April 2, 2023 – Palm Sunday

Welcome to our visitors.

May the Lord bless you through His Word together with us today.

Prayer Before Worship - Lord, following You on Palm Sunday is fun. Make it fun for me all the time even in the midst of sorrow.

Hymn 134

Service of the Word & Sacrament, front of hymnal, page 26

Prayer: We praise You, O God,/ for the great acts of love/ by which You have redeemed us through Your Son, Jesus Christ. As He was acclaimed by those who scattered their garments & branches in His path,/ so may we always hail Him as our King/ & follow Him with perfect confidence;/ who lives & reigns with You & the Holy Spirit,/ one God now & forever. (Sing) Amen.

Old Testament Lesson: Zechariah 9:9-10

The prophet foretells the coming of Zion’s King in humility & lowliness. He enters “righteous & having salvation.” He brings peace between God & humans.

9 Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. 10 I will take away the chariots from Ephraim and the warhorses from Jerusalem, and the battle bow will be broken. He will proclaim peace to the nations. His rule will extend from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth.

Hymn 716

Epistle: Philippians 2:5-11

We are to imitate the attitude of Jesus who humbled Himself to death on the cross. But Jesus is also right called “LORD” because He is fully God and to Him all creation will bow.

5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Hymn 130

Gospel: Matthew 21:1-11

The Palm Sunday entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.

1 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.” 4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: 5 “Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’” 6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. 8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” 10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” 11 The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

Hymn 133

Sermon Text: John 12:1-11

Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 3 Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.4 But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 5 “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” 6 He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it. 7 “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. 8 You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”9 Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, 11 for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him.

Theme: On Palm Sunday, we get ready

For a meal with Jesus
For the death of Jesus

3. To see a risen dead man

Nicene Creed, front of hymnal, page 31

Thankoffering & Guest Register

The members of St Paul's have joined together to do the Lord’s work in this area & around the world. Visitors need not feel obligated to participate in this offering which supports our church’s ministry. However, we do ask that our guests sign our guest register.

Prayer of the church, front of hymnal, page 32

Special Prayers; Lord’s Prayer, page 32; Continue pg 33

Distribution of Lord’s Supper to the members of St Paul's & other WELS or ELS congregations who by their membership have indicated they are qualified to examine themselves (1 Cor 11:27-29) & to express oneness in faith ( 1 Cor 10:17). If you are a guest today & haven’t yet had the chance to express your agreement with us & would like to receive the Lord’s Supper together with us in the future, please speak with the usher. We would be delighted to help you come to appreciate a “close” relationship with your Lord, with us and with our congregation.

Hymn 131 during distribution

Continue page 36 Hymn 132