Southminster Presbyterian Church
Palm/Passion Sunday April 13, 2025
Order of Worship 10:30 am Hybrid/Zoom Worship
Liturgical Color Today is Purple
*All who are able, please stand
Welcome Grace Nguhmbi
Sharing the Peace of Christ
Leader: The Peace of Christ be with you.
People: And also with you.
Introit “Sing Hallelujah” (to the Lord) Linda S. Benjamin
THE GATHERING OF GOD’S PEOPLE
Call to Worship
Leader: We come to this place because we want to know God,
People: who helps us set aside the past, to walk the path to new life.
Leader; We come in these moments because we want to know Jesus,
People: who anoints us with the resurrection, who shares our lives with us.
Leader: We come with these people because we want to know the Spirit,
People: who shapes us for life with God, so we may praise God forever!
Hymn of Praise “All Glory, Laud, and Honor” Page 196
Call to Reconciliation
Wearied by our poor choices, word down by our foolish words, we struggle to be faithful followers of Jesus. Yet, it is precisely in such moments that God comes, with that love which never gives up, that grace which is always offered freely to us. So, let us come with our prayers, to the gate of God’s heart, so we may enter forgiveness and life anew. Let us pray in unison the prayer of confession, saying,
Prayer of Confession (Unison)
God of constant love, we are so busy thinking about ourselves that we cannot begin to ponder what was in Jesus’ mind. We shout for joy on a day like this, smiling as we wave our palms, yet quickly toss them aside as we go out into the world. We harden our faces, not in discipleship, but to turn away those who come looking for help from us.
Yet, because he was fully human like us, God of unfailing compassion, we too can be more like Jesus. So, as we begin our journey through Holy Week and beyond, may we choose humility over pride, weakness over strength, compassion over bully, and seek to do whatever we are called to do, without any promise of reward. We pray this in the name of our Teacher, Jesus. Amen.
Silence is kept
Assurance of Pardon
God dares us to think like Jesus, knowing that if we do, we will discover the gifts we can offer, the words of hope we can share, the grace we can use to bless those around us.
God hears our prayers, listens to our hearts, fills us with forgiveness, and walks with us in these moments and in all the ones to come. Thanks be to God for such incredible mercy! Amen.
*Gloria Patri Page 581
Anthem “Palms” Hall-Mack
THE WORD FOR GOD’S PEOPLE
A Time with Children
Prayer for Illumination
Gracious God, we do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from your mouth. Make us hungry for this heavenly food, that it may nourish us today in the ways of eternal life; through Jesus Christ, the bread of heaven. Amen.
First Reading Philippians 2:5
Second Reading Luke 22:14-23
Hymn of Inspiration “Will You Let Me Be Your Servant” Page 727
Sermon Rev. Nancy Neal
CELEBRATION OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
Invitation to the Table
The Great Prayer of Thanksgiving
May the God who gives us everything we need be with you.
May God be with you, so you lack nothing.
Let us empty ourselves of the shadows within.
May God fill our empty hearts with the light of love.
Trust in God in these moments, for God is with us.
We come to the One who saves us with love.
Words of Institution
Sharing of the Lord’s Supper
(Hold the bread and wine until all are served, then partake together to symbolize our unity in Christ. The outer ring of the wine tray is fermented wine; the inner cups, plain juice.)
Prayer After Communion
In life and in death we belong to God. Through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, we trust in the one triune God, the Holy One of Israel, whom alone we worship and serve. With believers in every time and place we rejoice that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Amen.
THE GRATEFUL RESPONSE OF GOD’S PEOPLE
Announcements
Invitation to Prayer Christian Women/Men’s Fellowship
Sharing of Joys and Concerns
Prayers of the People and the Lords’s Prayer
Our Father who are 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 and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.
Choral Response “To You Alone” Ruth & Fred Coleman
Invitation to Offering
Offering
*Doxology Page 606
Prayer of Dedication
As we offer our gifts, may we have the same mind as Christ, remembering those who have so little, thinking of all the ways we can serve, trusting completely in your love and grace, Holy God. We pray this in the name of our Brother, Jesus. Amen.
