April Monthly Mission - Crossfire Ministries
God is always the center of all that we do and we give Him all the honor and glory.  I would like to share with you some of the things that God is doing at Crossfire.  We continue to grow by 20 to 30 new families each day.  With the grocery prices rising, I do not see the need decreasing, but only rising in the next few years.  22,077 unique individuals received services in 2024.  We just passed the 15,000 families registered in our data base.  In 2024, we distributed 3,692,426 pounds of food, gave away 4860 Bibles.  And $414,528 in credits were used in our Thrift Store.  To help us accomplish all of this, we recorded 106,222 volunteer hours.  We average more than 80 on-site volunteers each day, including grocery service, processing, drivers, warehouse, intake, office, carts, and others.  We have volunteers join us from all walks of life—retired, homeschool groups, youth groups, community service, families.  Our parking lot overflows most days, so we are exploring all options to ease the space problem.  One thing we are currently doing is shuttling our volunteers every 15 minutes from a nearby church parking lot who have so graciously allowed us to use.
We so appreciate all the prayers and support from our churches.  We could not do it without help from the community.  Thank you Saint Paul’s, for loving us here at Crossfire. 

April 13, 2025 9:30 am Palm Sunday Worship Service

Gathering

Prelude
Cynthia Hibbetts

Palm Sunday Processional
Hosanna, Loud Hosanna
UMH #278
WORDS: Jeanette Threlfall, 1873 (Mt. 21:8-9; Mk. 11:8-10; Jn. 12:12-13)

1. Hosanna, loud hosanna,
the little children sang;
through pillared court
and temple
the lovely anthem rang.

To Jesus, who had
blessed them
close folded to his breast,
the children sang
their praises,
the simplest and the best.

2. From Olivet they followed
mid an exultant crowd,
the victor palm
branch waving,
and chanting clear and loud.

The Lord of earth
and heaven
rode on in lowly state,
nor scorned that
little children
should on his bidding wait.

3. “Hosanna in the highest!”
that ancient song we sing,
for Christ is our Redeemer,
the Lord of heaven
our King.

O may we ever praise him
with heart and
life and voice,
and in his blissful presence
eternally rejoice!

Welcome
Rev. David Petty

Moment for Missions
Crossfire Ministries
Lu Petersen

Crossing the Threshold

Over the Threshold
Rev. David Petty

Leader: Mystic St. Francis of Assisi said this: “O Divine Master, grant that I may not seek to be consoled, as to console. To be understood, as to understand. To be loved, as to love. For it is in giving that we receive. It is in pardoning that we are pardoned. It is in dying that we are born to eternal life.”

As we approach the end of Lent and the beginning of Holy Week, we give thanks for a rich season of awe-filled practices. We have explored what it is to be “purveyors of awe”–those who advocate for more Beauty, Wonder, Meaning, Curiosity, Delight, and Connection. Today we discover that all of these elements lead not just to more “happiness,” but actually to self-less desire to contribute to making the world a better place.

Sung:
Open my eyes that I may see
glimpses of truth thou hast for me.
Place in my hands the wonderful key
that shall unclasp and set me free.
Silently now I wait for thee,
ready, my God, thy will to see.
Open my eyes, illumine me,
Spirit divine!

As we approach the end of Lent and the beginning of Holy Week, we give thanks for a rich season of awe-filled practices. We have explored what it is to be “purveyors of awe”–those who advocate for more Beauty, Wonder, Meaning, Curiosity, Delight, and Connection. Today we discover that all of these elements lead not just to more “happiness,” but actually to self-less desire to contribute to making the world a better place.

Sung:
Open the eyes of my heart, Lord
Open the eyes of my heart,
I want to see you
I want to see you

A sense of awe can include witnessing acts of “moral beauty.” Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem was such an act as he continued his ministry of lifting up the cause of the lowly and advocating for the power of peace and justice. Research shows that when we witness with awe others’ kindness, courage, strength, and overcoming, we are more likely to feel inspired to give ourselves in service of the good. We become more self-giving, more ready to lend a helping hand or commit energy to making the world a better place. Let us rise in body and/or spirit and pray:

People: Awe-inspiring God,
we come together this day because we need to be reminded
to see through the lens of self-giving.
Too often, we think that life will be better if we just “get” more,
but you show us just the opposite–the awe-filled experience of giving more.
Open us to perceive anew.
Inspire us to receive the opportunities to give with awe.
Forgive us when we turn our back on parades of justice,
paths of grace, roads of mercy.
Be with us on this journey
as we seek again to marvel at your works.
 
Sung:
Silently now I wait for thee,
ready, my God, thy will to see.
Open my eyes, illumine me,
Spirit divine!

We can give ourselves to the cause at any moment and join the journey of Jesus. God forgives us. Jesus embraces us. The Spirit enlivens us. We are whole. With awe, we accept this belovedness. And all God’s people say, “Amen.”

