Willow Springs MC Palm Sunday April 5, 2020

Title: Show us how to balance celebration and grief

Focus statement
We praise Jesus along with the crowds for all we know of his miracles and goodness, but it so quickly turns this week to events that led to his death. Longing to understand Jesus more deeply, we say, “Show us how to both celebrate your life and honor your death.”

Call to worship
Leader:The Lord is my strength and my song and has given me victory. 
	Songs of joy and victory are sung in the camp of the godly. 
	The strong right arm of the Lord has done glorious things! 
	I will live to tell what the Lord has done!
ALL: 	God’s faithful love endures forever!
Leader:  Open for me the gates where the righteous enter, 
	and I will go in and thank the Lord. 
	These gates lead to the presence of the Lord, 
	and the godly enter there. 
	I thank you for answering my prayer!
All: 	God’s faithful love endures forever!
Leader:  “This is the day the Lord has made. 
	We will rejoice and be glad in it. 
	Bless the one who comes in the name of the Lord. 
	We bless you from the house of the Lord. 
	You are my God, and I will praise you! 
	Give thanks to the Lord, whose faithful love endures forever!”
All:  	God’s faithful love endures forever!

Singing

Confession
Leader: O God, we come to you as the people who greeted Jesus on the road to Jerusalem, 
	full of joy and praise and thanksgiving. 
	Forgive us for the times we forget to show you our gratitude. 
	Lord, have mercy. 
People: Lord Jesus have mercy on us.
Leader: We come as the people who were baffled 
	when they realized how quickly their joy was turned to sorrow for you. 
	Lord, have mercy.
People: Lord Jesus have mercy on us. 
Leader: We come, wanting to be with you 
	as you enter the time and place of your death, 
	knowing we cannot face this week alone. 
	Lord, have mercy.
All:	Lord Jesus have mercy on us.

Singing

Children’s time - Have you ever cheered for someone?  How do we feel during the time of cheering?  Excited, happy, with hope and celebration.

 For Palm Sunday we often have branches and sing songs with words like “Hosanna” and “Hallelujah.”  
Jesus was cheered and respected, but then something else happened. People cheered but revealed emotions changing from joy to sorrow, when people weren’t happy with Jesus anymore. 
Lesson:We can think of a ball game when a player gets hurt. In some games, all the players will go down on one knee while the hurt player is attended to. What had been a fun game can quickly become sad when someone gets hurt. That’s what happened with Jesus and his friends after the joy of waving the branches. 
Listen to Philippians 2:10 slowly. Then ask the children to listen to the verse again. As you read verse 10 for the second time lead them by example and kneel. If possible close in prayer while kneeling.  
Prayer: Jesus you came as a man, but you are more than a man. There is no one else like you. You are Jesus Christ our Lord. Glory be to God. Amen.

Scripture: Matthew 21:1-11

Sermon: Jesus is the King!
		Now What Does That Mean?
Singing

Sharing - Pastoral prayer/offering prayer

The Lord walks with us these days in all the unanswered questions in our lives and around the world.
Prayer for many impacted by the coronavirus:
+Heath care workers, and other leaders in care centers.
+Neighbors near and far.
+The unemployed.
+Small business owners.
+Those with the virus.
+Those with other illnesses.
+People around the world grieving the loss of a loved one.
+The poor and homeless.
+All in developing countries.
+Societal and cultural institutions.
+National leaders all over the world.
We offer our lives to the Lord for encounters of life in the midst of the pressure and stress of the CV19 challenges.
Give us wisdom as we know we belong to you and each other!

Offerings can be mailed to Willow Springs at PO BOX 386, Tiskilwa, 61368

Benediction
May you find the balance you need in the ups and downs of your life, and may you have the courage to keep walking with Jesus. Go in peace to continue your walk with Jesus.