Order
Sunday, April 10, 2022
Pre Worship Audio (10:15am)
Welcome/Prayer (Gallery View) Rick
Music 1 – Standing (10:30) Lynn/Abbie
The Name of the Lord
The Solid Rock
Scripture Mark 13:1-8, 32-37 In person – Renee
Music 2 Lynn/Abbie
Hosanna (Praise is Rising)
Ancient of Days
We Fall Down
Message Out of the Shadows Rick
(Lk 23:50-56, Mk 14:1-9, Jn 19:23-30)
Congregational Response
Benediction (signal Peyton when slides ready) In Person-Peyton
Music 3 Is He Worthy Lynn/Abbie
Community (Gallery View) Rick
Closing Peace Rick
Closing Audio
Words and Voices
Welcome/Prayer (No slides)
God, we enter now into the holiest week of the year. A week in which we remember the sacrifice of your son on the cross, the culmination of the unholiest moment in history. A moment marked by violence, hatred, and fear in order to offer humanity deliverance, hope, and peace. A moment empowered fully by your love. A moment in which the unseen were invited to be seen by the savior who saw the invisible and dismissed. May this week be an epiphany to us all as we remember that you invited the unnoticed, the fearful, the powerless, and those who had given up to see their purpose in your eternal plan. May we see how we are called to be your avenue of mercy, compassion, acceptance, affirmation, and love in a world in need of all that is you.
Amen
Music 1 (15 slides)
The Name Of The Lord
CCLI Song # 265239, Clinton Utterbach
Chorus 1
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be the name of the Lord most high
Chorus 1
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be the name of the Lord most high
Chorus 2
Holy is the name of the Lord
Holy is the name of the Lord
Holy is the name of the Lord most high
Chorus 2
Holy is the name of the Lord
Holy is the name of the Lord
Holy is the name of the Lord most high
Verse
The name of the Lord is a strong tower
The righteous run into it and they are safe
The name of the Lord is a strong tower
The righteous run into it and they are safe
Chorus 3
Glory to the name of the Lord
Glory to the name of the Lord
Glory to the name of the Lord most high
Chorus 3
Glory to the name of the Lord
Glory to the name of the Lord
Glory to the name of the Lord most high
The Solid Rock
CCLI Song # 25417, Edward Mote | William Batchelder Bradbury
Verse 1
My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame But wholly lean on Jesus’ name
Chorus
On Christ the solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand
Verse 2
When darkness veils His lovely face I rest on His unchanging grace
In ev’ry high and stormy gale My anchor holds within the veil
Chorus
On Christ the solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand
Verse 3
His oath His covenant His blood Support me in the whelming flood
When all around my soul gives way He then is all my hope and stay
Chorus
On Christ the solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand
Verse 4
When He shall come with trumpet sound O may I then in Him be found
Dressed in His righteousness alone Faultless to stand before the throne
Chorus
On Christ the solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand
Scripture (No Slides)
As Jesus walked away from the Temple, one of his disciples said, “Teacher, look at that stonework! Those buildings!” Jesus said, “You’re impressed by this grandiose architecture? There’s not a stone in the whole works that is not going to end up in a heap of rubble.” Later, as he was sitting on Mount Olives in full view of the Temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew got him off by himself and asked, “Tell us, when is this going to happen? What sign will we get that things are coming to a head?” Jesus began, “Watch out for doomsday deceivers. Many leaders are going to show up with forged identities claiming, ‘I’m the One.’ They will deceive a lot of people. When you hear of wars and rumored wars, keep your head and don’t panic. This is routine history, and no sign of the end. Nation will fight nation and ruler fight ruler, over and over. Earthquakes will occur in various places. There will be famines. But these things are nothing compared to what’s coming.
