Grace Lutheran Church and Preschool
2108 North Euclid Ave., Upland, Ca 91784
Pastor: Wesley Menke, wesley@graceupland.org
Office Assistant: Teruni Evans, graceupland@gmail.com
Preschool Director: Gayle Romine, glpupland@gmail.com
Music Director: Tatiana Thibodeaux, tatianathibodeaux@gmail.com
GLC 909-982-2954 / Preschool 909-981-2226
www.graceupland.org
Lay Participants 8:30
Lector: Ingrid Thom
Ushers: Roy Clinton
Communion: Loretta Estu
Cantor: Joisanne Dailey
Acolyte: Grace & Katherine Morton
Sound: John Holmgren
Broadcast: Charles Menke
Refreshments: Darlene Thom
Lay Participants 11:00
Lector: Jerry Uhler
Ushers & Counters:
Aurora Steuer
Communion: Ingrid Uhler
Assisting Minister: Ralph Dieter
Acolyte: Rebecca, Alan, Paxton & Sophie Grace Menke
Flowers are in celebration of our wonderful volunteers at GLC!
Free masks are available in the narthex.
Live feed of service available in the Fellowship Hall during 8:30am service.
Prayer Request please fill out the card and give it to the usher during the Hymn of the Day. Your request will be included on the prayer list for two weeks.
[ * Denotes standing as you are able]
The assembly gathers outside for the processional Gospel
PROCESSIONAL GOSPEL 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.”
GATHERING
GATHERING SONG ELW 344
GREETING
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
And also with you.
KYRIE
CANTICLE OF PRAISE
PRAYER OF THE DAY*
Living God, you sent Jesus to take on our nature. He suffered death on the cross. Enable us to share in his faithfulness. Amen.
WORD
CHILDREN’S SERMON
FIRST READING: Isaiah 50:4-9a
4The Lord God has given me
the tongue of a teacher,
that I may know how to sustain
the weary with a word.
Morning by morning he wakens—
wakens my ear
to listen as those who are taught.
5The Lord God has opened my ear,
and I was not rebellious,
I did not turn backward.
6I gave my back to those who struck me,
and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard;
I did not hide my face
from insult and spitting.
7The Lord God helps me;
therefore I have not been disgraced;
therefore I have set my face like flint,
and I know that I shall not be put to shame;
8he who vindicates me is near.
Who will contend with me?
Let us stand up together.
Who are my adversaries?
Let them confront me.
9aIt is the Lord God who helps me;
who will declare me guilty?
Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God.
PSALM 31:9-16
9Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I | am in trouble;
my eye is consumed with sorrow, and also my throat | and my belly.
10For my life is wasted with grief, and my | years with sighing;
my strength fails me because of affliction, and my bones | are consumed.
11I am the scorn of all my enemies, a disgrace to my neighbors, a dismay to | my acquaintances;
when they see me in the street | they avoid me.
12Like the dead I am forgotten, | out of mind;
I am as useless as a | broken pot. R
13For I have heard the whispering of the crowd; fear is | all around;
they put their heads together against me; they plot to | take my life.
14But as for me, I have trusted in | you, O Lord.
I have said, “You | are my God.
15My times are | in your hand;
rescue me from the hand of my enemies, and from those who | persecute me.
16Let your face shine up- | on your servant;
save me in your | steadfast love.” R
SECOND READING: Philippians 2:5-11
5Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,
6who, though he was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God
as something to be exploited,
7but emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,
being born in human likeness.
And being found in human form,
8he humbled himself
and became obedient to the point of death—
even death on a cross.
9Therefore God also highly exalted him
and gave him the name
that is above every name,
10so that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bend,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11and every tongue should confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION*
HOLY GOSPEL according to Matthew 27
Glory to you Oh Lord.
( See pew Bible page 1546 )
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you Oh Christ.
SERMON Pastor Wesley Menke
HYMN OF DAY ELW 343
1 My song is love unknown,
my Savior’s love to me,
love to the loveless shown
that they might lovely be.
