Author: Kaila Ehrensberger

Altar flowers – In loving memory of George Gaul – Presented by his loving daughters

Reading: Organ Prelude – The Palms, Jean Baptiste Faure, setting by Lani Smith

Call to Worship                    BOW 352
O’er all the way green palms and blossoms gay
Are strewn this day in festal preparation,
Where Jesus comes, to wipe our tears away;
E’en now the throng to welcome Him prepare.
Join all and sing His name divine,
Let every voice resound with united acclamation,
Hosanna!  Praised be the Lord,
Bless Him who cometh to bring us salvation.

Opening Prayer
Almighty God, on this day your Son Jesus Christ entered the holy city of Jerusalem and was proclaimed King by those who spread their garments and palm branches along his way. Let those branches be for us signs of his victory, and grant that we who bear them in his name may ever hail him as our Lord, and follow him in the way that leads to eternal life. In his name we pray. Amen.

Hymn                                     All Glory, Laud and Honor                            UMH 280
1. 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.

2. All glory, laud, and honor, to thee, Redeemer, King, to whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring. The company of angels are praising thee on high, and we with all creation in chorus make reply.

3. All glory, laud, and honor, to thee, Redeemer, King, to whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring. The people of the Hebrews with palms before thee went; our prayer and praise and anthems before thee we present.

4. All glory, laud, and honor, to thee, Redeemer, King, to whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring. To thee, before thy passion, they sang their hymns of praise; to thee, now high exalted, our melody we raise.

5. All glory, laud, and honor, to thee, Redeemer, King, to whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring. 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.

First Reading             Psalm 118:1-2,19-29
¹O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever! ²Let Israel say, “His steadfast love endures forever.” ¹⁹Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord. ²⁰This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous shall enter through it. ²¹I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation. ²²The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. ²³This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. ²⁴This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. ²⁵Save us, we beseech you, O Lord! O Lord, we beseech you, give us success! ²⁶Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. We bless you from the house of the Lord. ²⁷The Lord is God, and he has given us light. Bind the festal procession with branches, up to the horns of the altar. ²⁸You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God, I will extol you. ²⁹O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.

Statement of Faith                            WSL 80
We believe in the Most High God who strengthens us and repays us many more times than we expect. We believe in God who gives generously and who expects the same from all creatures God has made. We believe in God whose utmost, loving sacrifice is experienced through Jesus Christ, who paid it all. We  believe that Jesus Christ consciously and lovingly emptied himself so that we may learn to make sacrifice and live joyfully before God. By Christ’s impartial love we learn to love all those on the margins. We believe in the Holy Spirit who enables us to represent Jesus to the world. We believe that by the power of the Holy Spirit a new community will be created without labels.  We believe all has been accomplished for deliverance and salvation and is now being lived in flesh even as God is glorified in heaven.

Tithes & Offerings – Can be sent to 329 N. 5^th Street; Reading, PA 19601  Or online HERE

Reading: Chancel Choir – One Thousand Hosannas, Joel Raney

Offertory Prayer                   WSL 110
Jesus gave himself for us, God. We’ll never equal that with our gifts. Our gifts will never pay you back, but they can say, “Thank you, God.” And as we give our lives for others, we let you know that we understand. So, accept our gifts, God of grace, and use our lives however you choose. Amen

The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

Prayers of the People  Send Prayer requests to office@holycrossumc.com

Hymn             Tell Me the Stories of Jesus                UMH    277
1. Tell me the stories of Jesus I love to hear; things I would ask him to tell me if he were here: scenes by the wayside, tales of the sea, stories of Jesus, tell them to me.

2. First let me hear how the children stood round his knee, and I shall fancy his blessing resting on me; words full of kindness, deeds full of grace, all in the love-light of Jesus’ face.

3. Into the city I’d follow the children’s band, waving a branch of the palm tree high in my hand; one of his heralds, yes, I would sing loudest hosannas, “Jesus is King!”

Second Reading – Luke 19:28-40
²⁸After he had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. ²⁹When he had come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples, ³⁰saying, “Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. ³¹If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ just say this, ‘The Lord needs it.’” ³²So those who were sent departed and found it as he had told them. ³³As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?” ³⁴They said, “The Lord needs it.” ³⁵Then they brought it to Jesus; and after throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. ³⁶As he rode along, people kept spreading their cloaks on the road. ³⁷As he was now approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen, ³⁸saying, “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!” ³⁹Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, order your disciples to stop.” ⁴⁰He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.”

