First Congregational Church of Plainfield
United Church of Christ
860-564-5932 www.fccplainfield.org
April 9, 2017 Palm Sunday (Year A)
Pastor Stephen Finlan
As the prelude begins please take this time in silence to prepare your hearts
Prelude - Jean Barrett, pianist
Introit - The Children’s Choir Chimes – Director, Sandy Brew
Assistant Director, Maya Taylor
Candle of Remembrance & Prayer
We light this candle for those in harm’s way;
for those serving our country in the military,
for those in the service of the United Nations and
for those involved in other humanitarian agencies.
Announcements Judy Jones
Call to Worship – Deacon Sherry
One: We gather together in this place.
All: Joyful as our palm branches fan the air in praise.
One: We wait with expectation to see Jesus—
All: Eager for a healing touch, or a blessing.
One: Our palm branches reach high with hope.
All: We long for a calm moment in the midst of worry and hurry. We long for a message of welcome and acceptance.
One: We are anxious as our palm branches lay still next to us.
All: Questioning if we are able to walk with Jesus through the week ahead, through sadness, worry, and hurt.
One: We gather together in this place.
All: Waving branches of prayer; walking toward Easter.
Please stand.
For Pastoral Care/Spiritual Needs
Contact a deacon listed below, or the pastor.
Alternates: Patti Ihloff
Deacons for April are Sherry Mason and George Brew
If you have a special prayer request, please write your request and put it in the offering plate.
Pastor Steve Finlan / 732.266.8035 cellDarlene Hill / 860.428.7406 cell
David Young / 860.608.4696 cell
George Brew / 860.367.5232 cell
Jean Lukin / 860.377.4488 cell
Merry Humphrey / 860.655.4837 cell
Sherry Mason / 860.913.4801 cell/860.822.1153 home
ATTENTION
Choir chime members wanted –
Rehearsals are Sunday mornings, at 9:15.
Grades 3-adult. No music experience needed.
GENERAL
- Visitors will find a guest book inside the front doorway on right.
- Child care is provided in our nursery.
- There are activity bags located in the back of the sanctuary;
filled with books, games and puzzles- help yourself.
- A Card Request box is available inside the front doorway. Please let us know if we might send a card to show we care.
Church Cancellation due to weather tune into
Channel 8 WTNH TV
-5-
The Church Family at Prayer
Lead me Lord; lead me in Thy righteousness.
Make Thy way plain before my face.
For it is Thou Lord, Thou Lord only,
that makest me dwell in safety.
Scripture Readings
Matt 21:1–11: Deacon Sherry
Luke 22:47–48, 54, 63–71; 23:7–12: Pastor Steve
The Message “From Hosanna to Betrayal” Pastor Steve Finlan
Please stand.
Hymn: “We Shall Overcome” #512, verses 1 and 3 – 5
Benediction Pastor Steve
Benediction Response
As we go now from this moment,
as we leave behind our time together.
May we walk with one another, may we help each other on the way.
As we go now from this moment, as we go into the future together
May we treasure one another, may we realize how precious we are.
-2-
Hymn: “Hosanna, Loud Hosanna” #267
Please remain standing for the Invocation
Prayer of Invocation – in unison led by Pastor Steve
Hosanna, O God in the highest!
You come to us in ways we never expect.
How is a King on a donkey? How can a Savior be hung on a cross?
How can we understand you? Will your message come through?
Will the palms we wave with joy today be thrown down tomorrow with doubt?
May your Spirit guide us through this Holiest of Weeks, and be aroundus, before us, within us, as we pray together theprayer Jesus taught saying:
The Lord’s Prayer – in unison led by Pastor Steve
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 sins
as we forgive those who have sinned 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.
Please be seated
Choir Anthem: “Ride On”
-3-
Children’s Sermon – Pastor Steve
Please stand
Responsive Prayer of Confession – led by Pastor Steve
One: Loving God, we confess that the streets of our lives are often crowded with a parade of busyness.
All: Do not let our faith become lukewarm.
One: Save us from thin hopes and small dreams.
All: Our cry is from the heart, from our very soul.
(time of silent reflection)
Responsive Assurance of God’s Love - led by Pastor Steve
One: Where and when we fail, God is there to make all things new.
When we admit our failings and reach out with trembling hands, God whispers to our hearts to make them kind, and holds us close. Believe this not because I have said it—
All: But because God promises it. Amen.
Gloria Patri
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen. Amen.
Please be seated
-4-
Invitation to Share – Deacon Sherry
In this week ahead we will be asked to walk the hard road of faith and face the full cost of discipleship.
We will be asked to look inside ourselves, and seek God’s healing of our bad habits.
Let us now share, so as to further the work of the spiritual community.
Offertory
Please stand.
Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Praise Him all creatures here below.
Praise Him above ye heavenly host.
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Prayer of Dedication- in unison led by Deacon Sherry
Loving God, as Hosannas fade to cries of despair,
may these gifts be used for peacemaking
that settles strife and seeks justice;
that creates hope. Amen.
Prayer Requests – Pastor Steve
Preparing Our Hearts for Prayer
Change my heart, O God, make it ever true.
Change my heart , O God, may I be like you.
You are the Potter, I am the clay;
mold me and make me, this is what I pray.
Change my heart, O God, make it ever true.
Change my heart, O God, may I be like you.
