I .. ·'

II CRQ!,{N HIH KING OF KINGS l II

A Sermon By

Rev. Philip A. c. Clarke

Pa.rk Avenue United Hethodist Church 106 East 86th Street New York, NevT York 10028 March 19, 1989

II CROWN HIM KING OF KINGS l II

INTRODUCTION Poets and preachers have often compared two dynamic young men both of whom died at the age of 33 - Alexander the

Great and Jesus of Nazareth. Alexander, from what little we know, lived a privileged life. As a boy he was tutored personally by the immortal Aristotle. He was a man of great wealth and power. As a military conqueror, he was nearly invincible. Indeed, there came a time Hhen Alexander wept because there v.rere no more worlds for him to conquer. And yet I remember once reading that he died a hopeless alcoholic at the age of 33.

One poet put it this vray:

''Jesus and Alexander died at 33. One lived and died for self; the other for

you and me. The Greek died upon a throne, the Jew died

upon a cross. One's life a triumph seemed, the other's but

a loss. One Halked with mighty men and the other

vralked alone. One shed the whole world's blood, the other

gave His own.

Jesus and Alexander died at 33. The Greek died at Babylon, the Jew at Calvary. One ma.de himself God, but the one who was God

made Hirose lf less. One lived to blast, the other to bless. When died the Greek, forever fell his throne

of swords. But Jesus died and arose to live forever,

King of Kings and Lord of Lords. 11

"One lived to blast, the other to bless." Palm Sunday is a good day for us to acknowledge the glory and splendor of Jesus of Nazareth. Therefore, let us join the multitudes who this festal day wave their palm branches and shout, "Hosanna to the Son of David. Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest. 11

WORTHY OF OUR PRAISE

men.

He is worthy of our praise and adulation. The com­mon people saw that immediately. He was a man among

Over fifty years ago a scholar by the name of Bruce Barton wrote a very popular book entitled, The Man Nobody Knows. Barton argued that the real Jesus depicted in the Gospels was not for the most pa.rt the typical Jesus of Protestant art and Sunday School lore. That version of Jesus, according to Barton, is something of a sissified lamb of God, a physical weakling, a kill­joy, a man of sorrmJS and a non-fighter in life's battle. The real Jesus was nothing of the kind, Barton insists. He was a man of strength, a man of vision, a man of great leadership ability, a man of adventureso~!1e faith.

He was accepted and admired by rough, rugged fishermen. Women follo1r1ed Him wherever He r,rent. He was a most popular figure throughout Palestine. Mark's Gospel tells us that the masses of people listened to Him 1r1ith delight. No t-Jonder the religious Establishment responded with fear and hatred. They saw in Him their mortal enemy. There were many who were ready to proclaim Him King. His popularity was so great that it was in the dark of night in a secluded place that the soldiers had to arrest Him. If they had tried to take Him in broad daylight as He taught in the Temple, there vJould have been a riot. He was a real hero - a man who would get our vote today. Therefore, let us join the multitude and sing our hosannas and wave our palms. Let us acclaim Him, too - the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords.

But let us also recognize that if He had only been a popular hero, His life would have no relevance for us today. Heroes come and go. They may in­spire us and challenge us for a season, but soon they are for~otten. It was not Jesus' physical attractiveness or His eloquent speech or rHs way of telling a story or His talent for healing that made Him unique. He was unique because the hand of God 1..ras upon Him. He was unique because He knelt in a Garden and prayed, "If it be Thy will, let this cup pass from me. Nevertheless, not My will but Thine be done".

He was unique because upon the Cross of Calvary on Good Friday he surrendered up His life for you and for me. The hand of God was upon Him.

THE DISOBEDIENT LAMB An illustration to bring it closer. In a collection of Black folk tales, William Faulkner relates the story

of a disobedient lamb. A mother sheep had warned her little ones,

"Do not go near the river, for a bad tiger lives there, and he 1-vill kill and eat you".

One lamb kept toy·ing with the thought .that the grass near the r.iver seemed to be greener than elsewhere and that his mother must be mistaken about a tiger being there. Finally, his curiosity and desire for the greener grass led him near the river bank. After grazing for some time on the luscious grass, he scampered doun to the vtater for a drink.

Suddenly, he heard a gruff voice saying, "What are you doing, drinking from my river and muddying my 1-vater?" The disobedient lamb began excusing him­self, but the tiger came closer, saying, "I'm going to kill and eat you". As the tiger sprang toward the helpless lamb, the mother sheep ran between them, taking the death-dealing blows of claws and fangers in her own body. Thus, the disobedient lamb VIas spared and scampered up the river bank to safety.

Yes, it was Christ's willingness to lay down His life that has brought us to this place on this day that ushers in the drama o.f this momentous v.reek that is before us. \rJe are told that when He VJent to the cross, "there follovred Him a great multitude of the people and of women who bewailed and lamented Him", and after the dread deed was done on Calvary's hill,

"All the multitudes vrho assembled to see the sight, 111hen they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts."

Let us join the multitude at the foot of the cross, and in the words of Isaac Watts, the hymn 1-vri ter of the late sixteen hundreds:

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"See, from His head, His hands, His feet, sorrow and love flow mingled dmm;

Did e'er such love and sorrow meet, or thorns compose so rich a crown?

Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were an offering far too small;

Love so amazing, so divine, Demands my soul, my life, my all."

