Sunday, April 13, 2025 – Palm Sunday, Year C

Lent Theme

Follow Jesus on the Journey: Open our Hearts to Reconciliation

Theme Write-up written by Matthew Reece, Director of Music Ministries

Follow Jesus on the Journey: Open Our Hearts to Reconciliation

The season of Lent invites us to embark on a sacred journey with Jesus, walking the path of repentance, renewal, and grace. As we follow Him through the wilderness, His teachings, and ultimately to the cross, we are called to open our hearts to the transformative power of reconciliation. Just as Christ extends His mercy to us, we are urged to seek healing in our relationships—with God, with others, and within ourselves. This journey is not one of mere reflection but of action, as we humbly acknowledge our need for forgiveness and embrace the call to be instruments of peace in a broken world.

Through prayer, fasting, and acts of love, we allow God’s grace to soften our hearts and lead us toward true reconciliation. The Lenten journey is a time to let go of burdens that hinder our relationship with God and to seek restoration in areas where division and hurt have taken root. As we walk with Jesus, may we be reminded that reconciliation is at the heart of the Gospel—a gift freely given and a mission to which we are called. In opening our hearts to God’s mercy, we are empowered to extend that same mercy to others, drawing ever closer to the promise of Easter’s new life.

Call to Worship

Throughout the season of Lent, the worship service begins with a spoken Call to Worship. We will use the a series written by Dr. Lisa Hancock, Discipleship Ministries, September 2024.

Ardor (Worship Musicians)

The musicians rehearse from 9:00 – 9:45 am every Sunday morning. All are welcome! The musicians for worship can find the service orders and music in the crate on the back pew in the sanctuary for each week of the month. Contact the office if you plan to help lead worship.

Sunday School

The Sunday class is taking a break.

Worship Information

Join us in-person for the weekly Worship Service at 10:00 am in-person or via Facebook Live if you are unable to attend in person (https://www.facebook.com/allsaintsdavenport/). The service will later be uploaded to YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@allsaintslutheranchurchdav1987) for your viewing.

This Sunday’s worship will begin in the Gathering Space as we celebrate Palm Sunday when Jesus enters into the final days.

If you would like the words for the worship service, contact the office (office@allsaintsdavenport.org) to request the information.

Introduction

Today we follow Christ from triumphal entry to the cross, each waypoint of the journey marked by Jesus’ compassion for those who would betray, mock, accuse, or do violence to him. Though persecuted and beaten, Jesus the Son of God is not disgraced; instead, he asks forgiveness for those who put him to death. We have walked the Lenten pathway these forty days, each of us invited through baptism to “let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus.” We enter this holy week accompanying Jesus to the cross with both grief and thanksgiving in our hearts, trusting in God’s redeeming love.

Prayer of the Day

Sovereign God, you have established your rule in the human heart through the servanthood of Jesus Christ. By your Spirit, keep us in the joyful procession of those who with their tongues confess Jesus as Lord and with their lives praise him as Savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

Scripture

Luke 19:28-40

Entrance into the final days

Isaiah 50:4-9a

The servant of the Lord submits to suffering

This text, the third of the four Servant Songs in Isaiah, speaks of the servant’s obedience amid persecution. Though the servant has been variously understood as the prophet himself or a remnant of faithful Israel, Christians have often recognized the figure of Christ in these poems.

Psalm 31:9-16

Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit. (Ps. 31:5)

Philippians 2:5-11

Humbled to the point of death on a cross

Paul quotes from an early Christian hymn that describes Jesus’ humble obedience in his incarnation as a human being, even to death, and his exaltation and glory as Lord of all.

Luke 22:14—23:56

The passion of the Lord

Through the teachings and events of the passion story we see and hear the great contradictions that characterize the coming of God’s reign. The leader serves the followers, proud Peter is revealed in his cowardice, and Jesus—the innocent bringer of life—is arrested, beaten, executed, and buried.

Fellowship Time

You are invited to stay after worship for refreshments and fellowship time in the gathering space.