Oh, who am I that for my sake
my Lord should take frail flesh and die?
2 He came from his blest throne
salvation to bestow;
the world that was his own
would not its Savior
But, oh, my friend, my friend indeed,
who at my need his life did spend!
3 Sometimes we strew his way
and his sweet praises sing;
resounding all the day
hosannas to our king.
Then “Crucify!” is all our breath,
and for his death we thirst and cry.
4 We cry out; we will have
our dear Lord made away,
a murderer to save,
the prince of life to slay.
Yet cheerful he to suff’ring goes
that he his foes from thence might free.
APOSTLE’S CREED
With the whole church, let us confess our faith.
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended into hell.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
THE PRAYERS* Assisting Minister or Lector
Sustained by God’s abundant mercy, let us pray for the church, the world, and all of creation.
A brief silence.
Save your church, O God. Enable us to live like Jesus. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
Save your creation, O God. Help us treat every living being you have made with respect. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
Save the peoples of the earth, O God. Help us create peace and non-violence. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
Save those who cry to you in any need, O God. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
3/26 Pastor Wesley
Michael, who passed, from Bob and Karla M
Karen Adamson, heart condition, the Uhlers
Elvira, health issues, AS
Tornado victims in Mississippi, also in California
Erik, recovering from surgery, The Vogelgesang.
3/19
“Grandpa” Paul Wooten diagnosed with leukemia, the Uhlers.
Erica, for her brother in law being treated for cancer.
The Vogel family, passing of Joan Vogel. Jerry Shepherd
Lexter Davila
Hermilo Rincon, surgery. From Crystal
Aunt Erica and family, Marquez family, loss of their dad. From the Menkes and Zimmers.
Thankful for our Godfather Jeremy turning 40, Paxton and Menke kids.
Sandy Rudder
Michael Wirth, hospitalized with high blood pressure, nephew of Aunt Kim and Uncle Alan Berg.
Ana family of Raul.
Save us in your love, O God. Sustain us through this Holy Week. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
Save us at the last, O God. We give you thanks for your saints. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
We lift our prayers to you, O God, through Jesus Christ our Savior.
Amen.
PEACE
The peace of Christ be with you always.
And also with you
MEAL
OFFERING
An offering is gathered for the mission of the church, including the care of those in need. During this time, the table is set.
OFFERING HYMN “Come Now You Blessed”
OFFERING PRAYER*
God of good gifts, receive these and all our offerings as we present them in faithful service for the sake of your gospel. Amen.
GREAT THANKSGIVING
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
It is indeed right…join their unending hymn:
HOLY, HOLY, HOLY
THANKSGIVING AT THE TABLE
In the night in which he was betrayed…
We proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
To you, O God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
be all honor and glory in your holy church, now and forever.
LORD’S PRAYER*
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
Padre nuestro que estás en el cielo, santificado sea tu nombre. Venga tu reino. Hágase tu voluntad en la tierra como en el cielo. Danos hoy nuestro pan de cada día. Perdona nuestras ofensas como también nosotros perdonamos a los que nos ofenden. No nos dejes caer en tentación y líbranos de mal. Porque tuyo es el reino, tuyo el poder y tuya la gloria ahora y siempre. Amén.
COMMUNION
We, God’s people, pray that the body and blood of Jesus save us by grace through faith.
LAMB OF GOD
COMMUNION SONG ELW 359
PRAYER
God of good gifts, receive these and all our offerings as we present them in faithful service for the sake of your gospel. Amen.
