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Good. All right. I was going to say baseball.

We have somebody with a cell phone. Let somebody step down and take a a quick picture. We We've [laughter] got a picture.

They just were talking about All right. >> [snorts] >> One. Two.

Three. The Lord be with you. Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.

Let us pray. We praise you, oh God, for redeeming the world through Jesus Christ. Bless these branches and those who carry them.

Grant us grace to follow our Lord in the way of the cross. Through Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord. Amen. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

>> [laughter] >> I'm glad we didn't lose the doctor. >> [music] [singing and music] [music] >> The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. And also with you.

Let us pray together. 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. Please be seated. I invite children to visit with me for a few minutes.

And if you would bring your bring your palm with you as you come. There's plenty of extras. Good for you.

I am really glad you're here. Are you glad you're here? Yep.

That's God's word. This is a very special day and a very special reason why we're here and God is very specially wants you to know. Though we came in waving these things, and they tell me these were palm branches.

Why in the world were we waving these things? You have any idea? Do you have any idea what in the world you would do with this little thing?

It It can't even feel much air if I if I fan you with it. And it's not all that hot today, but we do it because followers of Jesus have been doing this for a couple thousand years. And the point of the first time they ever thought about doing this was that day Jesus actually came to Jerusalem on a donkey.

Well, why would you break these things off? Actually, what they did was they really didn't spend a lot of time waving them. They actually threw them on the ground.

And if you throw yours across mine, watch what happens. Yeah, just put yours on top of mine for a minute. Yep.

And by the time you put it there, I can't see the floor, can you? Nope. That's the That's the reason they broke branches like that from trees.

Well, over there where Jesus was, these things grow all around. And so it was easy to run over to the side, break them off, bring them in, and throw them on the ground. Now, why in the world would they throw them on the ground?

Because someone very special, the way you show someone that they're so special is you make sure that their feet don't touch the dirt. They didn't have pavement in Jesus' day. They didn't have streets and roads.

They had dirt roads. And Jesus is coming on a donkey. So, the thing is they don't even want his donkey to put his feet or feet on the dirt road.

Well, in today's world, um you know, every now and then we have these really special occasions on TV. They're called Oscars, awards, and all those kinds of things. And you can see every now and then the thing that we call, and it really is, they roll out the red carpet.

And you literally you actually roll that thing out. So, from here to the back is this big red carpet, and everybody will take pictures, and we clap, and we we stand and all because we say, "Oh, those are special people." Well, it started a long time ago with that. The reason we did it today is not because Jesus is going to come walking riding through that door on a donkey.

That's already happened. But we want to remember that. And when we came in waving those, it was our way of saying to Jesus, "We remember the day you came into the city.

And we know why you came to that city. And we just want to show how grateful we are." When you wave that branch in worship, when you take it home with you, it's just one more reminder that you are a follower of Jesus, and you know why we're here today. Let's pray.

Dear God, Dear God, thank you. Thank you. You came to me You came to and to this world and to this world so very long ago so very long ago on the day you made holy on the day you made holy by your resurrection.

by your resurrection. Help me Help me always always to show you to show you my love. my love.

In Jesus' name. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Amen. Please take your your palm. You want this one?

I'm sure that broke. Good. A reading from the prophet Isaiah.

The Lord God has given me the tongue of a teacher that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word. Morning by morning he wakens, wakens my ear to listen as those who are taught. The Lord God has opened my ear and I was not rebellious.

I did not turn backward. I gave my back to those who struck me and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard. I did not hide my face from insult and spitting.

The Lord God helps me. Therefore, I have not been disgraced. Therefore, I have set my face like flint and I know that I shall not be put to shame.

He who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together.

Who are my adversaries? Let them confront me. It is the Lord God who helps me.

Who will declare me guilty? The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

We continue with the Psalm. Into your hands, oh I commend >> [singing] >> my spirit. Into your >> [singing and music] >> hands, oh I commend my spirit.