THE SENDING OF GOD’S PEOPLE
*Closing Hymn/Recession “What Wondrous Love Is This” Page 215
*Charge and Benediction
Leader: Let us leave with silence as our companion,
People: so we may hear the whispers of all who have been forgotten, except by God.
Leader: Let us leave with service as our teacher,
People: so we learn the art of compassion from Jesus, to bring healing and hope to everyone we meet.
Leader: Let us leave with surprise as our guide.
People: so we may be open to the promises the Spirit speaks in the moment of our utter grief and loss.
Choral Prayer “Freely, Freely” Carol Owens
SOUTHMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
7801 Livingston Road Oxon Hill, MD 20745
Phone: 301 567-1510
E-mail Address: Southminster @verizon.net
Webpage: www.Southminstermd.org
Pulpit Supply: Rev Nancy Neal
Choir Director: Gail Tyler
Organist: Alberta Stith
Administrative Assistant: Lori Weaver
Pulpit Assistant: Grace Nguhmbi
April 13th through April 19th 2025
TODAY 10:30 am WORSHIP SERVICE
MONDAY Church Office Closed
TUESDAY Church Office Open 8:30 am – 1:00 pm
WEDNESDAY Church Office Open 8:30 am – 1:00 pm
Bible Study, led by Gwen Driggins
10:30 am – 11:30 am
THURSDAY Church Office Open 8:30 am – 1:00 pm
FRIDAY Church Office Open 8:30 am – 1:00 pm
SATURDAY Church Office Closed
The bulletin can also be found on the church website.
Moderator. Rev. Nancy Neal.
Clerk of Session – Don White
Session Elders:
Class of 2026 – Julius Njabebuh, Kudi Njembu, Frida Fru.
Class of 2027– Jennifer Driggins, Janis McGeehan, Theresia Njembu.
Class of 2028 – Kicheko Driggins, Gregory Nguhmbi, Anna Tendongfack.
Welcome! We are blessed by your presence with us today. We give a special welcome to our visitors. Southminster is committed to growing in faith and being a blessing to our neighbors. We thank God for our diversity of race, theological views, and personal background. We invite you to visit with us during the fellowship time after worship and to worship with us again. If you have questions about our ministry, speak with a worship leader. Please send us your email and telephone number if you have questions about us and may want to join us in worship at some time. We offer you blessings in the name of the Lord. To join us for worship online each Sunday, you may join from your computer, tablet, or smartphone. Please invite others. The link to church worship services can be found on the Church website at the following URL http://southminstermd.org/worship.
Prayers: We continue to pray for our homebound member.
Upcoming Events
Southminster Spring Clean-Up Date: Saturday, April 19, 2025, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm. Please come and wear your jeans. Help us spruce up Southminster. Lunch and refreshments will be provided.
Oxon Hill Elementary Family Market
The school has a grant that provides enough food for 100 families from the Capital Area Food Bank. If you are interested in volunteering to help sort the food and distribute it once a month, please let Janis McGeehan know. All adult volunteers will need a background check if you plan to volunteer more than once. Teens are welcome and will receive Community Service Credits. The food is sorted from 2-4 pm and distributed from 4-5 pm. You may assist all or part of that time. The school system website has directions for how to apply. The fee is $61 payable by the volunteer.
Thank you to our dedicated volunteers who helped during the 2023-24 school year! The dates for this year are every 3rd Tuesday of each month. Apil 15, May 20, June 17.
Oxon Hill Food Pantry- The pantry continues to need volunteers to help sort and distribute food. Please continue to bring canned goods, cereal, peanut butter, jelly, pasta, soups, spaghetti sauce, or other shelf stable foods to Southminster any Sunday. Speak to Janis McGeehan to volunteer. Thank you for your continued support to help provide food to our local community.
The One Great Hour of Sharing special offering will be collected March 2nd through April 27th. There will be special envelopes on the back table and on the hallway table. Children will be given a fish offering box in their Sunday School class and are encouraged to put their offerings in it. This offering supports the PCUSA to provide relief from natural disasters, food for the hungry, and support for the poor and oppressed in our country and around the world. Southminster donated $571 in 2024.
Flower Fund needs replenishment. Please see Nurture Division.
Special Offering Dates-
Higher Education Scholarship Fund (February through June)
One Great Hour of Sharing for PCUSA (March 2 – April 27)