THE GOOD FRIDAY SCENE I've often thought that those who gathered there to watch Him die probably shared experiences and

memories of happier days. Perhaps His mother, Mary, remember that time when He was twelve years old, when they took Him to the temple in Jerusalem. Somewhere on the journey home they discovered that Jesus was not vrith them. 1:Je are told that often on such pilgrimages the men and women walked in separate companies. The children 1-1ould Ttlalk sometimes with one and then with another. This may explain why Mary and Joseph did not miss Jesus until traveling a full day's journey from Jersusalem. They returned and found Him in the Temple. "Did you not know" He asked them, "that I must be about My Father's business".

"Did it have to lead to all of this?" Mary must have wondered as she watched Him hanging there on that crude cross.

And surely there were some in the cro1rrd that day whom Jesus had healed. A blind man who could noTrr see; a once lame man standing on straight and nimble legs; an epileptic 1'1Tho no longer feared the onset of seizures, and a host of people to whom He had given a new dignity - prostitutes and tax-collectors who learned from Him that they were children of God. Surely they were there to shovJ their respect.

There are persons in this room Ttrho have been healed by Jesus as well -a heart mended, a home restored, a hand steadied. That is why you are here this morning. It's painful to TrJatch Him die knowing what He has done for us.

Mary and Martha were there. I'm sure they remembered how He wept beside the tomb of Lazarus and how He brought Lazarus back from the dead. Jesus was one of their dearest friends. They saw a side to Him that the pushing throngs cofuld not see. He genuinely cared about people. He was a fun-loving man who treated life like a festival - not a funeral. He never forgot His friends and He sought in every way to show His love and acceptance and forgiveness.

HE CAME TO SERVE But He treated everyone that way. He had come not to be served, He said ••• but to serve!

The story is told about a new entering student at Union Seminary here in our oTrm city who pulled up at Broadway at l20th Street in a cab. Noticing a white haired man in shirtsleeves standing by the door of the Seminary, the student rather arrogantly asked, "Hey, mister ••• do you TrTOrk here?" Hearing thilt the man did, the new arrival commanded, "Can you take my bags up to Room 309". The older man silently picked up tvm heavy sui teases and trudged up the three flights of stairs to Room 309. The student followed, holding only his raincoat, a light brief case and the }JY Times. lrJhen the door was opened, the new student casually flipped the person who'd carried the baggage a small coin. The gentleman with white hair politely thanked the young man, but declined the tip. He turned and walked away.

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The folloHing day, the newly arrived student joined the rest of the seminary community in the opening communion service. He was horrified to see that the man he had assumed l/>Jas the porter vTas wearing a pulpit robe and presiding at the worship. When he whispered to a neighbor, the young seminary student learned that the white-haired man was the President of the Seminary, the illustrious Dr. Henry Sloane Coffin (the late uncle of i{i lliam Sloane Coffin). Rushing up to President Coffin afterward, the student began to stammer apologies for so brusnuely commanding Dr. Coffin to carry his bags. The great scholar-pastor-preacher-teacher allm.red himself a small smile and gently ansvrered,

"The Son of Man came not to be served; but to serve. And we must learn to do like1-1ise ••• "

It was the most important lesson that young ministerial student learned during his three years at Union.

OTHERS IN THAT GOOD FRIDAY CROvJD Two thieves were there when Jesus died. One taunted Him, but the other

asked Him to remember him when He came into His Kingdom. He must have known of the reputation of Jesus for compassion and mercy. I wonder ••• if on the fringes of that crowd stood the woman who had been caught in adultery. Was there no one v-1ho would shov.r Him the kind of compassion and rrercy He had shown her?

Remarkable for their absence Here most of His disciples. Of those closest to Him only John and the women were with Him to the end. Judas was busy hanging himself in a distant garden. Peter was crying his heart out in painful remorse. The others? They had fled in fear and confusion. Jesus understood. He always understands even when you and I doubt and deny and dishonor Him. He always understands even when we fail to be at His side when He wants us there.

Yes ••• let us join the multitudes as they proclaim Him King on that first Palm Sunday. Then let us share their remorse as they v-mtch Him die on Calvary's tree. But one thing more. Let us keep moving and this time move ahead three days and accompany the vJ'omen to the garden tomb. For Palm Sunday and Maundy Thursday and Good Friday are but a prelude to the grandest symphony known to mankind. For death could not hold Him.

"He is alive" the women we:re to report to the disciples. "The stone has been rolled away and He is not there". That is the chief reason Palm Sunday is a warm, wonderful day of celebration. It is a day when we remember not only His life and nis death a few days later, but also begin to get a hint of what is yet to come - His victory over the final ene~. So let me stop here and leave you with this simple story.

ILLUSTRATION We're in Chicago and a man is walking down a street when his eye catches in a store window a beautifUl picture of the

crucifixion. As he stands looking at the picture, he suddenly becomes conscious of a young boy standing next to him, also looking at the painting. The man sensed that the eager young soul of the boy had been gripped ••• touched by the picture of the crucifixion.

Touching the boy on the shoulder, he man asked, "Sonny ••• v-rhat does it mean?" "Doncha know?" the boy answered ••• his face full of the marvel of the man 1 s

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ignorance. "That there man is Jesus •••• an' them others is Roman soldiers, an' the woman T;That 's cryin' is His mother, an"' he added, "Thr killed 'im!