“But the exact day and hour? No one knows that, not even heaven’s angels, not even the Son. Only the Father. So keep a sharp lookout, for you don’t know the timetable. It’s like a man who takes a trip, leaving home and putting his servants in charge, each assigned a task, and commanding the gatekeeper to stand watch. So, stay at your post, watching. You have no idea when the homeowner is returning, whether evening, midnight, cockcrow, or morning. You don’t want him showing up unannounced, with you asleep on the job. I say it to you, and I’m saying it to all: Stay at your post. Keep watch.”
Mark 13:1-8, 32-37 (MSG)Music 2 (20 slides)
Hosanna (Praise Is Rising)
CCLI Song # 4662491
Brenton Brown | Paul Baloche
Verse 1
Praise is rising
Eyes are turning to You
We turn to You
Hope is stirring
Hearts are yearning for You
We long for You
Pre-Chorus
‘Cause when we see You
We find strength to face the day
In Your presence
All our fears are washed away
(Washed away)
Chorus
Hosanna hosanna
You are the God who saves us
Worthy of all our praises
Hosanna hosanna
Come have Your way among us
We welcome You here Lord Jesus
Verse 2
Hear the sound of
Hearts returning to You
We turn to You
In Your Kingdom
Broken lives are made new
You make us new
Pre-Chorus
‘Cause when we see You
We find strength to face the day
In Your presence
All our fears are washed away
(Washed away)
Chorus
Hosanna hosanna
You are the God who saves us
Worthy of all our praises
Hosanna hosanna
Come have Your way among us
We welcome You here Lord Jesus
Pre-Chorus
‘Cause when we see You
We find strength to face the day
In Your presence
All our fears are washed away
(Washed away)
Chorus
Hosanna hosanna
You are the God who saves us
Worthy of all our praises
Hosanna hosanna
Come have Your way among us
We welcome You here Lord Jesus
Ancient Of Days
CCLI Song # 798108
Gary Sadler | Jamie Harvill
Verse
Blessing and honor glory and power
Be unto the Ancient of Days
From ev’ry nation all of creation
Bow before the Ancient of Days
Chorus
Ev’ry tongue in heaven and earth
Shall declare Your glory
Ev’ry knee shall bow at Your throne
In worship
You will be exalted O God
And Your kingdom shall not pass away
O Ancient of Days
Verse
Blessing and honor glory and power
Be unto the Ancient of Days
From ev’ry nation all of creation
Bow before the Ancient of Days
Chorus
Ev’ry tongue in heaven and earth
Shall declare Your glory
Ev’ry knee shall bow at Your throne
In worship
You will be exalted O God
And Your kingdom shall not pass away
O Ancient of Days
Bridge
Your kingdom shall reign
Over all the earth
Sing unto the Ancient of Days
For none can compare
To Your matchless worth
Sing unto the Ancient of Days
Chorus
Ev’ry tongue in heaven and earth
Shall declare Your glory
Ev’ry knee shall bow at Your throne
In worship
You will be exalted O God
And Your kingdom shall not pass away
O Ancient of Days
Ending
Hosanna hosanna
We Fall Down
CCLI Song # 2437367, Chris Tomlin
Verse
We fall down
We lay our crowns
At the feet of Jesus
The greatness of mercy and love
At the feet of Jesus
Chorus
And we cry holy holy holy
And we cry holy holy holy
And we cry holy holy holy is the Lamb
(Possible repeat of Verse and Chorus – not in slides)Message – Out of the Shadows (14 Slides)
Today is Palm Sunday. It is on this morning that most Christian churches around the world, are celebrating the final public entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. Today, we mark the observance of what is, ‘Holy Week’. A week that begins with celebration and joy, a week that will end with darkness and tears. It is a Holy Week, in all that is accomplished, all that is achieved, in all that moves life forward for us now and for eternity – however, it is also the most unholy period of all time in history. While mankind has inflicted many unholy periods throughout history, this one was and is different. This week was a brutal attack on heaven and earth, a week of evil versus right. Mostly, the difference about this period in history is that it defined righteousness as the ultimate victor, that hope can be found even in the worst of times, that peace exists even in the midst of wars and turmoil, it was on this week that Love won.