Have mercy on me, oh Lord, for I am in trouble. My eyes are consumed with sorrow, and also my throat and For my life is wasted with grief, and >> [singing] >> My strength fails because of affliction, and my bones are consumed. I am the scorn of all my enemies, a disgrace to my neighbors, a dismay to my When they see me in the street, they avoid me.

Like the dead, I am forgotten, out of mind. I am >> [singing] >> as useless as a broken [music] pot. Into your >> [music] >> hands, oh Lord, >> [music] >> I commend my spirit.

For I have heard the whispering of the crowd, fear is >> [singing] >> all around. They put [music] their heads together against me, they plot to take my [singing] life. But as for me, I have trusted in you, oh I have said, "You are [music] my God." My times >> [singing] >> are in your hand.

Rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from those who persecute me. Let your face [singing] shine upon your servant. Save me in [singing] your steadfast love.

Into your hands, oh Lord, I commend my spirit. A reading from Paul's letter to the Philippians. Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness.

And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore, God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that the name at the name of 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. The word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God. >> [music] >> The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, the 26th chapter.

Glory to you, oh Lord. One of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, "What will you give me if I betray him to you?" They paid him 30 pieces of silver. And from that moment, he began to look for an opportunity to betray him.

On the first day of unleavened bread, the disciples came to Jesus saying, "Where do you want us to make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?" He said, "Go into the city to a certain man and say to him, 'The teacher says, "My time is near. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples." So, the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover meal. When it was evening, he took his place with the 12 disciples.

And while they were eating, he said, "Truly, I tell you, one of you will betray me." And they became greatly distressed and began to say to him, one after another, "Surely not I, Lord?" He answered, "The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that one by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. It would have been better for that one not to have been born." Judas, who betrayed him, said, "Surely not I, Rabbi?" He replied, "You have said so." While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it, he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, "Take, eat.

This is my body." Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks, he gave it to them saying, "Drink from it, all of you. For this is blood of the covenant which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you I will never again drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my father's kingdom.

When they had sung the hymn they went out to the Mount of Olives. Then Jesus said to them you will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written I will strike the shepherd and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.

But after I am raised up I will go ahead of you to Galilee. Peter said to him even if all fall away because of you I will never fall away. Jesus said to him truly I tell you this very night before the crows you will deny me three times.

Peter said to him even though I must die with you I will not deny you. And so said all the disciples. The Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you Lord Christ. Please be seated. It's the Sunday before Easter again and America is at war.

Relentless devastating bombing of Iran shock and all they call it by the US and Israel has prompted Iran to respond with relentless attacks on other nations of the Middle East. We entered the sanctuary this morning waving our palm branches while that part of the world rained death and destruction on one another with bombs and missiles and drones. The White House can't seem to get the story straight on why we launched a war against Iran, said MSNBC radio commentator Zeshan Ali earlier this month.

But commanders in the field have told US soldiers it's a biblically sanctioned holy war that will trigger the end times. Freed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to mix church and state, Ali continued, "His chosen commanders are telling troops that Trump was anointed by Jesus to start a Middle East war to save Israel, to trigger Armageddon, and bring in the second coming of Jesus as predicted in the Book of Revelation. Telling American troops that they are fighting for a Christian God against a Muslim country is medieval madness, Ali concluded.

Yet again, human kind either seriously misreading holy scripture or mistakenly believing that we can force God to do what we want is guilty of great sin. It was so that day that Jesus and his disciples entered Jerusalem for the final time to begin the the week of his earthly life. A series of significant events before Jesus reached that city should have left no doubt in the minds of those closest to Jesus what was ahead for him.

Three times on the way to Jerusalem, Jesus spoke openly and clearly about what he knew was waiting for him in Jerusalem. Either they weren't paying attention or they didn't really want to hear what he had to say. Jesus told them three times, "The Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priest and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death, and they will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified.

