Photo: Rev. Kathryn M Schreiber ©2022. Worship format and original content: Rev. Kathryn M. Schreiber ©2022.

We Gather

“When I see the old foundations crumbling / and the old certainties / and securities giving way / … You do speak to my fears, O Lord. / … You are my God, / whatever happens to the world about me, / and I will celebrate Your love forever.” – excerpt, “Psalm 117 and 118” Leslie F. Brandt, 20^th century Christian writer (lfb)

Prelude (solo)

Welcome and Acknowledgements (pastor) Welcome! Everyone is welcome here! Through Jesus Christ, we are called together as the Beloved Community. Welcome guests. We honor this holy ground, unceded territory of the Lisjan-Ohlone people, committed to healing relations among all peoples.

Altar Flowers (for the Glory of God)

Global Palm Invocation (seated; liturgist) Liturgist: Make sure everyone has greenery to wave; Invite folks to open their hearts and minds to people around the world; We will remain seated; Teach/practice the Response, while waving greenery

Liturgist: In the places of safety and beauty where contentment peacefully rests –

All: “Blessed is the One Who Comes in the Name of the Lord!”

Liturgist: In the frightening places where refuge is precious and compassion is healing –

All: “Blessed is the One Who Comes in the Name of the Lord!”

Liturgist: In the hospitals and bedrooms where sick ones await life-saving care –

All: “Blessed is the One Who Comes in the Name of the Lord!”

Liturgist: In the households where love continues to grow and serve as needed –

All: “Blessed is the One Who Comes in the Name of the Lord!”

Liturgist: In the gatherings of those who grieve knowing the bitter taste of loss –

All: “Blessed is the One Who Comes in the Name of the Lord!”

Liturgist: In the sanctuaries – online and in-person – where praise rises to heaven –

All: “Blessed is the One Who Comes in the Name of the Lord!”

Liturgist: No matter who we are, no matter where we are on life’s journey, this Palm Sunday we assemble with people around the world to welcome Jesus Christ –

All: “Blessed is the One Who Comes in the Name of the Lord!”

Light The Christ Candle (pastor or liturgist)

Welcoming Those Not Physically Present (pastor lights votives on altar)

Votive Lighting Music (solo)

Passing the Peace (everyone shares gestures and words of peace)

We Rest in God’s Grace

Prayer and Silence (pastor)

Let us shift into silence in God’s presence with this simple prayer based on Psalm 46:10.

Be still and know that I am God. (Breathe slowly)

Be still and know that I am. (Breathe slowly)

Be still and know. (Breathe slowly)

Be still. (Breathe slowly)

Be. (Breathe slowly)

(Breathe in silence)

Amen.

Assurance of Grace (pastor) Dear Ones, during the most significant moments of our lives, individually and collectively, God is with us. And, God is for us, for all of us, always. The sweetness of God’s steadfast grace is an awareness easily lost to passing thoughts and emotions. And yet, beneath it all, God is here. God’s never-ending love is always here. God’s steadfast love endures forever. Amen.

Special Music (solo)

We Listen

Scripture: Psalm 118:1-4; 19-29 and Luke 19:35-38 (translation: NRSV; liturgist)

Psalm 118:1-4; 19-29

O give thanks to the Lord, for God is good;
   God’s steadfast love endures forever!

Let Israel say,
   ‘God’s steadfast love endures forever.’
Let the house of Aaron say,
   ‘God’s steadfast love endures forever.’
Let those who fear the Lord say,
   ‘God’s steadfast love endures forever.’

Open to me the gates of righteousness,
   that I may enter through them
   and give thanks to the Lord.

This is the gate of the Lord;
   the righteous shall enter through it.

I thank You that You have answered me
   and have become my salvation.
The stone that the builders rejected
   has become the chief cornerstone.
This is the Lord’s doing;
   it is marvelous in our eyes.
This is the day that the Lord has made;
   let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Save us, we beseech You, O Lord!
   O Lord, we beseech You, give us success!

Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.
   We bless You from the house of the Lord.
The Lord is God, and God has given us light.
Bind the festal procession with branches,
   up to the horns of the altar.

You are my God, and I will give thanks to You;
   You are my God, I will extol You.

O give thanks to the Lord, for God is good,
   for God’s steadfast love endures forever.

AND Luke 19:35-38

Then the disciples brought the colt to Jesus; and after throwing their cloaks on it, they set Jesus on it. As Jesus rode along, people kept spreading their cloaks on the road. As he was approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen, saying,

‘Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!
Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!’

May God add a blessing to the reading and reflecting upon God’s Holy Word. Amen.

Message: “God’s Steadfast Love” (pastor) Jesus chose to enter Jerusalem knowing the dangers ahead. We prepare for Holy Week in gratitude for God’s eternal response to humanity’s needs through Jesus Christ.

Special Music (solo)

We Pray

Pastoral Prayer (pastor) Loyal One, we give thanks for the joyful times amid a cheerful crowd easily believing You are here. And we are grateful, too, for those trying times, especially when we were most alone as some evil wind extinguished our hope or strength, that you were there. May we hold close the image of Jesus Christ triumphantly entering Jerusalem. May we never forget how faithful You have been and will be, Triune God, known to us as The Creator, The Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Prayers of the People, Private Prayer, The Lord’s Prayer (pastor)

We Transition

Offering of Praise “Doxology” (musician; all)

Announcements (pastor)

Closing Hymn: “All Glory, Laud, and Honor” Chalice Hymnal #192 (musician, all)

Benediction (pastor) Let us praise God’s steadfast love that endures forever! We travel this Holy Week with Jesus Christ from joyful crowd to last supper, from trials and punishments to death on the cross, from a borrowed grave to miraculous resurrection. Blessed is the One Who Comes in the Name of the Lord! Amen.

Postlude (solo)

The service is concluded.

Worship Resources:

(kms) All content prepared and written by Rev. Kathryn M Schreiber, unless attributed to another source.

(lfb) Leslie F Brandt, Psalms/Now ©1973. Californian who collaborated with Sister Corita Kent in creating contemporary translations and artworks for Christian worship.

Residency Acknowledgement: This content was written in Huichin Village, unceeded territory of the Lisjan- Ohlone people, where I dwell and serve as a local church pastor. Please support indigenous rematriation efforts, the #LandBack movement, and give to Sogorea Te’ Land Trust Soghttps://sogoreate-landtrust.org/ and other non-profits that reform, balance, and heal relationships with our indigenous hosts. Thank you!

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Online Publishing Date: April 5, 2022.

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Donation: Due to the current coronavirus pandemic this content is offered free. If you’d like to support the congregation I serve as pastor – Berkeley Chinese Community Church – we’d be most grateful for your support. Please send checks to: BCCC UCC, 2117 Acton Street, Berkeley, CA 94702, Attn: Diane Huie, Treasurer. Thank you!

For Online Content: Please see Facebook pages: “Berkeley Chinese Community Church” and “Living Liturgies”; as well as my website: www.inthebiglove.com and YouTube channel: “Kathryn Schreiber”