Palm Sunday & The Passion of Our Lord – March 24, 2024 – Passion in Grace Alone

Lord of Life LIVE - Palm Sunday - The Passion of Our Lord

Holy Week Schedule

Maundy Thursday
”Life In Grace Alone”
Thursday, March 28, 2024, 7:00pm
Join us in person or on YouTube for Lord of Life LIVE
Service includes First Communion Celebration
& “The Stripping of the Altar”

Good Friday
”Saved In Grace Alone”
Friday, March 29, 2024, 7:00pm
Join us in person or on YouTube for Lord of Life LIVE
Service includes music, readings, silence and “Jesus’ Seven Last Words”

Easter Sunday Festive Worship – The Resurrection of Our Lord
”Alive & Anew In Grace Alone”
Sunday, March 31, 2024, 9:30am
Join us in person or on YouTube for Lord of Life LIVE!
Service includes Festive Music, Children’s Message, Holy Communion, The Easter Garden and Easter Fellowship!
No Faith Quest Sunday School on Easter Sunday!

All are welcome, encouraged to visit the Prayer Cross as moved to do so.

Song of Praise on & Glory

All Glory, Laud, and Honor

Theodulph of Orleans

refrain:
All glory laud and honor
To you Redeemer King
To whom the lips of children
Made sweet hosannas ring

vs. 1
You are the King of Israel
And David’s royal Son
Now in the Lord’s name coming
Our King and Blessed One

(ref)

The Procession Announced

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

Hosanna to the Son of David!

The Processional Gospel

Matthew 21:1-11

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, saying, “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.”

(New Revised Standard Version)

Let us pray:
We praise you and thank you, our God, for your great acts of love to redeem us and to save us. As we remember your triumphant entry into Jerusalem, let us also remember your faithful passion to complete the Father’s mission of salvation. Jesus, you knew what would happen that week, and still you went forward. By your simple power and renewing grace, bless us with faith to hold these branches, to lift up your name, with hearts full of praise, to see God’s grace through your trial, death and resurrection. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
Hosanna in the highest!

Song of Celebration & Trust

Hosanna

Tuttle

vs 1
Hosanna Hosanna
Hosanna in the highest
Hosanna Hosanna
Hosanna in the highest
Lord we lift up your name
With hearts full of praise
Be exalted oh Lord my God
Hosanna in the highest

vs 2
Glory Glory
Glory to the King of kings
Glory Glory
Glory to the King of kings
Lord we lift up your name
With hearts full of praise
Be exalted oh Lord my God
Glory to the King of kings

(repeat entire song)

Faith Quest meets following today’s Children’s Sermon!

A Litany of the Sacrifice & Passion of Jesus Christ

 This is the day that the Lord has made.

Let us rejoice and be glad in it!

We gather today, to remember we are alive and anew in God’s saving grace in the passion and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ; so we worship in the name of The Father and of The Son and of The Holy Spirit.

Amen. “Jesus withdrew from the disciples, he knelt down and prayed, ‘Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will be done but your will be done.’”

Friends in Christ, let us offer silent prayers of confession and strength to stay awake and to keep watch through this Holy Week.

(silence for reflection)

Faithful Jesus, keep us faithful; grace us this week through your sacrifice, to be there with you in prayer and discipleship.

Song of Sacrifice & Hope

Were You There

Barton

vs. 1
Were you there
When they crucified my Lord
Were you there
When they crucified my Lord
Oh
Sometimes it causes me
To tremble
Tremble tremble
Were you there
When they crucified my Lord

“One of the criminals hanging beside Jesus said, ‘Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us.’ The other protested saying, ‘Do you not fear God? We have been condemned justly and are getting what we deserve, but this man has done nothing wrong. Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’”

Friends, trust when you call on Jesus you are remembered, when you feel far away from him, he is chasing after you.  Jesus, today, we confess we are not always there for you, we do not always call on your name.  We thank you through your sacrifice and passion you tell us, “Today we are with you in paradise.”

