The Passion of our Lord

Palm Sunday

April 13, 2025

St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church of Folcroft

   stjohns1500@gmail.com 

https://stjohnslutheranfolcroft.org      https://www.facebook.com/StJohnsLutheranFolcroft/

Reflection for Palm Sunday:  A Place with Jesus

The movement of this day—from shouts of praise to words of denial and cries for crucifixion—mirrors the path of discipleship. The lives of Jesus' followers hang in the balance between faithfulness and betrayal. For Peter, the act of denial is subtle and insidious. He claims not to know Jesus; he claims to have no place as his disciple. On the surface it is seemingly harmless. It happens, and then is over in a moment. In reality, the harm is deep and lasting. Subtle but harmful denial happens in a split second as disciples compromise faith for the sake of self-protection—as they're too embarrassed to give thanks; as someone knows how to help but fails to do so because it's inconvenient; as resources are hoarded. While Peter withholds everything for his own sake, Jesus, for the sake of others, withholds nothing. As disciples fail to claim their place with Jesus, Jesus' embrace claims them. From the cross, Jesus offers mercy wide enough to claim even those who do not know what they do.   

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Events for this week are:

PRELUDE The Palms

P:  Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.

C:  Hosanna in the highest

P:  Let us pray.  

     Mercifully assist us, O Lord God of our salvation, that we may enter with joy   

     upon the contemplation of those mighty acts whereby you have given us life  

     everlasting;  through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

C:  Amen

P:  The holy gospel according to Luke the 19th chapter

C:  Glory to you, O Lord.

LUKE 19:29-40

29When Jesus had come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples, 30saying, "Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31If anyone asks you, 'Why are you untying it ' just say this, 'The Lord needs it.'" 32So those who were sent departed and found it as he had told them. 33As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, "Why are you untying the colt " 34They said, "The Lord needs it." 35Then they brought it to Jesus; and after throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. 36As he rode along, people kept spreading their cloaks on the road. 37As he was now approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen, 38saying,

 "Blessed is the king

 who comes in the name of the Lord!

 Peace in heaven,

 and glory in the highest heaven!"

39Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, order your disciples to stop." 40He answered, "I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out."

P:  The gospel of the Lord.

C:  Praise to you, O Christ. 

P:  Let us pray.

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. Amen.

GATHERING HYMN:  All Glory Laud and Honor   ELW 344  

* PRAYER OF THE DAY

     As we now enter into the contemplation of the passion of our Lord Jesus 

     Christ and meditate on the salvation of the world through his sufferings, 

     death, burial, and resurrection, let us pray: 

    

     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.  

C:  Amen.

THE READING OF THE PASSION ACCORDING TO LUKE

 

In fulfillment of scripture and obedience to God's will, Jesus goes to the cross so that a new covenant in his blood may bring forgiveness of sins. Even the soldiers who crucify him recognize him to be the Son of God.

* HYMN OF THE DAY: They Crucified My Lord (ELW 350)

* THE APOSTLES CREED

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,

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

Led by the Spirit, let us turn to God in prayer for the church, the world, and all those in need.

Guide your church this Holy Week as we follow in the servant way of Jesus. Protect those who face hostility or oppression for their faith. Humble those who would use faith to dominate others and reinforce their own power. God, in your mercy, receive our prayer.

Make your creation a living witness to Christ’s passion and resurrection: in waving palms, shouting stones, fragrant vineyards, murmuring wheat, and revealing fire. Make us attentive to your holy presence in the world, that we may care for the earth you love. God, in your mercy, receive our prayer.

Let your face shine upon the leaders of nations and let the same mind be in them as was in Christ Jesus, so that those with the most power may humble themselves to serve the most vulnerable. God, in your mercy, receive our prayer.

Sustain the weary with a word. Grant perseverance to political prisoners and to any who are exploited, unjustly accused, or wrongly convicted. Abide with all who are in jails, detention centers, or prisons. Console all who experience times of trial or suffering.  We pray especially for Trena, Keyasi, Sorie, Bill, Carol, Vince, Danielle, Barbara, Deb, Connor, Dawn, Elaine, Rich, Robert, Anna, Don, Bryant, Lois, Curt, Calvin, Robin, Ana, Helen, Hoon, Pat, Joe, Ruth, Lisa, Jacklyn, Lillian, Alexis, and those we now raise before you in our hearts.  We pray for those affected by the Covid virus in mind, body or spirit.  Grant them healing and wholeness. God, in your mercy, receive our prayer.

Give strength to those who will lead worship during Holy Week: pastors and deacons, altar guilds and sacristans, musicians and assisting ministers, ushers, and office staff. Instill in them awe and joy, that their service may reflect the love of Jesus. God, in your mercy, receive our prayer.

We give thanks to you for our beloved dead, trusting that as the cross of Jesus led to the empty tomb, so you welcome those who have died into the paradise of your presence. God, in your mercy, receive our prayer.

