Author: Dennis Hacker

Philadelphia Lutheran Church
“Church of Brotherly Love”
March 29, 2026
52 Pinewood Road
Granite Falls, NC 28630
Pastor Leonard H. Bolick
Kim Ledford, Music Director Judy Parker, Organist

We welcome you to worship today! May God richly bless you as we worship together. If you are visiting for the first time, please sign the guest register in the front entrance of the church.

Gathering (gather inside the fellowship hall)
P:Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
Processional Gospel: Luke 19: 28-40
Response after the announcement:
Glory to you, O Lord.
Entrance into the final days
28 After he had said this, [Jesus] went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 When he had come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples, 30 saying, “Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ just say this, ‘The Lord needs it.’ ” 32 So those who were sent departed and found it as he had told them. 33 As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?” 34 They said, “The Lord needs it.” 35 Then they brought it to Jesus; and after throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. 36 As he rode along, people kept spreading their cloaks on the road. 37 As he was now approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen, 38 saying, “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!” 39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, order your disciples to stop.” 40 He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.”
Response after the conclusion:
Praise to you, O Christ.

*(Denotes when congregation stands.)
(Bold italicized print denotes when congregation speaks.)

Blessing of Palms
The pastor and the assembly greet each other.
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray.
A brief silence is kept.
We praise you, O God, for redeeming the world through our Savior Jesus Christ.
Today he entered the holy city in triumph and was proclaimed messiah and king by those who spread garments and branches along his way. Bless these branches and those who carry them. Grant us grace to follow our Lord in the way of the cross, so that, joined to his death and resurrection, we enter into life with you; through the same Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Procession
The pastor addresses the assembly.
Let us go forth in peace,
in the name of Christ. Amen.
The assembly follows the worship leader into the sanctuary. "All Glory, Laud, and Honor" (#344) will be sung as the people process into the church.
Refrain
All glory, laud, and honor to you, redeemer, king,
to whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring.
You are the king of Israel and David's royal Son,
now in the Lord's name coming, our King and Blessed One.
Refrain
The company of angels are praising you on high;\
creation and all mortals in chorus make reply.
Refrain
The multitude of pilgrims with palms before you went.
Our praise and prayer and anthems before you we present.
Refrain

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To you, before your passion, they sang their hymns of praise.
To you, now high exalted, our melody we raise.
Refrain: All glory, laud, and honor to you, redeemer, king,
to whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring.
Their praises you accepted; accept the prayers we bring,
great author of all goodness, O good and gracious king.
Refrain
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
P: Welcome and announcements

P*Meditation and confession
(All may make the sign of the cross, the sign marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins.)
P: Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God,
who forgives all our sin,
whose mercy endures forever.
Amen.
Let us confess our sin before God, who removes our guilt
and blots out all offenses.
(Silence is kept for reflection.)
Gracious God,
have mercy on us according to your steadfast love.
For seeking worldly delights that deceive us and dishonor you:
Gracious God,
have mercy on us according to your steadfast love.
For desiring self-reliance instead of hungering for your word:
Gracious God,
have mercy on us according to your steadfast love.

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For failing to recognize your coming reign,
and for hindering the work of the Spirit: Gracious God,
have mercy on us according to your steadfast love.
For drawing from the well of self-serving ambition,
and for disdaining the living water Christ offers:
Gracious God,
have mercy on us according to your steadfast love.
For disregarding voices from the margin,
and for distrusting signs of your healing and hope in the world:
Gracious God,
have mercy on us according to your steadfast love.
For dwelling in tombs of self-pity and discontent,
and for disregarding Christ’s call to come forth to life:
Gracious God,
have mercy on us according to your steadfast love.
God’s steadfast love, grace, and forgiveness abound.
Through faith, the free gift of God,
you have been clothed in the righteousness of Christ.
In the name of ☩ Jesus Christ, your sins are forgiven.
The Spirit of the One who raised Christ from the dead
dwells in you,
pours God’s love into your hearts,
and gives you life and peace.
Amen.

P*Kyrie

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Prayer of the Day
P: The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
P: Let us pray together.

Everlasting God, in your endless love for the human race you sent our Lord Jesus Christ to take on our nature and to suffer death on the cross. In your mercy enable us to share in his obedience to your will and in the glorious victory of his resurrection, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

(The congregation may be seated.)

First Reading: Isaiah 50:4–9a
A reading from Isaiah, the fiftieth chapter
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.

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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.
9It is the Lord GOD who helps me;
who will declare me guilty?
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Second Reading: Philippians 2:5–11
A reading from Philippians, the second chapter
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.

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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.

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. 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.”

Cantor: psalm 31: 9-16 (sung 2 x 2; Cantor 2; congregation 2)

P* Gospel Acclamation

P: Holy Gospel Matthew 21: 1-11
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.
The Holy gospel according to St. Matthew, the twenty-first chapter
1 When they had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying 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. 3 If anyone says anything to you, just say this, ‘The Lord needs them.’ And he will send them immediately.” 4 This took place to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet: 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.” 6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; 7 they brought the donkey and the colt and put their cloaks on them, and he sat on them. 8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 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!”