Song of Sacrifice & Hope

Were You There

Barton

vs. 2
Were you there
When they nailed him to the tree
Were you there
When they nailed him to the tree
Oh
Sometimes it causes me
To tremble
Tremble tremble
Were you there
When they nailed him to the tree

“Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, ‘Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.’ Having said this, he died. When the centurion saw this, he praised God and said, ‘Surely this man was innocent.’”

Friends of the Savior, today we remember Jesus’ sacrifice included taking the form of a servant, laying down his life for his friends, and being obedient to the Father, even unto death. In the life-changing, amazing power and grace of our Savior, the message of the week to come is, this: God in Jesus Christ saves you, and Jesus, truly and completely, forgives you of all your sins, blessing you to more passionately trust God alone will be there with you, one and all!

Song of Sacrifice & Hope

Were You There

Barton

vs. 3
Were you there
When they laid him in the tomb
Were you there
When they laid him in the tomb
Oh
Sometimes it causes me
To tremble
Tremble tremble
Were you there
When they laid him in the tomb

Almighty God, you sent your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, to be there for us, to take our lives upon himself as he went forward into Jerusalem to suffer death on the cross. Grant that through your passion and grace, we might receive mercy and faith for all eternity. In all that you finish, begin now anew, to bless us in new ways with your grace alone. Give us courage and strength this week to be there for you, to obediently stay close to you, as we look to the glory of the resurrection. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

New Testament Lesson

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 servant, being born in human likeness. And being found in a 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 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.  

(New Revised Standard Version)

Song of Hope & Grace Anew

I Want Jesus to Walk With Me

African American Spiritual

vs. 1
I want Jesus
To walk with me
I want Jesus
To walk with me
All along my
Pilgrim journey
Lord I want Jesus
To walk with me

vs. 2
In my trials
Lord walk with me
In my trials
Lord walk with me
When my heart is
Almost breaking
Lord I want Jesus
To walk with me

vs. 3
When I’m in trouble
Lord walk with me
When I’m in trouble
Lord walk with me
When my head is
Bowed in sorrow
Lord I want Jesus
To walk with me

Gospel - The Passion of Our Lord

Mark 15:1–39

As soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes, and the whole council. They bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate. Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered him, “You say so.” Then the chief priests accused him of many things. Pilate asked him again, “Have you no answer? See how many charges they bring against you.” But Jesus made no further reply, so that Pilate was amazed. Now at the festival, he used to release a prisoner for them, anyone for whom they asked. Now a man called Barabbas was in prison with the rebels who had committed murder during the insurrection. So the crowd came and began to ask Pilate to do for them according to his custom. Then Pilate answered them, “Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?” For Pilate realized it was out of jealousy that the chief priests had handed Jesus over. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have Pilate release Barabbas instead. Pilate spoke to the people again, “Then what do you wish me to do with the man you call, the King of the Jews?” They shouted back, “Crucify him!” Pilate asked them, “Why, what evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify him!” So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas for them; and after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified.

Then the soldiers led him into the courtyard of the palace (that is, the governor’s headquarters); and they called together the whole cohort. And they clothed him in a purple cloak; and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on him. And they began saluting him, “Hail, King of the Jews!” They struck his head with a reed, spat upon him, and knelt down in homage to him. After mocking him, they stripped him of the purple cloak and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him.

They compelled a passer-by, who was coming in from the country, to carry his cross; it was Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus. Then they brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means the place of a skull). And they offered him wine mixed with myrrh; but he did not take it. And they crucified him, and divided his clothes among them, casting lots to decide what each should take.

It was nine o’clock in the morning when they crucified him. The inscription of the charge against him read, “The King of the Jews.” And with him they crucified two bandits, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by derided him, shaking their heads and saying, “Aha! You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself, and come down from the cross!”

