For the past five weeks we’ve been exploring PRISM as an acronym: Participation, Refuge, Intercession, Solidarity, and Mercy. For the 6th Sunday of Lent we’ll explore the image itself and consider again what it means to “bring out the God-colors” in the world. The words that we’ll be using in worship are below or you can download and print a copy here.

Prelude                              Hosanna, Loud Hosanna

Call to Worship  – Psalm 118

Open to me the gates of righteousness,
   that I may enter through them
   and give thanks to the Lord.
This is the gate of the Lord;
   the righteous shall enter through it.
I thank you that you have answered me
   and have become my salvation.
The stone that the builders rejected
   has become the chief cornerstone.
This is the Lord’s doing;
   it is marvelous in our eyes.
This is the day that the Lord has made;
   let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Save us, we beseech you, O Lord!
   O Lord, we beseech you, give us success!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.
   We bless you from the house of the Lord.
The Lord is God,
   and he has given us light.
Bind the festal procession with branches,
   up to the horns of the altar.
You are my God, and I will give thanks to you;
   you are my God, I will extol you.
O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
   for his steadfast love endures for ever.

Song – Hosanna, Loud Hosanna  #145

Prayer of Confession

Most High and holy God, you have opened your doors and set a table where we can gather to be nurtured and nourished by you. We are grateful to enter your house and taste your salvation. You have become our Savior and yet we know that we still need saving. Not because we are lost, but because we stumble on the path. Not because we stand against you, but because we are uncertain about how far we want to follow you. Bless us with your Holy Spirit so that our light might shine brighter.  Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Song – Now Behold the Lamb  #838

Words of Assurance

“Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world…I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine!

Let your light shine before others that they might see your good works and give glory to our Father in heaven.

Therefore do not worry, saying, “What will we eat?” or “What will we drink?” or “What will we wear?” For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 

But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Anthem – Hosanna

Scripture – Luke 19:29-44

When he had come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples, saying, ‘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. If anyone asks you, “Why are you untying it?” just say this: “The Lord needs it.” ’ So those who were sent departed and found it as he had told them. As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, ‘Why are you untying the colt?’ They said, ‘The Lord needs it.’ Then they brought it to Jesus; and after throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. As he rode along, people kept spreading their cloaks on the road. As 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, saying,
‘Blessed is the king
   who comes in the name of the Lord!
Peace in heaven,
   and glory in the highest heaven!’
Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, ‘Teacher, order your disciples to stop.’ He answered, ‘I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.’

As he came near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, ‘If you, even you, had only recognized on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. Indeed, the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up ramparts around you and surround you, and hem you in on every side. They will crush you to the ground, you and your children within you, and they will not leave within you one stone upon another; because you did not recognize the time of your visitation from God.’

Sermon – “The God-Colors”

Song – All Glory, Laud, & Honor #146

Prayers w/ 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.

Forgive us our sins

as we forgive those who sin against us.

Lead us not into temptation

But deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever, Amen.

Offertory – The Holy City (Sue Lakos)

Benediction

Sending Song – Koinonia  #258