WELCOMEto the Cornerstone Community

March 25, 2018 • 10:00 am

“You matter to God and you matter to us”

PH = The Presbyterian Hymnal (blue, hardcover)UMH = The United Methodist Hymnal (blue, hardcover)

TFWS = The Faith We Sing (black, soft-cover)Hymns will be projected on-screen for your convenience

Bold print invites congregational response

TO OUR VISITORS: We are thankful for the spirit which prompted you to share in worship here today.

Please fill out a visitor card and put it on the Offering Plate.We invite you to worship with us again.

You will always be welcome at Cornerstone Community.

–Please silence your cell phones as a courtesy to those around you–

Accompanist: Tony Opalka Pastor: Allen SieboldLiturgist: Libby Campbell Greeter: Karl Eden

GATHERING IN GOD’S NAMEAfter greeting your neighbors, please take a moment to quietly greet God.

PRELUDE

WORDS OF WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

f CALLED INTO WORSHIPHere, in this place, we prepare ourselves for this week.This week ends one journey and begins another;

a week of heartache and loss;yet with hope hidden within us.

We will try to follow Jesus through this week,just as we have followed Him to this day.

We will wave palm branches in joy;yet we will clutch nails in our hands hidden behind our backs.

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When He could have come with armies behind Him,Jesus came humbly, with children playing in the streets.

Hosanna! Hosanna!Blessed is the One who comes in the name of God.

f HYMN “Mantos y Palmas (Filled with Excitement)” UMH 279

GOD'S WORD FOR US – John 12:12-15“ ... the great crowd that had come for the Passover feast heard that Jesuswas coming to Jerusalem, so they got palm branches and went out to meethim. They shouted joyfully, “Hosanna!

Blessed is the One who comes in the name of our God— the ruler of Israel!”

Jesus rode in sitting upon a donkey, in accord with scripture: “Fear not, O people of Zion!

Your ruler comes to you sitting on a donkey's colt.”

TIME WITH OUR CHILDRENHYMN “Hosanna, Loud Hosanna” UMH 278

Distribution of the Palms by the Sunday School(following Time with Our Children our children and youth

may leave for their Sunday School classes)

MORNING PRAYERWhat do we do with our palm branches when the parade is over? Why do our hosannas become cries for punishment? How do we turn our backs on the One who comes to us?As we begin Holy Week, let us admit what is true about us,

as we pray together, saying,

Steadfast Lover: when things go well for us, we can easily sing loud hosannas,

but the words turn to ashes in mouths full of anger and bitterness.

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We hide behind our palm branches, hoping You will not see the doubts we have about what You call us to do.

We eagerly feast on Your blessings,but are reluctant to offer even the crumbs to those around us.

Forgive us, Approaching God. Now, more than ever, forgive us. May we be as eager to lay down our fears and doubts,

our sins and pride, as we are to lay down our palms and coats for You. May we praise You for Your victory over death,

as well as for the promise of resurrection to new life.

(We silently pause for personal prayers or meditation)

At His birth, Jesus comes bringing us hope. Entering Jerusalem, He brings us assurance.Walking to Calvary, He leads us to new life.God's steadfast love endures forever.Hosanna! Hosanna!Blessed is the One who brings us to the Realm of God! Amen.

God in Community, Holy in One,May we see You, hear You, and know You

as we move through this Lenten season, especially as we pray:

Our God in heaven, hallowed be Your name,Your kingdom come,Your will be done, on earth as in heaven.Give us today our daily bread.Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are Yours

now and for ever. Amen.

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INTERCESSORY PRAYERS (responsively, as indicated)Life-giver, Pain-bearer, Love-maker,

day by day You sustain the weary with Your Wordand gently encourage us to place our trust in You.

Awaken us to the needs of those around us;give us grace to share one another's burdens.

