Worship for March 29, 2026

Thank you for joining us for this live stream (or recording, as the case may be) of Sunday worship. May it bless you! You may need to click “Play” to launch the stream, which will be live around 9:50 AM.

Welcome to the live stream of worship from Church of the Holy Cross for Sunday, March 29, 2026. You will find the service outline below, and you may download and print the PDF to follow more easily. 

Rev. Eric S. Anderson, Pastor

WE GATHER TO WORSHIP GOD

Please note that audio and video of this service are being live streamed on the Internet and will be recorded. The right rear section of the sanctuary will not be captured by any cameras. Please be aware that in other sections you may be visible at times.

Prelude: All Glory, Laud, and Honor Kayleen Yuda

Lighting of the Candles

Ringing of the Bell

Welcome:   Rev. Eric S. Anderson

* Call to Worship (based on Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29)                        Cynthia Debus

Leader:         Give thanks to the LORD, whose goodness endures forever!
People:        With all the world we proclaim: God’s goodness endures forever!

Leader:         The builders rejected the stone, but God has made it the cornerstone,
People:        The power of the LORD brings marvels to our eyes.

Leader:         Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the LORD!
People:        Let us make a festive procession with the green leaves of joy!

All:                 Let us worship God!

* Hymn #216: All Glory, Laud, and Honor (v. 1-3)

* Invocation (based on Isaiah 50:4-9)                    Cynthia Debus

We strive to speak as you have taught us, God, to sustain the weary with a word. We strive to hear the needs of our neighbors and appreciate the blessings of the wind. Though we have suffered, we have endured through your help. Your vindication is ever near. When you help us and forgive us, how can we be guilty? How can we be afraid? Amen.

Please be seated

WE SHARE THE WORD OF GOD

Anthem: This Day of Gladness           Bell Choir

Palm Sunday Gospel: Matthew 21:1-11                Cynthia Debus

When they had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, just say this, ‘The Lord needs them.’ And he will send them immediately.” This took place to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet:

“Tell the daughter of Zion,
Look, your king is coming to you,
    humble and mounted on a donkey,
        and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”

The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; they brought the donkey and the colt and put their cloaks on them, and he sat on them. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting,

“Hosanna to the Son of David!
    Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, “Who is this?” The crowds were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.”

Time with the Children                      Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Parade of the Palms #213: Hosanna, Loud Hosanna (v. 1-3)

Scripture:   Cynthia Debus

Philippians 2:5-11

Let the same mind be in you that wasin Christ Jesus,

who, though he existed in the form of God,
    did not regard equality with God
    as something to be grasped,
but emptied himself,
    taking the form of a slave,
    assuming human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a human,
    he humbled himself
    and became obedient to the point of death—
    even death on a cross.

Therefore God exalted him even more highly
    and gave him the name
    that is above every other name,
so that at the name given to Jesus
    every knee should bend,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue should confess
    that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father.

Sermon: Help Us!            Rev. Eric S. Anderson

WE RESPOND IN WORD AND DEED

Pastoral Prayer              Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Please join me in the Lord’s Prayer                     
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 debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

Call to Offering                Cynthia Debus

Jesus’ disciples searched for an animal for Jesus to ride, and somebody provided it. The people of Jerusalem searched for something to celebrate Jesus’ arrival, and they brought cloaks and branches to soften the way. Jesus brought himself. What will we bring? Whether you share your gift here in the church today, through a gift online, or via an envelope in the mail, let the offering now be received.

Offertory: Sweet Meditation              Kayleen Yuda

* Doxology

Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
Praise Him all creatures here below
Praise Him above ye heavenly host
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost – Amen

* Offertory Prayer         Cynthia Debus

We celebrate your presence in the world and in our lives, O God, with these gifts we lay before you. Accept them, we pray, along with the praise of our hearts and souls. May we always be glad of our faith in you. Amen.

* Hymn #215: Ride On! Ride On in Majesty (v. 1 – 4)

Please be seated

Announcements             Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Benediction                      Rev. Eric S. Anderson

Postlude: Ride on in Triumph, O King                     Kayleen Yuda                                                     

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IMPORTANT DATES

We welcome you to worship this day. Church of the Holy Cross seeks to help its members, friends, and visitors follow the guidance of God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit, encouraging all people to love one another according to the teachings of Jesus. We live and teach the faith, speak good news, minister to people near and far, and work with other households of faith and helping agencies to improve our community and our world. To support our ministries, please visit our Donate Page.