PASSION SUNDAY
MARCH 16, 2008
Living in Service to Christ

Announcements

The Palm Sunday Entrance Rite

Processional Gospel Matthew 21:1-11

P As they approached Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find a colt tied there which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it to me. If anyone says anything to you say, 'The Lord needs it.', and he will send it immediately."

A This took place to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet when he said; "Look, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey."

P The disciples went and did as Jesus directed them. They brought the colt and put their cloaks on it and Jesus sat on it. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.

A 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."

P When Jesus entered Jerusalem the whole city was in a turmoil, asking, "Who is this?"

A The crowds were saying, "This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee."

P The Gospel of the Lord.
A Praise to you O Christ.

Procession with Palms & the Entrance Hymn #344
The Salutation
P: Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord
A: Hosanna to the Son of David
P: The Lord be with you.
A: And also with you.
The Prayer of the Day
The Carol Choir (10:30 a.m.)

The Passion of our Lord According to St. Matthew

Matt. 26:14-35 The Last Supper in Jerusalem & the Prediction of Peter’s Denial
Hymn #347, st. 1 “Go to dark Gethsemane . . . ”

Matt. 26:36-56 Gethsemane & Judas
Stanza 2 “Follow to the judgment hall . . . ”

Matt. 26:57-75 The High Priest’s Council & Peter’s Denial
Matt. 27:1-10 The Death of Judas

Matt. 27:11-26 The Trial Before Pilate
Stanza 3 “Calvary’s mournful mountain climb . . . ”

Matt. 27:27-44 The Crucifixion of Jesus
Matt. 27:45-66 The Death and Burial of Jesus
Stanza 4 “Early hasten to the tomb . . . ”

The Prayers After each portion of the prayers -
P: Lord, in your mercy, A: Hear our prayer.

The Exchange of Peace
P: The peace of Christ be with you always.
A: And also with you.

Sharing the Lord’s Supper

Offering & Presentation of the Gifts
Offertory Hymn We Give Thee but Thine Own (# 686)

We give thee but thine own, whate’er the gift may be;
All that we have is thine alone, a trust, O Lord, from thee.

The Prayer & Great Thanksgiving p. 129
The Lord’s Prayer p. 134
Distribution Hymns #349, #351, #353
The Table Blessing p. 136

The Sending

The Closing Prayer & Blessing p. 136
The Dismissal p. 137

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Presiding Ministers: Pastors Steve Tangen & Lisa Lewton
Assisting Ministers: Kris Brugamyer (8:00 a.m.), Julie Kittleson (10:30 a.m.)
Deacons: Sandy Beaudoin (8:00 a.m.), Jared Andrist (10:30 a.m.)
Organist: Barb Arneson
Servers: Ryan Baltzell & Paige Biel (8:00 a.m.
Danielle Knutson & Austin Mack (10:30 a.m.)
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WE LISTEN TO THE WORD: In the Processional Gospel for Passion Sunday, Jesus enters Jerusalem to the shouts of “Hosanna.” For his ride into the holy city, Jesus did not select a horse, but rather a donkey. The horse was the preferred mount of a military commander during the time of war. The donkey was the mount of the peaceful, perennial traveler. The entry of Jesus was intended to bring a message of peace and life into a world of war and death.

WE WORSHIP TOGETHER: Holy Week begins with Matthew’s account of the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. Though the entrance hymn is for Advent, note how its words reflect the excitement of God’s people awaiting a king. The mood of worship then shifts as the parade for King Jesus turns into the Passion of Christ.

COFFEE is served in the Fellowship Room following the 8:00 a.m. worship.

WORSHIP INFORMATION: Attendance last week was 543 . . . Transmitters are available for the hearing impaired. Ask an usher for help . . . Children’s worship bags may be found in the Commons Area and in the main church entry . . . If it is uncomfortable for you to stand during the service, please feel free to remain seated . . . The nursery, located in the Commons Area, is staffed Sundays from 9:15 to 11:30 a.m. for infants and children up to age four . . .

WELCOME to the Lord’s Table. All the baptized are invited to receive the Sacrament. You may stand or kneel to receive the elements. Children who commune may extend their hands; those who don’t yet commune should have hands folded and they will receive a blessing. Gluten-free wafers are available for those who cannot have wheat products. White grape juice is available for those who cannot have wine. Let a pastor or server know when communing.

