March 28, 2021 The Sixth Sunday in Lent
also known as “Palm Sunday” and as “the Sunday of the Passion”
Blessed is He Who Comes
in the Name of the Lord
The Sixth and Last Sunday during the Season of Lent is alternately known as “The Sunday of the Passion”
and – by its more “traditional” designation of – “Palm Sunday.”
Regardless of the name, or title, by which we designate it, this day is a very special, and very significant one for us, who have gathered here to listen to God’s Word and offer Him our worship and praise today.
You see, Palm Sunday/The Sunday of the Passion marks the beginning of what we call “Holy Week,” the final, climactic week of the Lenten Season. Since Lent began on Ash Wednesday, we’ve been spending our time in our worship services alternating between – on Sundays – considering (and celebrating) the victories which Christ our Savior has won for us against Satan and his wicked kingdom….and – on Wednesday evenings – contemplating various sins, plus the sufferings and death Jesus endured to deliver us from our sins, death and Satan, and considering the various ways that we can be more faithful followers of Him.
Each week of Lent, as we have come closer to Calvary and Christ’s open tomb, the intensity of our penitential reflections over our sins, which ultimately necessitated the sufferings, death, and resurrection of our Lord, has increased. This final week in Lent – “Holy Week” – then, is, for Christians, something akin to the final crescendo at the close of a great orchestral work. For, beginning with today (Palm Sunday) and moving through Maundy Thursday and Good Friday later this week, our penitential preparations will be reaching an emotional and spiritual climax as we see ourselves in the crowds that both acclaimed Jesus on Palm Sunday and subsequently cried out for His crucifixion a scant five days later on Good Friday. For not only did the Jews bring about Jesus’ death, every sinful human being is responsible – me and you, included.
The Sixth Sunday in Lent has traditionally been known as Palm Sunday, but it is also identified by the liturgical title “The Sunday of the Passion.” This latter designation serves to emphasize that with this Sunday the intensity of Christ’s “passion” (His comprehensive sufferings for our sins) increases as He enters Jerusalem and proceeds through the events of Holy Week until they culminate with His death on Good Friday and His bodily resurrection three days later.
If you and I are going to properly observe Palm Sunday and the rest of Holy Week, we’re going to need to do more than just observe some church traditions, sing a few Lenten hymns and let those Biblical reports of what once happened to Jesus in Jerusalem, before Pilate, and on Golgotha, go in “one ear and out the other.” Each of us truly will want to recognize that our spiritual lives and our eternal salvation are intimately connected to the events that constitute the Passion History of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Not only are we (like the Good Friday crowd) personally responsible for them due to our sins, but – because of His Good Friday self-sacrifice and His Easter morning vicarious conquest of death and the grave…..Jesus is solely responsible for our sins being forgiven and our souls being saved for heaven.
And so, through the eyes of faith let’s follow Jesus as He begins that first Holy Week by entering Jerusalem to the waving of palm branches and the shouts of “Hosanna” acclaiming Him as the King of Kings. And let’s continue to stay with our Savior throughout this Holy Week – on Maundy Thursday as He institutes the Lord’s Supper and later agonizes in prayer for Himself and us in Gethsemane before He suffers abuse at the hands of His enemies. We’ll also strive to be present with Him on Good Friday during His trials before Annas, Caiaphas, Pilate, and Herod, all the way to the nails and cross and brutal death which He endured on Calvary. But especially, let’s not fail to gather together again next Sunday, when with the eyes of our faith we will stand at His open grave celebrating the proof that Jesus accomplished all that He came to do for our forgiveness and salvation.
Introduction to Today’s Worship Service
The waving palms and shouts of “Hosanna in the highest!” raised to Christ on that first Palm Sunday warmly welcomed into the city Him who was and remains King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Likewise today we will acclaim Christ as our King and Lord through the words of our opening hymn “All glory, laud, and honor, to Thee, Redeemer, King.” Also, we will acknowledge Christ’s Kingship over our lives and everything there is when we close today’s service by singing “Crown Him with many Crowns.”
