The United Methodist Committee on Relief is one of the “best things Methodists do,” according to many people around the world. UMCOR is known for its quick and effective response to natural disasters in every part of the globe. I have personally been on mission trips where UMCOR is present to help with the cleanup, planning, and recovery in the aftermath of hurricanes and floods. I have seen first-hand the dedication, training, and recovery work that is possible.

When the Marshall Fire struck 1000 homes and 6000 acres in northern Colorado in December 2021, UMCOR provided immediate emergency assistance and continued restoration funding in the following year. Because UMCOR is one of the most tangible ways we, as United Methodists, live out our faith in the world, we at St. Paul's UMC have decided that 100% of our March Mission AND Easter Offering will support this incredible and essential work.

Just as the message of Easter is about restoring life after death, the work done through UMCOR helps restore people's lives after tragedy has struck. I encourage you to give generously this month to aid in the work of restoration and resurrection - here in Colorado and worldwide.

~Missions Committee

Each communion Sunday thereafter we will have a basket for those who feel called to give above and beyond their pledge. This "second-mile" giving will help fund the pastor's discretionary fund, which helps meet community needs as they arise, such as gas, lodging, clothing, etc. Feel free to bring your spare cash and change to help make a change in the lives of those in need.

Prelude
Cynthia Hibbetts

Palm Procession
All Glory Laud and Honor
UMH #280
WORDS: Theodulph of Orleans, 8-9th cent.; trans. by John Mason Neale, 1851 (Mt. 21:8-9; Mk. 11:8-10; Lk. 19:36-38; Jn. 12:12-13)
 
Refrain
All glory, laud, and honor,
to thee, Redeemer, King,
to whom the lips of children
made sweet hosannas ring.
 
1. Thou art the King
of Israel,
thou David’s royal Son,
who in the Lord’s
name comest,
the King and Blessed One.
 
Refrain
All glory, laud, and honor,
to thee, Redeemer, King,
to whom the lips of children
made sweet hosannas ring.
 
2. The company of angels
are praising
thee on high,
and we with all creation
in chorus make reply.
 
Refrain
All glory, laud, and honor,
to thee, Redeemer, King,
to whom the lips of children
made sweet hosannas ring.
 
3. The people of the Hebrews
with palms
before thee went;
our prayer and praise
and anthems
before thee we present.
 
Refrain
All glory, laud, and honor,
to thee, Redeemer, King,
to whom the lips of children
made sweet hosannas ring.
 
4. To thee, before thy passion,
they sang their
hymns of praise;
to thee, now high exalted,
our melody we raise.
 
Refrain
All glory, laud, and honor,
to thee, Redeemer, King,
to whom the lips of children
made sweet hosannas ring.
 
5. Thou didst accept
their praises;
accept the prayers we bring;
who in all good delightest,
thou good and
gracious King.
 
Refrain
All glory, laud, and honor,
to thee, Redeemer, King,
to whom the lips of children
made sweet hosannas ring.
 
Welcome
Pastor Donnie Sturgill

Threshold Moment
Pastor Donnie Sturgill

Leader: We stand at the precipice of Lent and Holy Week. This day moves from shouting and praising to a time of crying and lament. The drama of the story of Jesus’ last week reads like the book of our lives. Feeling hopeful one moment, we plummet the next as we deal with disappointment, danger, and grief. God’s incarnation on earth was not immune from this roller-coaster we call life. One thing we know, when the going gets rough, the last thing on our minds is climbing the ladder of self-improvement. We just want to survive, to be comforted, to have our pain known and embraced. And so we turn from the isolation of perfection and turn toward deep love. It is never too late to nurture the garden of relationships, for we are all a group project.

Threshold Song
Dominick Nors

What in our lives
do we dream about
for tomorrow,
void of sorrow?

Time spent regretting
decisions of our yesterdays,
mistakes we made?
Sometimes we get what we get,
life disappoints us and yet,

God is still here
and somehow,
this faith is good enough.
[repeat]

*Calling on God Prayer
Rev. Sylvia Edwards

Leader: Let us pray together:

Holy One, God of Goodness,
we call out to you at the Gates of Righteousness,
sometimes in praise, sometimes in distress–sometimes both at once.
We long to be in your house in the presence of beloveds,
binding the festal procession with branches.
Open us this day to your love
in and through the webs of our relationships–
and in the simple and good enough moments that fill our days.
Amen.

*Opening Hymn
Lord What A Parade
 
Lord, what a parade! The crowd quickly grew; What noise they all made in welcoming you. "Hosanna!" they shouted. "It's David's own son! Hosanna! Come save us! God's reign has begun!"
They welcomed you in, a conquering king,
Yet what kind of reign would you really bring? It wasn't a war horse you rode on that day; A creature of peace carried you on your way.

Did those in that crowd expect something more Than one who reached out in love to the poor? Did they think a savior with armies was best, Or did they remember: the peaceful are blessed?

Lord Jesus, it's true — we give you glad praise, Yet living for you will challenge our ways. So may we be open and welcome your reign. Hosanna! Come save us! Renew us again!
 