In the same way the chief priests, along with the scribes, were also mocking him among themselves and saying, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. Let the Messiah, the King of Israel, come down from the cross now, so that we may see and believe.” Those who were crucified with him also taunted him.

When it was noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. At three o’clock Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” When some of the bystanders heard it, they said, “Listen, he is calling for Elijah.” And someone ran, filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink, saying, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down.” Then Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. Now when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was God’s Son!”

(New Revised Standard Version)

The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting. Amen.

Passion in Grace Alone!

PHILIPPIANS 2:5-11; MATTHEW 21:1-11; MARK 15:1-39

“Where did that come from?”  Has something ever changed so quickly it surprised you?  Has someone ever done something so inconsistent, so unexpected, you did not see it coming?  Where did the Palm Sunday celebration go?  Did we miss something?  How did the faithful `Hosanna’ voices change so quickly to `Crucify’?  This week is about change.  This week changes just about everything.  Jesus came with passion not to change salvation, but to complete it.  Jesus came to endure the passion of his suffering so no matter how loud or how often `Crucify him’ is shouted, God’s grace alone would shout louder and longer.  Jesus’ passion is to change judgment into forgiveness, to change death into life, to change despair into hope, to change searching into truth!  As we share Holy Week, let us passionately trust The One who is faithfully passionate and gracious and merciful, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love!  Journey this week, all eternity, in the passion of God’s grace alone!

1. Sometimes things happen so quickly, so unexpectedly, so inconsistently, that we find ourselves asking, `Where did that come from?’  `Was I suppose to see that coming?’  `Did I miss something?’
Matthew 21:1-11
Philippians 2:5, 7-8
Mark 15:13-15, 31-32

A. Where did Palm Sunday go?  It was here a moment ago.

B. Where did Judas and Peter and the others go?  They were here a moment ago.

C. Where did I go?  I was here a moment ago.

2. Jesus comes to change things, to makes things happen quickly.  Jesus came with passion not to change salvation, but to complete God’s gifts of salvation, forgiveness, hope and so much more, in God’s grace alone, in Jesus Christ!
Matthew 21:3
Philippians 2:7-8
Mark15:1-39

A. Jesus endures the passion of his suffering to beat suffering, to change what needed changing, to turn our heads and hearts, to help us see the unexpected, to know and believe forever: `Where did that come from?’  God’s grace in Christ alone!

i. Christ alone endures the passion of his suffering to change death into life.

ii. Christ alone endures the passion of his suffering to change judgment into forgiveness.

iii. Christ alone endures the passion of his suffering to change placing guilt and blame into accepting grace!

B. Christ alone endures the passion of his suffering so we know where grace comes from, where life comes from, where God’s need for us comes from, where passion and truth come from!

3. Return to The Lord your God!  God in grace is passionate about you! Jesus endures the passion of his suffering, so no matter how loud or how often `Crucify him’ is shouted, God’s grace would shout louder and longer!  This week, stay close to The One who passionately stays close to you in Christ alone!  Stay here and keep watch!  Know and believe, where it all comes from; you are alive and anew in the passion of God’s grace alone!
Philippians 2:9-11
Mark 15:38-39

Offering is available for our indoor services. Find a Lord of Life with a volunteer bucket to deposit offering in person as you leave worship today. If you find yourself wanting to offer your gifts to Lord of Life, you can do so online using the link below. You can also drop offering at anytime in our secure mailbox at Lord of Life located in the parking lot.