And on the third day, he will be raised." Then, the mother of James and John appeared to ask a favor of Jesus. "When you come into your kingdom," she implored him, "let them sit, one at your right hand and one at your left." The good Jewish mother she was, like most at that time, just didn't get it. Her request led Jesus to remind them all, "The Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many." Finally, passing through Jericho, two blind men sitting by the road, hearing that it was Jesus, cried out to him, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us." "What do you want me to do for you?

Jesus asked. Lord, they replied, let our eyes be opened. The last thing someone asked of Jesus as they reached Jerusalem was, Lord, let our eyes be opened.

He gave them vision and they joined the procession into the city. Again, as we have heard earlier in Lent, the ones who can't see can see and perhaps can see what others around them can't see or won't see. That includes one of the 12, Judas Iscariot, who days later will offer to help the powers that be arrest Jesus in a secluded location away from the Passover pilgrims.

Why secluded? Because as biblical scholars Marcus Borg and John Dominic Crossan report, two very large and lethal riots took place precisely at Passover in the generations before and after 30 of the common era. And so at each Passover, the Roman governor, Pilate in the time of Jesus, rode up to Jerusalem from the imperial capital Caesarea on the coast at the head of a large cohort of imperial cavalry and troops to reinforce the Roman garrison in Jerusalem as a deterrent against and a preparation for any possible trouble.

Pilate entered the city arriving from the west symbolized and actualized Roman imperial power. Jesus entered the city from the east in another procession. A counter procession as it was.

And whereas Pilate rode into the city on a mighty warhorse Jesus entered the city on the donkey. Why Judas? Was it this display of the dramatic contrast between this world's drive for power and domination and control and Jesus' mission to redeem this world?

Between the shock and the awe with which Pax Romana, Roman peace, conquered and ruled the world of that day. And Jesus the son of man who came as he said not to be served but to give his life as a ransom. There's no way to know with certainty why Judas did what he did.

He did it for 30 pieces of silver about 4 months wages. But I've always believed he did it out of the same misunderstanding of Jesus, his message, his ministry, and his mission that we hear right now coming out of the war with Iran. With Turning Point with other para-religious organizations today.

If God seems slow or insists on acting in ways I don't want God to act, I'll take matters into my own hands and I'll make it happen. I'll take America back for God. I'll bring about the final cataclysmic battle at Armageddon described in the book of Revelation.

If Jesus won't assert himself as the warrior Messiah we're expecting and lead that revolt against our enemies, I'll force God to act by delivering Jesus into the hands of his enemies. For whatever reason he did, Judas delivered Jesus into the hands of those who were intent on killing him. But Good Friday didn't turn out like Judas expected.

It ended as God almighty and Jesus Christ intended and it has always been that way. Misreading Holy Scripture, refusing to take Jesus seriously with his teaching, with his ministry, with his mission, refusing to be the disciples Jesus forms for the kingdom of God and continuing to believe that we humans can make the Lord God into the image we want and bless what we do has never worked. But please don't assume that we're the first to try to make God into our own image and act as though God is at our beck and call.

It was already a challenge 30 years after Easter. This administration today didn't invent shock and awe. Rome did.

But nations, one after the other throughout history, have embraced and envied the images of power and domination and control of the Roman Empire. A little congregation in the Roman out colony of Philippi struggled to reject the prevailing notions of imperial power of their day. And they struggled struggled to live faithfully and act accordingly in the way Jesus taught.

Paul established that community of believers early in his missionary travels. It was his first congregation in Europe. The little congregation continued supporting and encouraging Paul as he took the good news of God's saving love in Jesus Christ deeper into Europe.

The bond between the pastor developer and the congregation grew stronger and stronger through the years. Paul's letter to the church at Philippi was written from his imprisonment in Rome. And most scholars believe the deep love and affection that flows all through that letter is an indication that Paul knew his time of execution was drawing near.

