South Church in Andover
United Church of Christ

THE WORSHIP OF GOD
ORDER FOR THE SERVICE

April 9, 2006
Palm Sunday

We need to be born again.  It is the road of return from our exile, the way to recover our true self, the path to beginning to live our lives from the inside out rather than from the outside in, the exodus from our individual and collective selfishness.  To be born again involves dying to the false self, to that identity, to that way of being, and to be born into an identity centered in the Spirit, in Christ, in God.        Marcus Borg

PRELUDE     O Lamb of God    J.S. Bach

WELCOME       

Introduction of Visitors and Guests
Moments for Mission          Our Easter Offering
Exchange of Peace

The peace of Jesus Christ be with you.

And also with you.

INTROIT     Antiphonal Hosanna     G.A. Smith
                   Treble Choir
CALL TO WORSHIP     
Humble and riding on a donkey
We greet You.
Acclaimed by crowds and caroled by children
We cheer You.
Moving from the peace of the countryside to the corridors of power.
We salute You, Christ our Lord.
You are giving majesty a new face;
You are giving those who long for redemption a new song to sing.
With them, with heart and voice,
We shout “Hosanna!”
 

Hand Bell Flourish     Festival Procession R. Frey

* HYMN All Glory, Laud, and Honor  #155 blue

INVOCATION AND the LORD’S PRAYER (debts/debtors)

scripture   Mark 11: 1-11     (insert)

Children in grades K-High School may move to their church school classrooms.
Parents of children up to age 7, please go to your child’s classroom after worship.

* STATEMENT OF FAITH OF THE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

(Found inside the back cover of the blue hymnal)

SERVICE TO WELCOME NEW MEMBERS                       Sherry Tupper

New Members  Sponsors

Karen Bouchard  Carrie & Bill Horan

Julie & Brian Diehl  Linda & Patrick O’Donnell

Lauren Peters/David Joncas  Tara & Chris Tarapata

Kerrie Jongeneelen  Jennifer Hoenig

Amy & Allan Joyall  Liz & Mike Roos

Lynda & Ray Paris  Karen Mutti

Sheryl & Christopher Poole  Fran & Brian Healey

Welcome by the Congregation:

With joy we welcome you into our South Church family of faith.  We promise you our friendship and prayers as we share the hopes and labors of the church of Jesus Christ.  By the blessing of the Holy Spirit may we continue to grow together in the knowledge and love of God expressed in mutual caring and sharing, outreach and worship.

Right Hand of Fellowship

* HYMN  Blest be the Tie That Binds   #272 blue

scripture     Philippians 2: 5-11     (insert)

SERMON  The End of the Beginning Dr. Mutti
OFFERING OF OUR GIFTS IN THANKSGIVING
     Invitation
     Offertory Anthem     Ride On! Ride On!    G. George
   * Doxology       

* HYMN   In the Cross of Christ I Glory (verses 1-4) #157 blue

BENEDICTION   

RESPONSE     O Sacred Head Now Wounded H. Hassler
             Hand Bell Choir

POSTLUDE   Kyrie, God, Holy Ghost J.S. Bach

* Those who are able may stand.

Participating in Today's Service:
Greeters: Elaine, Karl, Erik, Kurt, and Katherine Geffken
Acolytes: Matthew Palmisano & Melissa Newton
 Deacon: Wayne Gendron
Youth: Matt Newton

The flowers this morning are given by the Memorial Flower Fund.

Scriptures For This Day        New Revised Standard Version

Mark 11: 1-11

When they were approaching Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately as you enter it, you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden; untie it and bring it. If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ just say this, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately.’” They went away and found a colt tied near a door, outside in the street. As they were untying it, some of the bystanders said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” They told them what Jesus had said; and they allowed them to take it. Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it; and he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields. Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting,

“Hosanna!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David!
Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

Then he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple; and when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.

Philippians 2: 5-11

Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death— even death on a cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Scriptures For This Day              New Revised Standard Version

Mark 11: 1-11

When they were approaching Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately as you enter it, you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden; untie it and bring it. If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ just say this, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately.’” They went away and found a colt tied near a door, outside in the street. As they were untying it, some of the bystanders said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” They told them what Jesus had said; and they allowed them to take it. Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it; and he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields. Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting,

“Hosanna!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David!
Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

Then he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple; and when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.

Philippians 2: 5-11

Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death— even death on a cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.