We pray as a community . . . God, hear our prayers

(We continue our prayers with personal prayer and meditation)

HYMN (seated) “Make Me a Servant” TFWS 2176

SHARING OUR GIFTS AND OFFERINGSGod of all good gifts, we thank You for showing us how to care for each other.Let our hosannas to the One who brings liberation

take shape through our gifts and offerings.

Our envelope and plate offering is in supportof the ministry & mission of our local congregation.

A Special Missional Basket Offering will be taken for:One Great Hour of Sharing

f A HYMN OF THANKSGIVING UMH 95“Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow”

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING (together, in unison)God of all good gifts,

we thank You for showing us how to care for each other. May these gifts lead to great feasting

for those who have no banquets set before them. May these gifts build shelters and places of prayer

for those who are homeless. May these gifts proclaim Your desire that all Your creation live in peace.Give us grateful hearts, O God,

in the name of the One who came to draw all people to Himself, Jesus the Christ, our Savior. Amen.

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SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST (responsively, as indicated)The Peace of the Risen Christ be with you . . . And also with you

Please share the Peace of Christ with your neighbors...

ANTHEM “Prepare the Way!Words by Nancy Price and Don Besig

Music by Don Besig

GOD'S WORD FOR US “The Last Days: Riding Into Jerusalem”

script by Rebecca Wimmer, distributed by the Skit GuysReaders: Cindy Ciabotte & Byron Moak

SERMON Pastor Allen

f HYMN All Glory, Laud, and Honor" " – vss. 1, 4 UMH 280

WORDS OF DISMISSAL AND BLESSINGHosanna, we cry, as Jesus rides into the city,

heralded as messiah, prophet and preacher, carpenter become king.Hosanna, we cry, as we remember how Jesus

held the untouchable, reached out to the unworthyand turned tables and heads.

Hosanna, we cry, as we watch it all go wrong,as the palm branches wither, as the atmosphere turns nasty,as the cries of joy are silenced.

Hosanna, save us, our God.

POSTLUDE

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Acknowledgments: Cover image from ; Scripture readings are taken from The Inclusive Bible: TheFirst Egalitarian Translation © 2007 by Priests for Equality; Called into Worship and MorningPrayer © Thom M. Shuman, Transitional Pastor, Galloway Presbyterian Church, Columbus, OH.The introduction to the Intercessory Prayers from Revised Common Lectionary Prayers ©Consultation on Common Texts. Invitation to the Offering and the Prayer of Thanksgiving ©Bartlett, David L.. Feasting on the Word Lenten Companion: A Thematic Resource for Preachingand Worship. Westminster John Knox Press. Kindle Edition. All materials are used with permissionand may have been adapted or edited as necessary.

OUR PRAYER LIST:

Denominational leadershipUpper New York UM Resident Bishop, the Rev. Mark WebbUM Albany District Superintendent, the Rev. Richard WeihingAlbany Presbytery Stated Clerk, Elder Daniel RogersAlbany Presbytery Moderator, Elder Arthur Fullerton

General Prayer ConcernsJill WalshCarmen CasoloCatherine SpannGeorgeen Peebles

Jonathan ThorneJanet BroderickMargaret BoulerisBob Pierpont

Millie FollettTheresa HenningJohn TraverThe Rev. Jennifer

Wegter-McNelly

Nursing Homes & Care Facilities (They’d love a card or two!!)Diamond Hill Nursing & Rehabilitation, 100 New Turnpike Rd, Troy 12182

– Robert PurcellDiamond Rock Terrace, 11 Gurley Ave, 12182

– Leila CrierThe Terrace at Eddy Memorial, 2256 Burdett Ave, Troy NY 12180

– Catherine RinnVan Rensselaer Manor, 85 Bloomingrove Dr., Troy 12180

– Virginia Finkle – Robert Rokjer – Mildred Follett

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Our One Great Hour special offering joins a Christian effortto empower, provide water, supply food, and give relief

from disasters.

