Palm/Passion Sunday - April 2, 2023

Play” by Lisle Gwynn Garrity, A Sanctified Art

 The Liturgy of the Palms

Prelude Hosanna, Laud Hosanna Worship and Rejoice #267 (Grace Mauk, organ)

Welcome and Invitation

Call to Worship

The Rev. Dr. Lisa Tucker-Gray

We gather to remember and to worship the Christ of God. You who comes humble among us, we praise your name. You who rides on a donkey like a prince of peace, we greet you with palms. You whom the crowds welcome with loud cheers, we shout “Alleluia!”

You who brings with you those we’d rather ignore; we often deny we know you. You who calls us to love regardless of the risk, too frequently we betray you. You who demands that we change our ways, our joyous welcome easily turns to shouts of “Crucify!”

You who reveals who we are, we pray your grace to shape what will be. Make us yours that we may love like you and shout your praise: Alleluia! Alleluia!

THE GOSPEL

Matthew 21:1-11

Deacon: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to Matthew. People: Glory to you, Lord Christ.

When Jesus and his disciples 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."

Deacon: The Gospel of the Lord.

People: Praise to you, Lord Christ.

Blessing of the Palm Branches

(All are invited to lift their palms high as they are blessed.)

Priest: The Lord be with you.

People: And also with you.

Priest: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

People: It is right to give God thanks and praise.

Priest: It is right and good to praise you, O God, to praise you always. This day we remember that Jesus entered into Jerusalem. He was greeted by those who spread palm branches and cloaks along the way. They honored him as the Chosen One crying, “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!” May the palms we raise today be signs that we welcome your Christ.

May our lives be shaped by Christ’s way of love. Amen

Parade Song

Yonder Come Day! Traditional Spiritual

Yonder come day – Day is a’breakin’ Yonder come day, Oh my soul.

Yonder come day – Day is a’breakin’ Sun is a’risin’ in my soul!

 The Liturgy of the Word 

Collect of the Day Prayers for an Inclusive Church Leader: The Lord be with you. People: And also withyou. Leader: Let us pray.

Lord, your love is broken open among cheering crowds and traitor’s coins, deserting friends and hands washing clean, the mockery of power and the baying mob; as we follow your way of passion, give us the faith to bring our weak and divided hearts to the foot of the cross and the door of the guarded tomb that they might be opened, astonished and healed; through Jesus Christ, who carries the weight of the world. Amen.

The First Lesson Isaiah 50:4-9a

Reader: A reading from Isaiah.

The Lord God has given me the tongue of a teacher, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word.

Morning by morning he wakens-wakens my ear to listen as those who are taught.

The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, I did not turn backward.

I gave my back to those who struck me, and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard; I did not hide my face from insult and spitting.

The Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame; he who vindicates me is near.

Who will contend with me?

Let us stand up together.

Who are my adversaries? Let them confront me.

It is the Lord God who helps me; who will declare me guilty?

Reader: The Word of the Lord.

People: Thanks be to God.

Psalm

Psalm 31:9-16

All are invited to join in the refrain. Verses will be offered by the Trinity Choir.

REFRAIN:

REFRAIN

Be a comfort to me, Beloved, for I am in distress; my eyes are dim from weeping, my soul is deep with grief. For my life is worn away with sorrow, and my years with sighing; My body has weakened and my bones waste away with misery.

All my fears rise up to mock me, my neighbours turn away, My friends dread to see me and flee from my sickness of soul. My mind, too, has left me like one who is dead; I have become like a broken vessel.

REFRAIN

Yes, I hear the voices around me whispering of my plight –fears rise up on every side! Isolation, rejection, fear surround me and conspire to overwhelm me.

Still, I trust in You, O Beloved, I repeat, “You are my Life.” My life is in your hands; deliver me from the fears which separate me! Let your face shine on me; hold me in your steadfast love!

REFRAIN

Psalms for Praying

The Second Lesson Philippians 2:5-11

Reader: A reading from Philippians.

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 slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in 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 that is 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.

Reader: The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God

Gradual Lord, Be Glorified

Worship and Rejoice #465

THE Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ According to Matthew Matthew 27:11-54

Deacon: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to Matthew People: Glory to you Lord Christ.

Storytellers: Jeffrey Albright, Mark Dubielak, Angie Carriker, Karen Keune, Fritz Hany, Sheila Otto and Phil Skeldon and Trinity Choir.

Homily

The Rev. Dr. Lisa Tucker-Gray

Affirmation of Faith (From Shore to Shore: Liturgies, Litanies & Prayers from Around the World)

We believe in God, the creator of all life and beauty, who blesses our journey. We believe in Jesus Christ, who lived as a friend and savior to all he met as he traveled, and who ate and laughed, wept and celebrated with them in love.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, who rides on the gentle breeze, who strengthens our bindings, and who offers hope eternal.

