Palm Sunday March 28, 2021

First Lutheran Church208 West Sandusky Avenue

Bellefontaine, Ohio (937) 592-7699

Pastor Lawrence J. Novakwww.flcbellefontaine.org

Mission Statement:Sharing God’s grace through prayer, witness, and service.

WELCOME to our worship service this morning, especially our visitors.

It is a pleasure to have you worship with us. We sincerely pray that the service is inspiring and challenging. If you find occasion to worship with us again, we want you to know that our doors are always open to you. Wherever you go, may God go with you and may the fruits of regular worship bring peace and joy to your heart.

As Lutheran Christians, we believe the body and blood of Jesus are truly present in the form of bread and wine. All who believe and have been baptized are invited to partake of the sacrament of Holy Communion. All others are invited to come forward for a

blessing.

Please listen to the worship assistant for prayer concerns.

The altar flowers were given by Josh and Brittanny Porter in honor of Josalyn’s 14th birthday and Kathy Fultz dedicating to the “Glory of God”.

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Remember those of our congregation in a care facility:

Green Hills of West Liberty: Tom Secrist- Inn #10

Logan Acres: Catherine Chamberlain- Room #318 Rosemary LaBatt- Mill Creek, Room #404 John Fultz – Room #308

The Homestead: Bill Fent- Room #106 Mary Contner- Room #205

Campbell House: Mike Myers- Room #131 Lincoln Estates: Bob Taylor- Bldg #320 4100 West 3rd Street, Dayton, OH 45428

Mt. Carmel Rehabilitation Hospital: April Fultz

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ORDER OF WORSHIPPalm SundayMarch 28, 2021

Sharing Announcements of Parish LifePrelude: (to prepare ourselves for worship- please turn your focus

inward and upward)

Prelude “Open the Gates of the Temple” by Knapp + + + WE ENTER INTO WORSHIP + + +

Please stand

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Gospel: Mark 11: 1-101When they were approaching Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples 2and said to them, "Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately as you enter it, you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden; untie it and bring it. 3If anyone says to you, 'Why are you doing this?' just say this, 'The Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately.'" 4They went away and found a colt tied near a door, outside in the street. As they were untying it, 5some of the bystanders said to them, "What are you doing, untying the colt?" 6They told them what Jesus had said; and they allowed them to take it. 7Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it; and he sat on it. 8Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields. 9Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting,C:  "Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! 10Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David! Hosanna in the highest heaven!"

Gathering Hymn #344 “All Glory, Laud, and Honor” vs. 1,2,4

GreetingP: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.C: And also with you.

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Prayer of the Day P: Let us pray. Everlasting God, in your endless love for the human race you sent our Lord Jesus Christ to take on our nature and to suffer death on the cross. In your mercy enable us to share in his obedience to your will and in the glorious victory of his resurrection, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.C: Amen

Please be seated

Anthem “Blessed is He” vocalists: Cindy Weikart, Kris Shannon, Chris Tillman, Carolyn Novak; ringers: Kris Swisher, Stephanie Oaks, Cheri Comstock; pianist: Brenda Shively

+ + + THE WORD PROCLAIMED + + +

A Reading From Isaiah 50:4-9a 4The Lord GOD has given me the tongue of a teacher, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word. Morning by morning he wakens— wakens my ear to listen as those who are taught. 5The Lord GOD has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, I did not turn backward. 6I gave my back to those who struck me, and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard; I did not hide my face from insult and spitting. 7The Lord GOD helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame; 8he who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who are my adversaries? Let them confront me. 9It is the Lord GOD who helps me; who will declare me guilty?

L: The word of the Lord.C: Thanks be to God.

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Psalm 31:9–16 9Have mercy on me, O LORD, for I am in trouble; my eye is consumed with sorrow,     and also my throat and my belly.10For my life is wasted with grief, and my years with sighing;     my strength fails me because of affliction, and my bones are consumed.11I am the scorn of my enemies, a disgrace to my neighbors,a dismay to my acquaintances; when they see me in the street they avoid me.12Like the dead I am forgotten, out of mind;     I am as useless as a broken pot.   13For I have heard the whispering of the crowd; fear is all around;     they put their heads together against me; they plot to take my life.14But as for me, I have trusted in you, O LORD.     I have said, "You are my God.15My times are in your hand; rescue me from the hand of my enemies,     and from those who persecute me.16Let your face shine upon your servant;     save me in your steadfast love."   