Message                                                                                                                      Rev. Mandy Miller

Hymn             Hosanna, Loud Hosanna                    UMH   278
1. Hosanna, loud hosanna, the little children sang; through pillared court and temple the lovely anthem rang. To Jesus, who had blessed them close folded to his breast, the children sang their praises, the simplest and the best.

2. From Olivet they followed mid an exultant crowd, the victor palm branch waving, and chanting clear and loud. The Lord of earth and heaven rode on in lowly state, nor scorned that little children should on his bidding wait.

3. “Hosanna in the highest!” that ancient song we sing, for Christ is our Redeemer, the Lord of heaven our King. O may we ever praise him with heart an

Benediction     

Reading: Organ Postlude – Ride On In Majesty, setting by Edward Broughton  Tune, “St. Drostane” by John Dykes

Hymns and Prayers used under CCLS# 2049575 / Hymns and Prayers for Streaming CCSL #20468685/ Bible readings from New Revised Standard Version.

Altar Flowers presented by Terry Guers in Celebration of Kyle & Nathan’s Birthday

Reading: Organ Prelude – Ave Verum, Wolfgang Mozart, setting by Diane Bish

Call to Worship                     BOW 453
L: Sing praises to God, O you saints, and give thanks to God’s holy name!
P: We exalt you, O God, for you have restored us to life!
L: We may cry through the night, but your joy comes with the morning.
P: You hear us, O God, and you are gracious in our distress.
L: You turn our mourning into dancing!
P: Our souls cannot be silent! O God, our Savior, we give thanks to you forever!

Opening Prayer                      BOW 464                               Terry Guers (R)
O God, in mystery and silence you are present in our lives, bringing new life out of destruction, hope out of despair, growth out of difficulty. We thank you that you do not leave us alone but labor to make us whole. Help us to perceive your unseen hand in the unfolding of our lives, and to attend to the gentle guidance of your Spirit, that we may know the joy you give your people. Amen.

Favorite Hymn                        My Jesus, I Love Thee              UMH 172
1. My Jesus, I love thee, I know thou art mine; for thee all the follies of sin I resign. My gracious Redeemer, my Savior art thou; if ever I loved thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

2. I love thee because thou hast first loved me, and purchased my pardon on Calvary’s tree; I love thee for wearing the thorns on thy brow; if ever I loved thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

3. In mansions of glory and endless delight, I’ll ever adore thee in heaven so bright; I’ll sing with the glittering crown on my brow; if ever I loved thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

First Reading – John 13:21-26,33-35         ) Terry Guers  (R)
²¹After saying this Jesus was troubled in spirit, and declared, “Very truly, I tell you, one of you will betray me.” ²²The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he was speaking. ²³One of his disciples—the one whom Jesus loved—was reclining next to him; ²⁴Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. ²⁵So while reclining next to Jesus, he asked him, “Lord, who is it?” ²⁶Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” So when he had dipped the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas son of Simon Iscariot. ³³Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ ³⁴I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. ³⁵By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Tithes & Offerings – Can be sent to 329 N. 5^th Street; Reading, PA 19601  Or online HERE

Calvary Offertory:   Near the Cross

Reading: Offertory/Solo – Were You There, Afro-American spiritual           Soloist – Tom Wettach

Offertory Prayer                    Abingdon

Receive, O God, all that we are: our treasures, our time, our talents, and even our forgiven flaws. May your grace be made known through our giving, that others may be healed by the Spirit of Christ, our friend. Amen. 

Prayers of the People  Send Prayer requests to office@holycrossumc.com

Hymn              More Love to Thee                 UMH    453
1. More love to thee, O Christ, more love to thee! Hear thou the prayer I make on bended knee. This is my earnest plea: More love, O Christ, to thee; more love to thee, more love to thee!

2. Once earthly joy I craved, sought peace and rest; now thee alone I seek, give what is best. This all my prayer shall be: More love, O Christ, to thee; more love to thee, more love to thee!

3. Let sorrow do its work, come grief and pain; sweet are thy messengers, sweet their refrain, when they can sing with me: More love, O Christ, to thee; more love to thee, more love to thee!

4. Then shall my latest breath whisper thy praise; this be the parting cry my heart shall raise; this still its prayer shall be: More love, O Christ, to thee; more love to thee, more love to thee!

