March 29, 2026

Palm Sunday

Order of Worship

In-Person Sunday Morning Service at 9:30 am

or Recorded Worship Service

To access our recorded service, please visit our website:

www.umcw.org/sermons

    The Vulnerable King: God’s Power Revealed in Weakness   

BOLD indicates congregational SPEAKING participation

GATHERING AS THE BODY OF CHRIST

Prelude

 "Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart"

UMH #161

Welcome and Sharing of Announcements

A Time to Connections

(in-person service only)

Meditation Time

Introit

"All Glory, Laud and Honor"

arr. Linda Scholes and Cynthia Dobrinski

Bell Choir

Call to Worship

Liturgist: Come, people of God! Rejoice and give thanks, for our King comes to us not in power or might, but in humility and love.

People: Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord!

Liturgist: Spread your cloaks and wave your branches; lift your voices in joyful welcome.

People: Hosanna in the highest heaven! Jesus, the vulnerable King from Nazareth, comes to us this day.

Liturgist: Let us worship God, who shows strength in weakness, power in service, and steadfast love to all.

People: Amen.

Opening Prayer

Gracious and steadfast God, on this day your Son entered Jerusalem, welcomed with shouts of joy and the waving of palm branches. We join the crowd with hearts open, yet mindful that this journey leads to the cross, where your power is revealed in vulnerability and love. Stir within us a faith that trusts in your humble strength, a love that mirrors your mercy, and a courage that follows Christ even into suffering and weakness. As we worship today, may our voices proclaim “Hosanna!” and may our lives bear witness to your redeeming work through the Vulnerable King. In the name of Jesus, our Savior and Lord, we pray. Amen.

Opening Hymn

"Tell Me the Stories of Jesus"    

UMH #277

Message in Music

"Hosanna Loud Hosanna"

arr. Sandra Eithuin

Bell Choir

Young Disciples' Time

Pastor Jinyong Choi

Joys and Concerns

Lord's Prayer

Prayer Response

"In the Lord I'll Be Ever Thankful"

TFWS #2195

ATTENTION TO THE WORD OF GOD

Scripture Readings: Matthew 21:1-11

 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.” (NRSV)

Liturgist: The word of God for the people of God.

People: Thanks be to God.

Message

 "The Vulnerable King: God's Power Revealed in Weakness”

Pastor Jinyong Choi

WE RESPOND

Offering

"Hosanna, Loud Hosanna"

UMH #278 (verses 1 & 3)

Doxology

UMH #95

Offertory Prayer

Merciful God, we give thanks for the abundance of your grace and for the many blessings of our lives – our families, our communities, and the resources you have entrusted to us. We bring before you these offerings, our tithes, and the devotion of our hearts, asking that you bless them and multiply their impact. Use what we give to feed the hungry, to bring comfort to the sorrowful, to heal the brokenhearted, and to proclaim your steadfast love to all corners of the world. May these gifts, like the palm branches of old, wave with joy and hope, declaring your glory and honoring Christ, our humble King, who rides into our lives bringing peace, justice, and salvation. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Closing Hymn

   "All Glory, Laud and Honor"

UMH #280 (verses 1, 3, & 5)

The Blessing and Sending Forth

Pastor: Go forth this day in the presence of the Vulnerable King, carrying branches of hope and hearts open to humility and love. Let the shouts of "Hosanna" rise from your lips, and let the mercy of God shine through your actions.

People: We go to serve with humility, to love with courage, to live faithfully, and to proclaim with all our hearts: Hosanna in the highest!

Pastor: May the peace of Christ, who shows power in weakness and glory in self-giving love, guide your steps, strengthen your courage, and fill your spirit with compassion and joy, this day and always.

People: Amen.

Postlude

Fantasia on Valet will ich dir geben [All Glory, Laud, and Honor]  

J.S. Bach

IN-PERSON WORSHIP SERVICE

Liturgists: Nancy Keelan

Ushers/Greeters: Mark Beatty

Organist: Matt Cron

Sound: Ron Aldenberg

Projection: Sharon Lipp

Video: Mark Beatty

Our Mission Statement

“God calls us to be disciples of Jesus, building community through service and fellowship and sharing the love of Christ with all.”

Our Openness Statement

“The United Methodist Church of Westford is an open and welcoming community of Christian Faith. Without any exceptions, we welcome anyone who seeks to love and to serve God.”

Please click here for “A Statement of Our Openness”.

www.umcw.org

STAY CONNECTED