CORNERSTONE COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Sunday 3/25 10:00am Palm/Passion Sunday11:00am Sunday School Bake Sale!

Monday 3/26 7:00pm Boy Scout Troop #611 meets - basement

Tuesday 3/27 9:00am The Church Office and Food Pantry will be open

Wednesday 3/28 6:30pm Cub Scout Pack #5 meets - basement

Thursday 3/29 9:00am The Corner Shoppe is openHoly Thursday / Good Friday Observance

6:00pm Covered Dish Meal with Celebration of Holy Communion in the Fellowship Hall

followed by a Service of Tenebrae (shadows) in the Sanctuary.

Friday 3/30 9:00am The Church Office will be open 6:30pm Narcotics Anonymous - Fellowship Hall

Saturday 3/31 9:00am The Corner Shoppe is open 9:00am Piece & Patch quilters - 2nd Floor

Sunday 4/01 - Easter Sunday Worship6:30am Sunrise Service on Peebles Island

10:00am Service of the Resurrection at Cornerstone CommunitySpecial Music: Hallelujah! Resurrection Day and

Focus Scripture: John 20:1-18 - The Resurrection of Jesus

Sunday 4/15 3:00pm Choral Festival ConcertShenendehowa United Methodist Church

Including choir members from 15 churches in the Capital Region (including ours!)

Conducted by Joseph Martin, composer and pianistConcert is open to the public/ free will offering

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CORNER SHOPPE NEWS

Spring is just around the corner. Spring home décor items are on display as well as spring clothing for the

entire family. Thanks to all our workers and helpers from the Sunday School that helped to

transition the Corner Shoppe from winter to spring! Please be sure to remember the Corner Shoppe when doing spring cleaning.We are always in need of "gently used" household items and clothing- and-

don't forget we always need LARGE bags. Come shop with us - you'll get bargains and your purchase will help support

our church and the community. Open Thursdays & Saturdays, 9 am - 1 pm.

ECO-PALMS

This year, as in several years past, we have purchased Eco-Palms for ourPalm Sunday observance. Our purchase of Eco-Palms helps support theharvesting communities and families that harvest and select the palms. Inaddition, our purchase helps protect the environment by protecting therainforest in which the palms grow. As we continue our support, these socialand environmental benefits will continue to increase and other communitieswill be able to join the project.

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CORNERSTONE COMMUNITY CHURCHOF LANSINGBURGH

570 3rd Ave., Troy, NY 12182 • Ph 518-235-3851The Rev. E. Allen Siebold, Pastor • Cell Phone: 518-429-7073

Nancy Butler, Church Secretary • Cindy Ciabotte, Music DirectorBruce Eaton, Council Chairperson • Bruce Eaton, Trustee Chairperson

Jan Eden, Treasurer • Mary Friedel, Financial SecretaryAndrea Sandholt, Clerk of Council • Gary Miller, Custodian

Visit us at www.cornerstoneccl.org or on Facebook: www.facebook.com/CornerstoneChurchintheBurghEmail us at office@cornerstoneccl.org or pastor@cornerstoneccl.org

Church Office HoursTuesday and Friday - 9:00am-12:00noon

Food Pantry HoursTuesday - 9:00am-12:00noon

The Corner Shoppe HoursThursday & Saturday – 9:00am - 1:00pm

www.facebook.com/TheCornerShoppeintheBurgh

Our vision is. . .

. . . to experience the good news of God's love in Jesus Christ

through worship and Christian education for all ages;

. . . to offer true spiritual sanctuary wherein all people can find forgiveness,

grace, faith, and renewal in Christ;

. . . to use these gifts to strengthen our mission presence

in the worldwide community.

We warmly welcome all people of every age, race, ethnic or religious background, gender, sexual orientation,

mental or physical ability, economic or family status.

On First Sundays we share in the Sacrament of Holy Communion.We observe an Open Table at which any personwho seeks God’s grace and blessing is welcome.