Calendar of Events Apr. 9, 2016
Mon., 4/10 Daisy Scouts meeting, 5:30 pm
Tue., 4.11 Soup supper provided by Deacons, 5 pm
Tue., 4/11 Bullying in the Churches book study, 6 pm
Tue., 4/11 Choir Practice 7:15 pm
Wed., 4/12 Cabinet meeting, 6 pm
Thur., 4/13 Women’s Prayer Group, 10 am
Thur., 4/13 “Faith” Bible study, 6 pm
Thur., 4/13 Maundy Thursday service, 7 pm
Thur., 4/13 Trustees meeting, 8 pm
Fri., 4/14 PACEM service for Good Friday, at All Hallows Church, Moosup, 10 am
Sun., 4/16 Easter and Easter Pie Sale
Fund raising
Gift cards can be ordered from Cathie for 99 Restaurant, Amazon, Walmart, Olive Garden, and Cracker Barrel.
Easter Pie Sale, Easter Sunday, 4/16
4/9 & 16: Raffle of homemade jellies and pickles. Winning ticket will be drawn on Easter
Our Church Family in Need of Prayer
Tom McBroome and family, in grieving
Pat Michalski’s family, in grieving
Sherry Mason, Kelly, Desi and Alex Gaudreau
Julia Connolly, Lisa and Jeff’s daughter
The Hill Family
Habitat for Humanity – that a needy family be selected
Lindsey Han (Judy Kettle’s friend, fighting cancer)
Christie Haskell (friend of Rebecca)
Those who are struggling with addictions
The Milliron Family (facing struggles, relatives of Elton & Leslee Bunnell)
Terry Tatro (being treated for cancer)
Helen Coombs (resident of Davis’ Place)
Linda Lukin (Jean’s daughter recovering from cancer treatment )
Bobby Stewart (Bruce &Phyllis’ son continuing chemotherapy)
Rebecca Theriaque (continued healing)
Jocelyn Espeleta (8 yr.old surviving cancer, friends of Carol Credit)
Gerald Bergsten (Rebecca’s grandmother)
For our military and their loved ones.
For all victims of natural disaster .
For all those in crisis around our world.
For all who are struggling with faith in Christ
that they may know real and enduring love.
Calendar of Events Apr. 9, 2016
Mon., 4/10 Daisy Scouts meeting, 5:30 pm
Tue., 4.11 Soup supper provided by Deacons, 5 pm
Tue., 4/11 Bullying in the Churches book study, 6 pm
Tue., 4/11 Choir Practice 7:15 pm
Wed., 4/12 Cabinet meeting, 6 pm
Thur., 4/13 Women’s Prayer Group, 10 am
Thur., 4/13 “Faith” Bible study, 6 pm
Thur., 4/13 Maundy Thursday service, 7 pm
Thur., 4/13 Trustees meeting, 8 pm
Fri., 4/14 PACEM service for Good Friday, at All Hallows Church, Moosup, 10 am
Sun., 4/16 Easter and Easter Pie Sale
Fund raising
Gift cards can be ordered from Cathie for 99 Restaurant, Amazon, Walmart, Olive Garden, and Cracker Barrel.
Easter Pie Sale, Easter Sunday, 4/16
4/9 & 16: Raffle of homemade jellies and pickles. Winning ticket will be drawn on Easter
Our Church Family in Need of Prayer
Tom McBroome and family, in grieving
Pat Michalski’s family, in grieving
Sherry Mason, Kelly, Desi and Alex Gaudreau
Julia Connolly, Lisa and Jeff’s daughter
The Hill Family
Habitat for Humanity – that a needy family be selected
Lindsey Han (Judy Kettle’s friend, fighting cancer)
Christie Haskell (friend of Rebecca)
Those who are struggling with addictions
The Milliron Family (facing struggles, relatives of Elton & Leslee Bunnell)
Terry Tatro (being treated for cancer)
Helen Coombs (resident of Davis’ Place)
Linda Lukin (Jean’s daughter recovering from cancer treatment )
Bobby Stewart (Bruce &Phyllis’ son continuing chemotherapy)
Rebecca Theriaque (continued healing)
Jocelyn Espeleta (8 yr.old surviving cancer, friends of Carol Credit)
Gerald Bergsten (Rebecca’s grandmother)
For our military and their loved ones.
For all victims of natural disaster .
For all those in crisis around our world.
For all who are struggling with faith in Christ
that they may know real and enduring love.
Matt 21:1–11
When they had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2saying 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. 3If anyone says anything to you, just say this, ‘The Lord needs them.’ And he will send them immediately.”
4This 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.”
6The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; 7they brought the donkey ... put [a] cloak on [it], and he sat on the cloak. 8A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.
9The 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!”
10When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, “Who is this?” 11The crowds were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.”
Luke 22:47–48, 54, 63–71; 23:7–12
47Suddenly a crowd came [to Gethsemane], and the one called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him; 48but Jesus said to him, “Judas, is it with a kiss that you are betraying the Son of Man?” ... 54They seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest’s house....
63The men who were holding Jesus mocked and beat him; 64they also blindfolded him and kept asking him, “Prophesy! Who is it that struck you?”65They kept heaping many other insults on him.
66When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people, both chief priests and scribes, gathered together, and they brought him to their council. 67They said, “If you are the Messiah, tell us.” He replied, “If I tell you, you will not believe; 68and if I question you, you will not answer.69But from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” 70All of them asked, “Are you, then, the Son of God?” He said to them, “You say that I am.” 71Then they said, “What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips!”. . . .
23:7 Pilate sent him off to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. 8When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had been wanting to see him for a long time, because he had heard about him and was hoping to see him perform some sign. 9He questioned him at some length, but Jesus gave him no answer. 10The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. 11Even Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him; then he put an elegant robe on him, and sent him back to Pilate. 12That same day Herod and Pilate became friends with each other; before this they had been enemies.