The man did not want to move from in front of that impressive piece of artwork, but he had other things that had to be done, so he turned and walked away. In a few moments he heard footsteps on the street behind him, and there came the boy rushing up next ta him. "Say, mister" he exclaimed breathlessly, "I forgot to tell you, but He rose againt"

A hero, yes. A martyr, that's true. But far more than that. Come next Sunday and here the final chapter. And remember these words of St. Paul who summed it up for us in His Letter to the Philippians :

"~Vherefore God hath highly exalted Him and given Him a name which is above every name, that at the~name of~Je~us every knee Bhall bow of things in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

PRAYER We thank Thee, 0 God, for the knovdedge and v1s 1on of Jesus, Our Lord and Master, as He went quietly into the Holy City on

this day; help us to follow in His steps, more ready tfu serve than to be served, that we may lose our Uves and find them in Him.

We ask this in recognition of all our divided loyalties, 0 God. accept our praises and hosannas th the spirit in which we offer them. name, ,,re pray. Amen

Now In His

PASTORAL PRAYER: March 19, 1989 / Palm Sunday

0 LORD, OUR GOD ••• we come to worship on this special Sunday with some mixed feelings ••• about many things. For Holy Week brings us to a strange blend of joy and sorrow.

WE HAVE GOOD FEELINGS today about the 11Hosannas" ••• and the welcome and the children and then we are saddened, knowing that in each of us is something of the "Judas spirit" which can so easily and quickly betray YOU.

v~ HAVE GOOD FEELINGS this week about the kind of faith and the courage that enabled YOU to walk "that lonesome va.lley" by YOURSELF ••• but we know about the fear and the hesitations in us, like that in Peter, that causes us to deny YOUR way at crucil times in life.

WE COME at the threshold of this COSMIC DRAMA with its symbols and metaphors. Lord, we feel like fans arriving for the big game, wanting to join the cheers, yet knowing Hhat the final score, the final outcome will be.

WE WE WALK through this HOLY WEEK, may we understand better our own mixture of moods until we know better what it means to both parise YOU and to follow YOU to the cross where suffering is still required.

WE WISH there w~s a way for YOUR KINGDOM to come without confronting hate, without betrayal, without injustice, without power hungry leaders, without greed, without suffering, without crosses and martyrdoms.

LORD, as YOU WEPT over Jerusalem for not knowing those things that make for peace, it gives us sadness in our world that somehow we do not know the power of love ••• let loose.

SO THROUGH our sadness, for all that is wrong in our city, our nation, and among the nations of the world, give us a VISION "

Of the ultimate triumph of righteousness, Of the power of love to redeem, Of the truth that can be made known, Of the life abundant that is there in Christ.

AND THEN WITH NEW UNDERSTANDING, help us to sing with a joyeus heart "hosanna11 , and to praise YOU with deep praise so that we can call you "King of Kings and Lord of Lords".

THUS WE WORSHIP on this Palm Sunday, in the power and in the name of Him who on this day long ago rode into Jerusalem bringing the gift of life and love to all. ••

"CROWN HIM KING OF KINGS! 11

A Sermon By

Rev. Philip A. C. Clarke

Park Avenue United Methodist Church 106 East 86th Street New York, New York 10028 March 19, 1989

"CROWN HIM KING OF KINGSl"

INTRODUCTION Poets and preachers have often compared b10 dynamic young men who both died at the age of 33 - Alexander the Great

and Jesus of Nazareth. Alexander lived a privileged life. As a boy he was tutored personally by the immortal Aristotle. He was a man of great' wealth and power. As a military conqueror, he was nearly jnvincible. Indeed, there came a time Hhen Alexander wept because there were no more worlds for him to conquer. And yet I once read that he died a hopeless alcoholic at age 33.

One poet put it this way:

"Jesus and Alexander died at 33; One lived and died for self; the other for you

and me. The Greek died upon a throne, the Jew died upon

a cross. One's life a triumph seemed, the other's but a

loss. One walked with mighty men and the other walked

alone. One shed the whole world's blood, the other gave

His own.

Jesus and Alexander died at 33. The Greek died at Babylon, the Jew at Calvary. One made himself God, but the one who was God

made Himself less. One lived to blast, the other to bless. l'fuen died the Greek, forever feel his throne

of swords, But Jesus died and arose to live forever,

King of Kings and Lord of Lords."

Palm Sunday is a good day for us to acknmvledge the glory and splendor of Jesus of Nazareth. Therefore, let us join the multitudes who this day wave their palm branches and shout, "Hosanna to the Son of David. Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest."

WORTHY OF OUR PRAISE

among men.

He is vmrthy of our praise and adulation. The common people saw that immediately. He was a man

Over fifty years ago a scholar by the name of Bruce Barton wrote a very popular book entitled, The Man Nobody Knows. Barton argued that the real Jesus depicted in the Gospels was not for the most part the typical Jesus of Protestant art and Sunday School lore. That version of Jesus, according to Barton, is something of a sissified lamb of God, a physical vJeakling, a kill­joy, a man of sorrows, and a non-fighter in life's battle. The real Jesus was nothing of the kind, Barton insists. He was a man of strength, a man of vision, a man of great leadership ability.

