Description

Philippians 2:6-8

Sometimes, we miss what God is doing because we have expectations for how He is going to be at work among us.  We look for the big show – the blindingly miraculous – something to which we can point and say, “See.  I told you God would come through!”  We want to be able to point to success as evidence that God is in charge.  Jesus is not what anyone expected.  The people of Israel looked for a triumphant redeemer, not an itinerant preacher riding into Jerusalem on a donkey.  And never did they dream that their salvation would come not by a sword but by a cross.  A dying Savior is almost an oxymoron.  And yet that is the Gospel.  And that is the way of God.  Glory comes only through a cross.

 

… We Lift Our Hearts in Worship …

[Preservice options include videos (countdowns, worship music, welcomes), worship music CD, or live music by worship band.]

 

Invocation and Introduction of Today’s Theme 

Pastor              In the name of God the Father, Whose grace and peace surpass our understanding.

ALL                  In the name of God the Son, Jesus Christ, Who was obedient unto death, and is now given the name that is above every name.

Pastor              In the name of the God the Holy Spirit, Who goes before us, empowering us to live  in humility and obedience as the people of God.

ALL                  Amen.

                                       

Opening Prayer 

Pastor              Almighty Father, Who can know Your mind, or understand Your heart, or discern Your ways?  You redeemed Your lost and broken                                             people not through majestic declarations and mighty spectacles, but through the death and resurrection of Your sinless Son, Who entered                                 this world not as a Warrior King, but as a Suffering Servant.  He conquered the foe not in some apocalyptic battle, but through His obedience                           to a cross.  Fill us with His Spirit, that His mind and His heart might be within us.  Amen.

                                                              

Time of Greeting

 

Time of Confession and Forgiveness

[Alternate location:  following Message] 

Pastor              Jesus humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death.

(silence) 

Pastor              Give us the mindset of Jesus, that we might live in obedience and humility.

 

ALL                We expect the big and bodacious.

We want the show.

We want the world to know we are right.

We want validation;

We want the warrior on the stallion.

We want the kingdom, and the power and the glory.

Forgive us, Lord.

Your ‘show’ comes in darkness and death on a cross.

‘Success’ is obedience even in the face of ridicule.

And glory comes in humility, riding a donkey.

Fill us with the power of Your Spirit, that we might have the mind of Jesus, and follow Him to the cross.

Pastor             God has removed our sins from us.  We are redeemed as His children, empowered to live as those who are the people of God – in humility                                 and obedience.  God proclaims peace to the ends of the earth, and takes away all that enslaves us.  The Savior died!  The Lord rose!  We are                               free

ALL                  “At the name of Jesus every knee shall bow…and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord!   Amen.

 

Time of Praise and Worship

Victory Chant

Joseph Vogele, ©1985 Scripture in Song (Admin. by Maranatha! Music)

Majestic

Lincoln Brewster, ©2005 Integrity’s Praise! Music

Hosanna (Praise Is Rising)

Paul Baloche & Brenton Brown, ©2005 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music

 

[Traditional Options]

All Glory, Laud, and Honor     

BH 91 126; CH 300; EH 154, 155; ELW 344; HWC 173; HFG 249; HLC 131; LBW 108; LSB 442; LW 102; NCH 216; PH 88; RH 155; UMH 280; WC 204; WR 265

All Hail The Power of Jesus’ Name     

BH 75 40,41,42; BH 91 200,201, 202; CH 16,43; CHH 91,92; EH 450,451; ELW 634; HWC 96,97; HPW 19; HFG 325,326,327; HLC 62,63; HGP 20,21; HSP 2,3,4; LBW 328,329; LSB 549; LW 272; NCH 304; PH 142,143; RH 30,31; STTL 124,126; WC 93,95; UMH 154,155; WAR 100,106; WHM 4,5; WIS 10,11

  

… We Hear God’s Word …

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First Reading:  Zechariah 9:9-12 

The prophet proclaims the coming of a humble king. 

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.  11 As for you, because of the blood of my covenant with you, I will free your prisoners from the waterless pit. 12 Return to your fortress, you prisoners of hope; even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you.