We believe in the church, which stands open to all travelers, and bears witness to the everlasting love of God. Amen.

THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

Intercessor: Blessed are you eternal God, eternal love.

People: May our hearts and minds be open today and always to your love.

Intercessor: Inspire and lead those who hold authority in the nations of the world. People: Guide us and all people in the way of justice andpeace.

Intercessor: Gracious Creator, hear us as we pray for the unity of the Church.

People: May we all learn to see with eyes of trust, dignity and respect.

Intercessor: Inspire every member of the Church to serve with a humble heart.

People: So that the life of Christ is revealed in us.

Intercessor: Strengthen and comfort the lonely, tired, sad, depressed or hurting.

People: In your presence may they find strength.

Intercessor: Make us alive, aware and responsive to the needs of our community.

People: Stir in us a desire to roll up our sleeves to make a difference in your name.

Intercessor: Look with kindness on our homes, friends and families.

People: Grant that your love may grow in our hearts.

Intercessor: Give rest and life eternal to all those who have died.

People: May we also come to share in your heavenly kingdom. AMEN.

The Confession of Sin & Absolution

Priest: Let us confess our sins to God.

Enriching Our Worship

People: Creator God, long-suffering, full of grace and truth, you create us from nothing and give us life abundant. You give us new life in the water of baptism. You never turn your face from us, nor cast us aside. We confess we have turned against you and against our neighbor, in thought, word and deed. We have wounded your love and marred your image in us. Restore us for the sake of your Son, and bring us to heavenly joy, in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Priest: May the God of love bring you back to all that is good in you. May you be forgiven of all wrongdoing and welcome God’s grace anew in your life this day.

May God’s assurance strengthen your resolve to begin again in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE PEACE

Deacon: The peace of the Lord be always with you. People: And also with you.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Offertory Invitation

To give online, visit www.trinitytoledo.org/online-giving/, choose GIVE NOW and today’s date. You can also text the word “Give” to 419-OMG-LOVE (419-664-5683) to make your weekly offering. This season we will not “pass the plate” at the time of the offertory; offerings can be deposited in our Giving Box stationed at the back of the sanctuary.

Offertory Ride on, King Jesus Larry Shackley (Trinity Choir)

 The Liturgy of the Table 

The Great Thanksgiving

Celebrant: The Lord be with you.

All: And also with you.

Celebrant: Lift up your hearts.

All: We lift them to the Lord.

Celebrant: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

All: It is right to give God thanks and praise.

A Wee Worship Book, Iona Community

We praise you, O God, whom eternity cannot contain, for coming to earth and entering time in Jesus. We praise you for his life which informs our living, for his compassion which changes our hearts, for his clear speaking which contradicts our harmless generalities, for his disturbing presence, his innocent suffering, his fearless dying, his rising to life breathing forgiveness and restoring us forever to you. For these gifts we praise and worship you.

All that is spectacular, all that is plain have their origin in you. All that is lovely, all who are loving, point to you as their fulfillment. Therefore we gladly join our voices to the song of the Church on earth and in heaven:

Sanctus

The Sound of My People, M. Roger Holland Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of hosts

Heaven and earth are full of your glory, Hosanna in the highest Blessed is they who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest

Jesus was always the guest. In the homes of Peter and Jairus, Martha and Mary, Joanna and Susanna, he was always the guest. At the meal tables of the wealthy where he pled the case of the poor, he was always the guest. Upsetting polite company, befriending isolated people, welcoming the stranger, he was always the guest.

But here, at this table, he is the host. Those who wish to serve him must first be served by him. Those who want to follow him must first be fed by him. For this is the table where God intends us to be nourished. This is the time when Christ can make us new. So come, you who hunger and thirst for a deeper faith, for a better life, for a fairer world. Jesus Christ, who has sat at our tables, now invites us to be his guests.

On their last night together, and as they were sitting at a meal, Jesus gave thanks, took a piece of bread and broke it. He gave it to the disciples saying, “This is my body. It is broken for you. Do this to remember me.”

Later, after they had eaten, he took a cup of wine, gave thanks and said, “This cup is the new relationship with God made possible because of my death. Drink this all of you, to remember me.”

So now we do as Jesus did. We offer this bread and this wine to each other, and proclaim the mystery of faith:

Celebrant and People

Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.

We ask that these signs of your love be filled with the fullness of Jesus. Let that same love rest on us, converting us from the patterns of this passing world, until we conform to the shape of him whose food we now share. Amen.