- 2 -

He was accepted and admired by rough and rugged fishermen. Women fol­lowed Him wherever He went. He was a most oopular figure throughout Palestine. Mark's Gospel tells us that the masses of people listened to Him with delight. No wonder the religious establishment responded with fear and hatred. They saw in Him their mortal enemy. There were many who were ready to proclaim Him king. Hispopularity was so great that it was in the dark of night in a secluded place that the soldiers had to arrest Him. rf they had tried to arrest Him in broad daylight as He taught in the temple, there would probably have been a riot. He was a real hero - a man who would get our vote today. So let us join the multitude and sing our hosannas. Let us acclaim Him, too - King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

But let us also recognize that if He had only been a popular hero, His life would have no relevance for us today. Heroes come and go. They inspire us and they challenge us, but soon they are .forgotten. It was not Jesus' physical attractiveness or His eloquent sppech or His way of telling a story or His talent for healing that made Him uni(}ue. He was unique because th~ hand of God was upon Him. He was unioue because He knelt in a garden and prayed, "If it be thy will, let this cup pass from me. Nevertheless, not My will but thine be done".

He was unique because upon the cross of Calvary He surrendered His life for you and for me.

THE DISOBEDIENT UlMB In a collection of Black folk tales, William Faulkner relates the story of a disobedient lamb.

A mother sheep had 1rmrned her little ones,

11 Do not go near the river, for a bad tiger lives there, and he ~<ri 11 kill and eat you. 11

One lamb kept toying with the thought that the grass near· the river seemed to be greener than elsevJhere and that his mother must be mistaken about a tiger being there. Finally, his curiosity and desire for greener grass led him near the river bank. After grazing for some 1rrhile on the luscious grass, he scampered down to the water for a drink.

Suddenly, he heard a gruff voice saying, "vJhat are you doing, drinking from my river and muddying my •rater?" The disobedient lamb began excusing himself, but the tiger came closer, saying, "I'm going to kill and eat you". As the tiger sprang toward the helpless lamb, the mother sheep ran betvreen them, taking the death-dealing blows of claws and fangs in her own body. Thus, the disobedient lamb was spared and scampered up the river bank to safety.

Yes, it was Christ's willingness to lay down His life that has brought us to this place on this day. lrJe are told that when He went to the cross, "there followed Him a great multitude of the people and of vJOmen who bewailed and lamented Him" and after the dread deed was dnne on Calvary,

"All the multitudes "1-Jho assembled to see the sight, when they saw what had taken place, returned hom beating their breasts."

Let us join the multitude at the foot of the cross,

! ! i i

- 3 -

"See from His head, His hands, His feet, sorrow and love flow mingled down;

Did e'er such love and sorrow meet, or thorns compose so rich a crown?

Here the whole realm of nature mine, that vJere an offering far too small. 11

THE GOOD FRIDAY CROWD Those who gathered there to watch Him die probably shared experience and memories of happier

days. Perhaps His mother Mary remembered that time ~<rhen He was twelve years old, when they took Him to the temple in Jerusalem. Somewhere on the journey home they discovered that Jesus was not with them. We are told that often on such pilgrimages the men and women walked in separate companies. The children 1·.rould walk sometimes with one and then with another. This may explain why Mary and Joseph did not miss Jesus until traveling a full day's journey from Jerusalem. They returned and found Him in the temple. "Did you not know11

He asked, "that I must be about my FCJ.ther's business? 11

"Did it have to lead to all of this? 11 Mary must have asked as she vratched Him hanging there on that crude cross.

Surely there •rere some in the crowd that day vrhom Jesus had healed. A blind man v,rho could now see; a once lame man standing on straight and nimble legs; an epileptic who no longer feared the onset of seizures, and a holst of people to whom He had given a new dignity - prostitutes and tax-collectors who learned from Him that they were children of God. Surely they were there to show their respect.

There are persons in this room who have been healed by Jesus as Hell -a heart mended, a home restored, a hand steadied. That is why you are here this morning. It's painful to v.ratch Him die knowing what He has. done for us.

Mary and Martha were there. I'm sure they remembered how He wept beside Lazarus' tomb and hovJ He brought Lazarus back from the dead. Jesus was one of their dearest friends. They saw a side to Him that the pushing throngs could not see. He genuinely cared about people. He Has a fun­loving man ~orho treated life like a festival - not a funeral. He never forgot l:iis friends and He sought in every way to show His love and acceptance.

HE CAME TO SERVE But He treated everyone that way. He had come not to be served, He said, but to serve.

The story is told about a new student at Union Seminary here in this city who arrived in a taxi. Noticing a white haired man in shirtsleeves standing by the door of the dormitory, the student rathr:r arrogantly asked, "Hey, mister, do you work here?" Hearing that the man did, the new arrival commanded, "Then you ma,y take m.,v bags up to room 309." The older man stlently picked up two heavy suitcases and trudged up the three flights of stairs to the door of 309. The student follmred, holding only his raincoat and a light briefcase. ~~en the door was opened, the new student casually flipped the person who'd carried the baggage a small coin. The gentleman TtJith white hair politely thanked the young man, but declined the tip. He turned and vralked away.