A Reading from Philippians 2:5–118

5 Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, 6who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, 7but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, 8he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death— even death on a cross. 9Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, 10so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

L: The word of the Lord.C: Thanks be to God.

Please stand

Gospel Acclamation

Holy Gospel and Response P: The holy gospel according to Mark, the 14th ChapterC: Glory to you, O Lord

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Gospel: Mark 14:1-91It was two days before the Passover and the festival of Unleavened Bread. The chief priests and the scribes were looking for a way to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him; 2for they said, "Not during the festival, or there may be a riot among the people."3While he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at the table, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very costly ointment of nard, and she broke open the jar and poured the ointment on his head. 4But some were there who said to one another in anger, "Why was the ointment wasted in this way? 5For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii, and the money given to the poor." And they scolded her. 6But Jesus said, "Let her alone; why do you trouble her? She has performed a good service for me. 7For you always have the poor with you, and you can show kindness to them whenever you wish; but you will not always have me. 8She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for its burial. 9Truly I tell you, wherever the good news is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her."

P: The gospel of the Lord.C: Praise to you, O Christ.

Please be seatedSermon Pastor Larry Novak

Please standHymn of the Day Pastor ELW #359 “Where Charity and Love Prevail”vs. 1,2,5

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+ + + OUR RESPONSE + + +

Apostles’ Creed A: Let us confess our faith, the faith in which we are baptized, using the words of the Apostles’ Creed.C: I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen

Prayers of the Church Health issues: John and April Fultz, Tori Geib, Brittanny Porter, Gloria Kipker Recovery from surgery: Dennis MartinChurch Triumphant:

A: Relying on the promises of God, we pray boldly for the church, the world, and all in need.

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A: Hear us, O GodC: Your mercy is great

P: We entrust ourselves and all our prayers to you, O faithful God, through Jesus Christ our LordC: Amen

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

Please greet one another in the name of the LordPlease Be SeatedOffering

Offertory Music “ Andante Tranqillo” by Mendelssohn

Offertory Prayer12

A: Faithful God,you walk beside us in desert places,and you meet us in our hunger with bread from heaven.Accompany us in this meal,that we may pass over from death to lifewith Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.C: Amen.

The Great Thanksgiving

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Preface for LentP: It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God, through our Savior Jesus Christ, whose suffering and death gave salvation to all. You gather your people around the tree of the cross, transforming death into life. And so, with all the choirs of angels, with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven,we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

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Eucharistic PrayerP: Blessed are you, O God of the universe. Your mercy is everlasting and your faithfulness endures from age to age. 

Praise to you for creating the heavens and the earth. Praise to you for saving the earth from the waters of the flood. Praise to you for bringing the Israelites safely through the sea. Praise to you for leading your people through the wilderness to the land of milk and honey. Praise to you for the words and deeds of Jesus, your anointed one. Praise to you for the death and resurrection of Christ. Praise to you for your Spirit poured out on all nations. 

In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me. 

Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, 14

and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. 

Do this for the remembrance of me. With this bread and cup we remember our Lord’s passover from death to life as we proclaim the mystery of faith: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. 

O God of resurrection and new life: Pour out your Holy Spirit on us and on these gifts of bread and wine. Bless this feast. Grace our table with your presence. Come, Holy Spirit. 

Reveal yourself to us in the breaking of the bread. Raise us up as the body of Christ for the world. Breathe new life into us. Send us forth, burning with justice, peace, and love. Come, Holy Spirit. 

With your holy ones of all times and places, with the earth and all its creatures, with sun and moon and stars, we praise you, O God, blessed and holy Trinity, now and forever. Amen. 

