Palm Sunday Bulletin and Devotion
Readings, Devotion, Prayers and Announcements for Palm Sunday, April 5, 2020, for both MLLC and Waldeck Evangelical Lutheran Church
As we are not able to meet due as usual to health and safety concerns, yet we are still finding ways to share and celebrate our faith together.
Below are the readings, prayers, and various announcements for this Sunday and this week. The Sunday devotion is at the end of the page.
Remember Your Regular Offerings
For both of our congregations, Waldeck and MLLC, please remember that our expenses continue even when we are unable to meet as usual. Please make a point to give your offerings as you would on a typical week. Here are some ideas of what to do:
For Waldeck Evangelical Lutheran Church in Ledbetter:
– send your offering by mail to the church office – Waldeck Evangelical Lutheran Church; 6915 Waldeck Church Lane; Ledbetter, TX 78946
– set aside your offerings each week, and then bring these to church when you can be at worship again.
For MLLC in Carmine:
– send your offering by mail to the church office – MLLC, P O BOX 362, Carmine, TX 78932-0362
– set aside your offerings each week, and then bring these to church when you can be at worship again.
– give offerings through the church web site: mllccarmine.com/online-giving This page has a link to our secure giving page. Offerings can be made by bank draft, debit card, or credit card through this special web site.
PROCESSIONAL Gospel: Matthew 21:1-11
P: The holy gospel according to St. Matthew, the 21st chapter. Glory to you, O Lord.
Fulfilling the prophecy from Zechariah, Jesus enters the city of Jerusalem, humble and riding on a donkey. The people announce him as the king, but his kingdom will be a different one than most expected.
And now the reading.
1When they had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2saying to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me. 3If anyone says anything to you, just say this, ‘The Lord needs them.’ And he will send them immediately.” 4This took place to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet, saying,
5“Tell the daughter of Zion,
Look, your king is coming to you,
humble, and mounted on a donkey,
and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”
6The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; 7they brought the donkey and the colt, and put their cloaks on them, and he sat on them. 8A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting,
“Hosanna to the Son of David!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
10When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, “Who is this?” 11The crowds were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.”
The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
First Reading: Isaiah 50:4-9a
A reading from Isaiah.
The servant of the Lord expresses absolute confidence in his final vindication, despite the fact that he has been struck and spit upon. This characteristic of the servant played an important role in the early church’s understanding of the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
4The Lord God has given me
the tongue of a teacher,
that I may know how to sustain
the weary with a word.
Morning by morning he wakens—
wakens my ear
to listen as those who are taught.
5The Lord God has opened my ear,
and I was not rebellious,
I did not turn backward.
6I gave my back to those who struck me,
and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard;
I did not hide my face
from insult and spitting.
7The Lord God helps me;
therefore I have not been disgraced;
therefore I have set my face like flint,
and I know that I shall not be put to shame;
8he who vindicates me is near.
Who will contend with me?
Let us stand up together.
Who are my adversaries?
Let them confront me.
9aIt is the Lord God who helps me;
who will declare me guilty?
The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Psalm: Psalm 31:9-16
9Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I | am in trouble;
my eye is consumed with sorrow, and also my throat | and my belly.
10For my life is wasted with grief, and my | years with sighing;
my strength fails me because of affliction, and my bones | are consumed.
11I am the scorn of all my enemies, a disgrace to my neighbors, a dismay to | my acquaintances;
when they see me in the street | they avoid me.
12Like the dead I am forgotten, | out of mind;
I am as useless as a | broken pot. R
13For I have heard the whispering of the crowd; fear is | all around;
they put their heads together against me; they plot to | take my life.
14But as for me, I have trusted in | you, O Lord.
I have said, “You | are my God.
15My times are | in your hand;
rescue me from the hand of my enemies, and from those who | persecute me.
16Let your face shine up- | on your servant;
save me in your | steadfast love.” R
Second Reading: Philippians 2:5-11
A reading from Philippians.
Paul uses an early Christian hymn to help us comprehend Jesus’ obedient selflessness on the cross and how God has made Christ lord over all reality. The perspective of the cross becomes the way we rightly understand God, Christ, our own lives, and fellowship within the community of Christ.
5Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,
6who, though he was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God
as something to be exploited,
7but emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,
being born in human likeness.
And being found in human form,
8he humbled himself
and became obedient to the point of death—
even death on a cross.
9Therefore God also highly exalted him
and gave him the name
that is above every name,
10so that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bend,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11and every tongue should confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Gospel: Matthew 27:11-54
The holy gospel according to Matthew. Glory to you, O Lord.
In fulfillment of scripture and obedience to God’s will, Jesus goes to the cross so that a new covenant in his blood may bring forgiveness of sins. Even the soldiers who crucify him recognize him to be the Son of God.
11Now Jesus stood before the governor; and the governor asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You say so.” 12But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he did not answer. 13Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many accusations they make against you?” 14But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.
15Now at the festival the governor was accustomed to release a prisoner for the crowd, anyone whom they wanted. 16At that time they had a notorious prisoner, called Jesus Barabbas. 17So after they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you, Jesus Barabbas or Jesus who is called the Messiah?” 18For he realized that it was out of jealousy that they had handed him over. 19While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that innocent man, for today I have suffered a great deal because of a dream about him.” 20Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus killed. 21The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” 22Pilate said to them, “Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” All of them said, “Let him be crucified!” 23Then he asked, “Why, what evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!”
24So when Pilate saw that he could do nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took some water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.” 25Then the people as a whole answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” 26So he released Barabbas for them; and after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified.
27Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor’s headquarters, and they gathered the whole cohort around him. 28They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, 29and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on his head. They put a reed in his right hand and knelt before him and mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” 30They spat on him, and took the reed and struck him on the head. 31After mocking him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.
32As they went out, they came upon a man from Cyrene named Simon; they compelled this man to carry his cross. 33And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull), 34they offered him wine to drink, mixed with gall; but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. 35And when they had crucified him, they divided his clothes among themselves by casting lots; 36then they sat down there and kept watch over him. 37Over his head they put the charge against him, which read, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.”
38Then two bandits were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. 39Those who passed by derided him, shaking their heads 40and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” 41In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes and elders, were mocking him, saying, 42“He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him. 43He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he wants to; for he said, ‘I am God’s Son.’ ” 44The bandits who were crucified with him also taunted him in the same way.
45From noon on, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. 46And about three o’clock Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” 47When some of the bystanders heard it, they said, “This man is calling for Elijah.” 48At once one of them ran and got a sponge, filled it with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink. 49But the others said, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him.” 50Then Jesus cried again with a loud voice and breathed his last. 51At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, and the rocks were split. 52The tombs also were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised. 53After his resurrection they came out of the tombs and entered the holy city and appeared to many. 54Now when the centurion and those with him, who were keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were terrified and said, “Truly this man was God’s Son!”
The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
*Prayers of Intercession
A: Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, and for all people according to their needs.
A brief silence.
Almighty God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we praise you for you are the one true God. During this Holy Week help us to be drawn into your holy presence. We ask that you stir in each of us a renewed passion for worshiping you with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
We give thanks for the faithful service of all county officials. We pray that those who serve will work for the common good. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
We pray for all who suffer in mind, body or spirit, and for those facing difficult decisions, especially… and also those whom we now name aloud or in quiet prayer…
Bring comfort and healing, strength and hope, and faithful discernment to all for whom we pray. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
Other petitions may be added here.
We entrust to you all who have entered the Church Triumphant, especially… Help us to care for those who are bereaved. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
We pray that the Holy Spirit would draw all people to you. We especially pray for the family and friends of this congregation who have drifted from the church. Help them to feel welcome in this community of faith. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
P: Into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Announcements and Prayer Request list for Waldeck Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ledbetter
Health and Well-being Prayer List: Phillip Procell, Brian Shaffer, Sandra Gest, James Smith, Barbara Spence, April Weyand, Fritz Schoenst, Alicia McQuaig, Diana Garik Poentisch, Sally Beettner, Carrie Oltmann, Robin Hardin, Beverly Drescher
HOLY WEEK schedule:
We will be offering a streaming video for each of the three Holy Week Services. The Time of each it to be determined. We will post the times on this web site and Facebook.
