Palm Sunday
April 2 | 8:30 and 11:00am
GATHERING IN GOD’S NAME
Prelude
Dominica in Palmis
Jean Langlais (1907-1991)
Welcome
*Call to Worship
Leader: Humble and riding on a donkey,
People: We greet you, Lord.
Leader: Acclaimed by crowds and caroled by children,
People: We greet you, Lord.
Leader: Moving from the peace of the countryside to the corridors of power,
All: We salute you, Christ our Lord. With heart and voice, we shout “Hosanna!”
From the Iona Community Worship
*Blessing of the Palms
196 All Glory, Laud, and Honor (Valet Will Ich Dir Geben)
*Confession of Brokenness (Unison)
Leader: Lord Jesus Christ, over the broken glass of our world, the rumors meant to hurt, the prejudice meant to wound, the weapons meant to kill, trampling our attempts at disaster into dust, ride on,
All: Ride on in Peace.
Leader: Lord Jesus Christ, over the distance which separates us from you, a distance measurable in half truths,
in un-kept promises, in second-best obedience until you touch and heal us, ride on,
All: Ride on in Grace.
Leader: Lord Jesus Christ, through the back streets of our lives where we fear to go into the darkness
to reveal the secrets that lurk there; where human life festers and love runs cold; where faith loses its warmth,
All: Ride on in Hope.
*Assurance of God’s Love
*Response What Wondrous Love Is This
*Passing of the Peace
LISTENING FOR GOD’S WORD
Word to the Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sandy Prouty
When the music begins, children are invited to gather on the chancel steps as we sing “This is where children belong, part of our family, part of our song. Be with us, pray with us, help us grow strong: this is where children belong.” Please note the 11:00am service is livestreamed and your child’s image may appear on the video.
Anthem
All Glory Laud and Honor (8:30am)
arr. Cynthia Dobrinski (1950-2021)
Ride on, King Jesus! (11:00am)
arr. Moses Hogan (1957-2003)
Prayer for Illumination (Unison)
Come to us, open our hearts and minds,
so that we may hear Your Word of life. Amen.
Scripture Lesson
Matthew 21: 1-11 (New Testament Pew Bible Page 19)
Response to Reading
Leader: Listen to the voice of the Spirit speaking to the Church.
People: Thanks be to God.
Sermon
Parade of Paradox
Rev. Dr. Jason Hays
Moment for Reflection
Musical Reflection
Were You There? (8:30am)
arr. Brenda Austin (b.1972)
Hosanna to the Son of David (11:00am)
Daniel Moe (1926-2012)
This morning’s performances of “Ride on, King Jesus!” and “Were You There?” – American Negro Spirituals – are presented in accordance with our reparations royalty pilot program: a practice of valuing the musical contributions of enslaved Africans to American worship and song. Congregants are invited to make a reparation royalty contribution via the pew offering envelope (write “reparations royalty”). Contributions can also be made online at Montview.org/giving (One-time gift: Reparations Royalty Fund) or by clicking here.
RESPONDING TO GOD’S GRACE
Offering Ourselves and Our Gifts
Making a financial gift makes Montview’s programs and ministries possible, including this worship service. You are invited to give generously at www.montview.org/giving or by texting a dollar amount to 720.452.6449. Offering boxes are stationed at the exit for cash and checks. We’re grateful for your support.
All are invited to sign and pass the Friendship Pad and greet each other by name. If you are visiting, we also invite you to fill out the welcome card in the pew rack and put it in the offering box.
*Prayer of Dedication (Unison)
God, you have so greatly loved us, long sought us, and mercifully redeemed us. Give us grace that in everything, we may yield ourselves, our wills and our works. A continual thank offering to you. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
*Response When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
THE SACRAMENT OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
Invitation to the Lord’s Table
Great Thanksgiving
Leader: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Leader: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them to the Lord.
Leader: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right to give God thanks and praise.
Leader: It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Gracious God, creator of heaven and earth. You formed us in your image and breathed into us the breath of life. When we turned away, and our love failed, your love remained steadfast. You have been faithful to us through all generations and continue to speak to us today. We praise you for this table of love you spread in the world as a sign of your love for all people. And so, with your people on earth and all the company of heaven, we praise your name and join in their unending song.
Eucharistic Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer (Unison)
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 debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Words of Institution
Communion of the People
You are invited to come forward, offering your open palms to the communion server. Once you receive a piece of communion bread and juice, please bring them back to your seat in the pews. A gluten-free option is offered from the server on the pulpit side of the aisle. The Presbyterian tradition does not include a specific rite for first Communion. Our parents decide when their children are ready to participate.