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LORD'S PRAYERC: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen

Invitation to the TableP: All means all and the gifts of God are free. Come to the banquet, for all is now ready.C: Amen

Please Be Seated

Lamb of God

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CommunionAs Lutheran Christians, we believe the body and blood of Jesus are truly present in the form of bread and wine. All who believe and have been baptized are invited to partake of the sacrament of Holy Communion. All others are invited to come forward for a

blessing.To receive communion, please come forward at the direction of

the ushers.*Gluten Free wafers are available for anyone with food allergies.

Take a wine cup from the tall set of trays if you wish to have wine or a filled cup of

grape juice from the sort stack. [Please do not consume the wine or juice until the word has been spoken]

After giving thanks, return to your pew by the side aisles.(- If you want to take communion in your pew, please let the

ushers know -)

For those viewing online, “the body of Christ given for you (pause); the blood of Christ given for you”

During Distribution: “Three Hymns From The Crucifixion” by Steiner

Please Stand

Communion BlessingP: The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen and keep you in his grace.C: Amen.

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Post Communion Canticle

Post- Communion PrayerA: Let us pray; God of steadfast love,at this table you gather your peopleinto one body for the sake of the world.Send us in the power of your Spirit,that our lives bear witness to the love that has made us newin Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.C: Amen.

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+ + + WE ARE SENT FORTH + + +

BlessingP: You are what God made you to be:created in Christ Jesus for good works,chosen as holy and beloved,freed to serve your neighbor.God bless you ☩ that you may be a blessing,in the name of the holy and life-giving Trinity.C: Amen.

Sending Hymn “ELW # 335 “Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross” vs. 1,3 DismissalA: Go in peace. Share the good news.C: Thanks be to God.

Postlude “ Voices Exultant” by Nolte

From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2018 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #20386.New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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Serving in Worship This Week

Serving in Worship Next Week

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Mar. 28 10:00 amUshers Ray SwisherCommunion Assist Cheri ComstockReader Susan WyckoffGreeter Susan WyckoffWorship Assistant Brenda ShiveleyAltar Guild Cindy WeikartSpecial Music Vocals/Chancel Bell Trio/Pianist

Apr. 4 10:00 amUshers Kevin MillerAcolyte Declan ShannonCommunion Assist Jean WrightReader John GensemerGreeter Ray and Cheryl KramerWorship Assistant Dave VassarAltar Guild Cindy WeikartSpecial Music Vocal Quartet

Calendar events for Mar 29– Apr 4

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Mar 29 – Monday 10:00 am12:00 pm

Staff MeetingAA Rice Hall

Mar 30- Tuesday 9:00 am12:00 pm 7:00 pm

QuiltersFaith CircleBible Study by Zoom

Mar 31- Wednesday 12:00 pm NA Rice Hall

Apr 1 -Thursday 12:00 pm 7:00 pm

NA Rice HallMaundy Thursday Service

Apr 2 - Friday 7:00 pm Good Friday ServiceOffice Closed on Friday

Apr 3 - Saturday Apr 4 - Sunday 10:00 am

Worship Service – Easter Sunday

The ministry team of Christian Action has been re-formatted into two ministry teams: -Fellowship Ministry – to provide activities for members of First Lutheran to come together in Christian fellowship -Christian Service and Mission - to be responsible for outreach into our community A planning committee for both of these ministry teams is set to meet on MONDAY APRIL 12TH at 7:00 PM in RICE HALLAt that meeting we will look at the re-organization of these two teams. We are asking anyone who is interested in sharing their time and talents by serving on either one – or both – of these ministry teams to please attend. Your help and support is greatly appreciated. There is a lot to do and much more that can be done! In His Service,Kris Shannon – Christian Service & Mission MinistrySusan Wyckoff – Fellowship Ministry

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During the season of Lent, Faith Circle will be sponsoring a service project to benefit residents of Luther Community. Items collected will be: -liquid laundry detergent -liquid dish detergent -paper towels -boxed Kleenex tissues -toilet paper (2 ply, please)

There will be a bin in the lower narthex to collect the items throughout the months of March & April.

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