Song of Passion & Grace

Satan, We’re Gonna Tear Your Kingdom Down

Capers

Satan
We’re gonna tear
Your kingdom down
Satan
We’re gonna tear
Your kingdom down
You’ve been building
Your kingdom
All over this world
Satan
We’re gonna tear
Your kingdom down

Satan
We’re gonna pray
Your kingdom down
Satan
We’re gonna sing
Your kingdom down
You’ve been building
Your kingdom
All over this world
Satan
We’re gonna tear
Your kingdom down

Satan
The cross has torn
Your kingdom down
Satan
The cross has torn
Your kingdom down
You’ve been building
Your kingdom
All over this world
Satan
The cross has torn
Your kingdom down

Prayers, sung response “Jesus Remember Me” - Berthier

... as we pray to you, Jesus,

Jesus remember me
When you come into your Kingdom
Jesus remember me
When you come into your Kingdom

All these things and whatever else you see we need, grant to us we pray, for into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy, and in your passion and saving grace, through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Holy Communion will take place during our service. If you are not worshipping with us in person but would like to receive Communion, we will be offering Drive Through Communion at our building at 16200 Dodd Lane, Lakeville, Minnesota, following our indoor service. Drive Through Communion will be available between 10:15am & 10:30am.

For those worshiping with us in person, we receive communion through intinction; that is, you will receive the bread, the host, then dip into the glass of choice, either a red wine in the chalice closest to the host, or in a light colored non-alcoholic grape juice. All are welcome.

We also offer gluten free and pre-packaged options. Please take these options before arriving at the host to receive a blessing.

The Words of Institution

In the night in which he was betrayed our Lord Jesus took bread and gave thanks; broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat, this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.” Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.”

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 trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us;
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
Forever and ever. Amen.

Songs During Holy Communion

The Wonderful Cross

Watts/Tomlin                            

When I survey
The wondrous cross
On which the Prince
Of glory died
My richest gain
I count but loss
And pour contempt
On all my pride

See from His head
His hands His feet
Sorrow and love
Flow mingled down
Did e’er such love
And sorrow meet
Or thorns compose
So rich a crown

refrain:
Oh the wonderful cross
Oh the wonderful cross
Bids me come and die
And find that I may truly live
Oh the wonderful cross
Oh the wonderful cross
All who gather here by grace
Draw near and bless Your name

Were the whole realm
Of nature mine
That were an off’ring
Far too small

Love so amazing
So divine
Demands my soul
My life my all

(refrain)

Stay Here And Keep Watch With Me

Berthier

Stay here and keep watch with me
The hour has come
Stay here and keep watch with me
Watch and pray

(repeat as led)

The body and blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, strengthen you and keep you in his grace this day, this life-changing week, and on into life everlasting.
Amen.

Let us pray.
Almighty God, you gave your Son both as a sacrifice for sin and a model of the godly life. Enable us to receive him always with thanksgiving, and to conform our hearts, and our lives to his, through Jesus Christ, the Lord of life. Amen.

Friends, return to The Lord your God with all your heart; take hold, be alive and anew, in the passion of God’s saving grace alone! The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace. Follow The Christ this week with renewed passion! In the name of The Father, and of The Son, and of The Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Going Anew in Passion & Grace

Build Your Kingdom Here

Gilkeson

vs. 1
Come set Your rule and reign
In our hearts again
Increase in us we pray
Unveil why we’re made
Come set our hearts ablaze with hope
Like wildfire in our very souls
Holy Spirit come invade us now
We are Your church
We need Your pow’r in us

vs. 2
We seek Your kingdom first
We hunger and we thirst
Refuse to waste our lives
For You’re our joy and prize
To see the captives’ hearts released
The hurt the sick the poor at peace
We lay down our lives
For heaven’s cause
We are Your church
We pray revive this earth

refrain:
Build Your kingdom here
Let the darkness fear
Show Your mighty hand
Heal our streets and land
Set Your church on fire
Win this nation back
Change the atmosphere
Build Your kingdom here
We pray

vs. 3
Unleash Your kingdom’s pow’r
Reaching the near and far
No force of hell can stop
Your beauty changing hearts
You made us for much more than this
Awake the kingdom seed in us
Fill us with the strength
And love of Christ
We are Your church
We are the hope
On earth

(refrain)

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Follow us on facebook to watch our services live on Lord of Life LIVE now on YouTube! Watch with us live at 9:30am on Sundays, or rewatch at your own convenience!