It may very well have been his farewell letter. To a small community of believers in the Lord Jesus Christ trying to be faithful, surrounded by a culture of power and domination and control. Then and now, Paul urges all of us, "Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus." In ways this sinful world has never really embraced, set aside divine power to come among us, to show us God's ways of redeeming this fallen world.

Hymn writer Ernest Shurtleff got it. He embraced the teachings of Jesus. The life he saw in Jesus, and he framed his belief into that moving hymn, "Lead On, O King Eternal." The second stanza's ending is the counterintuitive message of Palm and Passion Sunday.

Not with swords loud clashing, nor roll of stirring drum, but deeds of love and mercy the heavenly kingdom comes. Don't be misled by the messages and the actions you hear and you see from those today who call themselves Christian. Today, as we enter with Jesus into the last week of his earthly life, listen instead to the words of Saint Paul to a community of believers who, like Grace, seek to be faithful to the teachings of Jesus, to the way of Jesus, to the mission and the ministry of Jesus.

In a world, once again, gripped by war, that embraces power and domination over mercy and grace. Paul declares God exalted Jesus and gave him the name that is above every name so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow in 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. Yes, indeed, folks Jesus Christ is Lord.

That's the eternal truth that this day proclaims. Thanks be to God. Lamb of God most holy Thou art the Lamb of God >> [singing and music] >> to walk upon this beauty's lawn and to become the Lamb of >> [music] >> O Lamb of sweet [music] Lamb of God I love the holy Lamb of God O wash me in your precious blood.

>> [music] [singing and music] [music] [singing] [music] [singing] >> With the whole church, let us confess our faith using the words of 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, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Reconciled by God's mercy and sustained by God's presence, let us pray for the world and its needs. O God, you announce words of grace and truth. Give wisdom to all preachers in your church both globally and locally.

Open our hearts to encounter the infinite life you offer in Jesus. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

You hold the whole universe. Gather sun and moon, clouds and stars, lands and sea, and plants and animals around the cross, so that all creation bears witness to your saving love. Hear us, O God.

Your mercy is great. Your power is sure. Destroy iniquity and division in every place and build your beloved community among all people.

Guide judges, attorneys, and juries so that they act with justness and fairness. Hear us, oh God. Your mercy is great.

Your heart breaks open at our pain. Send healing and vindication to all who, like Jesus, know the sting of betrayal, denial, abuse, or false accusations. Be with those experiencing pain or loss this day.

Especially those whom we lift before you now, whether silently or aloud. Hear us, oh God. Your mercy is great.

Your ways show compassion. Let this same mind be in us as we enter Holy Week. Bless those here who will lead worship and tell the story of Jesus' death and resurrection.

Hear us, oh God. Your mercy is great. Oh God, your embrace is eternal.

Praise and thanks to you for all the faithful departed who rest in your mercy. Deliver us all from death's power and raise us to life in you. Hear us, oh God.

Your mercy is great. Receive our prayers, oh God, through Jesus Christ, our strength and salvation. Amen.

The peace of the Lord be with you always. And also with you. >> [bell] >> Mhm.

>> [bell] [bell] [music] >> Mhm. >> [applause] >> Let us pray together. Oh God, maker of heaven and earth, your steadfast love and grace is all creation.

You send rain and sunshine to nourish the earth and bring forth its bounty. Through these gifts of bread and wine, draw us into the death and life of your son, who calls us to bear witness to his saving work. We ask this in Jesus' name.

Amen. The Lord be with you. And also with you.

Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give our thanks and praise. 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, Lord God of hosts, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is the one who comes in the name >> [music] >> of the Lord. Hosanna, hosanna >> [singing] >> in the Hosanna, hosanna in Holy, and merciful Lord, heaven and earth are full of your glory. In great love you sent to us Jesus, your Son, who reached out to heal the sick and suffering, who preached the good news to the poor, and who on the cross opened his arms to all.

In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord When took bread, gave thanks, broke it, and gave it for all to say, "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 as often as you drink it in remembrance of me. Remembering, therefore, his death, resurrection, and ascension, we await his coming, oh Lord. Pour out upon us the spirit of your love, oh Lord, and unite the wills of all who share this heavenly food.