ADULT CLASS IN MARCH: Pastor Tangen’s 9:15 a.m. class on Jonah concludes on Sunday, Mar. 9 in the Fellowship Room.

THIS WEEK AT ST. JOHN LUTHERAN CHURCH

Sunday: 9:15 a.m. Senior Choir Rehearsal, Sunday School
5:30 p.m. Senior High Exodus Bible Study
6:30 p.m. Puppet Practice
7:00 p.m. Senior High Youth Group

Tuesday: 9:00 a.m. Quilting
7:00 p.m. Dinner Theater Practice

Wednesday: 9:30 a.m. Circle 1 at Lois Kunze Home
7:00 p.m. Wednesday in Holy Week Worship - Communion
Thursday: 7:00 p.m. Maundy Thursday Worship - Communion & Hand Washing
8:00 p.m. Circle 4 at Marilyn Wheeler Home (note time change)

Friday: 6:30 a.m. Men’s Breakfast/Bible Study at Days Inn
7:00 p.m. Good Friday Worship
Saturday: 8:00 a.m. Handbell Choir Practice

EASTER SUNDAY WORSHIP will be 8:00, 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. with the 11:00 a.m. service broadcast live over KDIX radio. There will be no 6:30 a.m. service on Easter Sunday. Easter Brunch will be served from 7:00 to 11:00 a.m.

INTERESTED IN JOINING THE CONGREGATION? Contact one of the pastors or Faith Simonieg in the church office (225-6747). New members will be received on Sunday, Apr. 13 at the 10:30 a.m. service.

DELEGATES NEEDED FOR ST. LUKES: If you are interested in representing St. John Lutheran Church at the annual meeting of St. Luke’s Home on Saturday, March 29 at 10:00 a.m., please contact the church office (225-6747 or olheiser@stjohnelc.org)

EASTER MEMORIAL FUND: An Easter memorial fund has been established for your gifts in memory or honor of loved ones. Money will be used to purchase a limited number of lilies and the remaining contributions will be given to St. John Women of the ELCA for their summer convention in Salt Lake City. You may use envelopes provided in your offering envelope booklet, or the forms available on tables at the church entrances. Return them by Sunday, March 16.

EASTER FAMILY CRAFT: Families can work together on a Stain Glass Cross on Easter Sunday morning in the church basement. Families are welcome to come and go anytime during the brunch.

RAISING FUNDS FOR A NEW GARAGE: This summer, we are hoping to construct a new garage and shop that replace the existing garage that is almost 40 years old. The new garage is needed to provide better security for the yard equipment, and additional storage space is needed to the equipment. To fund the $20,000 project, we already have $12,000 in a dedicated account for capital improvements to the church property. Our goal is to raise another $8,000 by April 30.

NURSERY: If you will help to supervise the nursery during Holy Week and Easter services, please contact Pastor Lisa at lewton@stjohnelc.org or at 225-6747. Nursery help is needed Thursday, Mar. 20 at 7:00 p.m. and Easter Sunday at 8:00 and 11:00 a.m.

HOW DID WE GET THE BIBLE? Learn more about the origins of the Bible in Pastor’s Tangen’s 9:15 a.m. adult class beginning Sunday, Mar. 30. The class will last for five weeks.

FINANCIAL REPORT: Thank you for your generous contributions. Our income for February 2008 was a 19% increase over February of 2007. For the two months of 2008 (shown below), giving is up 15% over the first two months of 2007.

CHRIST IN OUR HOME booklets for April through June and the March issue of the Lutheran Magazine are available in the narthex and Commons Area.

PEW ENVELOPES: If you are a visitor or if you simply forgot your offering envelope and wish to designate your contribution, please use a pew envelope.

ST. JOHN MEMBER MILLIE MONKE will present “Stories of Wisdom” on Tuesday, March 18 at 7:00 p.m. At Hawks Point. Millie is the author of “ND to India,” an account of her life and work in India. Admission is free and refreshments will be served in the Hawks Point Bistro. Also speaking is Winnie Stump Delong author of “The Story of Dickinson State: the College on the Hill.”

COLLECTION DRIVE: The senior high youth group is collecting items for Dickinson Violence and Rape Crisis Center through April. They are in need of daily essentials such as: sheets, laundry detergent, shampoo and conditioner, toothpaste, towels, soap, etc. Drop off your items in the white baskets in the commons area and the front of the church.