The week began with an unparalleled parade. It would be Jesus’ final public appearance, except for his appearance 6 days later on the cross. On this day, however, Jesus approached the city gates cheered on by a mighty impromptu crowd. It was a hoard of people moved to praise in a way that even they did not understand. The crowds was not unruly, it could not be classified as a mob. It was a loud crowd though, the type of loud that can sometimes become draw unwanted attention, it could be a problem. The religious officials told Jesus to make the crowd be quiet. Jesus answered honestly and said that if he did the rocks and stones would begin to make a much louder noise, a much scarier possibility.
This was the last time that Jesus appeared in front of a joyful crowd, voices screaming ‘Hosannah!’ Later in the week, this same crowd would gather again, only this time their voices would be hostile and hateful, yelling for Jesus’ death.
Last times and final moments are significant. The last time before an adoring crowd, the last time for a public vocal affirmation. This was Jesus’ last time before he would experience extreme loneliness, vitriol, humiliation, scorn, and death. It would be a week of many last times. It would also be a time of a handful of individuals called out of the shadows, to step up to be a vital part of the work God would accomplish on this week.
After Jesus completed his final official public entrance into Jerusalem, he entered the temple, this too was another last time.
The Temple. Originally a simple portable tent tabernacle – it was there that God resided among man. It was a holy place, a place where the people could see that God was truly present. Next, an actual brick and mortar structure was built. It was beautiful, it was awe inspiring. It was holy – until it was not. About 600 years before Jesus would enter this temple for the last time, the Prophet Isaiah pronounced that the Temple was no longer a holy place. That the religious practices taking place there had become meaningless. Isaiah would say that God no longer wanted to attend their church. That temple was then destroyed, to be replaced by a third temple, a second beautiful building, this one, however a little less beautiful and a bit less awe inspiring. Eventually, a wicked king made improvements and enhancements to make the Temple more acceptable to the Jews longing for beauty and impressive architecture of the previous temple. The King’s benevolent effort was self serving and ultimately caused unholiness to seep out into the people. In this second temple building, the very proof that God was present in the temple, no longer officially resided in the building. God’s presence had become an issue personal issue, an issue of each individual and their own trust and reverence. God was there for those truly seeking him, but for many, it was just a beautiful building, something to be proud of. A building to define a people in a way that was no longer authentic.
[Slide] As Jesus and his disciples exited the Temple, for the final time as a group, one of the disciples commented on the beauty of the structure and the impressive by grandiose architecture. Jesus responded by warning ‘this building already had decay eating away at it, and that it all would soon be a pile of rubble.’
[Slide] “When?” The disciples asked.
[Slide] “I don’t know, only the Father knows.” Jesus answered. “So keep a sharp lookout, for you, and no human, knows the timetable. It’s like a man who takes a trip, leaving home and putting his servants in charge, each assigned a task, and commanding the gatekeeper to stand watch.
[Slide] So, stay at your post, watching. You have no idea when the homeowner is returning, whether evening, midnight, cockcrow, or morning. You don’t want him showing up unannounced, with you asleep on the job. I say it to you, and I’m saying it to all: Stay at your post. Keep watch.”
The temple, this beautiful building, would indeed be a pile of rubble in less than 75 years. While it would ultimately fall at the hands of the Roman oppressors, the destruction had already begun within the building and within the hearts of the people.
It was during this ‘holy’ week that the disciples and other followers of Jesus would begin to see some of the beautiful bricks of this temple begin to symbolically fall. The pile of rubble would begin to amass. The world of these men to whom Jesus spoke would soon be turned upside down. Their teacher, their savior, would soon be crucified, some of them would soon publicly deny even knowing Jesus, and all would soon be hiding in justifiable fear. Soon, these men would be able to do nothing, others would be called forth to fill the gaps in their absence. Soon, they would think the desolation of their hopes meant a life ahead of hopelessness.
