We believe in God the creator of heaven and earth, who grants us grace and life.
We believe that nothing in all the world can separate us from the love of God,
who willingly forgives the repentant heart.
We believe in Jesus Christ, God in human vesture, who came to live with us and taught us to choose life in his name.
We believe that Jesus took the burden of our sins upon himself and carried them to the cross,
where he gave up his own life for our sakes. This was his ultimate gift to humanity.
We believe that God raised Jesus from the dead and that he will come again one day
to take us to himself.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, who is present with us,
offering good counsel and truth in every language.
When we willingly embrace the Spirit’s presence, our hearts are warmed,
and we are transformed.
As the church, Christ’s body in the world, we are called to a ministry of service,
working for justice and reconciliation.
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Glorious and most compassionate God, we have arrived in Jerusalem with Jesus and his disciples, having journeyed with them during these forty days of Lent. We have heard Jesus’ commands, witnessed his healings, and pondered his parables. The good seeds of the kingdom have been sown in the soil of our hearts. May our hearts be worthy to bring forth the best grain, thirty, sixty, and even one-hundred fold. Let us not hurry through the days of this Holy Week, as if to leap without a thought from this Sunday to next. As Jesus bears our griefs and carries our sorrows to the cross, give us the strength dearest Lord, not to runway, but to stand by him, and dare, one day, to carry on in his name. All this we pray in the name of the Christ. Amen.
INVITATION TO THE OFFERING
Keep the Palm Crosses you receive today close at hand. They are given to remind you of the decision Jesus made on your behalf. If he said it once, he said it three times, that coming to Jerusalem would seal his fate, which was to suffer at the hands of those who beheaded John the Baptist. With his stripes our brokenness is healed. Help us continue to build a church that spreads this wondrous and redeeming news.
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Wondrous and Eternal God, bless these gifts and tithes. We offer them with grateful hearts, trusting that you will guide us to use them wisely, for the edification of Christ’s church, and for the good of humanity. Jesus taught us that all things are possible with you. May the work we do in Jesus’ name serve your will. Amen.
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