Online Sunday Worship (April 5/Palm Sunday) Athens First UMC

Welcome to our April 5 (Palm Sunday) online worship @ Athens First UMC!

2 S. College St., Athens, OH 45701

Greeting From Pastor Robert

Call to Worship

L: Our King has come, riding on a donkey.

P: The King is here. Shout for joy!

L: Our Savior has come amid waving palms and cheers of praise.

P: The Savior is here. Shout alleluia!

L: Jesus has come, riding on a donkey.

P: Jesus is here. Shout hosanna!

L: Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord!

Hymn                          All Glory, Laud, & Honor   

Welcome & Passing the Peace

[The Lee’s family dog, Bailey is joining us for our online Palm Sunday worship today. Bailey’s mommy and daddy are also participating in our service today by reading scripture lessons. Bailey invites you to greet one another, not by rubbing noses, but by simply barking out, “Hosanna!”]

Prayer of Confession & Words of Assurance

Lord Jesus, we celebrate your entry into Jerusalem on this Palm Sunday. We wave our palm branches because you are the Messiah, the Son of the living God. This is a wonderful day but we also know that we are nearing Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. People might ask if we are one of your disciples. Give us the courage to say, “Yes.” Help us to get out of our boats of security and follow you wherever you may lead us. In your name, we pray. Amen.

L: In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven.

P: In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven.

All: Thanks be to God!

Children’s Special Music                             

[This is a recorded video of our children singing for last year’s Palm Sunday worship service. Thank you, Laura Brown for directing this song with our children!]

New Testament Lesson - Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29

                         Cathy Lee

[This Psalm is read on Palm Sunday because it refers to the Lord’s summons to “open the gates of righteousness so that he may enter” and the call for the people to “bind the festal procession with branches.” When Jesus entered the city of Jerusalem riding on a donkey with the crowds waving palm branches hailing him as King, we join the psalmist in shouting, “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!”]

Gospel Lesson - Matthew 14:22-33

                        Giles Lee

[This scripture recounts the story of when Jesus invited the disciple, Peter, who is the disciple we are focusing on today to get out of the boat and walk toward him. Even though Peter became fearful and began to sink because of the strong wind, Jesus reached out and saved him. This is a story that teaches us about faith.]

Special Music     Hosanna to the Son of David   Orlando Gibbons

                         Voices of Ascension, Dennis Kean, Conductor

[This YouTube performance is sung by the Voices of Ascension, a professional choir based in New York City. Our Athens neighbor and Director of Music at Richland Avenue UMC, Richard Crist, sang and recorded with this fine choir. Wait ‘till you see the unusual and engaging visual component in this video.]

Sermon        The Twelve Disciples of Jesus: Peter          
                                                                     Rev. Robert McDowell

Sermon Discussion Questions

When Jesus looked at Peter, he saw someone who would lead in the building of his church. What does Jesus see in us that he would trust us in building his church here on earth?

If Jesus would ask you who you think he is, how would you respond? Has your answer to that question changed over time? Be open to opportunities to invite people to offer their responses to that important question, “Who do ‘you’ say that I am.”

When has God prompted you to start anew in your faith? What is that like to know that God does not give up on us? 

When has Jesus invited you to step out of the boat to follow him? How can we encourage each other to step out of our boats and be followers of Jesus? 

Hymn             Only Trust Him           

Pastoral Prayer & The Lord’s Prayer

Church News

Offering Our Gifts

Thank you for your gifts!!!

“Riches and honor come from You, and You are the ruler of everything. Power and might are in Your hand, and it is in Your hand to make great and to give strength to all.” – 1 Chronicles 29:12

The Sacrament of Holy Communion

[Toward the end of the video, Pastor Robert will invite us to partake of the bread and the juice.]

Prayer of Thanksgiving

Eternal God, we give you thanks for this holy mystery in which you have given yourself to us. Grant that we may go into the world in the strength of your Spirit, to give ourselves for others, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Closing Hymn                     Jesus Calls Us   

Benediction

Closing Anthem  When I Survey the Wondrous Cross   arr. Gilbert Martin

                             Furman University, Hugh Floyd, conductor

Join us back here for online worship services on Maundy Thursday (April 9), Good Friday (April 10) & Easter Sunday (April 12)!

[For previous Sunday sermons, click here]