The body and blood of Jesus Christ, our Lord. To whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be all honor and glory now and forever. Amen.

Lord, remember us in your kingdom and teach us to pray. Our 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. Come to the table. Taste and see God's goodness and Thanks be God.

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world. Have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the >> [singing] >> sin of the world.

Have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world. Grant us peace.

Lamb of God, Lamb of God, Lamb of God, Lamb of God, Lamb of God, Lamb of God, >> [music] >> Lamb of God, Lamb of God, Lamb of God, Lamb of God, Lamb of God, Lamb of God, Lamb of God, >> I am the I am the I am the >> [music] >> I am the >> [music] >> I am the >> Were you there when they nailed him to the tree? >> [music] >> Oh. Sometimes it causes me to tremble.

Tremble. Were you there when they Were you there when they Were you there when they Oh. Sometimes it causes me to tremble.

Tremble. Were you there when they Were you there when the Were you there when the Oh. sometimes it causes me to tremble.

Tremble. Tremble. Were you there when the sun refused to shine?

Were you there? Were you there when >> [music] >> they laid him in the tomb? Were you there?

Were you there when they laid him in the Were you there? Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble. Tremble.

Tremble. Were you there when they laid him Were you there when they crucified my Lord? Were you there?

Were you there when they crucified >> [singing] >> my Lord? Were you there? Oh, sometimes Times it me to to tremble.

Tremble. Tremble. Were you there when they crucified my Lord?

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. And keep you in his grace. Amen.

Let us pray together. God of our salvation, we give you thanks for this meal that restores our souls, reconciles us to you, and strengthens us for the journey. Through the body and blood of your son, may we become Christ's body in the world, bearing witness to your love for all creation, through Jesus Christ, our savior and Lord.

Amen. Receive the blessing of the Holy Spirit. God, who calls all things into existence, Jesus Christ, who redeems us, and the Holy Spirit, whose breath sustains creation, bless you now and forever.

Amen. >> [music and singing] >> Please be seated for the announcements. First of all, we'd like to welcome all of our guests here today.

We're so glad you came out and joined us on this Palm Sunday celebration. We'd also like to thank you all for your um generous gifts. We appreciate every every donation to our congregation.

We thank everyone who helped prepare and participated in our Lenten Wednesday soup dinners and services. Especially, we are thankful for the singers and madrigals of New of Newberry College who joined us for dinner and gave us a beautiful performance afterwards, as well as for all those who helped host them and fed us all with 21 pots of soup. Heavens.

>> [laughter] >> In today's Palm Sunday service, we enter into Holy Week with worship, then lunch at 12:30 in the fellowship hall, followed by an Easter egg hunt in the garden and parking lot. All are invited to join us, kids of all ages, even the older ones. Maundy Thursday services on April 2nd are at 12:00 noon and 7:00 p.m.

Good Friday services are on April 3rd are also at 12:00 noon and 7:00 p.m. Pastors Setzler and Hahn are leading the abbreviated noon services here at Grace for those who aren't able to attend the evening worship at Grace or at our sister congregation Epiphany Lutheran down the street. Next Sunday, April 5th, we celebrate Easter together with services at 8:30 and 11:00 a.m.

with an Easter brunch in between the two services. Please remember to bring your flowers from your yard or the store to help decorate our Easter cross. It's a really beautiful tradition out there.

In addition, we still need worship assistants for Holy Week and Easter. Please sign up if you are able. We need your help.

Now, let us speak our mission statement together. We share God's grace by welcoming all people, growing together in faith, and joining God's work in our community. You may remain seated for our handbell postlude.

We are sent in peace to care for others as God cares for us. Thanks be to God. Thank you.

It was in the draft and I have no idea what happened. >> [bell] [bell] [bell] [bell] [music] [bell] [applause] >> Hey.