Receive the prayers of your people and draw all things together in your love, in the name of Jesus, who leads us from death to life. Amen.

* LORD'S PRAYER

Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us.

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.

PEACE

The peace of Christ be with you always. And also with you.

OFFERING OF TITHES AND GIFTS TO GOD

Please place your offering in the plate near the Sanctuary door any time during or following worship. Your offering and tithes may be made on line through our  website:   stjohnslutheranfolcroft.org  or sent by mail to

St. John’s Lutheran church, 1500 Glen Avenue, Folcroft, PA 19032.

* OFFERING PRAYER

* THE GREAT THANKSGIVING

The Lord be with you.  And also with you.

Lift up your hearts.  We lift the to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.  

It is right to give our thanks and praise.

* PREFACE

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:  

* HOLY, HOLY, HOLY

* THANKSGIVING AT THE TABLE

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,

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.

* INVITATION TO COMMUNION

This is the gift of God for the people of God, the body and blood of our Lord Jesus.  

COMMUNION SONG

 COMMUNION

The body of Christ, given for you.     

The blood of Christ, shed for you.

TABLE BLESSING

The body and blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace. 

Amen.

CONGREGATIONAL SONG For the Bread Which You Have Broken (ELW 494)

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

+ SENDING +

+ God blesses us and sends us in mission to the world +

* BLESSING

God our tender parent,

God the crucified one,

God the reconciling Spirit,

  bless you now and forever.

Amen.

* SENDING HYMN: Christ, the Life of All the Living (ELW 339)

* DISMISSAL  Care for others as God cares for you. Thanks be to God.

A:  We hope this service was meaningful for you and brought the love of God and peace of Jesus into your homes.  Pray, trust, believe and wait.   Please join us for Maundy Thursday service at 7 pm and Good Friday service at 7 pm.  

The ETERNAL CANDLE is sponsored for the month of April by the Weaver family in loving memory of Dick Weaver.

MAUNDY THURSDAY, Holy Communion 

and the Stripping of the Altar,

April 17, at 7:00 p.m.

GOOD FRIDAY, Tenabrae, 

a service of Lights and Shadows, 

April 18, at 7:00 p.m.   

Join us as we celebrate the 

RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD ON EASTER SUNDAY, April 20th, 

a service with Holy Communion at 10:15 a.m.

YOU CAN HELP!  You can be a good steward AND get your grocery shopping done.  Did you know that if you purchase a grocery food gift card from St. John’s, our congregation will receive 5% of all sales of gift cards.  Please see MaryAnne Rossi if you wish to purchase and gift cards.  Thank you for helping us raise that 5% for helping to continue our ministry. 

Each week, we collect food for our hungry neighbors in need in our SHARING GOD'S BOUNTY WAGON.  Hunger doesn’t take a vacation.  Please consider making a donation of a food item each week. If you are in need of food, please notify Pastor Wende and she will let you know what we have available.

The Social Ministry Committee would love to hear from you if you have any ideas for small fundraising and/or social ministry events that we could pull off with minimal effort. Challenge us with your ideas!!

With our church building getting older, we need everyone’s eyes and ears to help keep her in good repair. If you see any problems like a burnt out light bulb, please let Barb or Bud know or drop a note in the offering plate on Sunday. We need to get a jump on current or upcoming problems.

Our Financial Response  (March) 

CURRENT

Budgeted costs per month        $   7,263.55

Offering last month        $   7,694.14

Budget required to date (3 months)        $  21,790.65

Total received to date        $  17,064.42

MISSION SUPPORT

Budget required to date (3 months)        $   1,200.00

Total received to date        $   1,212.16

Please continue to support St. John's.  Our expenses continue each month. 

Your offering and tithes may be made on line through our  website:   stjohnslutheranfolcroft.org  or sent by mail to

St. John’s Lutheran church, 1500 Glen Avenue, Folcroft, PA 19032.

Easter flowers are beautiful, and this year, again, we would love to see them in our sanctuary.  Make your check payable to St. John’s and send to the church office along with the Easter Flower tear-off included. You may also call the office and leave a message with your specific wishes, or send an email to the office, stjohns1500@gmail.com. Be sure to specify your wishes on the tear-off, and if you are giving in honor of or in memory of someone. We will list all who have made flower dedications in the Easter bulletin.

This year we are offering Lilies ($9), Mums ($10) and Tulips, Daffodils and Hyacinths ($7). 

You may also choose to make a donation to the World Hunger Fund.

There are extra forms available on the hallway table to sponsor Easter flowers.

Deadline for ordering flowers is April 13.

Easter Flowers 

Choose from:

   Lilies ($9)    Mums ($10)

   Daffodils    Hyacinths    Tulips  (all $7)

   A donation to World Hunger

      Given by _________________________________________________________

In memory of ______________________________________________________

In honor of ________________________________________________________

Make checks payable to St. John’s Lutheran Church. Please include this form with your payment with your offering, or return to the Church Office.

Deadline for ordering: April 13!