CCLI license #1913561
Lakeview Presbyterian Church Service, March 28, 2021
Palm Passion Sunday
Questions for Reflection: For what are you willing to take a stand? What is so important for you that you remain, even when others falter ?
Opening Praise “Open the Eyes of My Heart, Lord” Paul Baloche, 1997 sung by Keisha Prime
Open the eyes of my heart, Lord
Open the eyes of my heart
I want to see You
I want to see You
Open the eyes of my heart, Lord
Open the eyes of my heart
I want to see You
I want to see You
To see you high and lifted up
Shining in the light of Your glory
Pour out Your power and love
As we sing holy, holy, holy,
holy ,holy, holy
Holy, holy, holy
Holy, holy, holy
Opening Words: Mark 11: 7—11 Entry into Jerusalem
They brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it; and he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields. Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord!Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David! Hosanna in the highest!”
Then he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple; and when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.
Blessed is the coming kingdom.
Hosanna in the highest!
Opening Prayer
God of salvation, in this holiest of weeks, help us to walk the way of the cross, that we may be raised in a resurrection like Jesus’ and dwell forever in you, Eternal God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
Hymn “Hosanna, Loud Hosanna” Jeannette Threlfall,1873* Sung by Keisha Prime
Hosanna, loud hosanna,
the faithful people sang,
through pillared court and temple
the lovely anthem rang.
To Jesus, who had blessed them
close folded to his breast,
the children sang their praises,
the simplest and the best.
From Olivet they followed
mid an exultant crowd,
the victor palm branch waving,
and chanting clear and loud.
The Lord of earth and heaven
rode on in lowly state,
nor scorned that little children
should on his bidding wait.
"Hosanna in the highest!"
that ancient song we sing,
for Christ is our Redeemer,
the Lord of heaven our King.
O may we ever praise him
with heart and life and voice,
and in his blissful presence
eternally rejoice!
*words amended slightly
Prayer for Illumination
Come Holy Spirit, source of all life. As we hear again the story of the passion, let the same mind be in us that was in Christ, who was a servant that we might be free. Awaken our ears, open our hearts, and sustain the weary with your Word. Amen.
A Reading from the Gospel of Mark 14: 27—52 The Betrayal
And Jesus said to them, "You will all become deserters; for it is written, 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.'
But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee." Peter said to him, "Even though all become deserters, I will not." Jesus said to him, "Truly I tell you, this day, this very night, before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times." But he said vehemently, "Even though I must die with you, I will not deny you." And all of them said the same.
They went to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, "Sit here while I pray." He took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be distressed and agitated. And he said to them, "I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and keep awake." And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. He said, "Abba,1 Father, for you all things are possible; remove this cup from me; yet, not what I want, but what you want." He came and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, "Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep awake one hour? Keep awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial;1 the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." And again he went away and prayed, saying the same words. And once more he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy; and they did not know what to say to him. He came a third time and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? Enough! The hour has come; the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up, let us be going. See, my betrayer is at hand."
Immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived; and with him there was a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, "The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard." So when he came, he went up to him at once and said, "Rabbi!" and kissed him. Then they laid hands on him and arrested him. But one of those who stood near drew his sword and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear. Then Jesus said to them, "Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as though I were a bandit? Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not arrest me. But let the scriptures be fulfilled." All of them deserted him and fled.
A certain young man was following him, wearing nothing but a linen cloth. They caught hold of him, but he left the linen cloth and ran off naked.
Sermon “Were You There?” The Rev. Russell Lehman
Special Music: “Change My Heart, O God” Eddie Espinosa sung by Keisha Prime
Change my heart, O God,
Make it ever true;
Change my heart, O God,
May I be like You.
Change my heart, O God,
Make it ever true;
Change my heart, O God,
May I be like You
You are the Potter,
I am the clay;
Mold me and make me,
This is what I pray
Change my heart, O God,
Make it ever true;
Change my heart, O God,
May I be like You.
(chorus)
Sharing Joys and Concerns
Pastoral Prayer
Holy God, your son humbled himself, even to death, to show us the power of loving service. Guide those holding positions of power, that their decisions give rise to the justice and equality in all the world.
Healing God, your son is betrayed and crucified in our violent world each day.
Raise us to a new and rightly ordered world through the reconciling love of Christ, where all victims of violence, persecution, shame, or terror may stand together with you in peace.
Forsaken God, as your son suffered his cruel death on the cross, darkness covered the whole land. Enlighten us to care for your creation, awaken us from our denial and abuse, and help us to alleviate its suffering.