Today, Sunday, March 24, 9:30 a.m., as we share Palm Sunday, The Passion of Our Lord, “Passion In Grace Alone!” Palm Procession! Children invited to line up at 9:25 a.m. Faith Quest Sunday School meets next Sunday!

Our Holy Week schedule includes: Maundy Thursday Worship, Thursday, March 28, 7 p.m. “Loved In Grace Alone!” Service includes First Communion Celebration and “The Stripping Of The Altar”

Good Friday Worship, Friday, March 29, 7 p.m. “Saved In Grace Alone!” Service includes music, readings, silence, and “Jesus’ Seven Last Words.

Easter Sunday Festive Worship, Sunday, March 31, 9:30 a.m. The Resurrection Of Our Lord “Alive And Anew In Grace Alone!” Service includes Festive Music, Children’s Message, Holy Communion, The Easter Garden, and Easter Fellowship! No Faith Quest Sunday School On Easter! Faith Quest resumes on Sunday, April 7!

Friends, today as always, all who proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, are welcome to God’s table of grace as we share Holy Communion.

For those sharing their generosity today, we thank you for your faithful giving! Offering is collected in baskets as you exit the building.

Friends, today as always, all who proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, are welcome to God’s table of grace as we share Holy Communion. For those sharing their generosity today, we thank you for your faithful giving! Offering is collected in baskets by the ushers as you exit the sanctuary.

For those who are not able to join us for worship, you are invited to receive drive-through communion, available Sundays, 10:15-10:30 a.m. at the front curb near the church entrance.

We hope our worship will touch you, comfort you, reassure you, and grace you in some way! If you believe others you know would be blessed to receive this bulletin, the sermon notes, or our live stream links, please forward these to them.

From everyone on every level of leadership and service, we continue to pray for you and to give thanks to God for each of you! Please contact Pastor Jamie if he can serve you in any way: jamie.thompson@lordoflifemn.org

We pray The Holy Spirit breathes anew on us to be God’s people and to be God’s Church, as together we make known and we trust anew God’s gifts of hope, peace, justice, clarity, calm, and comfort forever break forth in new ways for you and your loved ones, today, and as we share every gift of God’s light, love and grace!

Acknowledgments for today’s service include:

A Litany of the Sacrifice & Passion of Jesus Christ – based on Luke 22:41-42; 23:39-43; 23:46-47. “Prayer of The Day,” “Lord’s Prayer,” “Post-Communion Blessing, Prayer, & Benediction,” “Jesus, Remember Me,” based on the LBW. © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship (LBW) and With One Voice Hymnal Supplement © 1995 Augsburg Publishing House, Minneapolis & Board of Publication, Lutheran Church In America, Philadelphia; and Evangelical Lutheran Worship © 2006 Augsburg Fortress, Minneapolis, MN. Used with permission. “All Glory, Laud & Honor” Words and Music Public Domain, CCLI #29509 “Hosanna” © 1985 MercyMe Music Shadow Spring Music CCLI #21545 “Were You There” © Words and Music Public Domain, arr. by F.J. Work, CCLI #29516 “I Want Jesus to Walk With Me” Traditional African American Spiritual, and this arr. Nix/Cleveland © 1981 Abingdon Press, OL#00107 “Satan, We’re Gonna Tear Your Kingdom Down” ©1999 Augburg Fortress, OL #72593 “The Wonderful Cross” © 2000 worshiptogether.com songs CCLI #3148435 “Stay Here and Keep Watch With Me” © 1984 Les Presses de Taizé, OL# 00152 “Build Your Kingdom Here” © 2011 Thankyou Music CCLI #6186078 All rights reserved. All songs used with permission. CCLI License #1380826 & OneLicense #A-724016.