Maundy Thursday – April 9
Good Friday – April 10
The Great Vigil of Easter – April 11
We will also offer an Easter Sunday service on streaming video at 10:00 a.m. on April 12
Announcements and Prayer Request list for Martin Luther Lutheran Church of Carmine
REMEMBER IN PRAYER: Ruby Ivey (Nikki Pohl’s mother, health concerns); Ricky Eckert (brother of Ronnie Eckert, health concerns); Jeannie Johnson (grandmother of Matthew & Nick Colpetzer, Joshua Aranzolo, and Emily Ortiz, chronic pain); J. C. Pohl (health concerns); Kalisa Pomykal (Paula Barrick’s sister, medical concerns); Jacquelyn Mercado (JoLynn Schoenbeg’s daughter, severe broken wrist); Kenny Lorenz (former member Robert Hinze’s relative, serious burns); Nancy Pietsch (former RT-C teacher, health concerns); Johnny Dunham (health concerns); LaVerne Krumrey (friend from Brenham, cancer); Joyce Kelley (friend, health concerns); Jack Walsh (friend of Wade Eilers, recurring melanoma); Bill Clarke (friend of Daryl & Susan Ray, stage 4 cancer); Robert Vaughn (at Texas Neurology, thankful for extended stay for rehab); Carrie Bozarth (friend of Sedalia Ullrich, cancer); Edna Mae Krivacka (friend of Ed and Carol, back home, health concerns)
Sympathy to the families of Elisabeth McDaniel (mother of R.W. Crawford, friend of Alvis Mueller); Eugene Muehlbrad; The Rev. August M. Hannemann (former MLLC pastor); Genie Fuhrman (Ruby Renck’s niece); Edna Krause (mother of former organist Susan Michael); Charles Rudy Weigelt (brother-in-law of Kay Schmidt, JoLynn Schoenberg, and Darrel & Vickie Neutzler); Ricky Ebner (friend from Ledbetter)
The Ongoing Prayer Concerns may be found in the monthly newsletter.
THIS WEEK at MLLC
Today 5:00 pm-AA Meeting (subject to change)
Tuesday 5:30 pm-Yoga class
April 12 5:00 pm-AA Meeting (subject to change)
HOLY WEEK schedule:
We will be offering a streaming video for each of the three Holy Week Services. The Time of each it to be determined. We will post the times on this web site and Facebook.
Maundy Thursday – April 9
Good Friday – April 10
The Great Vigil of Easter – April 11
We will also offer an Easter Sunday service on streaming video at 10:00 a.m. on April 12
MESSAGE FROM PASTOR TINKER
Based on discussions with our church council and the church council of our partner church, we will be continuing the suspension of any in person worship services and activities. We will begin internet streaming a Sunday devotional/service at 10:00 a.m. each Sunday. All of this is done out of love for one another and for our neighbors. There are more and more reports of people and churches pushing the borders of the health guidelines, and then people getting sick or spreading COVID19 illness to others. Our biggest concern is for those in the 60+ generation of the congregation, for those are the most vulnerable to the intense and deadly symptoms of this virus.
We will make it through this difficult time. The next few weeks will be especially important as we work together in our community and nation. Let’s work together to love God, to love neighbor, to love one another, and to push back against the spread of this illness.
LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF SHIPMENT has been postponed until November. It will not be taken on April 13. Packing on April 8 has also been postponed.
DATE CHANGE FOR CONFIRMATION The new date is Sunday, May 17. This has been changed since the MS150 Bike Ride was to come through Carmine on May 3, but has now been cancelled.
2020 FLOWER CHART: Three dates are open on the flower chart. They are September 20 and November 1 & 22.
SPECIAL LENTEN ENVELOPES this year are designated for Lutheran Disaster Response of the ELCA. You may send contributions in the mail, or bring it by the office, with the check made out to MLLC and in the memo line, put Lutheran Disaster Response. You may also go to the website to donate.
mlllccarmine/online-giving/
disaster relief-lutherandisasterresponse
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL will be at MLLC June 14-18, 2020 with the theme Rocky Railway. See the codes on p. 2 of the March newsletter to register your child and volunteer. There is a possibility that we will shift this to a later date in the summer due to the COVID19 health concerns. We will announce this as soon as possible.
