tell the wondrous story,
How my lost estate to save,
In his boundless love and mercy,
He the ransom freely gave.
Sing, oh sing, of my Redeemer, with his blood, he purchased me.
On the cross, he sealed my pardon, paid the debt and made me free.
I will praise my dear Redeemer,
His triumphant power I’ll tell,
How the victory he giveth,
Over sin and death and hell.
Sing, oh sing, of my Redeemer, with his blood, he purchased me.
On the cross, he sealed my pardon, paid the debt and made me free.
I will sing of my Redeemer,
And his heav’nly love to me;
He from death to life hath brought me,
Son of God with him to be.
Sing, oh sing, of my Redeemer, with his blood, he purchased me.
On the cross, he sealed my pardon, paid the debt and made me free.
Sing, oh sing, of my Redeemer, with his blood, he purchased me.
On the cross, he sealed my pardon, paid the debt and made me free.
words Phillip Bliss, 1976; music Luke Morton, 2005
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Song of Thanksgiving
“Rejoice the Lord is King”
All
Rejoice, the Lord is King!
Your Lord and King adore;
Rejoice, give thanks and sing,
And triumph evermore;
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;
Rejoice, I say, rejoice!
Jesus, the Savior, reigns,
The God of truth and love;
When he had purged our stains
He took his seat above;
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;
Rejoice, I say, rejoice!
His kingdom cannot fail,
He rules o’er earth and heaven,
The keys of death and hell
Are to our Jesus given;
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;
Rejoice, I say, rejoice!
Rejoice in glorious hope!
Jesus, the Judge, shall come,
And take his servants up
To their eternal home.
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;
Rejoice, I say, rejoice!
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;
Rejoice, I say, rejoice!
Rejoice, I say, rejoice!
words Charles Wesley, 1744; music Nathan Partain, 2003
Prayer of Devotion
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Offering of Gifts and Service
Offertory
“For His Own Sake”
I have seen the bright birth of the morning,
I have worked through the sweat of the day,
I have laughed as the summer rains poured down from heaven
And I’ve harvested oceans of grain.
I have worked and I’ve worked and had nothing,
I have prayed and I’ve prayed with no rain,
I have lost to the fire, storm and locust and
Woke up to find all my land left in shame.
Still each morning and noon and in evening,
I will trust my Lord and bless his name.
Not seeking the gain but the Giver
So that I love him for nothing but for his own sake.
Leader
I have made the mistake that my blessing,
Means the favor of God on my ways,
And thought every hardship, his anger against me,
And cried out in darkness for grace.
Now I know that his favor is steadfast,
He has anchored my soul in his peace,
So that suffering is now just the pangs of my hunger,
To know the embrace of my King.
Still each morning and noon and in evening,
I will trust my Lord and bless his name.
Not seeking the gain but the Giver
So that I love him for nothing but for his own sake.
I have learned that this world is not truest,
That there’s hope held securely beyond,
And since Jesus has suffered through my own destruction,
I entrust my all to my God.
I have seen deepest loss bring rejoicing,
Seen a mother with her stillborn sing praise,
I have seen those abused and those ravaged by sickness,
Through tears and in anguish give thanks.
Still each morning and noon and in evening,
I will trust my Lord and bless his name.
Not seeking the gain but the Giver
So that I love him for nothing but for his own sake.
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Nathan Partain, 2014
Scripture
I Corinthians 14:20-40
Reader
Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking
be mature. 21 In the Law it is written, “By people of strange tongues and by the lips of
foreigners will I speak to this people, and even then they will not listen to me, says the
Lord.” 22 Thus tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy
is a sign not for unbelievers but for believers. 23 If, therefore, the whole church comes
together and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say
that you are out of your minds? 24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider
enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all, 25 the secrets of his heart are
disclosed, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really
among you. 26
What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a
revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up. 27 If
any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let
someone interpret. 28 But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent
in church and speak to himself and to God. 29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let
the others weigh what is said. 30 If a revelation is made to another sitting there, let the
first be silent. 31 For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be
encouraged, 32 and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. 33 For God is not a God
of confusion but of peace.
As in all the churches of the saints, 34 the women should keep silent in the churches.
For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says.
35
If there is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their husbands at home. For it
is shameful for a woman to speak in church. 36 Or was it from you that the word of God
came? Or are you the only ones it has reached? 37 If anyone thinks that he is a prophet,
or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command
of the Lord. 38 If anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized. 39 So, my brothers,
earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 40 But all things
should be done decently and in order.
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Congregational Response
Reader
People
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Sermon
Jason Dorsey
The Holy Spirit and Christian Worship (2)
Children’s Worship: We offer Children’s Worship for ages 4 through 1st grade.
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Community Group Questions
1. Discuss the four aspects of Christian (public) worship in this passage:
(1) Welcoming, (2) Evangelistic, (3) Participatory, (4) God-honoring.
