PALM SUNDAY
March 29, 2026 | 8:30 and 11:00am
GATHERING IN GOD’S NAME
Prelude
Grand Choeur
Gordon Young (1919-1998)
Welcome
Rev. Amanda Osenga, Associate Pastor
*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 praise 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
*Procession of the Palms
196 All Glory, Laud, and Honor (Valet Will Ich Dir Geben)
You’re invited to wave your palms during the procession. It is our tradition for the pastors to bless the palms by sprinkling the congregation with water.
*Confession of Brokenness
Leader: Lord Jesus Christ, over the brokenness of our world,
the rumors meant to hurt, the prejudice meant to wound,
the weapons meant to kill, 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, 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, ride on,
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
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
Lamb of God, What Wondrous Love (8:30am)
Gabriel Fauré (1845-1924), arr. A.R. Petker
Sanctus, from Requiem (11:00am)
Gabriel Fauré
Prayer for Illumination (Unison)
Awaken our ears,
open our hearts,
and sustain the weary
with your Word.
Amen.
Scripture Lesson
Matthew 21:1-11 (Pew Bible New Testament Page 19)
Response to Reading
Leader: Listen to the voice of the Spirit speaking to the Church.
People: Thanks be to God.
Sermon
Welcome to the Losing Team
Rev. Clover Reuter Beal, Co-Pastor
Moment for Reflection
Musical Reflection
Go to Dark Gethsemane
arr. Philip Moore (b. 1943)
RESPONDING TO GOD’S GRACE
Offering Ourselves and Our Gifts Rev. Dr. Jason Hays, Executive Minister
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.
*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 223 When I Survey the Wondrous Cross, Verse 4
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. Bread at every station is gluten-free. The Presbyterian tradition does not include a specific rite for first Communion. Our parents decide when their children are ready to participate. If you’d like to receive communion in your pew, please signal to a server when they come down the aisle at the conclusion of communion.
Communion Music
Surely He Has Borne Our Griefs
Brian Cockburn (b. 1963)
*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
ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING
Each gift to One Great Hour of Sharing supports PC(USA) programs that relieve hunger, promote development and assist in areas of disaster. Help provide people with safety, sustenance, and hope by making a donation. Envelopes will be in the pews today, March 29.
WORSHIP PARTICIPANTS
Preacher: Rev. Clover Reuter Beal
Liturgists: Rev. Dr. Jason Hays and Rev. Amanda Osenga
Piano/Conductor: Adam Waite
Organ: Benjamin Corwyn
Soloist: Heidi Shriver (8:30am)
Violin: Erik Peterson (8:30am)
Reader: Doug Easton (8:30am)
Reader: Juli Davidson (11:00am)
Sound: Cate Thieme
Video: John Goerner
Digital Host: Rev. Dr. Lorraine Leist
Chorus: Westminster Choir (11:00am)
Thank you to the Communion Preparation Team!
ABOUT THIS SERVICE
Assistive listening devices are available in the sound booth in the back of the sanctuary.
Restrooms are available in the Commons. An all-gender restroom is available on the lower level across from Youth Cellar.
A room for families with children who are not enjoying the service is below the sanctuary with livestream.
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.
TODAY AT MONTVIEW
8:00am-12:30pm
Childcare – Ages Birth-7
Location: Preschool Floor
Enter via the Commons past Heritage Center to the Education wing.
8:30am
Worship Service
Location: Sanctuary
8:45am
Youth Bells (Grades 3-8)
Location: Room 206B
9:15am
Palm Sunday Breakfast
Location: Fellowship Hall
9:30am
Bel Canto Choir (Grades K-5)
Location: Room 205
Assembly: Choir Alternative Fellowship (Grades K-5)
Location: Room 204B
Sunday School (Preschool)
Location: Room 112
JAM in the AM (Grades 6-8)
Location: Cellar
10:00am
Sunday School (Grades K-5)
Location: Second Floor
10:30am
Palm Sunday Neighborhood Walk
Location: Dahlia Sidewalk & South Plaza
11:00am
Worship Service
Location: Sanctuary
4:00pm
JAM (Grades 6-8)
Location: Cellar
5:30pm
MOB (Grades 9-12)
Location: Cellar
EASTER AT MONTVIEW
Holy Week
Palm Sunday Services
March 29 | 8:30 & 11am
Sanctuary & 11am Livestream
Palm Sunday Walk w/ Donkey
March 29 | 10:30am
Dahlia Sidewalk & South Plaza
Matins Services
March 30-April 1 | 7:30am
Sanctuary
Maundy Thursday
April 2 | 7:30pm
Sanctuary & Livestream
Good Friday
April 3 | 7:30pm
Sanctuary & Livestream
Easter
8am – Worship with
String Quartet
Sanctuary
9:30am – Worship with
Westminster Choir & Brass
Sanctuary
9:15am – Easter Tea
& Craft Fair
Fellowship Hall
11am – Worship with
Westminster Choir & Brass
Sanctuary & Livestream
MINISTRY HIGHLIGH: MONTVIEW DEACONS
The Deacon mission is to follow in the example of Jesus in loving by serving. It is a ministry of caring, love, compassion, prayer, and
community service. If you have questions about becoming a Deacon or the work they do, please see our Deacons’ table in the Commons. Donate to support the Deacons’ work by clicking here.
PARISH NEWS
Prayer Tree
The clergy of Jamaica as they support those affected by Hurricane Melissa; Jolene Cranston; Rev. Emory Gillespie; Meg Glazner and family; Cindi Graves; Mark Haynes; Joe Hickman; Tim Hobbins (relative of Cindy and Terry Oakes); The Hoeft Family; Sherwood Lingenfelter (brother of Paul Lingenfelter); Sam Mateo; John Odell and Margaret Gonder-Odell (siblings of John and Peggy Odell Gonder); Vanessa Owen and family (mourning the death of Vanessa’s mother); Jim Polsfut; Keren Roewe; Jan Tazelaar; Anne Tennant; Stuart Tessler (friend of Barbara Furutani)
Pastoral Care Concerns
Please reach out to the church with pastoral care concerns such as illnesses, hospitalizations, deaths, births, or any other change of personal circumstances or condition. Contact: caring@montview.org or (303) 355-1651 (general mailbox voicemail). For pastoral care emergencies, please call (303) 355-1651 and press 4.
MONTVIEW BOULEVARD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
1980 Dahlia Street, Denver, CO 80220
303.355.1651 | www.montview.org