March 16, 2008, 11:00 AM
Palm Sunday

WE ENTER INTO GOD’S PRESENCE
Preparation for Worship
Call to Worship – Luke 19:28-40
*Opening Song – 378 “Hosanna, Loud Hosanna”
*God Greets Us
*We Greet Each Other
Children’s Musical – “Alive, Alive”
Call to Confession –
Today we celebrate our Lord Jesus Christ’s arrival in Jerusalem.  We have walked beside him, crying out with the crowd:  Hosanna!  Lord, save us!  Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!  But we must also remember that Jesus’ triumphant entry led our Savior to a crown of thorns.
As we follow Christ, we remember the thorns of suffering.  We confess that our sin put him on the road to Jerusalem.
Prayer of Confession
           Saving God, who silences the shouts of the mighty,
we have sinned.  We have shunned your face.  We have ignored your voice.  In your great mercy, forgive us.
Quiet within us every voice but your own.
Speak to us through the thorns of Jesus Christ so that by your Holy Spirit, we may live out our days in your service and one day enter in triumph the city not made by human hands – the New Jerusalem.   Hosanna!  Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.  For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.  (John 3:14-16)
*Song of Assurance – 384 “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross”
WE HEAR GOD’S WORD
Prayer of Preparation
Scripture Reading – Luke 13:31-35; 19:37-44
Message – “The Thorn of Rejection”
Prayer
*Song – 482:1-3 “Man of Sorrows  - What a Name”
WE RESPOND WITH THANKSGIVING
The Offerings – First:  General Fund
                         Second:  Calvin Seminary “Facing Our Future”
Sharing Joys and Concerns
Intercessory Prayer
WE ARE SENT TO LOVE AND SERVE
Opportunities for Ministry and Fellowship
*God Blesses Us
*Closing Praise – “In the Name of the Lord”
         375 “All Glory, Laud, and Honor”
    “We Will Glorify”
Postlude

ANNOUNCEMENTS
Thursday, 7:30 PM Maundy Thursday Communion Service
Friday, 7:00 PM Good Friday community worship at Ogden-Hillcrest                                                                                                             
UMC

Today is Palm Sunday, the day Christians remember the celebrative trip Jesus took into Jerusalem riding on a donkey.  The children will enter this morning carrying palm branches and will distribute them to all before they leave for children’s church.  They will also be presenting the Easter musical “Alive, Alive” this morning.  Thank you to all the children who are taking part as well as to all the teachers and volunteers who helped with practices and other details.  There will be refreshments after the service during which time you can personally thank the children and staff for the fine job they did.

The second offering today is for “Facing the Future”, a special program at Calvin Theological Seminary in which high school juniors and seniors can discover hands-on whether God may be calling them to serve in ministry in the Christian Reformed Church.

You have another opportunity today after the service to look at the pictures of what it would look like to have a cross on the outside of the building, as well as a way to envision one inside.  There are papers you can use to indicate your preferences to the council

Council is in the process of finding nominees to serve as elder and deacon for the coming years.  Today you again find an insert in the bulletin on which to indicate names of members you think would serve us well in these positions.  Don’t leave today without filling in the forms and returning them to the clearly marked box on the table in the entry.

Please join us Thursday evening at 7:30 for our Maundy Thursday celebration of Holy Communion.  We will be coming to the front to receive God’s gifts of bread and juice.  If you are unable to come to the front, an elder will be ready to serve you where you are seated.

The Chenango Valley area Good Friday service is being held this year at the Ogden-Hillcrest United Methodist Church at 7:00 PM Friday.  May our attendance and participation be a testimony to the call of Christ to people in our area.

Retreat announcement

Youth Announcements

EASTER SUNDAY, March 23, 2008

SUNDAY SCHOOL:  There are no classes today for the Easter break.  Classes will resume as usual next Sunday.
EARLY WORSHIP:  7:30 AM  Join us for an early celebration of Easter, held on the front lawn weather permitting.
EASTER BREAKFAST:  8:30-10:30 AM  All are invited to stay after the early service or to come early for the regular worship to enjoy an Easter breakfast prepared and served by one of the small groups.  Please indicate the number of people who plan to attend so we can be sure of having enough food for all.
MORNING WORSHIP:     11:00 AM   Pastor Gelder will be with us to bring an Easter message “The Glory of the Resurrected Thorns” based on Romans 5:1-10.