Registration is also available at the church web site: https://mllccarmine.com/vacation-bible-school-2020/
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL at Bethlehem Lutheran in Round Top will be June 1-4 from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. with the theme “Anchored.” There are registration forms in the narthex and church office.
CHURCH COUNCIL MEMBER A person is needed to serve as chairperson of the Outreach/Care Committee. Please consider serving in this role.
Devotion
David J. Tinker
Martin Luther Lutheran Church – Carmine
Waldeck Evangelical Lutheran Church
“A Different Victory”
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
We most often see this at the time of war. We see soldiers line up and march in parades. Military bands and Color Guards lead these parades. It is a wonderful and inspiring scene, and we are drawn to the excitement of the moment.
In today’s Gospel from Matthew chapter 21 we see a military parade of sorts. In this account we see Jesus on the donkey, and we read the following: “A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!””
This is clearly a fulfillment of a prophecy from Zechariah chapter 9, verse 9, which references the king riding on a donkey. Another aspect of this is more surprising to us. The palm branch parade is from the Apocrypha. The Apocrypha is that collection of Jewish writings, written in Greek, which come from the 200 or so years before the birth of Jesus. There are two events noted in two different books of the Apocrypha which help us understand what is going on in this scene. In one passage, 1 Maccabees 13:51-52 we read that the Jews had defeated the Greek Empire which was occupying Jerusalem. For the years to come they celebrated their victory with an annual Palm Branch parade. Some time later, in 2 Maccabees 10, we read of the rededication of the Temple at Jerusalem. At that time, they instituted another parade with Palm Branches. In each of these examples from the 100’s BC we see that many of the Jews were regularly celebrating these past victories over oppressors. Jump ahead about 200 years. With the Roman Occupation of the Holy Land, many Jews were looking forward to the overthrow of the Romans. With Jesus entering the city as a Messiah King and being hailed with Palm Branches, many likely thought he was coming to defeat the power of Rome.
Little did they know that Jesus came to defeat a much greater power. Jesus Christ came to defeat the final and horrendous power of sin, the devil, death, and evil. These oppress all people in all places, not just the Jews. We are reminded in John’s Gospel that God dearly loves all the people of the world and that he came to save us all. Jesus came to bring forgiveness of sin. He came to die the death which each person faces, so that, by faith, we would know life beyond that death. Out of his great power and love Jesus offered a different victory. His victory was that he was raised to life, never to die again. His rising to life defeated the final enemy, death itself, and he leads us to follow in his way. With Jesus’ resurrection, the finality of death is ended. Jesus has defeated the greatest oppressor.
We continue to look to Jesus to save us. We even commemorate that original Palm Sunday Parade in worship. Each week as we have the Holy Communion we sing or say this line, which is from the original Palm Sunday accounts: “Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.” When we say or sing “Hosanna” we are praying that God will save us.
Each and every time we say or sing that we are joining in the eternal parade of people who know that Jesus is the one who has saved us and will save us. As we receive the bread and the wine of the Holy Communion we are saying in our faith, “Hosanna, Lord Jesus save us”. St. Paul notes this in First Corinthians, chapter 11, verse 26, when he writes, “For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” The death of Jesus is for the forgiveness of our sin. It is for the saving of our life for eternity with the Lord. When we receive the Lord’s Supper we are expressing our faith in what God has done and is doing for us. The communion meal reminds us of the different victory which Jesus accomplishes for us. It points to his death on the cross and his rising from the dead. As we have faith in Christ and his rising from the dead it changes how we approach life.
On this Palm Sunday, we celebrate a different victory. We can say with sure and certain hope that, by faith, we have been saved from the final power of sin, death, evil and the devil. As we shout Hosanna, we know this is true for us always.
Let us pray – Great and Loving God, you have given yourself for our sake and you call us to follow you. Guide us into all truth, and lead us into the new life we get to have in Jesus Christ our Lord. We pray this in his most holy name. Amen
Martin Luther Lutheran Church 