“The Fruit of Our Hearts”

Palm Sunday

Bulletin: April 2, 2023

Newsletter: April 2-9, 2023

Scriptures: Isaiah 5:1-7; Psalm 118; Matthew 21

Songs:

Introit: Hosanna (video with lyrics)
Hosanna, Loud Hosanna (lyrics & melody, video, trumpet & organ, background, meditation)
Ride On, Ride On in Majesty (lyrics, melody & author, video w lyrics, choir, triumphal entry, meditation)
Take My Life and Let it Be (Congregational/Metropolitan Tabernacle; Norton Hall Band)
Response: Jesus Draw Me Ever Nearer (lyrics, Getty video)

Joel Russell-MacLean

This is God’s invitation to everyone and the focus of Lent:

We are all invited to return to God; to come home.

We are all invited to draw closer to the heart of our creator, whether it be for the first time or the thousandth time. Throughout the Sundays of Lent, we will look at various Scripture stories that invite us to return to our Lord.

This week, our scripture lessons bring us to a final confrontation between Jesus and the authorities in Jerusalem, where his fate was sealed. Knowing the consequences, Jesus resolutely pointed out to the leaders, and all of us, how we are going astray.

Today is Palm Sunday, the last Sunday in Lent, a season to prepare ourselves for the coming of Easter and to help us see the hardships of life and even our death in the context of the resurrection and life everlasting. Lent is a season of 40 days plus 6 Sundays to prepare our hearts for the realities of Jesus going to the cross, in all its significance. For some, this may be the first opportunity to observe Lent. For others, this may be very familiar.