But, Jesus had said,
[Slide] ‘This is but the beginning of the birth pangs.’
Mark 13:8b
[Slide] ‘Out of birth pains comes life.’
Biblical scholar Samuel Cruz says,
[Slide] In the midst of this apparent chaos and destruction, Jesus brings words of hope: “This is but the beginning of the birth pangs.” It is easy to forget that the narrative does not end with gloom and doom.
[Slide] Although too often this narrative has been used to portray a hopeless and catastrophic situation, in reality, Jesus seems to be speaking about a hopeful and salvific future. We all know, and some have experienced, the physical pain that women endure while giving birth.
[Slide] However, after the most powerful forces of pain take place, birth is the result, and the new life is then celebrated.
[Slide] Therefore, it seems that the apocalyptic words of Jesus were meant to bring a message of hope especially to the subjugated of his society and ours.
[Slide] The description and verbiage used to explain what was to occur in the future is not even hyperbolic in nature. The changes will be radical and disruptive to the status quo.
[Slide] The structures that will collapse might not be physical ones, they might be the stones and walls that have kept and continue to keep the oppressed, the marginalized, the undesirables, those living in the shadows, from fully realizing their ministerial potentials.
[Slide] In our current era and political context, the words of Jesus bring comfort to the church and especially to those who have been kept marginalized.”
Samuel Cruz, Associate Professor of Church and Society, Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York, New York, N.Y.
Up to this week, inside the temple, was a veil. This veil was a symbolic and very real wall to most that they could not enter the temple inner place. This veil was designated to only allow a few to enter the holy place. The result was that this limited most of humanity from this holy place. It was here that sacrifices were carried out and God’s voice was to be heard. However, this veil had been a creation of humanity to restrict God from humanity, and humanity from God. Centuries before, the Isrealites had requested that Moses speak to them for God and for them before God. Their fear of God had prompted them to distance themselves from God. By the end of this week, the veil would rip, the barrier would be removed – changes were already taking place. Those in the shadows were already being called out.
Jesus disciples, these who would be the leaders of the follower of Jesus, of the new testament church, now began to slip into the shadows.
[Slide] ’At one time Jesus’ disciples had left all to follow him. But now, these disciples would leave everything to get away from Jesus. A total abandonment of Jesus by the band of disciples who would flee to escape the consequences of association with Jesus.’
Dr. Abraham Kuruvilla, Dallas Theological Seminary
I was a time when societal norms would be crumbling, when cultural practices would be challenged, when the ignored would be called to take the risk and step out of the shadows and be seen.
A day or 2 later, a condemned man stepped out and invited Jesus to his home for dinner. The man still carried the label of leper, and all the fear that instilled in the public even though he had been healed or was no longer contagious.
At that dinner a woman stepped out into an unwelcoming space of judgement and condemnation to anoint Jesus – an anointing she would resume after the crucifixion.
During the walk to the cross, a man was pulled out of the crowd to carry the cross for a physically exhausted Jesus.
A group of women stepped up to a visible place in the crowd near the cross on which Jesus hung. A group that was unhidden in the crowd, identified by their grief and pain.
A religious official opposed his contemporaries act of brutality towards Jesus and stepped out to claim the body of Jesus to give Jesus his tomb.
At the same time, this official, made space for the women followers of Jesus to accompany the body to the tomb for the proper anointing.
All of these individuals took a risk stepping out, their gender, their vocational positions, their societal ranking, their culture, their futures, were all secure as long as they could remain in the shadows, unseen, unnoticed. But, as the disciples could no longer meet these needs, another community of followers was called out, called to minister when no one else could address the needs.
This was the crumbling of the bricks of the temple. A calling to all that followed Christ, a calling that invited all to be a part of the sacrifice. A personal involvement that was unencumbered by any barriers between humanity and God.
