Welcome to ICYMI Worship! ICYMI stands for In Case You Missed It; our ICYMI series gives a brief snapshot of worship each week so that you can worship in your home, on the road, or wherever life takes you.
At Cross of Christ, our basic worship order is based on worship patterns from Hebrew traditions and biblical accounts of the earliest Christians:
We GATHER with songs and prayer,
We HEAR God’s word,
We SHARE a meal of bread and wine,
We are SENT into the world to love and serve.
Let us know how this format works for you.
Today is Palm Sunday.
PALM SUNDAY LITANY
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna to the Son of David!
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give God thanks and praise.
It is indeed right that we should thank and praise our Lord and King, Jesus Christ. With the Jerusalem crowd, we praise and honor him. We acclaim him Son of David;
King of kings;
The Promised Messiah;
The Lord of all.
As the crowd lifted their palm branches, let us lift our voices to Jesus, our Lord!
Hosanna to King Jesus!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
HOSANNA IN THE HIGHEST!
Our Gathering song at our Mosaic service is “Hosanna (Praise is Rising)”
Prayer of the Day
Lord Jesus, you are truly King of kings and Lord of lords. Receive our offering of praise, and enable us to remain faithful to you in all circumstances. May we never turn from you, but ever turn to you, in days of celebration and in our hour of greatest need. This we pray in your holy name. Amen.
This week’s readings are from Zechariah 9:9-10, Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29, and Philippians 2:5–11
Zechariah 9:9-10
9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter Zion!
Shout aloud, O daughter Jerusalem!
Lo, your king comes to you;
triumphant and victorious is he,
humble and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
10 He will cut off the chariot from Ephraim
and the war-horse from Jerusalem;
and the battle bow shall be cut off,
and he shall command peace to the nations;
his dominion shall be from sea to sea,
and from the River to the ends of the earth.
Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29
O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his steadfast love endures forever!
2 Let Israel say,
“His steadfast love endures forever.”
19 Open to me the gates of righteousness,
that I may enter through them
and give thanks to the Lord.
20 This is the gate of the Lord;
the righteous shall enter through it.
21 I thank you that you have answered me
and have become my salvation.
22 The stone that the builders rejected
has become the chief cornerstone.
23 This is the Lord’s doing;
it is marvelous in our eyes.
24 This is the day that the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
25 Save us, we beseech you, O Lord!
O Lord, we beseech you, give us success!
26 Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.
We bless you from the house of the Lord.
27 The Lord is God,
and he has given us light.
Bind the festal procession with branches,
up to the horns of the altar.
28 You are my God, and I will give thanks to you;
you are my God, I will extol you.
29 O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
Philippians 2:5-11
5-8 Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn’t think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn’t claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that—a crucifixion.
9-11 Because of that obedience, God lifted him high and honored him far beyond anyone or anything, ever, so that all created beings in heaven and on earth—even those long ago dead and buried—will bow in worship before this Jesus Christ, and call out in praise that he is the Master of all, to the glorious honor of God the Father.
This week’s Gospel text is from Mark 11:1-11
1-3 When they were nearing Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany on Mount Olives, he sent off two of the disciples with instructions: “Go to the village across from you. As soon as you enter, you’ll find a colt tethered, one that has never yet been ridden. Untie it and bring it. If anyone asks, ‘What are you doing?’ say, ‘The Master needs him, and will return him right away.’”
4-7 They went and found a colt tied to a door at the street corner and untied it. Some of those standing there said, “What are you doing untying that colt?” The disciples replied exactly as Jesus had instructed them, and the people let them alone. They brought the colt to Jesus, spread their coats on it, and he mounted.
8-10 The people gave him a wonderful welcome, some throwing their coats on the street, others spreading out rushes they had cut in the fields. Running ahead and following after, they were calling out,
Hosanna!
Blessed is he who comes in God’s name!
Blessed the coming kingdom of our father David!
Hosanna in highest heaven!
11 He entered Jerusalem, then entered the Temple. He looked around, taking it all in. But by now it was late, so he went back to Bethany with the Twelve.
Pastor Dave’s Sermon Snapshot: “The Lord Needs It”
We wave our palm branches and add our shouts of “Hosanna” to those of the crowd that cheered on King Jesus as he entered Jerusalem! May our praises never cease of the King who is our Savior, in whose name we gather this festival Sunday.
The Hymn of the Day in our Traditional service is “At the Name of Jesus” (ELW #416)
Prayers of the People – 3/25/18
Coming soon!
The Communion song at our Mosaic service is “Holy Communion”
On the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me. Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.
All are welcome to receive Christ’s Body and Blood in the Bread and Wine of the Eucharist.
And because there’s always something going on, the Announcements!