This morning’s Opening responsive reading is one familiar to nearly all our worshipers today: Isaiah’s inspired depiction of Jesus as the Suffering Servant, the Lamb of God Who bore the sins of the world on His shoulders. Reading Isaiah 53 together is a very fitting way for us begin our Holy Week observance. Additionally, in today’s Old Testament Lesson we have Zechariah’s prophecy – 500 years before Christ’s entry into Jerusalem – that when the Savior came to Zion for the purpose of completing His work of redemption, He could come riding on a donkey.
In today’s Old Testament Lesson we have Zechariah’s prophecy – 500 years before
Christ’s entry into Jerusalem – that when the Savior came to Zion for the purpose of completing His work of redemption, He could come riding on a donkey.
Today’s Gospel Lesson is one of the traditional Gospel lessons for Palm Sunday – Luke’s account of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem as royalty, riding on a donkey and entering to the acclaim of the crowds shouting “Hosanna in the highest, blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord.”
Our Children’s Lesson – based on Isaiah 53:5 – will focus our attention on all the sufferings that Jesus endured…..accepting our punishment for our sins as though they were His own sins….so that we can be at peace with God and “healed” of the sickness of our sins.
Finally, today’s Sermon Text is a portion of Psalm 118. The inspired writer praises and thanks the LORD for His mercy in giving His people the undeserved gift of salvation. This Psalm was regularly used in worship as part of the Passover observance, and is clearly Messianic….pointing past Israel’s deliverance from slavery in Egypt to “the Stone the builders rejected” (Christ) being the One Who would eternally deliver God’s people from their sins. The Palm Sunday crowd acclaims Jesus as the Messiah, using this Psalm, as He enters Jerusalem on Psalm Sunday. It’s certainly appropriate for us to use it today as we meditate on Christ being the Cornerstone of our faith, and thus the One worthy of our respect and praise.
A Brief Overview of Holy Week
The final Sunday in Lent is customarily known as Palm Sunday, and in some circles as “The Sunday of the Passion of our Lord.” This day marks the beginning of that seven day period fittingly referred to as “Holy Week.” During this special week of the church we focus on the sufferings, death, and resurrection of our Lord with greater attention, reverence and devotion than perhaps at any other time during the year. As it has been done throughout the reading of the Passion History during our six midweek Lenten vespers (evening) worship services, we will recall once more what happened to Jesus in Jerusalem, before Pilate, and on Golgotha. The waving palms and shouts of “Hosanna in the highest!” raised to Christ on that first Palm Sunday warmly welcomed into the city Him who was and remains King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Likewise as we observe Palm Sunday this morning, we acclaim Christ as our King and Lord and express our devotion to Him by also declaring: “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”
Holy Week, itself, has a number of interesting facets to its significance. Although in our Lutheran church it is not customary to worship on the Wednesday of Holy Week, it is worth noting that this day has been given the name “Spy Wednesday,” since the Gospels identify it as the day when the treacherous covenant to betray Jesus was consummated by Judas and the chief priests (Luke 22:1-6).
The Thursday of Holy Week has always been a day of great significance for the Christian Church, chiefly because it commemorates Jesus’ institution of the Lord’s Supper. The name by which it is most commonly known, Maundy Thursday (from the Latin Dies Mandati, “Day of the Commandment”), has particular reference to the Savior’s injunctions regarding the way humility, selflessness and love should exemplify the brotherhood of believers (John 13:34). An ancient custom connected to this day encouraged the practice of carrying gifts to the poor in hand baskets which were called “maunds.”
Of course, the pinnacle of our Holy Week observances is Good Friday, the day on which Christ was crucified. Its earliest name was “Parasceve,” which means “preparation.” Other names were “Day of the Lord’s Passion” and “Day of the Cross.” The designation Good Friday is a peculiarly English expression. It reflects the joy of completed redemption and protests against the superstitious notions that all Fridays are “unlucky” as well as against the idea that this particular Friday should be observed in funeral gloom and despair. Nevertheless, it is a day of solemn mourning for the Christian, given the reality that Christ died that day for all the sins that each of us has committed.