Sending
ANNOUNCEMENTS
April 2 Palm Sunday 8:30am & 11:00 am
April 2 Choir, all ages welcome 9:30am
April 2 Sunday School 9:45am Forum
April 4 Staff Meeting 9am
April 4 Worship Committee 10am
April 5 Spanish Class for adults 8:30-9:30am
April 5 Alcoholics Anonymous for Women 6:00pm
April 6 Maundy Thursday 7:00 pm
April 6 Spanish for Kids 3:15pm
April 7 Piecemaker’s Quilting Group 9:00am
April 7 Good Friday 7:00 pm
April 8 Easter Vigil 8:00 pm
April 9 Easter Sunday worship 8:30 am & 11:00 am
Potluck Brunch and Easter Egg Hunt 9:30 am
April 13 Bonhoeffer Festival 12:30 pm Good Shepherd Lutheran, Claremont
April 22 Communion Class 9am-11am
April 23 Annual Meeting 9:45am
April 30 First Communion Sunday
May 4-6 Synod Assembly in Palm Desert
May 6 “Tacos and Talent” Spring Benefit Concert 4pm
June 10 Toastmasters Event
June 19-23 Vacation Bible School
June 24 Dia Playero con El Espíritu Santo Beach Day with the Holy Spirit
July 23 – 28 Tentative dates for trip to Mexico
We would like to wish Happy Birthday to the following:
Bob Dailey, Diane Abrams, Jeff Thom, Jerry Shepherd, Ralph
Dieter, AnabelWanner, Grace Morton, Sandy Schoenwetter, Brian
Atkinson, Albert Teeguarden,Nathan Camacho, Mitchell Haag,
Paxton Menke, and Joisanne Dailey.
Happy Anniversary !
Bob and Joisanne Dailey
Testimonies at Grace Lutheran!
Our goal is to have at least one testimony per month. Three minutes
in length, during the time of offering, with the topic: How has
Grace Lutheran made a positive difference in your life? How have
you seen God? Coming up: Rollie Myrold April 16th, Diane Abrams
April 30th, Jerry Uhler in May, and Loretta Estu in June. Please let
Pastor Wesley know if you’d like to share a testimony.
Podcast of Sermons https://www.graceupland.org/podcast/
Flower Chart for 2023
Fresh flowers are used for decoration in many churches. We
continue to use flowers to beautify our Chancel area. We have
currently an arrangment with “ From the Vine”,a flower and gift s
tore in Upland. They provide flowers for us each week and do not
chargefor delivery or sales tax, the cost is $50.00 which is payable to
Grace Lutheran Church. If a special request for a flower
arrangement is desired, it can be arranged through Teruni or the
alter chair person. The floral arrangements do not need to match the
paraments, but they should not conflict with them and will be
consistent with the church season. Those who donate the flowers are
welcome to take them home or share them with a friend, someone
who is hospitilazed, or homebound.We do have disposable
containers to transport them with since the green liners are
NEVER removed from the church.
The empty liners are placed in a stone receptacle outside the office
door. A flower chart is in the Narthex , and we still have Sundays
that are open. Remember they can be designated for
a special event such as birthdays, baptisms, memorials, or
anniversaries. You can indicate your choice on the flower chart or
contact Teruni.
Thank you for your paricipation.
Potluck-Brunch and Egg Hunt
April 9th at 9:30am
Every year we do an Easter egg hunt on the lawn. We need plastic eggs already packed with candy. If you can donate, please bring them to church or the office!
We’re also having brunch on the patio between services. Please join us! The brunch has been a nice part of Easter over many years at GLC.
Service at 8:30am and 11:00am – Choir will perform
BLESSING
God, the giver of love,
☩ Christ, the resurrection and the life,
and the Holy Spirit of rebirth
bless you in this Lenten journey.
Amen.
SENDING SONG ELW 338
DISMISSAL
Go in peace. Serve in love.
Thanks be to God.
POSTLUDE
We are saved by grace through faith, and not by works. Imagine the Lutheran Christian religion being something like the Golden Gate Bridge. The purpose of the religion is to safely take us from one place to another. We are taken or “saved” from death to life, and from sin to righteousness; from corruption to justice. The two great pillars that hold up this religion are:
- Grace – God loves you unconditionally just as you are, and makes you valuable.
- Faith – Is believing in your value and that of others and so living an ethical and good life.
“Not by works,” means that there is no toll booth to cross this bridge, or participate in this religion. You can’t be excluded for lack of money. Material possessions won’t get you there. All you need to be saved is grace and faith: they are inestimable and priceless.
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