Palm Sunday
March 29, 2026 | 10:00am
Rev. Mark Poyner, Pastor | Larry J. Carey, Director of Music
Thought for Worship
“Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven! Look, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey.” — Matthew 21:9, Zechariah 9:9
GATHERING
Welcome
Prelude Shout to the Lord | Zschech
Call to Worship
Votum
Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen
Opening Statement
What will we lay down as Christ passes by?
We have no cloaks today,
but we will lay down
our hearts, our hopes, and our lives.
As the crowds in Jerusalem cried out long ago,
we echo,
Hosanna! Save us! Blessed is the One
who comes in the name of the Lord!
*Hymn of Praise Hosanna, Loud Hosanna
Call to Confession
Brothers and sisters in Christ, the Scriptures remind us that if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Trusting in God’s mercy, let us come before Him in humility and faith, and confess our sins. Let us pray:
Prayer of Confession
Gracious Lord, We confess that we are much like the crowd on that road. We wave our branches and sing our hosannas — and yet we know how quickly our praise can turn to silence, our celebration to indifference, our welcome to abandonment. Forgive us, Lord, for the times we have shouted your name and then walked away. Forgive us for the times we have called out “save us” and then refuse to trust that you would. Forgive us for choosing the comfortable parade over the difficult path of discipleship. Receive our praise today for what it truly is: the cry of people who need you, offered by hearts that are still learning to follow. Hosanna. Save us, we pray. In the name of the one who comes in the name of the Lord. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
God’s amazing grace shines down upon us. The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always accuse, nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far he removes our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion for his children, so the LORD has compassion for those who fear him.
Thanks be to God.
Summary of the Law of God
The Law of God calls us to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, and mind, to love our neighbor as ourselves, and to live this love by doing justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly with God.
*Gloria Patri
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen.
*Commitment to Peace Keeping and Peace Seeking
One: May the peace of Christ be with you!
All: And also with you!
Share a sign of peace with one another. After sharing the peace, let us all sing together:
Together, by grace, we witness and work, remembering Jesus, in whom we grow strong. Together we serve in Spirit and truth, remembering love is the strength of our song.
We Listen to God’s Word
Anthem Hosanna to the King Who Comes! | Larson
Prayer for Illumination
God of breath and Spirit, as your Word is read and proclaimed, breathe life into us again. Open our ears to hear your voice, and our hearts to receive your truth. Where we feel dry, bring renewal. Where we feel distant, draw near. By your Spirit, make your Word alive in us. Amen
First Reading Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29
*Hymn Ah, Holy Jesus
Gospel Lesson Matthew 21:1-11
Sermon: “Should I Stay or Should I Go”
*Affirmation of Faith (Nicene Creed)
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; He descended to hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there 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.
Offering Just Beyond the Palms | arr. Martin
Blessing on the Offering ...Your kingdom may come on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus 'name we pray, Amen.
*Doxology Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise him all creatures here below;
Praise him above ye heavenly hosts; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen!
Prayer of Thanksgiving and Intercession (ending with 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 debts as we forgive our debtors, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory forever. Amen.
SENDING
*Hymn Ride On, Ride On in Majesty
Benediction
Postlude Let There Be Glory, Honor and Praise | Greenelsh/Hayes
DEAR FRIENDS
Welcome to worship here at Peapack Reformed Church! If you are visiting with us, welcome! If you are a member, welcome back! Our mission is to be a congregation called by God, inspired by the Holy Spirit, and committed to being the very presence of Jesus Christ in the world. This mission is the catalyst for all that we do, and is our aim for who we want to be.
If you are visiting with us via Facebook Live and would like more information about our church, send us a message on Facebook or email office@peapackreformed.org and we will be in touch with you. Even under these odd and anxious circumstances, we would love to be your church home. Our virtual doors are always open wide and our hearts are always ready to welcome new faces into our fellowship.
FOOD PANTRY NEWS
Many thanks for all those who have shared their abundance with neighbors in need.
Our church refrigerators have plenty of space to hold even more!
Please consider making a weekly donation of eggs or milk to the P-G Food Pantry.
Peapack Reformed Church is a congregation called by God, empowered by the Holy Spirit and committed to being the very presence of Jesus Christ in the world.
CALLED • EMPOWERED • COMMITTED