Worship services on this day obviously emphasize the death of Christ as our sin-substitute. Some Christian congregations commemorate the three hours Christ spent on the cross with a “Tre Ora” (Three Hours) service which lasts from noon to three in the afternoon. This was a service practiced primarily by churches in the Western Church (Europe).
Another traditional approach to commemorating Good Friday is known as “Tennebrae,” the Latin name for “darkness,” This “Tennebrae” service is usually observed after sunset, and is developed around the reading of and commentary on the seven statements (words) of Christ while on the cross. As the service progresses, at the conclusion of each of the seven commentary/readings the lights of the worship area are progressively dimmed until everything is completely darkened once Christ’s death is announced. After a few moments’ reflection upon the “darkness” of sin, a “Resurrection Candle” is lit and brought to the altar while a brief statement is read reminding the congregation that Christ has promised He will not remain in the grave, but will rise after three days. The congregation then pauses for silent prayer and exits the worship area and church building in silence, meditating upon all that God accomplished for us on that first Good Friday. The service of Tennebrae was generally practiced in the early Eastern Churches (from Greece eastward). For some, the custom of fasting is observed in the time between the close of the Maundy Thursday evening worship service and the end of the Good Friday service. Through fasting the Christian is able to share (be it ever so lightly) in a portion of our Savior’s physical sufferings for us, and thus better appreciate His tremendous sacrifice for our benefit.
The final day of Holy Week is known as “Holy Saturday.” It focuses both on the time when our Lord’s body lay in death in the tomb and on His descent into hell — the two stages referred to in the Apostles’ Creed as “dead and buried; He descended into hell.” The purpose of Jesus’ descent into hell is misunderstood by many Christians. Following His death, Jesus did not descend into hell in order to suffer for our sins. Some of His final words on Good Friday, “it is finished,” prove to us that with His death, Christ’s suffering for sin was complete. Rather than going there to suffer, Christ descended into hell to proclaim and demonstrate His total victory over sin, death, and Satan by going unhindered into the “headquarters” of the Devil. Scripture supports this understanding of Christ’s victorious descent into hell in I Peter 3:18-20 and Colossians 2:15. As with Good Friday, Holy Saturday is observed with a solemn spirit, yet it also contains an element of anticipation in preparation for the celebration of the Lord’s resurrection on the next morn.
Pre-Service Prayer – In the name of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen. My heavenly Father, I thank You through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, for keeping me through the night from all harm and danger. Keep me through this day also from sin and every evil that all my doings and life may please You. I commend my body and soul and all things into Your hands. Let Your holy angel be with me, so that the devil may have no power over me. Amen.
Grace Lutheran Church of Northwest Arkansas
is affiliated with the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod, a church body which spans the United States and Canada, and which also operates a number of foreign missions.
Our Vision: Extend God’s Kingdom through His Word, serving each Soul.
Our Mission: Share the Gospel, Encourage Faith, and Prepare Souls
through Worship, Education and Fellowship.
The portions of God’s Word used in this worship flyer have been taken from
The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version Copyright 2019,
The Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission
The Order of Worship for the 6th Sunday in Lent
Palm Sunday
Pre-service Prayer
The Greeting and Invitation to Worship
after which the Congregation will rise
Pastor We begin this service in the name of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The Responsive Scripture Reading for the Beginning of Holy Week Isaiah 53
P: Who has believed our report and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?
C: He grew up before Him like a tender shoot, and like a root from dry ground.
P: He had no attractiveness or majesty. When we saw Him, nothing about His appearance made us desire Him.
Men & Boys: He was despised and rejected by men, a Man Who knew grief Who was well acquainted with suffering.
Women & Girls: Like someone whom people cannot bear to look at, He was despised, and we thought nothing of Him.