 *Passing the Peace of Christ
 
 Mystery Box
 Pastor Donnie Sturgill

Honest Questions, Compassionate response
Rev. Sylvia Edwards
 
Leader: Jesus orchestrated a low-budget parade into a city where he knew his days were numbered. “Get me a colt,” he said. Not a steed. Not a float. A young, green donkey (not the color, that’s horse-speak for not-ridden-alot-yet). And folks gathered and his friends started some liturgical shouting that ticked off the local priests. Life is hard and we all need friends and sometimes big, loud, praying that will not be messed with. We are created for interdependence. So all our hiding and pretending that we are “perfectly fine” all on our own just won’t work. Get on the donkey when you need to and let people lay down their cloaks for you and make some noise for you. ‘Cause you know you’ll do it for them too when the chips are down. What keeps you from connectedness with others? Let us take a moment of silent reflection…

Silent Reflection

Leader: Hear this compassionate word from the Letter to the Philippians: “Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus…”
Know that already, God is offering us freedom from isolation
as we are called into the kind of community Christ had in mind for all.
We are invited to the audacity of interdependence
so that we might recognize love in its giving and receiving.
And know, that despite our sometimes faltering steps,
in the name of Jesus Christ, you are being forgiven, even now.
 
People: In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven. Glory to God! Amen.

Gospel Reading
Luke 19:28-40
Rev. Sylvia Edwards

After [Jesus] had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 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.”
A Word of God that is still speaking,
People: Thanks be to God.

Message
We are a Group Project
Pastor Donnie Sturgill

Prayer of the People

(Sung)
Though all along
our daily pilgrim race
our treasures small
and very few may be,
our souls are blest
with God’s unending grace,
and that is enough, enough for me.

Oh, that’s enough for me,
God’s truth has
set me free;
the love of Christ
has sanctified my soul,
and that is enough for me.

Rev. Sylvia Edwards: We are about to make a turn into Holy Week. As we do, we remember the suffering of that week is not simply located in the time and place of Jesus. Suffering continues. Oppression is not eradicated. There are lonely, scared, hungry, homeless and despairing loved ones that are part of the “group project” that is humanity. And so we enter a time of prayer that parades of protest will turn one day to parades of joy.
 
(Sung)
When food and raiment
are not ever sure,
and simple fare
is hard to get for some,
we work to share our
goods with one and all,
and that is enough, enough for me.
 
Oh, that’s enough for me,
God’s truth
has set me free;
a love like Christ’s
is meant for ev’ry soul,
and that is enough for me.
 
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 trespasses,
as we forgive those
who trespass 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

Invitation to Offering
Rev. Sylvia Edwards

Offertory
When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
Arr. Gilbert Martin
Sanctuary Choir
 
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Pastor Donnie Sturgill

Generous God, in light of your extravagant blessings–no matter what the state of the world or our imperfect lives–we offer our gifts and ourselves, and know that you transform what we plant into the produce of love.
Amen.

Doxology
Praise God from Whom all Blessings Flow
UMH #94
 
Praise God, from whom
all blessings flow; 
Praise God, all creatures 
here below: Alleluia! Alleluia! 
 
Praise God, the source 
of all our gifts! 
Praise Jesus Christ, 
whose power uplifts! 
 
Praise the Spirit, 
Holy Spirit! 
Alleluia! Alleluia! 
Alleluia!

A Blessing for When You Feel Lonely
Pastor Donnie Sturgill

“Blessed are we who cry out, ‘God, I need a friend to share the simple unaffected joys that come, the troubles unbidden, those too heavy to sustain…’ Blessed are we, opening our hands in readiness, to risk intimacy, to receive the gift of friendship, and give it in return.”

Closing Hymn
Stand By Me
UMH #512
WORDS: Charles Albert Tindley, ca. 1906
 (Mt. 8:23-27; Mk. 4:35-41; Lk. 8:22-25)
 
1. When the storms
of life are raging,
stand by me; (stand by me)
when the storms
of life are raging,
stand by me; (stand by me)
 
When the world
is tossing me,
like a ship upon the sea,
thou who rulest
wind and water,
stand by me. (stand by me)
 
2. In the midst
of tribulation,
stand by me; (stand by me)
 in the midst
of tribulation,
stand by me; (stand by me)
 
When the host
of hell assail,
and my strength begins to fail,
thou who never
lost a battle,
stand by me. (stand by me)
 
3. In the midst
of faults and failures,
stand by me; (stand by me)
 in the midst
 of faults and failures,
stand by me; (stand by me)
 
When I’ve done
the best I can,
and my friends misunderstand,
thou who knowest
all about me,
stand by me. (stand by me)
 
4. In the midst
of persecution,
stand by me; (stand by me)
 in the midst
of persecution,
stand by me; (stand by me)
 
When my foes
in war array
undertake to stop my way,
thou who saved
Paul and Silas,
stand by me. (stand by me)
 
5. When I’m growing
old and feeble,
stand by me; (stand by me)
 when I’m growing
old and feeble,
stand by me; (stand by me)
 
When my life
becomes a burden,
and I’m nearing
chilly Jordan,
O thou Lily of the Valley,
stand by me. (stand by me)

Benediction & Blessing for the Potluck meal
 
And now, may the God who loves all of creation, especially the lonely bits, and Jesus,
our companion along this crooked path called life, and the Holy Spirit, who loves to improvise in surprising ways, go with you, dwell among you, and give you joy. Amen.

Sung
God is still here and somehow, this faith is good enough.

Postlude
Cynthia Hibbetts