The following day, the newly arrived student joined the rest of the seminary community in the opening communion service. He was horrified to see that the man he had assumed was the porter was 1rrearing a pulpit robe and presiding at worship. When he whispered to a neighbor, the young student learned that the white-haired man was the president of the Seminary, the illustrious Dr. Henry Sloane Coffin. Rushing up to President Coffin after­ward, the student began to stammer apologies for so brusquely commanding Dr. Coffin to carry his bags. The great scholar-pastor-teacher allovred himself a small smile, and gently answered,

"The Son of ·r-ran came not to be served, but to serve. And we must learn to do likeVJise."

It was the most imjbortant lesson that young ministerial student learned during his three years at Union.

OTHERS WHO WERE IN THAT CRO'dD Two thieves vJere there 1r1hen Jesus died. One taunted Him, but the other asked

Him to remember Him when He came into His Kingdom. He must have known Jesus' reputation for compassicm and mercy.

I Honder if on the fringes of the crowd stood the woman vrho had been caught in adultery. 'IoTas there no one who would show Him the kind of compassion and mercy He had shown her?

Remarkable for their absence Here most of His disciples. Of those closest to Him only John and the Homen were with Him to the end. Judas was hanging himself in a distant garden. Peter -v.ras crying his heart out in painful remorse. The others had fled in fear and confusion. Jesus understood. He ahrays understands even when you and I doubt and deny and dishonor Him. He always understands.

Yes, let us join the multitudes as they proclaim Him King on that first Palm Sunday. Then let us share their remorse as they watch Him die on Calvary's tree. But one thing more. Let's move ahead three days and accomjbany the vJOmen to the garden tomb. For Palm Sunday and Holy vJeek are but a prelude to the grandest symphony known to humankind. For death could not hold Him.

"He is alive" the 1rwmen reported to the disciples. "The stone has been rolled away and He is not there. He is alive". That is the chief reason Palm Sunday is a day of celebration. It is a day 1iJhen 1r1e remember not only His life and His death but also His victory over the final enemy.

CLOSING ILLUSTRATION A man vras going do-vm a street in Chicago vrhen in a store 1rrindovr he savr a very beautifum picture of the

crucifixion. As he gazed spellbound at the vividly pictured story, he suddenly became conscious that at bi& side stood a young boy. The boy, too, vras gazing at the picture, and his tense expression made the man knovr that "The Crucifixion" had really gripped the eager ,young soul of the lad.

Touching the boy on the shoulder, the man said, "Sonny, what does it mean?" "Doncha know?" he answered, his face fu 11 of the marve 1 of the man's ignorance. "That there man is Jesus, an' them others is Roman soldiers, an' the woman what's tryin' is His mother, an'" he added, "They killed 'im!"

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The man did not want to move from in front of that impressive piece of artwork but he had other things he had to do, so he turned and walked avray, In a few moments he heard footsteps on the street behind him, and there came rushing up the boy, "Say, mister" he exclaimed breathlessly, "I forgot to tell you, but He rose againl"

A hero, yes. A martyr, that's true. But far more than that. And St. Paul sums it up in his Letter to the philippians,

11 \tJherefore God hath highly exalted Him and given Him a ~i'i'~ which is above every name, that the name of Jesus, every knee shall boH of things in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father."

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Sunday, March i~~, -~?..:82.

I. HOLY WEEK

A. ~le enter now into Holy Week - indeed, the most important week of the year for the Christian. Please note the Holy Week announcements and notices.

B. Arrangements for Easter altar lilies should be made today. Use the envelope in the pew. Tomorrow is the deadline for arrangements ••• through the Church office.

C. We shall celebrate the Last Supper of our Lord on Maundy Thursday evening, March 31st, at 6:30 pm. Stop by on your way home from work to share in this special fifty minute service. To me, it's one of the most moving services of the year as we bring to mind the events of that night long ago ••• Barbara Hairston will be singing "Were You There When They Crucified My Lord?"

D. On Good Friday we shall have a quiet time here in the sanctuary from noon to one o'clock - scripture, prayers, hymns.

E. Next Sunday we shall come together at eleven to celebrate the JOY, the VICTLRY, and the EXCITE~~NT of our Easter Faith. One Service. Eleven o~clock. Be sure to set your clock ahead on Sunday morning or else ••••

II. PALM LEAVES I THANKS

A. Palm leaves will be given you at the door as you depart.

B. Our thanks to those who prepared the pancake breakfast this morning •••. with some people attending. A lovely thing and a delightful way ~tart the day in fellowship.

III. VISITORS I GREETING

A. We greet the visitors in the congregation ••• delighted to have you with us ••• and we hope that the opportunity will be ours •••

B. Be free in the sharing ••• take a moment ••• join us on other Sundays ••• work with us in the programs of service.

C. You worship in a Church that just celebrated its ____ -)birthday. At this busy corner of God's Kingdom since 1837. hth butlding. We minister in the name of Christ and it is in His loving spirit •••

IV. OFFERING: "More blessed to give than to receive ••• 11

r PASTORAL PRAYER: Palm Sunday.,_ March 19, 1989

HELP US, 0 GOD, to worship YOU • ••• "in spirit and in truth" •

. '

REMIND US once again in these quiet moments together that "more things are wrought by prayer than this world has evel" dreamed."

HERE, we would remember Jesus of Nazareth - as He was then, powerful to heal and to help, powerful to speak and to save; we would think of Him as He is now - powerful as Your Spirit at work among us - to lift us up out of the low place, and to set our feet once again on the high road of life •

TOUCH OUR LIVES, we pray, with healing strength. cleansing pardon. steadiness of vision. newness of life.