P: Surely He was taking up our weaknesses, And He was carrying our sufferings. We thought it was because of God that He was smitten, stricken and afflicted.
C: But it was because of our rebellion that He was pierced.
Lectern Side He was crushed for the guilt our sins deserved.
Pulpit Side: The punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed.
P: We all have gone astray, like sheep.
C: Each of us has turned to His own way; but the LORD has charged all our guilt to Him.
P: He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth. Like a lamb He was led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that is silent in front of its shearers, He did not open His mouth.
C: He was taken away without a fair trial and without justice. And of His generation, who even cared?”
Women & Girls: So He was cut off from the land of the living.
Men & Boys: He was struck because of the rebellion of my people.
P: They would have assigned Him a grave with the wicked, but He was given a grave with the rich in His death, because He had done no violence, and no deceit was in His mouth.
C: Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush Him and allow Him to suffer. Because You made His life a guilt offering,
Pulpit Side: He will see His offspring. He will prolong His days,
Lectern Side: and the LORD’s gracious plan will succeed in His hand.
P: After His soul experiences anguish, He will see the light of life. He will provide satisfaction. Through their knowledge of Him, my Just Servant will justify the many, for He Himself carried their guilt.
C: Therefore I will give Him an allotment among the great, and with the strong He will share plunder, because He poured out His life to death, and He let Himself be counted with rebellious sinners.
P: He Himself bore carried the sin of many, and He intercedes for the rebels.
After which the Congregation will be seated for
The Opening Hymn Hymn 131 “All Glory, Laud and Honor”
1 All glory, laud, and honor To You, Redeemer, King,
To Whom the lips of children Made sweet hosannas ring.
You are the King of Israel And David’s royal Son,
Now in the Lord’s name coming, Our King and blessed One.
2 All glory, laud, and honor To You, Redeemer, King,
To Whom the lips of children Made sweet hosannas ring.
The company of angels Is praising You on high,
And we with all creation In chorus make reply.
3 All glory, laud, and honor To You, Redeemer, King,
To Whom the lips of children Made sweet hosannas ring.
The people of the Hebrews With palms before You went;
Our praise and prayer and anthems Before You we present.
4 All glory, laud, and honor To You, Redeemer, King,
To Whom the lips of children Made sweet hosannas ring.
To You before Your passion They sang their hymns of praise;
To You, now high exalted, Our melody we raise.
5 All glory, laud, and honor To You, Redeemer, King,
To Whom the lips of children Made sweet hosannas ring.
As You received their praises, Accept the prayers we bring,
O Source of ev’ry blessing, Our good and gracious King. Amen
We Make Confession Of Our Sins To God
Pastor God, our Heavenly Father, invites us to come into His presence and to worship Him with humble and penitent hearts. Therefore, let us now turn to Him, acknowledging our sinfulness and seeking His forgiveness for all our sins.
Congregation Holy and merciful Father, I confess that I am by nature sinful and that I have disobeyed You in my thoughts, words, and actions; I have done what is evil in Your sight and have failed to do what is good. For this I know that I deserve Your punishment, both now and for eternity. But I am truly sorry for all my sins, and trusting in the perfect life and innocent death of my Savior, Jesus Christ, I plead: God have mercy on me, a sinner.
Pastor Our gracious Lord and Master has shown us His mercy: He has given His one and only Son to save us from all our sins. And now, carrying out my office as a called servant of Christ, and according to His command and authority, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. May the peace of God rest upon all of you. Amen.
The Prayer For This Morning
Almighty and everlasting God, + Who in Your tender love for mankind + sent Your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ, + to take upon Himself our human nature, + and to suffer death on the cross, + that we might be redeemed + from the eternal consequences of our sins; + Mercifully grant that we may follow + His example of humility, obedience, and patience, + and also that we be made partakers of His resurrection; + through the same Jesus Christ, + Your Son, our Lord, + Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, + One God, forever and ever. + Amen.