*Greet Your Neighbor – Passing the Peace of Christ

Mystery Box

*Opening Hymn
Lift Up Your Heads Ye Mighty Gates
UMH #213
WORDS: Georg Weissel, 1642; trans. by Catherine Winkworth, 1855 (Ps. 24)

1. Lift up your heads,
ye mighty gates;
behold the King
of glory waits;

the King of kings
is drawing near;
the Savior of
the world is here!

2. Fling wide the portals
of your heart;
make it a temple
set apart

from earthly use
for heaven’s employ,
adorned with prayer
and love and joy.

3. Redeemer, come,
with us abide;
our hearts to thee
we open wide;

let us thy inner
presence feel;
thy grace and love
in us reveal.

4. Thy Holy Spirit
lead us on
until our glorious
goal is won;

eternal praise,
eternal fame
be offered, Savior,
to thy name!

A Word of Inspiration

Contemporary Reading
Rev. Sylvia Edwards

Reader: Our first reading is a contemporary one–an excerpt from Adam Hoffman, in an
article called “How Awe Makes Us Generous” in the Greater Good Magazine:
“In a study, participants consistently reported that awe produced ‘a reduced sense of
self importance relative to something larger and more powerful that they felt connected
to…’ And subsequent analysis confirmed that this feeling of the ‘small self’ was
responsible for their ethical behavior… experiencing awe prompts people to help
others.”

Ancient Reading
Excerpt from Psalm 118

Reader: The biblical poets that we have heard in this “season of awe”–this season of
Lent–have been quick to recognize and praise the mighty works of God, especially in
deliverance from distress. A righteous and merciful God is the motivation for the
people’s own acts of justice and mercy. Hear the poet’s words, which becomes the
liturgy of the procession of Jesus as the people cried “Hosanna!” which means, “save
us.”

This is the day YHWH has made—
let us celebrate with joy!
Please, YHWH, please save us!
Please, YHWH, give us prosperity now!
Blessings on the one who comes in the name of YHWH!
we bless you from YHWH’s temple!
YHWH is God
and God has enlightened us.
Join the festal procession!
with palm fronds in hand,
go up to the horns of the altar!

Approaching an Awesome God
Rev. David Petty

Video

Holy and Living God, we approach this time of prayer with wonder at your world. With all
our senses, we open to you.

Give us lenses of awe with which to perceive and love others as you perceive and love
us. We imagine in our mind’s eye now the people in our lives, the people of our
communities, and the people of our world. Each of them is beloved by you, and this
alone creates awe in us. We especially lift up those who need our prayers in this
moment…For all these people and those we name in our hearts,

People: Hear our prayer, Awesome God.

Give us lenses of awe with which to perceive and love your creation as you perceive
and love it. Each blossom, each sunrise, each unfurling fern reminds us that new life is
possible. You are making all things new all around us. Help us to care for the nature
around us. This week, we name…For all these places, creatures, and lifeforms, and those we name in our hearts,

People: Hear our prayer, Awesome God.

Give us lenses of awe with which to perceive and love life as you perceive and love the
life you have given us. Open us to the wonders around us–the art-fullness of each
encounter, each moment, as a possibility for amazement waiting to happen. Slow us
down in this season of Lent so that we might savor anew the gift of life. We pause in this
silence, setting intentions of awe for the week ahead.

Silent Prayer, The Lord’s Prayer

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

Prayer for Illumination

Leader: May the words of my mouth,
People: and the meditations of all of our hearts
All: be acceptable in your sight, O Lord our rock and our redeemer.
Psalm 19:14

Message
Self-Giving
Rev. David Petty

Giving Back

Invitation to Offering
Rev. Sylvia Edwards

Offertory
Sanctuary Choir

Prayer of Thanksgiving
Rev. David Petty

Doxology
Praise God from Who 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!

*Closing Hymn
When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
UMH #298
WORDS: Isaac Watts, 1707 (Gal. 6:14)

1. When I survey
the wondrous cross
on which the
Prince of Glory died,

my richest gain,
I count but loss,
and pour contempt
on all my pride.

2. Forbid it, Lord,
that I should boast,
save in the death
of Christ, my God;

all the vain things
that charm me most,
I sacrifice them
to his blood.

3. See, from his head,
his hands, his feet,
sorrow and love
flow mingled down.

Did e’er such love
and sorrow meet,
or thorns compose
so rich a crown?

4. Were the whole realm
of nature mine,
that were an offering
far too small;

love so amazing,
so divine,
demands my soul,
my life, my all.

*Benediction
Rev. David Petty

And now may you go forth
remembering St. Francis’ words:
“For it is in giving that we receive.
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned.
It is in dying that we are born to eternal life.”
Be a purveyor of awe this week.
Look for the pain in the world and offer yourself in the ways you can,
and invite Christ to live and breathe new life in you.
May the Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer of Awe,
the Holy One-in-Three,
be with you now and throughout these days,
Amen.

Postlude
Cynthia Hibbetts