) WHERE there is fear, bring faith. WHERE there is guilt, bring forgiveness. WHERE there is crippling doubt, bring certainty.

ON THIS PAIM SUNDAY, we would call to mind a day long ago in the Spring of the year when our Lord, Jesus Christ, rode into the Holy City of Jerusalem. We remember how the people went out to greet Him, how many opened their hearts to receive Him, to accept Him as their Lord and Saviour.

We would confess our faithlessness to Him - we who like ancient Jerusalem have so often greeted Him with professions of faith and bursts of enthusiasm, who have followed Him when He was asking little •••• and ere the week has ended have betrayed Him with neglect, indifference, with coldness of heart.

GRANT, 0 GOD, that this Palm Sunday may bring to us a new vision of His Way and His Word, that this Holy \'leek into which we enter may bring to us a deeper understanding of the Cross, and that each of us may depart from these momentous events:

More ready to serve than to be served. to give and not to count the cost, to take up a cross and follow Him.

Accept the praises and the hosannas we sing. All this in the name and spirit of Christ, Lord and Master for us alU

GREETING TO THE CHILDREN: Palm Sunday I Harch \~9,, l989

TIJTRODUCTION Today tore celebrate Palm Sunday. And ••• to my way of thinking, Palm Sunday and children go together.

We greet the boys and girls of our Sunday School who have joined us down here for a few moments before heading to their class sessions elsewhere in our church building.

JESUS AND PAI11 SUNDAY Boys and girls ••• it was on a Sunday such as this long ago ••• almost 2,000 years ago •••

in the Spring of the year that our friend, Jesus, rode. into the holy city of Jerusalem.

He didn't arrive in a sleek, black limousine and head to the Jerasalem Hilton. They didn't bring Him in by helicopter from nearby Jericho where he had spent a day or two. The mayor of Jerusalem didn't go out to the Gate of the City to greet him. No red carpet was rolled out for Him. No "Ticker Tape" parade up the Broadway of Jerusalem. No Secret Service. No band playing. No television crews at work trying to get it for the local six o'clock news.

Remember the scene? Jesus rode into the city on a donkey ••• on a donkey, if you can believe it. And the children of the city were there to welcome Him. They took off their jackets and sweaters and vraved them in the air and some even placed them on the ground where He was to travel. They had palm branches in their hands and they waved them in the air as He passed by.

They shouted "Hosanna".

How they loved Jesus. And deep in their hearts, they knew that He loved them. He was kind ••• good ••• gentle ••• always willing to reach out and help others.

PAIM SUNDAY I BRANCHES Palm Sunday is the beinning of Holy Week •• Today is very special.

Now, I understand that you've been working on a Palm Sunday anthem ••• a song ••• that you're going to share with us at this time. Wonderful. And after you've finished, then I shall give each of you a palm leaf and then we' 11 join in sintilgg one verse of Hymn 423.

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INTRODUCTION - The week of toil has ended. The day of rest is now at hand. May the rest and the quiet of this hour of

worship refresh our inner life. And may it renew in all of us a deepened sense of God's holy and abiding Presence • . ,

In silence, let each now pray as the heart may prompt.

MEDITATION tve rest ·our hearts in the Promise of Jesus .. who said: · ' ·

"Come unto Me, all ye that labor arid are heavy laden, and I will eive you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me; for MY.yoke is easy and My burden is light\-" .

11Wait on the Lord• Be of good cour~ge and He shall strengthen thine heart .• "

11 0 Jerusa~em, Jerusalem. How often would I have gath~red you as a hen·gathers her broodunder her wings, but you would· not. Would that even today you knew .the things that 'make for peace." · · •·

II And all things ••• whatsover you shail ask iri' prayer, believing.~ .you shall receive. And as many as touched Him were mad~ whole. II

PRAYERS I LORD Is PRAYER

Touch with healing, 0 God, those·whom we mention in our prayers this hour.

Comfort the bereave~ and the bt:.o:Ken-he~rted amqng. us. Heal each of us at the point of our deepe~t rieed.· ·

Answer the unspoken prayers offered 'to thee on the ~1 tars of our hearts, spoken in the name and spirit of Je'sus who taught us to say when we pr~y: . • .

. "Our Father, who art in heaven.· Hallowed be thy name. Thy Kingd.om come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us .this day our da~ly Qreaq. And. forgive us our trespasses, as ~e forgive those.who trespass against us. . .

And lead:us no(into :temptation, but deliver us ·rro~ evil,· for thine is t}le ·.kingdom, and the pmier' and. ··· the . glory, . forey~r. Apten" . . ·. . . . r . . •

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ANTHEM: "The Palms"

"O'er all the way green palms and blos­soms gay are strewn this day in festal prep­aration. Where Jesus comes to wipe our tears away e'en now the trong to welcome Him prepares. Join all and sing, His name declare. Let every voice rebound with accla­mation: Hosanna! Praise the Lord! Bless Him who cometh to br.ing us salvation.

His word goes forth and people by its might once more regain freedom from degrada­tion. Humanity doth give to each his right, while those in darkness find restored the light.

Sing and rejoice, 0 blest Jerusalem, of all thy sons sing emancipation. Through boundless love, the Christ of Bethlehem brings faith and hope to thee forevermore."