And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we now pray this version of the Lord’s prayer:

The Lord’s Prayer Version from New Zealand Prayer Book Eternal Spirit, Earth-maker, Pain bearer, Life-giver, Source of all that is and that shall be, Father and Mother of us all, Loving God, in whom is heaven:

The hallowing of your name echo through the universe! The way of your justice be followed by the peoples of the world! With the bread we need for today, feed us. In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us. Your heavenly will be done by all created beings! Your commonwealth of peace and freedom sustain our hope and come on earth! In times of temptation and test, strengthen us. From trials too great to endure, spare us.

From the grip of all that is evil, free us. For you reign in the glory of the power that is love, now and forever. Amen.

The Fraction: Breaking of the Bread

Celebrant: We break this bread to share in the Body of Christ

Enriching Our Worship

People: We who are many are one body, for we all share in the one bread. Celebrant: The Gifts of God for the people of God; holy food for holy people.

Invitation to Communion

Please be seated until you are invited to come forward to receive communion. Please let us know if you would like the bread brought to you. All are welcome

Communion Hymn Taste and See See insert.

The Post Communion Prayer (Please stand as you are able.) The Rev. Dr. Lisa Tucker-Gray Celebrant: Let us pray.

Jesus, we have feasted on the bread of life. Together we have tasted the love of your kin-dom here on earth. In your risen power you have united us with all of those who have come before, with those gathered today, and with those yet to find their way to this table of love set and ready to welcome all. May the sense of a new heaven and a new earth strengthen and renew us today and in the days to come. Now, send us out into the world to do the work you have given us to do offering your fearless love and priceless peace to all we meet in the name of our loving, liberating life-giving God. Amen.

BlessinG

May the rain fall off your shoulders when you’re caught in a storm. When the frost comes a callin’ may it find you safe and warm. May your place be set, and may your promises be kept. And may you never forget that you are loved.

Sending Hymn Freedom is Coming Gather 3rd Edition #814

Freedom is coming

Freedom is coming

Freedom is coming

Oh Yes I know

Oh Yes I know

Oh Yes I know

Freedom is coming

Oh Yes I know

Jesus is coming

Jesus is Coming

Jesus is coming

Oh Yes I know

Oh Yes I know

Oh Yes I know

Jesus is coming

Oh Yes I know

Dismissal

Deacon: Go in peace to serve our loving, liberating, life-giving God.

People: Thanks be to God.

Trinity’s Daily Bread- As a community of faith, we are called to love and be loved; to serve and be served, to give and to receive. In short, we don’t want anyone to “fall behind or drop out.” In this season of connecting in new ways, we are introducing Trinity’s Daily Bread. Please let us know if you need prayer, assistance or connection by filling out our Daily Bread form on our website, www.trinitytoledo.org!

Trinity Episcopal Church

Vestry Leadership

Donna Steppe, Sr. Warden, Jeffrey Albright, Jr. Warden

Karen Keune, Clerk, Margaret Baehren, Treasurer

Dennis Degnan, Becky Koskinen, Leah Reed

Fritz Hany, Gary Franklin & Jamie Paul

Parish Staff

The Rev. Dr. Lisa Tucker-Gray, Rector

Heather Meyer, Director of Operations and Community Development

George Benson, Director of Community Engagement

Chelsie Cree, Director of Music & the Arts

Grace Mauk, Assistant Director of Music and the Arts

Brian Buckner, Trinity@Home Accompanist

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES & COPYRIGHT INFO:

Bulletin Cover Image: “Power Play” by Lisle Gwynn Garrity, A Sanctified Art

Collect of the Day: Prayers for an Inclusive Church. Steven Shakespeare.

Readings and Gospel from: Revised Common Lectionary: lectionarypage.net, 2021.

Affirmation of Faith: Prayer by Rev. Sarah A. Speed, A Sanctified Art LLC, sanctifiedart.org

Psalm: From Psalms for Praying by Nan Merrill.

Prayers of the People: Refrain from Psalm 103, alt. Taize – GIA Publications.

Confession & Absolution: from The Road We Make by Walking, Brian McLaren

The Great Thanksgiving: A Wee Worship Book, Iona Community

Lord’s Prayer: New Zealand Prayerbook

Fraction: Enriching Our Worship

All printed music from The Hymnal 1982, Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing, My Heart Sings Out, Wonder, Love, and Praise was used by permission through purchase of riteseries.org.

All other printed music permission through purchase of CCLI Copyright license #20577215 Size B

Streaming License #20577284 Size B

Secular music permission through purchase of CCS WORSHIPcast Copyright license #13190

All printed music from Gather permission through purchase of onelicense.net License # A-700000