LOVELY LANE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
PALM SUNDAY, Year A
MARCH 29, 2026
† Stand as you are able
Organ Prelude
Welcome and Announcements
Choral Introit “Hosanna!” Gregor
Hosanna! Blessed is He that comes!
Hosanna! Hosanna! Hosanna in the highest!
†Call to Worship
Hosanna! Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord!
Hosanna in the highest!
Today we follow Jesus—into celebration and into suffering.
We follow, trusting God’s love to the end.
Let us worship the Christ who reigns with humble mercy.
Hosanna! Amen.
†Opening Hymn “Hosanna, Loud Hosanna” UMH 278
Prayer of Illumination
Holy Spirit, breath of the living God, open our ears to hear what is good, and open our hearts to receive what is true. Where we have made faith a performance, teach us worship that becomes justice. Where we have settled for easy answers, give us the wisdom of the cross. Where we have grown weary or afraid, speak the blessing of your kingdom again: Blessed are the poor in spirit. Blessed are the meek. Blessed are the merciful. Blessed are the peacemakers. Illuminate your Word within us, that we may do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with you—not only in this sanctuary, but in the world you so love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
A Reading from the Psalms Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 NRSV
O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever! Let Israel say, “His steadfast love endures forever.” Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the LORD. This is the gate of the LORD; the righteous shall enter through it. I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation. The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Save us, we beseech you, O LORD! O LORD, we beseech you, give us success! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the LORD. We bless you from the house of the LORD. The LORD is God, and he has given us light. Bind the festal procession with branches, up to the horns of the altar. You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God; I will extol you. O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.
The word of God, for the people of God. Thanks be to God!
Congregational Prayer
Holy God, on this day of palms and passion, we confess how quickly our hearts can change. We long for a Savior who meets our expectations, yet we struggle to follow a Savior who bears a cross. Forgive our shallow praise and our fragile faith. Give us courage to walk with Jesus through the difficult places—through betrayal and denial, through injustice and grief, through suffering we cannot explain. Plant in us a love that endures, a hope that holds, and a faith that stays near. As we enter Holy Week, keep us close to Christ. Amen.
Passing of the Peace “Sweet, Sweet Spirit” UMH 334
Sharing Joys and Concerns
Pastoral Prayer
Lord’s Prayer
Choral Response “Holy Spirit, Come to Us” TFWS 2118
†A Reading from the Gospel Matthew 21:1-11 NRSV
When they 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; “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!” When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, “Who is this?” The crowds were saying, ” This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.”
The Gospel of our Lord. Praise be to you, O Christ.
Sermon Reverend. Levon D. Sutton, Pastor
Responsive Hymn “O Sacred Head, Now Wounded” UMH 286
Invitation to Offering
Offertory Lift Up Your Heads! Larson
Lift up your heads, ye mighty gates;
Behold, the King of glory waits;
The King of kings is drawing near;
The Savior of the world is here!
O blest the land, the city blest,
Where Christ the Ruler is confessed!
O happy hearts and happy homes
To whom this King in triumph comes!
A Helper just He comes to thee,
His chariot is humility,
His kingly crown is holiness,
His scepter, pity in distress.
Fling wide the portals of your heart;
Make it a temple, set apart
From earthly use for heaven’s employ,
Adorned with prayer and love and joy.
Offering Prayer
God of costly love, receive these gifts as our offering of praise and commitment. Use them to serve your kingdom and to bless a hurting world. Amen.
†Closing Hymn “Lord Dismiss Us With Thy Blessing” UMH 671
†Benediction
Go in peace into Holy Week. Walk with Jesus—steadfast in love, faithful in witness, and hopeful in God’s redeeming power. Amen.
†Benediction Response Ride On, King Jesus! Spiritual, arr. Moore
Ride on, King Jesus! No-one can hinder Him!
Ringing the Bicentennial Bell
Organ Postlude