ANTHEM: "Sanctus"

"Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty. Holy, Holy, Lord God of Sabaoth. Heaven and earth shew the glory. Heaven and earth are full of Thy glory. Hosanna in the highest. Amen"

ORGAN POSTLUDE

The organ postlude - a final offering of our praise to God - is played after the Benediction. Time permitting, we invite you to share in the beauty of it.

FOR THOSE.WHO SING

New members are always welcome to audi­tion to sing in the choir. Rehearsals are held on Wednesda v

EASTER ALTAR FLOWERS

Those wishing to give to the fund for Easter altar flowers are invited to use the envelope in the pew.

PICK UP YOUR COPY

Be sure to pick up your copy of the March issue of our monthly news sheet, "A Word In Edgeways". Copies are by the door in the narthex.

"HOUNDS OF HEAVEN"

The "Hounds of Heaven" meet on Tuesday evening at 6:30 in fellowship Hall. New friends are always welcome. George Leopold is class leader. Come and share in the study of Dieterich Bonhoeffer's book, The Cost of Discipleship.

ALDERSGATE CLASS

The Aldersgate Class meets on Wednesday evening for Bible study in Fellowship Hall. The class comes together at 7:30 pm. New friends are always most welcome.

NEW MEMBERS TO JOIN

The date of the next membership recep­tion is Sunday, April 30th. Persons who are interested in strengthening a tie with the Church this Spring are invited to be in touch with Mr. Clarke as soon as possible. "Conversations in Membership" will be held

THE NEW HYMNAL

An order has b~en placed for 350 new hymnals and a check for $4,175 has been sent to take advantage of the "early order" discount. To date, we have received over $2,500 to cover the cost of the new hymnals scheduled to arrive in the Fall.

Gifts are still being received and if you're tempted to respond with a gift of a hymnal or two, use the envelope in the pew. A new hymnal costs $12.00. In return we shall give you one of the old ones when the new ones arrive.

SAVE THE DATE

Save the date of Sunday, April 16th, for the Annual Meeting of the United Metho­dist Women. Allocations from the November Fair will be discussed and voted. We'll come together around 1 pm in the Russell Room and adjourn around 2:15. All are

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MAUNDY THURSDAY COMMUNION

We shall commemorate the Last Supper of Jesus on Thursday evening at 6:30 pm i.n the sanctuary. Stop by on your way home·· from work. All are welcome to share in this special service of Holy Communion.

GOOD FRIDAY

The Church will be open on Good Friday from noon to one for hymn music and readings from the Scripture. We invite you to stop by for this quiet hour of reflection on the events of Good Friday.

BUNNY HELPERS NEEDED

Our Sunday School children will be making Easter baskets today during the cof­fee hour. If you can lend a hand and would like to work with the children for thirty minutes or so, make your way to the rear of

PARK AVENUE

UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 106 East 86th Street

New York, N.Y. 10028 AT 9-6997

CHURCH DIRECTORY

Rev. Philip A. C. Clarke ... . . . ....... . . .. . ... . Minister Mr. Lyndon Woodside . .. . . . ... .. . Organist-Choir Director Mr. Jack Schmidt .... . .... ... ......... Business Manager Mrs. Judy Ferland .. ... ... . . . . . . .......... . . Secretary Mrs. Judith Keisman .... . .. .. . . . . . . . Day School Director Mr. Roberto Meriles . ... . . .. .. .. . ... . . . ... .. Custodian

GENERAL OFFICERS Lay Members, Annual Conference .. . . .... Mr. William Bell

Mr. Edward J. Brown President, Board of Trustees ..... .. . . ... . Mr. Wiiiiam Bell Chairman, Administrative Council .... . . Mrs. Bobbie Heron Chairman, Education Committee ... . ... Miss A vion Brooks Chairman, Fellowship Committee ... . .... . . Mrs. Pat Henry Chairman, Finance Committee . . .. ... .. . Mr. Larry Morales Co-Chairmen, Membership Committee . . ... Mrs. Ann Bryant

Mr. Robert Gardner

Chairman, Outreach Committee . . .. .... . . Miss Janet Ernst Chairman, Worship Committee . . . ...... . Miss Pam Hubby Co-Chairmen, Day School ... . . Dr. and Mrs. John Lombardo Chairman, Ushers . . ... . . .. . .. . .. . .. .. . Ms. Effie French

Mr. Len Williams Superintendent, Sunday School .. ... .. . . . Mrs. Kathy Simms

PARK AVENUE

UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

+I 1'{, (_ + TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

October 30, 1988

ORDER OF WORSHIP 11 A. M.

ORGAN "Larghetto and Siciliana" CALL TO WORSHIP HYMN NO. 20 "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" PRAYER OF CONFESSION (seated)

Handel

We confess before thee now, 0 God, our poor stewardship of life. We have squandered time, under used our opportunities, mis-directed our loyalties, resisted growth, and grievously wasted the gift of love. In secret we have worshipped the works of our minds and hands. The applause of the world has mattered more to us than fidel­ity to thee. Make us duly penitent for these and all our sins. And let the mercy of Christ in­spire us to humbler, and purer ways. In the name and spirit of Christ we now pray. Amen.