2. Which of these aspects of Christian worship do you (individually) feel the Holy Spirit calling you
to step into more purposely?
3. How should the cross of Jesus Christ motivate you to step into worship? Pray for each other to
partner with the Holy Spirit in worship.
Children’s Question
Does God call you as a child to worship him in church? Why do you think that?
Notes
Call to Communion and Prayer
Guidelines for the Reception of Communion
Redeemer welcomes all Christians who are willing to forsake their sin and trust in Jesus Christ for
salvation and who are members of congregations which proclaim the gospel to receive Communion
with us. We will be coming forward for the distribution of Communion. Please eat the bread privately,
and then drink the cup together with us after everyone has returned to their seats. Clear cups
(located in the interior rings) contain grape juice. Red cups (exterior ring of tray) contain wine.
Children who have been examined by the elders and admitted to the Lord’s Table are able to partake
of Communion.
Ministry of Prayer
The ministry of prayer is one of the ways we live together as a community of believers and seekers.
During Communion, members of our prayer team are available at the front of the sanctuary. It would
be our privilege to pray with you as we walk together through the joys and struggles of life. We also
encourage you to pray with one another in the pews during this time of movement in our service.
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Song of Celebration
“God is Good, God is True”
Leader
The first man, Adam, was your first son.
He was unfaithful, he did not trust
And though you loved him, he was not content
He grew suspicious, that he had been tricked.
God is good, God is true
He is not shifty, He does not abuse
God is tender and patient in love
God is our Father, now we’re daughters and sons.
Like our blood father, we are prone to doubt.
Like him, we are cynics, and our judgments proud.
We think we know best, how to protect ourselves
While chase a spiral, in the orbit of hell.
God is good, God is true
He is not shifty, He does not abuse
God is tender and patient in love
God is our Father, now we’re daughters and sons.
The second Adam was tempted, yet without sin.
The pull was torrent, but he did not bend.
He was steadfast, to the bitter end
When he rose from our death, we were born again.
God is good, God is true
He is not shifty, He does not abuse
God is tender and patient in love
God is our Father, now we’re daughters and sons.
Nathan Partain, 2013
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Song of Celebration
“Come, O Come Thou Quick’ning Spirit”
Leader
Come, O come, Thou quickening Spirit, God from all eternity!
May Thy power never fail us; dwell within us constantly.
Then shall truth and life and light, then shall truth and life and light,
Then shall truth and life and light, banish all the doom of night.
Grant our hearts in fullest measure, wisdom, counsel, purity,
That we may be ever seeking, only that which pleases Thee.
Let Thy knowledge spread and grow, let Thy knowledge spread and grow,
Let Thy knowledge spread and grow, more of you we long to know.
Show us, Lord, the path of blessing; when we trespass on our way,
Cast, O Lord, our sins behind Thee, though we grieve you day by day.
Should we stray, O Lord, recall; should we stray, O Lord, recall;
Should we stray, O Lord, recall; work repentance when we fall.
If our soul can find no comfort, if despondency grows strong,
And the heart cries out in anguish, “How could you? Why God? How long?”
Draw us, Lord, to fall before you, with a childlike heart to pray;
Sigh in us, O Holy Spirit, ‘til we hope in you again.
Holy Spirit, strong and mighty, thou Who makest all things new,
Make Thy work within us perfect, and our evil foe subdue.
Grant us weapons for the strife, grant us weapons for the strife
Grant us weapons for the strife, give us victory in this life.
words: Heinrich Held 1664 (translated from German to English by Charles W. Schaeffer, 1866); music: Nathan Partain, 2013
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Valediction
Leader
Jesus Christ is your spiritual Rock. Upon Him you stand.
In Him you have your being. Through Him all that He has is yours.
To whom will you liken this Jesus? What other rock will you trust?
People
Heavenly Father, give us grace to flee from our idols
and instead flee to your Son, Jesus Christ.
Help us to see where we set our hearts on things above You.
Help us to taste the destruction of idolatry without being destroyed.
Help us to take the way out when tempted.
Leader
Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God!
People
Give us grace to please everyone in everything we do so that many may be saved!
All of our children are invited to come forward to rejoice during the closing hymn and receive
the benediction.
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Departing Hymn
“Psalm 136”
All
The Lord is all that’s good. He is the Power of powers.
He is the Beauty of beauties. He is the Fear of fears.
He alone is the Author of wonders. His thoughts are like the universe;
His care spread the earth on the water.
He’s the truth of the day. He’s the hope through the night.
His love endures forever. He is steadfast. He is faithful.
His love endures forever. He is a fortress. He is more than able
To make us stand pure in his sight.
He crushed the head of death, delivered us from the reach of his hand.
With his mighty arm, he made us a path,
A way through the deep, we walk on dry land.
While Pharaoh is damned to darkness, he guides us through the wilderness.
He breaks every scepter, makes low every name.
In us, he has planted his kingdom, his flame.