We Give Our Attention to God’s Word
The Old Testament Lesson Zechariah 9:9-12
9 Rejoice greatly, Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! Look! Your King is coming to you. He is righteous and brings salvation. He is humble and is riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. 10 I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the horse from Jerusalem. The battle bow will be taken away, and He will proclaim peace to the nations.
His kingdom will extend from sea to sea, from the River to the ends of the earth. 11 As for you,
because of the blood of My covenant with you, I will release your prisoners from the waterless pit. 12 Return to the stronghold, you prisoners who have hope. This very day I declare that I will restore double to you.
The Gospel Lesson Luke 19:28-44
28 After Jesus had said these things, He went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 As He came near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, He sent two of His disciples ahead, 30 saying, “Go to the village ahead of you. When you enter it, you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it here. 31 And if anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ you will say this: ‘The Lord needs it.’” 32 Those who were sent ahead went and found things just as He had told them. 33 As they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?” 34 They said, “The Lord needs it.”
35 Then they brought the colt to Jesus. They threw their robes on the colt and set Jesus on it. 36 As He went along, people spread their robes on the road. 37 As He was approaching the slope of the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began to praise God joyfully, with a loud voice, for all the miracles they had seen, 38 saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
39 Some of the Pharisees from the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke Your disciples!” 40 He replied, “I tell you, if these people would be silent, the stones would cry out.” 41 As He came near, He saw the city and wept over it. 42 He said, “If you, yes you, had only known on this day the things that would bring peace to you. But now, it is hidden from your eyes. 43 In fact, the days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you, surround you, and hem you in on every side. 44 Within your walls, they will dash you and your children to the ground. And within your walls, they will not leave one stone on top of another, because you did not recognize the time when God came to help you.”
The Apostles’ Creed to the melody of “What A Friend We Have In Jesus”
I believe in God the Father, Maker of the heav’ns and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, our Savior, God’s own Son, of human birth.
Virgin born, the Lord incarnate, Whom the Spirit did conceive,
Suffered under Pontius Pilate; Our salvation to achieve.
Crucified, was dead and buried, Down to hell in victory;
From the dead He rose the third day; Up to heav’n triumphantly.
There at God’s right hand He’s ruling, By His will the world is led.
He will come to judge the nations, Both the living and the dead.
I believe in God the Spirit, In His Church, His chosen band.
They are joined in close communion, Holy in His sight they stand.
I believe in sins forgiven; That the dead will rise again;
I believe in life eternal. Amen! Amen! A – – men!
Today’s Children’s Lesson Isaiah 53:5
It was because of our rebellion that he was pierced. He was crushed for the guilt our sins deserved. The punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed.
What Makes Jesus So Special…..and Our Savior
The Sermon Hymn “Hosanna, Loud Hosanna”
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 heav’n our King.
Oh, may we ever praise Him With heart and life and voice
And in His blissful presence Eternally rejoice! Amen
The Pastor’s Greeting
Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ, our Lord! Amen.
The Sermon Text Psalm 118:19-29
19 Open for me the gates of righteousness. I will enter them. I will give thanks to the Lord.
20 This is the gate to the Lord. The righteous enter it. 21 I will give You thanks, because You answered me, and You have become salvation for me. 22 The Stone the builders rejected has become the Cornerstone. 23 This is from the Lord. It is marvelous in our eyes. 24 This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. 25 O Lord, please save us now. O Lord, grant us success. 26 Blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord. We bless You from the house of the Lord. 27 The Lord is God, and He makes light shine on us. Bind the festival with branches as far as the horns of the altar. 28 You are my God, and I will give You thanks.
You are my God, and I will exalt You. 29 Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His mercy endures forever.
Blessed is He Who Comes
in the Name of the LORD
- He is the Cornerstone of our Faith
- He is One Worthy of our Respect and our Praise
after the Sermon, the Congregation will REMAIN SEATED for the post-sermon blessing
Pastor To Him Who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy — to the only God our Savior, be glory, majesty, power, and authority now and forever. Amen.