YOUNG CHILDREN AND FAMILES ARE INVITED TO THE “PRAY-GROUND” – This special space in the Sanctuary is designed for our youngest worshippers and their families. Children age 8 and under are welcome to color, play games, enjoy age-appropriate books, and just have their own space in the back of the transept – the southeast corner of the Sanctuary. We LOVE having children in worship! We hope this special place helps make them and their families feel both welcome and comfortable.
ADULT FAITH FORMATION – Pastor Dave continues a two-part series on Lent and Easter traditions throughout history and from around the world, today between services in the Library. Please join him from 10:15 to 10:55 am for this interesting exploration of how Christians celebrate these two major seasons in the church year.
CHILDREN’S SUNDAY SCHOOL – is designed to be a drop-in program for 3 through 10. We hope you can join us in the Youth Room between services, from 10:15 to 10:55 am.
HOLY WEEK AND EASTER WORSHIP – Please join us for this week’s powerful services as we journey with Jesus from the Upper Room to the Garden to the Cross and finally the Empty Tomb. Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services are at 7 pm in the Sanctuary. The Easter Vigil service is Saturday, also at 7 pm, in the Fellowship Hall. Easter Sunday we offer two services: Traditional at 9 am and Casual/Mosaic at 11 am. Each of the services of Holy Week will feature special music from our own and guest musicians. Come worship and celebrate with us and invite your family and neighbors to join you!
OFFICE AND CAMPUS CLOSED EASTER MONDAY – The office reopens Tuesday, April 3, at 9:30 am. Regular office hours are Monday to Friday, 9:30 am to 2 pm.
EARLY SUMMER SCHEDULE THIS YEAR – There is no guarantee summer weather will come with it (we can all hope!) but our Summer Worship Schedule is beginning early this year. We will go to one worship service at 10 am starting the Sunday after Easter, April 8. The early start this year is due to several factors: because Pastor Dave will be out of town two Sundays in April and May; to accommodate our guest preachers; due to a fifth/Reunion Sunday in April; and to simplify things rather than going back and forth from one to two services over the next few weeks. The Summer Worship Schedule continues through the Sunday of Labor Day weekend, September 2. We’ll look forward to worshiping together – hopefully with some sunny, early summer weather as a bonus!
CALL COMMITTEE FORMED – at the special called Congregational Meeting earlier this month. The six-member (and one alternate) Call Committee is charged by the Council to interview candidates and make recommendations to the Congregation for a part-time (15 hours per week) Associate Pastor for Caring Ministries. The Council recommends Pastor Judy Brennan, currently under contract, be officially called by this process. The Call Committee can decide to interview other candidates as well. The Synod and Bishop are aware and supportive of this potential call. Those elected were Lois Corwin, David Ernst, Art Hill, Linda Lyon, Monnie Meland, and Jean Westby, with Doug Lieberg as alternate. Please keep your Call Committee in prayer as they carry out their task and report back to the Congregation soon.
WOMEN’S SPRING LUNCHEON – Sign up today at the Information Desk! The Women’s Spring Luncheon is April 14 at 11:30 am. Pastor Judy Brennan will be our keynote speaker. The theme this year is “Bloom Where You Are Planted.” Donations will go to the Lutheran World Relief Shipping Fund, which supports our ministries that supply quilts, Personal Health Kits, and School Kits. The shipping cost from Cross of Christ is about $900 per year. Our shipping fund is currently depleted, so donations are desperately needed. Besides giving at the Spring Luncheon, donations will be accepted until the end of April. Please make checks to Cross of Christ Lutheran Church and specify Lutheran World Relief-Shipping.
CofC MEMBER MARIE SCHOTT IN “MULAN JR.” – Presented by the Redmond Academy of Theatre Arts and performed at Redmond High School Performing Arts Center, Disney’s “Mulan Jr.” is a heartwarming celebration of culture, honor and heart, bringing ancient China to life with a modern sensibility. Four performances Thursday through Saturday. Tickets available at the door, or in advance at www.goldstar.com. Good luck, Marie!
ALMOST TIME TO TEE IT UP FOR ANOTHER GOLFING SEASON – We’ll soon be hitting the links at Snoqualmie Falls Golf Course. Knock the rust off your clubs and your swing and sign up to play with us at the Information Desk in the Narthex. Fore!
CFH VOLUNTEERS TRAINING/EDUCATION – Cross of Christ hosts the men of Congregations for the Homeless in May. Join us in the Library on April 8 at 11:15 am to learn more about about providing a meal or visiting with the men. This is a great opportunity to learn more about CFH and how you can help serve.
SERVICE FOR JOHN BRASSFIELD – There will be a Military Service for former member John Brassfield at Tahoma National Cemetery at 10 am on Tuesday. A Memorial Service will follow at 1 pm at Zion Lutheran in Kent.
Our sending song in our Mosaic service is “O Worship the King”
By God’s grace, through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, we are called to
Worship God
Grow in Faith
Share the Gospel
Serve others, and
Welcome all.
Thanks be to God!
