Current church announcements are available here, including information about Holy Week and Easter worship opportunities.
You are invited to join us for sharing prayer concerns and conversation on Zoom each Sunday morning at 11. Simply click this link.
You are encouraged to enter into worship in an intentional way this morning. That might mean creating a special worship space in your home, lighting a candle, or simply closing your eyes and taking a few deep breaths. Some of you might also appreciate having a knitting, coloring, or other project available as you listen to the audio parts of this service.
Prelude from Jim Krause
Scripture Reading from Piet Knetsch: Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29
Welcome from Pastor Joanna
During our in-person worship times, when I led the congregational prayer, I often began by thanking God for the privilege and joy it was to be worshiping together. I was sincerely grateful for that experience, and I never considered that our ability to worship physically together would be suspended in this way.
I miss you, my friends. I miss being with you in the flesh on Sunday mornings. I miss your non-computer-filtered voices and your handshakes (and your after-worship snacks).
And yet, still, it is a privilege and a joy to join with you in worship. Thank you for showing up with the church and for the church–in whatever ways you can. May the peace of Christ be with you.
Call to Worship
Let us give thanks to God, for God is good.
God’s steadfast love endures forever.
In the palm-waving crowd and at the foot of the cross,
God’s steadfast love endures forever.
In our moments of calm and joy, in our moments of panic and grief,
God’s steadfast love endures forever.
Let us worship our God in spirit and truth,
for God’s steadfast love endures forever.
Hymn: All Glory Laud and Honor (selected by Andrea)
Feel free to wave a branch, a coat, a scarf or whatever is at hand as you listen to this hymn–and sing along if you know the words.
Congregational Prayer:
How can we hold you in prayer this week? Please consider sharing with the community by joining our 11:00 Zoom call, commenting below, or emailing Pastor Joanna.
You are invited to pray this prayer from pastor Jessica Cottrell:
As we follow you through the streets of Jerusalem,
we carry the prayers that we have for ourselves and for others.
We pray for our health care workers who are being stretched
to their limit by this health crisis named COVID-19.
We pray for nurses and doctors, for lab techs and pharmacists,
for the hospitality and cleaning staff of hospitals,
and all others who are making sure our health care system runs smoothly.
Grant them your courage and your strength.
We pray for those who are feeling alone and isolated
in this time of staying at home, of being physically distant.
We pray for those who have loved ones who are sick
and who cannot be with them at this time.
Grant them your compassion and your mercy.
We pray for parents and caregivers who find themselves at home
with their children all day, every day,
trying hard to figure out educational needs and calming anxiety and fears
that have arisen by the restrictions put in place.
We pray for teachers who are doing their jobs in new and challenging ways,
trying to nurture community, provide content, and calm anxieties.
We pray for our children who are wondering why they can’t see their friends or their grandparents or other family members,
who are missing birthday parties and school field trips,
who are worried and anxious and scared.
Grant them your peace and your comfort.
We pray for our leaders – city, state, and federal.
all who are being called upon to make unprecedented decisions
for the health and well being of their communities.
They are forging into an unknown future
and we pray that they know they do not walk alone.
We pray for those whose services have been deemed essential,
those who do not have the luxury to work from home:
the grocery store clerks, the truck drivers, the construction workers
the funeral directors, the mail and package delivery people,
and all others who are serving their communities.
Grant them your courage and your strength.
Loving God, as we walk with you into this week,
we bring before you all our prayers
that we name now in the silence of our hearts . . .
Merciful God, we bring all our prayers to you
trusting that you hear them and hold them in your love
we pray in the name of your Son,
Jesus the Christ, who taught us to pray:
Childrens Time from Melissa Atchison (who will be the sabbatical coverage pastor for PMC this summer)
Scripture Reading from Piet Knetsch: Matthew 21:1-11
Message from Joanna Harader
(Sermon manuscript can be read here.)
Offertory Hymn: I want Jesus to Walk with me
Offering: You are invited to mail your financial contributions to the church (615 Lincoln St., Lawrence, KS, 66044) or to the home of our treasurer, Roberta Renz (address in the church directory).
Also, the Peace and Justice Committee invites you to share the unique ways you are serving others during this time of pandemic. These “mission moments” will be shared on our Living Peace page. Please email your contributions to Karen Brown (ksb10 at juno dot com). Our first sharing comes from Carola Ratzlaff.
Prayer: (Written by Joanna Harader and Jessica Cottrell)
God of the cross, tottering down the streets of Jerusalem on a donkey,
You are not the savior we expect.
Your power doesn’t look like the power we want our God to have.
Your wisdom makes no sense to us.
We are happy to join the crowd, waving branches,
but not so sure we want to follow you through this Holy Week:
into the temple courts
into the upper room
into the Garden of Gethsemane
to the high priest’s house,
to the assembly of elders,
to Pilate,
to Herod,
to the place of The Skull,
to the foot of the cross.
We need you to go with us on this journey.
Grant us clear vision,
Courageous hearts,
Persistent steps.
Benediction: Celtic Prayer
Peace Mennonite Church 