We Offer Our Gifts and Prayers to the Lord
Our Offerings of Love to our Lord
Because we aren’t able to pass an offering plate today, as we would during a regular worship service, we offer you the following suggestions for providing God with Your thank-offerings through our ministry:
For those physically present for worship today, if you wish to give an offering,
offering plates have been placed near the exit doors for your use.
For those who are worshiping online:
You can send a check (no cash, please) in the mail to the church address (415 N. 6th Place, Lowell, AR 72745); or
You can go online to our website (www.gracelutherannwa.com) and use the giving option there
Today’s Prayer
Included in our prayers this morning are:
A Prayer of Thanksgiving for Kent Swogger, who successfully went through
a heart procedure this past week, and who is recovering quite well;
and also
A Prayer of Intercession for Ann King, who will undergo rotator cuff
surgery this coming Thursday.
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 and ever. Amen.
We Leave With The Lord’s Blessing
The Benediction
The LORD bless you and keep you.
The LORD make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you.
The LORD look with favor upon you, and give you His peace. Amen.
The Closing Hymn Hymn 341 ‘”Crown Him With Many Crowns”
1 Crown Him with many crowns, The Lamb upon His throne;
Hark how the heav’nly anthem drowns All music but its own.
Awake, my soul, and sing Of Him Who died for thee,
And hail Him as thy matchless King Through all eternity.
2 Crown Him the virgin’s Son, The God incarnate born,
Whose arm those crimson trophies won Which now His brow adorn;
Fruit of the mystic rose, Yet of that rose the stem,
The Root whence mercy ever flows, The Babe of Bethlehem.
3 Crown Him the Lord of Love, Behold His hands and side,
Rich wounds, yet visible above, In beauty glorified.
No angels in the sky Can fully bear that sight,
But down-ward bends their wond’ring eyes At mysteries so bright.
4 Crown Him the Lord of Life, Who triumphed o’er the grave
And rose victorious in the strife For those He came to save.
His glories now we sing, Who died and rose on high,
Who died eternal life to bring And lives that death may die.
5 Crown Him the Lord of heav’n, Enthroned in worlds above,
Crown Him the King to whom is giv’n The wondrous name of Love.
Crown Him with many crowns As thrones before him fall;
Crown Him, ye kings, with many crowns, For He is King of all. Amen
Announcements
Last Sunday at Grace Lutheran In-person attendance: 52 Online views: 27
B ible Class (in-person): 16 Online views: 10 Sunday Budgetary Offerings: $1620
Sunday Benevolence: $100 Sunday Offering for the Endowment Fund: $100
Tuesday Bible Class: 16 Wednesday Evening attendance: 20 Online views: 44 Wednesday Budget Offerings: $170 Wednesday offering for YouTube ministry: $250
This Week’s Birthdays March 28 – Tina Wambold March 28 – Wayne Watkins
March 30 – Marilyn Outlaw March 28 – Christina Strackbein March 31 – Rachel Galvan
March 31 – Joe D Larson April 01 – Dan Beck; April 01 – Debby Pulley;
This Coming Week at Grace Lutheran Church
Today Morning Worship SS/BC, 15 min after worship
Evangelism Easter Flyer Distribution, in the afternoon
Youth Confirmation Class, 12:15 to 1:30 p.m.
Tuesday Bible Class, 10:15 a.m. Board of Elders meeting, 6 p.m.
Thursday Maundy Thursday worship, with the Lord’s Supper, 7 p.m.
Friday Good Friday worship,, 7 p.m.
Sunday Easter Sunday Worship, 9:30 a.m.,
Easter Fellowship Meal, after worship
Bible Classes Today and Tuesday – Our Sunday Bible class is studying First John. Today in chapter 4, we’re talking about our love for others, and how it’s founded on God’s love for us and our love for Him. Tuesday morning from 10:30-11:30 we’ll study I Kings 9-10. We’ll discuss Solomon’s personal and Spiritual failures, as well as the visit to him by the Queen of Sheba.
