HOSANNA

Blessed is He Who Comes in the Name of the Lord

As we approach Passion/Palm Sunday, which for Christians is the start of Holy Week leading up to the crucifixion & resurrection of our Lord, we traditionally reflect not only on Jesus’ healings, compassion & teachings but also on the suffering & death that await him as He journeyed to Jerusalem to usher in the reign of God.  As we read Psalm 118, which is the traditional Psalm telling of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, intertwined with the crowds of believers waving palms of welcome, joy & celebration, we see the definite signs of hostility & conflict that awaited Jesus & his disciples.  However, in spite of the hostility & foreboding threats that surrounded him, Jesus rode on in majesty & strength empowered by His love of God.  Knowing that the choice to live by love would be costly, Jesus entered the gates of righteousness enfolded & led by God’s hand & God’s heart.  Jesus is the model for our life.  In our own lives we are often encounter conflict along with joy.  As we move through this Holy season amidst the joy & turmoil of our lives, may we have the courage to go forward in faith & love trusting that God who rides to the gates of our hearts, will ride with us through the gates of righteousness.

Psalms 118: 1-2, & 26-29

O’ give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;

his steadfast love endures forever!

Let Israel say,

“His love endures forever.”

Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.  We bless you from the house of the Lord.

The Lord is God, and he has given us light. Bind the festal procession with branches, up to the horns of the altar.

You are my God, and I will give thanks to you;

you are my God, I will extol you.

O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,

for his steadfast love endures forever.

All Glory, Laud, & Honor

All glory, laud, & honor, To thee, Redeemer, King

To whom the lips of children,  Made sweet hosannas ring

Thou art the King of Israel. Thou David's royal Son.

Who in the Lord's name comest, The King &  Blessed One

The company of angels, Are praising Thee on high

And mortal men & all things, Created make reply

The people of the Hebrews,  With palms before Thee went.  Our praise & love & anthems, Before Thee we present.

To Thee, before Thy passion, They sang their hymns of praise.  To Thee, now high exalted, Our melody we raise

Thou didst accept their praises.  Accept the love we bring

Who in all good delightest, Thou good & gracious King.

~Created by Rev Kathryn Bindig, MDiv. MS; Pastoral Care Minister

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