His love endures forever. He is steadfast. He is faithful.
His love endures forever. He is a fortress. He is more than able
To make us like stars in the night.
He never forgets our weakness. He spares us from the enemy.
He strengthens our soul with the breath of his mouth.
Give thanks to the Lord of heaven. Cry out!
His love endures forever. He is steadfast. He is faithful.
His love endures forever. He is a fortress. He is more than able.
His love endures forever. He is steadfast. He is faithful.
His love endures forever. He is a fortress. He is more than able
To raise us from death unto life.
Nathan Partain, 2001
Benediction
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Easter Brunch is Happening at Redeemer
On Easter we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ. What better
way to celebrate the joy of the resurrection than by feasting with friends and
family. We want to have our own feast as a spiritual family, and so we will be
having an Easter Brunch on Sunday, April 20 at 10:00 a.m. during our CT&T
hour. Everyone is invited to join us in the courtyard and feast together as we
celebrate the resurrection. (In case of inclement weather, we will move to
the gym.)
If you are planning to attend, please sign-up in the Welcome Center or
contact Mary Howard directly (317.797.0431). You can also sign-up to bring
food and/or volunteer with set-up and clean-up.
Mary Howard,
Hospitality Coordinator
Food Needs
We are still in need of a few food items in order to have a successful brunch:
-We need three more people to cook ham.
We are providing hams, and you can pick up the ham in the kitchen today (April 13).
-We need three to six more fruit salads.
-We need seven to ten more pastry items.
Volunteer Needs
Hosting a brunch of this size requires a number of volunteers. We still have needs in the following
areas:
-We need two more individuals to set up at 8:00 a.m.
-We need five more individuals to work on the brunch food team from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.
-We need four more individuals to help clean up beginning at 11:00 a.m.
We hope you can join us on Easter Sunday, April 20 at 10:00 a.m. If you worship during the first service,
please stay for brunch and linger with your church family. If you will be worshiping during second
service, please come early and enjoy the brunch with us. Let us celebrate the Easter feast together. For
more information: Mary Howard, mary@redeemindy.org.
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Announcements
Today: Attend the Children’s Worship Open House during the 10 a.m. hour
If you are still not sure what Children’s Worship is all about, we encourage you to join us for Children’s Worship during
our Open House. Please join us in the Children’s Worship room #160 right off the left of the sanctuary. This invitation is
for everyone - parents with or without children in Children’s Worship, those interested in volunteering and the curious!
Today: CT &T Classes Meet in the Underground
All adult Christian Teaching and Training (CT&T) classes will meet today in the Underground at 10:00 a.m. for spiritual
renewal and prayer for the coming of Holy Week. Also on Easter Sunday, April 20 there will be no children or adult
CT&T classes.
Today: Artist Talk in the City Gallery
Please join artists from the THREAD collaborative who will be talking about their exhibit in the City Gallery after 2nd
service.
Today: 20-Something Singles Luncheon
In a desire to create a connecting place for post college 20-somethings singles, we will gather around a table to eat, discuss
life, ask questions, share experiences, laugh, and develop community. We do this each 2nd Sunday of the month after
the 2nd service (1pm-ish) until people are ready to leave. We meet at Connie Kauffman’s home: 1328 E Vermont St. 46201
Pizza and Game Night for College Students: April 25 at 6:30pm
Drew and Amy Lurker would like to invite all Redeemer college students over to our home for a night of food and fun.
We live at 4244 Rookwood Ave ( just south of Butler). For more information: Amy Lurker, amylurker@gmail.com or
317.796.6456.
Discovering Redeemer Class: April 25 & 26
For those who wish to explore our beliefs, vision, and structure, this is an opportunity to learn about Redeemer. If you
are considering membership at Redeemer this is also a prerequisite to membership. The class will be held at Redeemer
in the Underground Friday night from 6-9:00 p.m. Saturday morning the discussion will continue from 9-noon. For more
information: Lee Hinkle, lee@redeemindy.org.
Review of Redeemer’s Financial Stewardship: April 27
Interested in reviewing Redeemer’s 2013 Annual Report and the 2014 budget? Please join us Sunday, April 27, during
the CT&T hour in the Underground for this conversation. Information was presented in community groups; if you are
not in a group or would like additional information, please come! For more information: Ben Reed, ben@redeemindy.
org or Amy Wilson, amy@redeemindy.org.
Need Help?
If you are in need of help (financial aid/advice, spiritual counsel, etc.), you are encouraged to contact by e-mail
(diaconate@redeemindy.org) or call the church office at 317-238-5487.
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Congregational Giving
Apr 6th ............................................................................... $ 22,619.19
Apr Total .............................................................................. $ 22,619.19
Apr Budget.......................................................................... $ 115,416.67
Designated Giving
Mercy Ministry YTD ...................................................... $2,530.00
Missions Team YTD ...................................................... $4,705.00
Building Team YTD ....................................................... $ 828.30
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