Serving Us Today, Thursday and Friday Ushers: Pat Quinlan, Fred Cusanelli , Kent Mayer
Elders: Steve Stone, Vic Walker Altar Guild: Mary Karloski, Karen Swogger
Serving Next Sunday Elders: Steve Stone, Vic Walker
Ushers: Chris Roberts, Tom Otto Altar Guild: Harriet Johnson, Tina Wambold
Easter Brochure Distribution THIS AFTERNOON After our regular activities this morning, we’d be grateful if you would give us some of your time to help distribute Easter brochure/invitations. This is an important part of our Easter Outreach effort, as we’d like to deliver these invitations to worship to about 1500 homes in the area immediately around our church. We hope (and pray) that you’ll be able to join us today, or perhaps complete the distribution on your own by this Tuesday, March 30th. If you can help, please speak with Pastor Huebner.
Easter Brunch-Dinner NEXT SUNDAY We’ll hold an Easter dinner after next Sunday’s special worship service. This decision was reached after consulting with the State Health Department regarding whether or not such a dinner was possible. We were told that it is possible, as long as we function like a normal restaurant and maintain proper spacing (which we already do on Sunday mornings for worship). We will NOT have a pot-luck meal this year, but instead will provide all the food items through our fellowship fund and donations. Please plan to join us, and bring some guests too. This is going to be the first time in an entire year that we’ve had an opportunity to enjoy this kind of fellowship. We’d really like all of you to be a part of it.
Special Holy Week Worship Services Reminder – On Thursday and Friday of this week we’ll have two opportunities to gather together here for worship. Please plan to join us for our Maundy Thursday (April 1st) worship service with the Lord’s Supper at 7:00 p.m., and our April 2nd Good Friday worship service, which will also begin at 7 p.m.
Daily Devotions for Your Smart Phone, Computer or Tablet – Through a web site identified as “What About Jesus” (www.whataboutJesus.com), operated by our Synod, we can sign up for short, morning devotions sent straight to your smart phone each day via an email address. Each devotion is Biblically accurate, and takes about a minute to read. They arrive around 4 a.m, so you can start your day with it. Just go to the web address, and click the word “worship” on the far right. Then click “Devotions,” and, after providing some information to identify you, you’ll be sent an email with directions to complete the sign up process. It takes a few minutes….and you will be blessed by these devotions on a daily basis.
Whom will you bring to worship this Easter Sunday? Yourself (and your spouse) of course. But how about inviting and bringing your son or daughter? Your Grandchildren? Your parents? An unchurched neighbor? Someone with whom you work? How about a stranger that you’ve yet to meet….but whom you will meet between now and Easter Sunday? Maybe even a member of Grace who hasn’t been in church with us for a very long time…..?
Many people we know haven’t been in church to worship our Lord in a very long time. And for far too many of them, the reason for their absence isn’t due exclusively to their concern over contracting the Covid virus from being around people in church. Because of a prolonged absence from the practice of regularly attending church services, often people simply “lose interest” in church….and worse, some end up losing interest in Christ.
God has put each of us in the lives of these people because He wants us to be examples of faith in Christ to them. He’s also called us all to verbally witness to them about how essential faith in the crucified and risen Christ is for us…and for them. After all, all of us are Christ’s “ambassadors” whose privilege it is to present the Gospel to people so the Holy Spirit can either establish, or strengthen, saving faith in their hearts.
There’s no better opportunity to do that than this time leading up to the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection on Easter. So, please be a witness for Jesus…..and please invite (and bring) some of the non-churched people you know and meet to worship Him with us on Easter morning.
Please Bring Your Easter Lilies to Church on Easter Sunday….. – We’d like to adorn the front of our worship area with Easter lilies this coming Easter Sunday. Please help us do that by bringing a lily (or lilies) to church Easter morning. Please remember, too, to mark your lily/lilies on the bottom…..so that everyone takes their own lilies home afterward.