Believers were left with a pile of rubble. A dead Savior, a hostile community, a need to run back into hiding, but jobs still needed to be completed, acts of love had to still be carried out. A pile of bricks and stones. It was only the birth pangs of what laid ahead.
This is not the end. The same women that stood before the cross, who followed Jesus body to the tomb, would approach the tomb at sunrise the day after the Sabbath. On their way to the tomb they would worry about how they could remove the stone from the entry of the tomb. Once there, they found that the stone had already been removed, and, as they looked in, they found that the tomb was empty. Soon, they were told, “Jesus is Not Here.” And the next phase of the journey would begin.
Let’s PrayResponse – Congregational Response (6 slides)
Leader: We give thanks for God’s word, God’s truth.
Response: May we allow God’s truth to guide and lead us.
Leader: We recognize that Holy is always present but often hidden by unholiness.
Response: May we trust the Holy when we only see unholiness.
Leader: We live in the shadows, covered in fear. Fear of others, fear of judgement, fear of condemnation, fear of that which we do not know.
Response: May we trust in God when God calls us to step out of the shadows.
Leader: We are called to the uncomfortable, the unfamiliar. We are invited to be a part of God’s work.
Response: May we offer the sacrifices of ourselves.
Leader: We are invited into God’s work, God’s deliverance, God’s eternal hope given to us.
Response: May we step into God’s calling.
Leader: We are living proof that Love has won, hope is here, peace is always present.
Response: May our lives be the outflow of Hope, Peace, and Love.
Response – Music 3 (18 slides)
Is He Worthy
CCLI Song # 7108951, Andrew Peterson | Ben Shive
Verse 1
Leader: Do you feel the world is broken
Response: We do
Leader: Do you feel the shadows deepen
Response: We do
Leader: But do you know that all the dark won’t stop the light from getting through
Response: We do
Leader: Do you wish that you could see it all made new
Response: We do
Verse 2
Leader: Is all creation groaning
Response: It is
Leader: Is a new creation coming
Response: It is
Leader: Is the glory of the Lord to be the light within our midst
Response: It is
Leader: Is it good that we remind ourselves of this
Response: It is
Chorus 1
Is anyone worthy? Is anyone whole?
Is anyone able to break the seal and open the scroll
The Lion of Judah who conquered the grave
He is David’s Root
And the Lamb who died to ransom the slave
Is He worthy
Is He worthy
Of all blessing and honor and glory
Is He worthy of this
He is
Verse 3
Leader: Does the Father truly love us
Response: He does
Leader: Does the Spirit move among us
Response: He does
Leader: And does Jesus our Messiah hold forever those He loves
Response: He does
Leader: Does our God intend to dwell again with us
Response: He does
Chorus 2
Is anyone worthy
Is anyone whole
Is anyone able to break the seal and open the scroll
The Lion of Judah who conquered the grave
He is David’s Root
And the Lamb who died to ransom the slave
From ev’ry people and tribe every nation and tongue
He has made us a kingdom and priests
To God to reign with the Son
Is He worthy? Is He worthy?
Of all blessing and honor and glory
Is He worthy
Is He worthy
Is He worthy of this
He is
Ending
Is He worthy? Is He worthy?
He is. He is.
Community (5 Slides)
- Spring Bible Studies continue – Monday April 11 (w/dinner at 6) or Wednesday, April 13 (w/lunch at noon), Exodus 11:1-12:51 Please RSVP.
- Next Sunday, April 17 – Not Here, Mark 16:1-8 (Easter)
- An Eggcellent Discussion, registration email link on web site
- Pray Peace. Prayers for Ukraine – donation link at GFNorman.com
- Special Gathering today
Peace (3 Slides)
As you leave this place, may the peace of the Lord, go with you.
And also with you.
We gather here because of God’s love for us, we go from here because of God’s love for everyone out there. Go in the peace of the Lord.
Order, Words, & Voices 