Second Reading – John 19:25b-27
Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. ²⁶When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, “Woman, here is your son.” ²⁷Then he said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home.

Message                                                                                                                      Rev. Mandy Miller

Communion                           THE GREAT THANKSGIVING FOR LATER IN LENT
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give our thanks and praise.

It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Almighty God, creator of heaven and earth.  In love you made us for yourself; and when we had fallen into sin and become subject to evil and death, your love remained steadfast.  You bid your faithful people cleanse their hearts and prepare with joy for the Easter feast, that, renewed by your Word and Sacraments and fervent in prayer and works of justice and mercy, we may come to the fullness of grace that you have prepared for those who love you. And so, with your people on earth and all the company of heaven we praise your name   and join their unending hymn:
            Holy, holy, holy 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.

Holy are you, and blessed is your Son Jesus Christ, whom you sent in the fullness of time to redeem the world.  He emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in our likeness. He humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross.  He took upon himself our sin and death and offered himself, a perfect sacrifice for the sin of the whole world.  By the baptism of his suffering, death, and resurrection you gave birth to your Church, delivered us from slavery to sin and death, and made with us a new covenant by water and the Spirit.

On the night in which he gave himself up for us, he took bread, gave thanks to you, broke the bread, gave it to his disciples, and said:
“Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you.  Do this in remembrance of me.”

When the supper was over he took the cup, gave thanks to you, gave it to his disciples, and said:
“Drink from this, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant, poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins.  Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

And so, in remembrance of these your mighty acts in Jesus Christ, we offer ourselves in   praise and Thanksgiving as a holy and living sacrifice, in union with Christ’s offering for us, as we proclaim the mystery of faith.

Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again.

Pour out your Holy Spirit on us gathered here, and on these gifts of bread and wine.  Make them be for us the body and blood of Christ, that we may be for the world the body of Christ, redeemed by his blood.

By your Spirit make us one with Christ, one with each other, and one in ministry to all the world, until Christ comes in final victory, and we feast at his heavenly banquet.

Through your Son Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit in your holy Church, all honor and glory is yours, Almighty God , now and forever.           Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

Hymn             O How I love Jesus                   UMH   170
1. There is a name I love to hear, I love to sing its worth; it sounds like music in my ear, the sweetest name on earth. O how I love Jesus, O how I love Jesus, O how I love Jesus, because he first loved me!

2. It tells me of a Savior’s love, who died to set me free; it tells me of his precious blood, the sinner’s perfect plea. O how I love Jesus, O how I love Jesus, O how I love Jesus, because he first loved me!

3. It tells of one whose loving heart can feel my deepest woe; who in each sorrow bears a part that none can bear below. O how I love Jesus, O how I love Jesus, O how I love Jesus, because he first loved me!

Benediction     

Reading: Organ Postlude – The Old Rugged Cross, George Bennard, setting by Paul Mickelson

Hymns and Prayers used under CCLS# 2049575 / Hymns and Prayers for Streaming CCSL #20468685/ Bible readings from New Revised Standard Version.

Organ Prelude:  Beautiful Savior, adapted from F. Christiansen – James Shaw on Organ

Call to Worship                    BOW 318
L: The Lord is Sovereign; let the people tremble in awe.
P: God is enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth shake.
L: The Lord is great in Zion and is high above all peoples.
P: Proclaim the greatness of the Lord our God, and worship Yahweh upon the holy mountain.

Opening Prayer         UMH 259   Terry Guers (R)
Holy God, upon the mountain you revealed our Messiah, who by his death and resurrection would fulfill both the law and the prophets. By his transfiguration enlighten our path that we may dare to suffer with him in the service of humanity and so share in the everlasting glory of him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, forever. Amen.

Favorite Hymn                      Shine Jesus Shine                    FWS 2173
1. Shine, Jesus, shine
Fill this land with the Father’s glory
Blaze, Spirit, blaze
Set our hearts on fire
Flow, river, flow
Flood the nations with grace and mercy
Send forth your word
Lord, and let there be light
Lord, the light of your love is shining
In the midst of the darkness, shining
Jesus, Light of the world, shine upon us
Set us free by the truth you now bring us
Shine on me, shine on me

2. Shine, Jesus, shine
Fill this land with the Father’s glory
Blaze, Spirit, blaze
Set our hearts on fire
Flow, river, flow
Flood the nations with grace and mercy
Send forth your word
Lord, and let there be light
Lord, I come to your awesome presence
From the shadows into your radiance
By the blood I may enter your brightness
Search me, try me, consume all my darkness
Shine on me, shine on me

