Gathering Music (Mary Bopp)
Welcome (Rev. Josh Pawelek)
Centering
Prelude
"Ride On, Ride On in Majesty"
by John Bacchus Dykes; arr. by Mary Bopp
Chalice Lighting and Opening Words
Zechariah 9:9
Opening Hymn
"Hosanna, Loud Hosanna"
Words by Jennette Threlfal (v. 1,2); John Howard Lathrop (v. 3)
Music from X.L. Hartig's Vollstandige Sammlung, c. 1833
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.
From Olivet they followed, mid an exultant crowd,
the victory palm branch waving, and chatting clear and loud.
The Lord of earth and heaven, rode on in lowly state,
nor scorned that little children, should on his bidding wait.
O first of many prophets who come of simple folk
to free us from our bondage, to break oppression's yoke:
restore our minds to wisdom, make known the life, the way
that leads through love and justice unto the peace-crowned day.
Silence
Meditation
Matthew 21: 1-11
Musical Meditation
Joys and Concerns
Musical Interlude
Offering
The recipient of our March community outreach offering is Moral Monday CT, a statewide coalition of individuals and organizations, rooted in the social justice and civil rights movements. Based in Hartford, Moral Monday CT gathers voices in the struggle for freedom and justice for black and brown people. Their areas of focus, activism and social change work include police accountability, voting rights, and workers rights. Moral Monday CT was founded by Bishop John Selders and Lady Pamela Selders. I'd also like to point out that Moral Monday is the home of CT Black Women, a coalition of Black women of conscience working together in supporting and building ourselves and our community through activism, advocacy, education and creativity. Given that March is also women's history month, I will ask that this month's collection go specifically to the work of CT Black Women.
Musical Offering
"All You Fascists"
by Woody Guthrie
performed by Pat Eaton-Robb and Dan Thompson
Sermon
"On Donkeys, Palms, and Money-Changers: A Meditation for Palm Sunday"
Rev. Josh Pawelek
Closing Hymn
#276 "O Young and Fearless Prophet"
Words by S. Ralph Harlow
Music by William Lloyd
O young and fearless Prophet of ancient Galilee:
your life is still a summons to serve humanity,
to make our thoughts and actions less prone to please the crowd,
to stand with humble courage for truth with hearts unbowed.
O help us stand unswerving against war's bloody way,
where hate and lust and falsehood hold back your holy sway;
forbid false love of country, that turns us from your call
who lifts above the nation the neighborhood of all.
Create in us the splendor that dawns when hearts are kind,
that knows not race nor station as bound'ries of the mind;
that learns to value beauty in heart, or mind, or soul,
and longs to see God's children as sacred, perfect, whole.
Stir up in us a protest against unneeded wealth;
for some go starved and hungry who plead for work and health.
Once more give us your challenge above our noisy day,
and come to lead us forward along your holy way.
Extinguishing the Chalice
Closing Circle
May faith in the spirit of life
And hope for the community of Earth
And love of the light in each other
Be ours now, and in all the days to come.
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