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We will call ourselves (and each other) to worship by singing In Your Name - a gospel-centered song that reminds us that we worship and do mission because God has sought us in Jesus Christ (listen to the song at the bottom of this post). We'll confess our sins together in prayer and by singing Out of the Depths. We'll go then to the cross to look for pardon as we reflect and sing In the Cross of Christ. With our sin confessed and our hope in Jesus, this frees us up to sing with joy Jesus Thou Joy of Loving Hearts.

The highlight of the Christian calendar is Easter Sunday, where we fix our eyes on Jesus and celebrate his resurrection. Our worship gathering will be bookended with songs pointing you to Jesus (Come See the Son and In Christ Alone). We'll hone in on Jesus' resurrection in our responsive readings and the song He's Alive. We'll also sing about the effects of the resurrection: Jesus can really save us (Hosanna), he has defeated death (Death In His Grave), and he has the power to redeem and restore the world (All Things New).

The first Sunday of holy week is commonly called "Palm Sunday" or "Passion Sunday." In our worship gathering this week, we'll focus on Jesus' entry into Jerusalem to the shouts of "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming king of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!" (Mark 11:9-10). To prepare for worship, read Zechariah 9:9-12 and Matthew 11:1-11. Ask yourself what it means to receive Jesus as King, and to long for the coming of his kingdom?

This is the last Sunday in our "Rooted" series. We take up the phrase in the Apostles' Creed "I believe...in the life everlasting." The teaching will be based on Revelation 21:1-8, 21:22 - 22:5. To prepare, read this passage and meditate on what you learn about the new heavens and the new earth. Also keep in mind that there is no mere academic theology in the Bible. John writes these chapters in Revelation to comfort a group of people enduring severe persecution. Consider how this passage would have affected John's first readers. How can it make a difference in your perspective on the troubles you face in your own life?