Prelude:

Crown Him with Many Crowns arr. Myanna Harvey

Wednesday String program; Judy Harvey, director

Les Rameaux (“Palm Sunday”) Jean-Baptiste Faure

Timothy Renner, baritone

(Sung in French) Over the pathways are spread the branches and flowers on this great day of celebration. Jesus is coming; he comes to dry our tears. Already the crowd is preparing to praise him. Sing, people, sing in chorus. Let your voice respond to ours: Hosanna! Glory to the Lord! Blessed is he who comes to save the world! Rejoice, holy Jerusalem, sing of the deliverance of your children. Through love, the God of Bethlehem brings you hope with faith!

Call to Worship

Invocation

Hymn 523: My Hope Is in the Lord Wakefield

Text: Norman Clayton (1945)

My hope is in the Lord who gave himself for me,
and paid the price for all my sin at Calvary.

Refrain
For me he died, for me he lives, and everlasting life and light he freely gives.

No merit of my own his anger to suppress,
my only hope is found in Jesus’ righteousness. (Refrain)

And now for me he stands before the Father’s throne.
He shows his wounded hands, and names me as his own. (Refrain)

His grace has planned it all, ‘tis mine but to believe,
and recognize his work of love and Christ receive. (Refrain)

Prayer of Confession

O Lord our God, no day of our lives passes that does not prove us guilty in your sight. Even our best efforts are as filthy rags before you. We ask you to forgive our sin because he who knew no sin was made to be sin for us; that in Christ we might be fully pardoned and restored. Grant that, by resting in his righteousness alone, we may hereafter walk in newness of life, and run with endurance the race that is set before us, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Gospel’s Assurance of Pardon: 1 Peter 2:24

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.

Doxology (Students in grades 1–6 may go to the Catacombs for Tenth Children’s Music.) Tallis’ Canon

Praise God from whom all blessings flow; praise him, all creatures here below;
Praise him above, ye heavenly host: praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

Prayer of Illumination

Scripture Reading: Matthew 17:1–13

1 And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. 3 And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 4 And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 5 He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.” 8 And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only. 9 And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Tell no one the vision, until the Son of Man is raised from the dead.” 10 And the disciples asked him, “Then why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?” 11 He answered, “Elijah does come, and he will restore all things. 12 But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of Man will certainly suffer at their hands.” 13 Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.

Sermon: Have No Fear Rev. Gavin Lymberopoulos

Hymn 251: Beneath the Cross of Jesus St. Christopher

Text: Elizabeth Clephane (1872)

Beneath the cross of Jesus I fain would take my stand,
the shadow of a mighty Rock within a weary land;
a home within the wilderness, a rest upon the way,
from the burning of the noon-tide heat and the burden of the day.

Upon the cross of Jesus mine eye at times can see
the very dying form of One who suffered there for me:
and from my stricken heart with tears two wonders I confess,
the wonders of redeeming love and my unworthiness.

I take, O cross, thy shadow for my abiding place:
I ask no other sunshine than the sunshine of his face;
content to let the world go by, to know no gain nor loss;
my sinful self my only shame, my glory all the cross.

Offering Prayer

(In person offerings may be made via the oak boxes. Give online at tenth.org/give or mail checks to: 1701 Delancey Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103)

Offertory: My Song Is Love Unknown arr. Edwin Childs

Timothy Renner, baritone

Question of Preparation: Westminster Shorter Catechism, question 87

Question: What is repentance unto life?
Answer: Repentance unto life is a saving grace, whereby a sinner, out of a true sense of his sin, and apprehension of the mercy of God in Christ, doth, with grief and hatred of his sin, turn from it unto God, with full purpose of, and endeavor after, new obedience.

Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper

Words of Institution

Partaking of the Bread

Communion Hymn 264: Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross (stanza 1) Near The Cross

Jesus, keep me near the cross; there a precious fountain,
free to all—a healing stream—flows from Calvary’s mountain.

In the cross, in the cross, be my glory ever;
till my raptured soul shall find rest beyond the river.

Partaking of the Cup

Communion Hymn 264: Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross (stanza 3) Near The Cross

Near the cross, O Lamb of God, bring its scenes before me;
help me walk from day to day with its shadow o’er me.

In the cross, in the cross, be my glory ever;
till my raptured soul shall find rest beyond the river.

Proclamation of the Mystery of our Faith: Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again!

Hymn 460: Amazing Grace! Amazing Grace

Text: John Newton (1779)

Amazing grace!—how sweet the sound—
that saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
was blind, but now I see.

‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
and grace my fears relieved;
how precious did that grace appear
the hour I first believed! (continued on next page)

Thro’ many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
‘tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
and grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me,
his Word my hope secures;
he will my shield and portion be,
as long as life endures.

And when this flesh and heart shall fail,
and mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil
a life of joy and peace.

When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
bright shining as the sun,
we’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
than when we’ve first begun.

Benediction

Postlude

Serving this evening:
George McFarland platform
Aaron Patterson, organist

Scripture quotations are from the ESV®Bible, copyright©2001 by Crossway. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Hymn lyrics used by permission: CCLI# 2486853