Prelude (Colin Bonneau)  

Call to Worship 
They brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it, and he sat on it.
Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches 
Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting,
“Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David! 
Let us join in the welcoming of Jesus.
“Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven! Hosanna!”

Slide show  opening hymn: VU 123  Hosanna 

CHILDREN’S ANTHEM  Shout with Joy!

Candle lighting
We have arrived at the end of our Lenten way, 
It gave us to reflect in faithful community.
May this Palm Sunday encourage us to celebrate and delight in God!
May this Holy Week help us to follow Jesus every week.

Baptism liturgy

CHILDREN’S ANTHEM Benediction/Hosanna!

Reading from Scripture:
Psalm 118: 1, 2, 14, 19-29
Matthew 21: 1-11 
We respond:
In ages past, disciples, prophets, priests and historians wrote down their faith.  
This is a faithful witness of our ancestors.  
Word of God for us today.
Thanks be to God.
Sermon:  Which parade will you join?

Hymn: # 117 VU  Jesus Christ Is Waiting

Offering Invitation 

DOXOLOGY MORE VOICES 176 verse 4
The palm branches are symbols of all we have to celebrate as we welcome Jesus, God’s just and caring one, to Jerusalem.
Our gifts are celebration gifts.
Our gifts symbolize our renewed faithfulness.
God accepts and blesses them.
To God be the glory and praise. Hosanna! Amen!

Prayers of the People
Lord’s Prayer, sung VU 960

Hymn:  #356 VU Seek Ye First
Commissioning 
We have entered into Jerusalem and experienced the festivities, if only in our imaginations. 
We caught a glimpse of the one who the crowds were proclaiming Messiah. 
Today, we encountered the timeless tale of Palm Sunday. 
Inspired, encouraged, and transformed by this faith story, 
We go and be faith-filled people and follwers of Jesus.
Let us go and be generous with our kindness and full of hope.
May the God of the journey go with you this Holy Week. 
May the Christ of vulnerability show you the way we must go. 
May the delightful Holy Spirit always be our guide. Amen.

Post Service Slides
Postlude (Colin Bonneau)

Today’s prayers were written (or inspired by) Allan Warren, David Sparks, Gord Dunbar and Laura J. Turnbull (Gathering, 2023 Lent, used with permission).