Hosanna! Blessed is the one who is coming in the name of the Lord! Mark 11:9
THE PSALM LESSON Psalm 118
THE FIRST LESSON John 19:29-30, Luke 23:44-46
THE SECOND LESSON Philippians 2:5-11
SERMON "The Covenant Fulfilled: Jesus Story"
Worship Notes
In today's worship, we continue our journey in Lent to deepen our covenantal relationship with God. The liturgical color for the season is purple. Each Sunday in Lent, we have explored an aspect of God's covenant with creation. This covenant is not only vertical, but also includes a horizontal dimension emphasizing how our relationship with God is reflected in how we relate to one another. Each Sunday in Lent, we also reflected on one of the last words spoken by Jesus from the cross. This we do to remember that our Lenten journey culminates in the crucifixion on Good Friday, which this year will be observed in a single worship service involving all Madison's Presbyterian congregations. These seven last words of Christ will be the basis for this joint Good Friday Service of Tenebrae, which will also include the music of Mozart's Requiem.
Today is Palm Sunday where we add our voices to those in the crowd at Jerusalem as we shout our loud "Hosannas" to the son of David. Our service begins with the reading from Mark recounting these events and we enter with palms singing "All Glory, Laud, and Honor." In this celebration of the fulfillment of God's promises we hear the words of Jesus that all is finished as well as his short prayer that into God's hands he commits his spirit. The central text taken from Paul's letter to the church in Philippi is the famous hymn celebrating that at the heart of God's love for God's creation is this commitment from the beginning of time to redeem the universe.
While this service recounts the joy of the fulfillment of God's promises, we do anticipate the bittersweet moment of Maundy Thursday and the somber reality of Good Friday. We encourage you to experience all these emotions as we journey through this week.