Communion Music
Elevation from Suite Medievale
Jean Langlais (1907-1991)
*Prayer of Thanksgiving (Unison)
Gracious God, you have made us one with all your people in heaven and earth. You have fed us with the bread of life and renewed us for your service. Help us, who have shared Christ’s body and received his cup, to be faithful disciples, so that our daily living may reflect your presence among us, and our love be your love, reaching out into the world; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
*Closing Hymn
223 When I Survey the Wondrous Cross (Hamburg)
SENDING IN GOD’S LOVE
As we move now into Holy Week our service this morning ends without a benediction. After the recessional, you are invited to leave in a contemplative spirit, reflecting on the meaning of the week to come. Go in peace.
Recessional
MINISTRY HIGHLIGHT: SOCIAL JUSTICE MINISTRY
Montview’s Social Justice Ministry (SJM) seeks to address injustice on the local, state and national level by setting priorities and working to educate the congregation on a variety of topics. This year, SJM is focusing on hunger and is the host of today’s Palm Sunday Breakfast featuring Sen. Michael Bennet. Visit their table in the Commons following today’s worship services. You can sign up to receive alerts when legislation is pending.
WORSHIP PARTICIPANTS
Preacher: Rev. Dr. Jason Hays
Liturgist: Rev. Clover Reuter Beal
Conductor: Adam Waite (11:00am)
Organ: Barbara Hulac
Conductor: Becky Puster (8:30am)
Soloist: Heidi Shriver (8:30am)
Choir Fellow Conductor: Noelle Romberger (11:00am)
Handbells: Montview Ringers (8:30am)
Reader: Laurie Muller-Girard (8:30am)
Reader: Mary Jo Starmer (11:00am)
Sound: Cate Thieme
Video: John Goerner
Livestream: Christine Hofstad
Chorus: Westminster Choir (11:00am)
EASTER AT MONTVIEW
Holy Week
Palm Sunday Services
April 2 | 8:30 & 11am
Sanctuary & 11am Livestream
Palm Sunday Walk w/ Donkey
April 2 | 10:30am
Dahlia Sidewalk & South Plaza
Matins Services
April 3-5 | 7:30am
Sanctuary
Maundy Thursday
April 6 | 7:30pm
Sanctuary & Livestream
Good Friday
April 7 | 7:30pm
Sanctuary & Livestream
Easter
8am – Worship with String Quartet
Sanctuary
9:15am – Easter Tea & Craft Fair
Fellowship Hall
9:30am – Worship with
Westminster Choir & Brass
Sanctuary
11am – Worship with
Westminster Choir & Brass
Sanctuary & Livestream
TODAY AT MONTVIEW
8:30am
Worship Service
Location: Sanctuary
Childcare – Ages Birth-7 (masks optional)
Location: Preschool Floor
Enter via the Commons past Heritage Center to the Education wing.
8:45am
Youth Bells (Grades 3-8)
Location: Room 206B
9:15am
Palm Sunday Breakfast
Social Justice Ministry breakfast with speakers Sen. Michael Bennet and Marc Jacobson.
Location: Fellowship Hall
9:30am
Combined Cantate and Timbrel Choirs (Grades K-5)
Location: Room 205
Assembly: Choir Alternative Fellowship (Grades K-5)
Location: Room 204
Confirmation
Location: Gallery Room
Sunday School (Preschool)
Location: Room 112
JAM in the AM (Grades 6-8)
Location: Cellar
Waffles and Wonderings (Grades 9-12)
Location: Cellar Back Room
10:00am
Sunday School (Grades K-5)
Location: Preschool and Second Floors
11:00am
Worship Service
Location: Sanctuary
Childcare – Ages Birth-7 (masks optional)
Location: Preschool Floor
Enter via the Commons past Heritage Center to the Education wing.
12:00pm
Jubilate Singers (Grades 6-12)
Location: Sanctuary
4:00pm
JAM (Grades 6-8)
Location: Cellar
5:30pm
MOB (Grades 9-12)
Location: Cellar
PARISH NEWS
Prayer Tree
Dick Anderson; Diane Bassett; Ana Carballal, sister of Christina Carballal; Barbara Carballal, mother of Christina Carballal; Dave, son-in-law of Nancy and John Thompson; The Gasser Family, mourning the death of son Daniel Gasser; Jim Getzinger, brother of Nancy Getzinger; Sandra Good, sister of Sharon Cairns Mann; Cindi Graves; Madie Gustafson; Mark Haynes; Juanita Martinez; Mac Murphy; Margaret Gonder Odell, sister of John Gonder; Corinne Pellish; Thomas (Tom) Pickard, uncle of Pat Kramer; Kathryn Walton; Steve Warnke
ABOUT THIS SERVICE
Assistive listening devices are available in the sound booth in the back of the sanctuary.
Restrooms are available in the Commons.
Childcare is available for ages Birth-7 on the Preschool floor.
Please note that the 11:00am worship service will be livestreamed to several social media platforms and your image may appear on the livestream video.
MONTVIEW BOULEVARD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
1980 Dahlia Street, Denver, CO 80220
303.355.1651 | www.montview.org