Glory to you, O Lord.

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10 When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, “Who is this?” 11 The crowds were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.”
Praise to you, O Christ.

Sermon pastor leonard H. bolick

*hymn of the day “alas! and did my savior bleed” ELW #337

*Nicene Creed
We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father.
through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven;
by the power of the Holy Spirit
he became incarnate from the virgin Mary, and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.

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We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
with the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified.
He has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Prayers of Intercession
Assisting Minister: Reconciled by God’s mercy and sustained by God’s presence, let us pray for the world and its needs.
(A brief silence.....we kneel or sit.)
O God, you announce words of grace and truth. Give wisdom to all preachers in your church both globally and locally. Open our hearts to encounter the infinite life you offer in Jesus. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
You hold the whole universe. Gather sun and moon, clouds and stars, land and sea, and plants and animals around the cross, so that all creation bears witness to your saving love. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Your power is sure. Destroy inequity and division in every place, and build your beloved community among all people. Guide judges, attorneys, and juries so that they act with justice and fairness. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Your heart breaks open at our pain. Send healing and vindication to all who, like Jesus, know the sting of betrayal, denial, abuse, or false accusations. Be with those experiencing pain or loss this day. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.

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Your ways show compassion. Let this same mind be in us as we enter Holy Week. Bless those here who will lead worship and tell the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
O God, your embrace is eternal. Praise and thanks to you for all the faithful departed who rest in your mercy. Deliver us all from death’s power and raise us to life in you. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
P: Are there any other prayer requests?
P: Receive our prayers, O God, through Jesus Christ, our strength and salvation.
Amen.

Offering (You may remain seated.)
(Giving to those in need, is a sign of the giving of our whole selves.in grateful response for all God’s gifts.)

Offertory “in the cross of christ I glory” handbell choir

Offering prayer
P: Let us pray.
O God, maker of heaven and earth,
your steadfast love embraces all creation.
You send rain and sunshine to nourish the earth
and bring forth its bounty.
Through these gifts of bread and wine,
draw us into the death and life of your Son,
who calls us to bear witness to his saving work.
We ask this in Jesus’ name.
Amen.

*P: 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;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
forever and ever. Amen. (Assembly may sit.)

P*Blessing
Receive the blessing of the holy Trinity:
God, who calls all things into existence,
Jesus Christ, who redeems us,
and the Holy Spirit, whose breath sustains creation,
X bless you now and always.
Amen.

Sending: (God blesses us and sends us with gifts of grace in mission to the world.)

*sending hymn: “beneath the cross of jesus” elw#338

Dismissal-assisting minister
Go in peace. Believe the good news.
Thanks be to God.

Postlude “funeral march” schreiner

The altar flowers are given to the Glory of God by Mike & Malinda Clay

The sanctuary lamp is given to the Glory of God and in memory of George & Rebecca Smith by Revonda Heavner

Upcoming events
Sunday 9:00 A.M Sunday School
10:00 a.m. Worship (Begins in the fellowship hall)
Monday
Tuesday 5:00 p.m. Girl Scouts
Wednesday 10:30 AM Prayer Team
Thursday 6:00 p.m. Al-Afam
6:00 p.m. Maundy Thursday Service
Friday 6:00p.m. Tenebrae Service
7:00 p.m. AA
Saturday 10:00 a.m. Al-Anon
Sunday (Easter) 9:00 a.m. Worship Service
No Sunday School
Breakfast immediately following the worship service.
An Easter egg hunt for the children will be after the
breakfast.

Sunday Servants march 29th
Assisting Minister........Leah Isley
Lay Reader.....Leah Isley
Ushers.......James McGee & Rodney Setzer
Greeter.......Revonda Heavner
Acolyte.......Kelly Taylor
Crucifer...Amanda Pritchard
Tabulator...Ron & Lisa Herman
Altar Guild....Leah Isley & Malinda Clay
Presenters....Dale & Stacie Myers
Children’s Message....Katie Hamann

Update to Easter Events
The men historically cook the Easter morning breakfast every year. James McGee is looking for volunteers to assist with preparing the meal. See James if you are interested.
The children will have an Easter egg hunt following the breakfast on Easter morning. Items needed for hunt: Individually wrapped candy or monetary donations for the purchase of candy. See Judy Parker if you have cash donations or any questions. There is a tub in the narthex for candy donations.

WELCA’s April project is collecting individually wrapped snacks for Robin’s Nest. You may place your donations in the basket in the narthex.

Praise to you, O Christ.

Sunday Servants march 29th
Assisting Minister........Leah Isley
Lay Reader.....Leah Isley
Ushers.......James McGee & Rodney Setzer
Greeter.......Revonda Heavner
Acolyte.......Kelly Taylor
Crucifer...Amanda Pritchard
Tabulator...Ron & Lisa Herman
Altar Guild....Leah Isley & Malinda Clay
Presenters....Dale & Stacie Myers
Children’s Message....Katie Hamann

After the Epiphany#

Sunday ##