3. Shine, Jesus, shine
Fill this land with the Father’s glory
Blaze, Spirit, blaze
Set our hearts on fire
Flow, river, flow
Flood the nations with grace and mercy
Send forth your word
Lord, and let there be light
As we gaze on your kingly brightness
So our faces display your likeness
Ever changing from glory to glory
Mirrored here may our lives tell your story
Shine on me, shine on me

First Reading – Exodus 34:29-35                     Terry Guers (R)
²⁹Moses came down from Mount Sinai. As he came down from the mountain with the two tablets of the covenant in his hand, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God. ³⁰When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, the skin of his face was shining, and they were afraid to come near him. ³¹But Moses called to them; and Aaron and all the leaders of the congregation returned to him, and Moses spoke with them. ³²Afterward all the Israelites came near, and he gave them in commandment all that the Lord had spoken with him on Mount Sinai. ³³When Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face; ³⁴but whenever Moses went in before the Lord to speak with him, he would take the veil off, until he came out; and when he came out, and told the Israelites what he had been commanded, ³⁵the Israelites would see the face of Moses, that the skin of his face was shining; and Moses would put the veil on his face again, until he went in to speak with him.

Tithes & Offerings – Can be sent to 329 N. 5^th Street; Reading, PA 19601  Or online HERE

Chancel Choir Offertory:  Beautiful Savior, Silesian Folk Tune
              Beautiful Savior, King of Creation, Son of God and Son of Man!
              Truly I’d love thee, Truly I’d serve thee, Light of my soul, my joy, my crown.  
              Fair are the meadows, Fair are the woodlands, Robed in flow’rs of blooming spring;
              Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer, He makes our sorrowing spirit sing.
              Fair is the sunshine, fair is the moonlight, Bright the sparkling stars on high;
              Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer Than all the angels in the sky.
              Beautiful Savior, Lord of the nations, Son of God and Son of Man!
              Glory and honor, Praise, adoration, Now and forevermore be thine!

Offertory Prayer                   WSL 111
Holy God, we give you ourselves, captive and free, shaped by forces beyond our control, yet open to the power of your Spirit. Through us, and our gifts, may others know that when anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation, and that the old ways ends, and new life begins for everyone. Amen

Prayers of the People  Send Prayer requests to Office@holycrossumc.com

The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

Hymn             When Morning Gilds the Sky                          UMH 185
1. When morning gilds the skies my heart awaking cries: May Jesus Christ be praised! Alike at work and prayer, to Jesus I repair: May Jesus Christ be praised!

2. The night becomes as day when from the heart we say: May Jesus Christ be praised! The powers of darkness fear when this sweet chant they hear: May Jesus Christ be praised!

3. Let all the earth around ring joyous with the sound: May Jesus Christ be praised! In heaven’s eternal bliss the loveliest strain is this: May Jesus Christ be praised!

4. Be this, while life is mine, my canticle divine: May Jesus Christ be praised! Be this th’eternal song through all the ages long: May Jesus Christ be praised!

Second Reading – Luke 9:28-36
²⁸Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. ²⁹And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. ³⁰Suddenly they saw two men, Moses, and Elijah, talking to him. ³¹They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. ³²Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. ³³Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah” —not knowing what he said. ³⁴While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. ³⁵Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!” ³⁶When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and, in those days, told no one any of the things they had seen.

Message          Rev. Mandy Miller

Hymn             Christ, Upon the Mountain Peaks                  UMH 260
1. Christ, upon the mountain peak, stands alone in glory blazing; let us, if we dare to speak, with the saints and angels praise him: Alleluia!

2. Trembling at his feet we saw Moses and Elijah speaking. All the prophets and the law shout thru them their joyful greeting: Alleluia!

3. Swift the cloud of glory came, God proclaiming in its thunder Jesus as the Son by name! Nations, cry aloud in wonder: Alleluia!

4. This is God’s beloved Son! Law and prophets fade before him; first and last and only one, let creation now adore him: Alleluia!

Benediction     

Organ Postlude:  Postlude on “Azmon”, Don Phillips. Based on the tune “Azmon” (UMH 57)

Hymns and Prayers used under CCLS# 2049575 / Hymns and Prayers for Streaming CCSL #20468685/ Bible readings from New Revised Standard Version.