Palm Sunday
Today’s service will be held indoors in the sanctuary as an in-person service and also live streamed at this link. Click on “live” for the live stream. Join us!
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Gathering Music Polly Dunford
Welcome and Announcements Karen Manley
Anthem “Hosanna! Hosanna!”
Words and Music by Cathy Townley
Arranged by Henry Wiens. 1993. Abington Press.
Call to Worship
Leader: Who comes this way? I wonder who he is?
People: They say he is the Messiah- the Christ.
Leader: Who comes this way?
People: Is it really him? Will he drive out the Romans and save us from poverty and hunger?
Leader: Who comes this way?
People: Who is he? Why are we cheering him on?
Leader: Is he good or bad?
People: He must be rich and powerful to get such a welcome.
Leader: Stop waving that branch in my face! Get out of the way!
People: Put me on your shoulders. I need a better look at him.
Leader: Wait!
People: It is only a man.
Leader: And he is riding on a donkey, not a conquering steed.
People: It is only a man. What is so special about him?
Leader: How can this be the one that will save us?
All: Who comes this way?
Opening Hymn “Hosannah, Loud Hosanna” Hymnal #197
1) Hosanna, loud hosanna, the little children sang;
through pillared court and temple the joyful 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 heaven, our King.
O may we ever praise him with heart and life and voice,
and in his blissful presence eternally rejoice.
Scripture Matthew 21:1-9
When Jesus and his disciples had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying 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. If anyone says anything to you, just say this, `The Lord needs them.' And he will send them immediately." This took place to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet, saying,
"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.”
The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; they brought the donkey and the colt, and put their cloaks on them, and he sat on them. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The 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!”
Sermon “Palm Sunday was a Joke” David Johnson
Joys and Concerns
Prayers of the People
Closing Hymn and Offertory “When Wilt Thou Save the People?” Handout
Words by Ebeneezer Elliott. Music by Ludwig van Beethoven.
Stolen from both by David Johnson
1) When wilt Thou save the people? O God of mercy, when? Not kings and lords but nations!
Not thrones or crowns, but men! Flow’rs of thy heart O God are they;
Let them not pass like weeds away. Their heritage a sunless day -God -save the people!
2) Shall crime bring crime forever, strength aiding still the strong? Is it thy will, O Father
that man shall toil for wrong? “No” say Thy mountains; “No” say Thy skies!
Man’s clouded sun shall brightly rise. And songs be heard instead of sighs; God-save the people!
3) When wilt Thou save the people? O -God of mercy when? The people. Lord, the people.
Not thrones and crowns, but men! God save the people; Thine they are,
Thy children, as Thy angels fair; From vice, oppression, and despair, God save the people!
Benediction “The Lord Bless You and Keep You”
by Peter Lutkin. Arranged by David Johnson
Vicki Conrad-Wright, Kristin Cascio, Polly Dunford, David Johnson
Discussion
Shalom (meaning - “May you be well and whole and in communion with all creation.”)
Shalom, my friends, Shalom, my friends, Shalom, Shalom.
Till we meet again, Till we meet again, Shalom, Shalom. ******************************
Reprinted with permission under One License #A-625711. All rights reserved.
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Calendar of Service -
April 5 - (Easter) Rev. Laura Beth Buchleiter (outdoors in labyrinth)
April 12 - Worship and Lunch at South Main Chapel and Mercy Center
April 19 - Rev. Josh Hunt (indoors)
April 26 - David Gillespie (outdoors at woods stage)
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The next Meet & Eat gathering will be at McGee’s Irish Pub on Wed., April 1, at 5:30 pm.
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Palm Sunday (March 29) and Easter (April 5) Preparations:
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A Free Shred Day event in Anderson is scheduled for April 25, 2026, from 8 am to 12 pm. It is hosted by Anderson County Solid Waste & Recycling at 1428 Pearman Dairy Road (this is the old Ryobi plant, and currently Anderson County Admin Offices) and allows residents to securely dispose of sensitive documents with a limit of 5 boxes or bags.
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The next AFPT (Anderson Forum for Progressive Theology) event is on Sunday, May 3, 2026 at 3:00 pm at North Anderson Community Church, Presbyterian. The speaker is Dr. Jerry R. Wright, a Jungian Psychoanalyst who lives in Flat Rock, NC. He is a senior training analyst with the Inter-Regional Society of Jungian Analysts, a retreat leader and teacher, and author. Dr. Wright’s talk is entitled “Welcoming Our Gods Back Home: The Wisdom of Psychological Mysticism.”
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Sincere appreciation to all who have donated to the Shower Project! Of the estimated cost of $7,100, we have received $4,832, leaving a balance needed of $2,268.
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Volunteers needed: Consider giving a small amount of time to one of our groups using our church building. 1) Every Saturday morning, Al-Anon meets at 9:30-10:30. They need someone to unlock and lock the building. You’re welcome to sit in with the group too.
2) PFLAG meets on the 2nd Thursday every month at 7:00 pm. They need the same unlocking service, and you’re welcome to sit in with their meeting too.
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One Great Hour of Sharing is currently taking contributions which support individuals and communities around the world. Read more about the recipients of this effort’s collections here.
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Keep up with the latest news from Foothills Presbytery here.
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Bible Study meets on Mondays at 6:30 pm through Zoom. The topic is The Origins of Christianity as a historical and theological study. If you’d like to be added to the Zoom invite list, contact Cynthia at cynthiakwarner@mac.com.
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Please remember to donate non-perishable food items to AIM (Anderson Interfaith Ministries). An extra item when you shop is a great help to others in our community.
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Remember in prayer: Family and Friends of Bud Flier; Jay Lyn Martin and Jerry Meehan; Mary Alice Mundy; Latha Semones; Immigrant families; Victims of all violence, oppression, and injustice; People of the World in ALL walks of life and strife.
Special Prayer for the NACCP Search Committee as they are working to find our next minister.
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