SILENT MEDITATION - WORDS OF ASSURANCE - LORD'S PRAYER ***

GREETING TO THE CHILDREN A SONG BY THE CHILDREN

*** ANTHEM SCRIPTURE

PASTORAL PRAYER PARISH CONCERNS

"Let Thy Holy Presence" Luke 22: 24 - 27

Ephesians 2: 1 - 10

Tschesnokoff Page 916

Page 1017

ANTHEM "Bow Down Thine Ear" Franck PRESENTATION OF THE OFFERING WITH THE DOXOLOGY HYMN NO. 79 "Fairest Lord Jesus" SERMON "So Who's Keeping Score?" Mr. Clarke HYMN NO. 483 "Rejoice, the Lord Is King" BENEDICTION ORGAN "Allegro" Handel

*** Interval for Ushering

LAY READER

We welcome Ann Bryant to the lectern today. A native of Wisconsin, a graduate of the University of Wisconsin, with an MBA from The Wharton School, Ann is a manager with Sterling Drugs. Here in the Church she is Co­c ha irpe r s on of the Membership Committee, a membe r of t he Administrative Council, and serves as an usher.

ALTAR FLOWERS

The flowers on the altar today are given by Anna Delson in memory of loved ones.

GREETER AND USHERS

The greeters today are Lillian Bates and John Horna­day. The ushers are Effie French, George Crawford, Fran Ellison, Bruce Evans, Bob Gardner and Donna Hayes.

AN INVITATION

Coffee and tea will be served in the Russell Room following the service. Members and friends are invited to share in these moments of warmth made possible for us today by Jacqueline Notestine, Dee Downing, Vicki Jandron, Sharon Johnson, Lynn MacShane and Bert Williams.

CHURCH SCHOOL AND NURSERY CARE

Sessions of Church School for children are offered Sunday mornings from ten-thirty to twelve. Nursery care for infants and toddlers is available on the fourth floor.

A SPECIAL OFFERING

During the month of October we receive a special of­fering for the Fellowship of Suffering and Service. We invite you to respond with a gift if you have not yet al­ready done so. Envelopes are in the narthex.

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PARK AVENUE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

106 East 86th Street

New Yor~ N.Y. 10028

289-6997

MINISTER

Rev. Philip A. C. Clarke

ORGANIST-CHOIR DIRECTOR

Mr. Lyndon Woodside

BUSINESS MANAGER

Mr. Jack Schmidt

CHURCH SECRET ARIES

Mrs. Judy Ferland

Miss Kristen Ploucha

DAY SCHOOL DIRECTOR

Mrs. Judith Keisman

Mr. Roberto Meriles CUSTODIAN

Photo by Ron Benedict ICN 039258 Copyright C 1989 by Abingdon Press Utho In U.S.A.

ORGAN CALL TO WORSHI P

PALM SUNDAY March 19, 1989

ORDER OF WORSHIP 11 A. M.

"Prelude in C Minor"

HYMN NO. 424 "All Glory, Laud, and Honor" COLLECT FOR PALM SUNDAY (seated)

Bach

0 God, we praise The~ for the Master, who rode in triumph into the city of His fathers. We thank Thee that He carne not as a conqueror to destroy, but as a Messiah to save, and that He appealed to human hearts with the glory of His great love. In the spirit of praise and worship, we ask that every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.

SILENT MEDITATION - WORDS OF ASSURANCE - LORD'S PRAYER ***

GREETING TO THE CHILDREN MUSIC BY THE CHILDREN DISTRIBUTION OF THE PALMS

*** ANTHEM SCRIPTURE

PASTORAL PRAYER PARISH CONCERNS

"The Palms" Mark 11: 1 - 11

Philippians 2: 5 - 11

Faure Page 879

Page 1023

ANTHEM "Sanctus" Gounod (Fred Heringes, Tenor)

PRESENTATION OF THE OFFERING WITH THE DOXOLOGY HYMN NO. 423 "Hosanna, LoJ;:d Hosanna" SERMON "Crown Him King of Kings" Mr. Clarke HYMN NO. 73 "All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name" BENEDICTION ORGAN "Fugue in B Minor"

*** Interval for Ushering

Bach

LAY READER

We welcome John Hornaday as our Lay Reader today. A native of Greensboro, North Carolina and a graduate of North Carolina Wesley College and Ohio University Gradu­ate School, John is presently a producer with USA Net­work. He r e in the Church he is a member of the choir and has served on a number of our committees.

ALTAR FLOWERS

The flowers on the altar today are given in memory of loved ones by Dr. and Mrs. John Lombardo and Marisa.

GREETERS AND USHERS

The greeters today are Carl Condra and Ann Neal. The ushers are Lillian and Richmond Bates, Bill Bell, Robin Chauncey, Larry Morales and Philip Yu.

AN INVITA'l'ION

Coffee and tea will be served in the Russell Room following the service. Members and friends are invited to share in these moments of warmth made possible for us today by Pat Henry, Kavu Browne, Cary Danford, Julie Hymen, Lito Reyno and Marianna Thompson.

CHURCH SCHOOL AND NURSERY CARE

Sessions of Church School for children are offered Sunday mornings from ten-thirty to twelve. Nursery care for infants and toddlers is available on the fourth floor.

ADULT BIBLE CLASS

The Adult Bible Class meets on Sunday morning at 9:30 in Fellowship Hall. John Simms is serving as teacher for the study of Matthew's Gospel. All are welcome.

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