Grieving God, your son consoled others in life and in death. We pray for all who are distressed, broken, or sorrowful, that together with Christ in his suffering we may be healed. Amen.
Lord’s Prayer (Ecumenical Version)
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen
Minute for Mission: One Great Hour of Sharing
Because We Are the Church, Together
Life during COVID has been challenging. That feels like an understatement, right? At times, we have all felt disconnected, confined. Missing family, missing friends. Lonely. Worried about the groceries holding out. Unsure of what the future may hold. Imagine feeling all of those things but living in a place or in a situation that was already challenging each and every day without the added pressure of the pandemic. A place where access to food is day to day. Access to vital health care is questionable. Finding clean water is a daily struggle. A place where you are denied racial justice or plagued with outright violence and oppression.
But one thing remains steadfast and true: We are the Church, together, no matter where we are, and the Church belongs with those struggling for justice, righteousness and peace for life.
Because food is life … gifts to One Great Hour of Sharing are helping the people of Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota through a partnership with Owe Aku — a grassroots, nonprofit organization that puts people in charge of their own food supply, nutrition, health and well-being by reclaiming ancestral wisdom and teaching Lakota history and culture. The Pine Ridge Reservation is a food desert, located in the county with the lowest per capita income in the nation. The pandemic has dramatically amplified the desperate need for food security.
Because water is life … gifts to One Great Hour of Sharing are helping the families of Capirendita in a remote area of Bolivia face a more hopeful future by building infrastructure to address the communities’ critical water shortage. Their goal is to create 500 meters of pipes to transport safe well water to those in need. One Great Hour of Sharing gifts will also support the distribution of plastic containers to collect and save rainwater.
Because survivors are key to shaping lives focused on justice for all … gifts to One Great Hour of Sharing are helping Black Women’s Blueprint in its mission to take action on social justice issues and to deliver educational resources and support services to women, including those who have suffered sexual and other forms of abuse. Their work seeks to address the unique struggles of Black women and girls within the context of the larger racial justice concerns. They’re not just addressing issues of trauma but they’re also providing things like food and housing assistance that people need in order to be whole.
Our One Great Hour of Sharing Offering will be collected on Easter, April 4, 2021
A Statement about Offering our Gifts
Jesus gave himself for the life of the world. With humble hearts bowed in awe, let us offer ourselves and our gifts to God.
Donations can be mailed to Lakeview Presbyterian Church at 1310 22nd Av S, St Petersburg, FL, 33705 or given online through our website @lakeviewpresbyterianchurch.org
Prayer of Dedication
Bless these gifts that they may bring life on
earth as in heaven; in Christ’s name we
pray. Amen.
Hymn: “Where He Leads Me” E W Blandy c.1890 Sung by Keisha Prime
I can hear my Savior calling,
I can hear my Savior calling,
I can hear my Savior calling,
“Take thy cross and follow, follow Me.”
Refrain:
Where He leads me I will follow,
Where He leads me I will follow,
Where He leads me I will follow,
I’ll go with Him, with Him all the way.
Refrain:
I’ll go with Him through the garden,
I’ll go with Him through the garden,
I’ll go with Him through the garden,
I’ll go with Him, with Him all the way.
Refrain:
I’ll go with Him to the judgment,
I’ll go with Him to the judgment,
I’ll go with Him to the judgment,
I’ll go with Him, with Him all the way.
Refrain:
He will give me grace and glory,
He will give me grace and glory,
He will give me grace and glory,
And go with me, with me all the way.
Refrain:
Reading from the Gospel of Mark 15:25—39 The Crucifixion
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 derided1 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 land1 until three in the afternoon. At three o'clock Jesus cried out with a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, 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!"
Postlude “They Crucified my Lord He Never Said a Mumbalin’ Word’ AA Spiritual Sung by Keisha Prime
They crucified my Lord,
And He never said a mumbalin’ word;
They crucified my Lord,
Refrain
And He never said a mumbalin’ word.
Not a word, not a word, not a word.
They nailed Him to a tree,
And He never said a mumbalin’ word;
They nailed Him to a tree,
Refrain
They pierced Him in the side,
And He never said a mumbalin’ word;
They pierced Him in the side,
Refrain
The blood came trickalin’ down,
And He never said a mumbalin’ word;
The blood came trickalin’ down,
Refrain
He bowed His head and died,
And He never said a mumbalin’ word;
He bowed His head and died.