Looking into the lectionary - Worship resources for March 24

March 24, 2024 Palm Sunday Mark 11:1-11 On March 7, 1965, approximately 600 African Americans began a march from Selma, Alabama, to Montgomery in support of voting rights. As they attempted to peacefully cross the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, they were brutally attacked and beaten by state troopers and local lawmen. Broadcast live across the nation, “Bloody Sunday” triggered national outrage. Martin Luther King Jr., who had not been present for the march, issued a call for religious leaders to join in a peaceful, nonviolent march for freedom on Tuesday, March 9. People from across the nation descended upon Selma to join him. March 9 arrived and a crowd of thousands followed King from downtown Selma to the Edmund Pettus Bridge. Reaching the site of the Sunday attack, King and the marchers knelt to pray. After several minutes, King stood and, much to the surprise of those gathered, led the marchers back to Selma. Many were critical of King’s unexpected decision to turn the march around, to not press ahead toward confrontation on the road to Montgomery. They had come to march, not simply to pray and return to Selma. Two weeks would pass before King finally led the five-day march from Selma to Montgomery, this time with federal protection. Similarly, many reading this reflection will have an idea in mind about what Jesus’ “triumphal entry” is supposed to be. We come to march, right? It takes great planning to ensure that we have palm branches and brass and children’s choirs and ushers and bulletins outside so we can begin worship with a grand procession. Palm Sunday is a triumphant day, a day of celebration, a day well planned! ... Read the rest of the commentary on the website. Thank you to this week's writer Matthew A. Rich. Order of worship for March 24, 2024. These liturgies are free to use. Horizons — Lydia’s encounter by Rosalind Banbury  Faith-FULL Versus Faith-LESS (March 24, 2024) by Shea Watts He entered on a donkey — Weekly Christian ed lesson by Joelle Brummit-Yale Want the worship resources for March 17, 2024? You can find them here. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT... PC(USA) Board of Pensions restructures benefit offerings for 2025  ‘Season of Rebuilding’ plan blueprint affirmed at board of directors spring meeting with pricing to follow in April. — Gregg Brekke A year later, larger questions remain around exegesis exams The Presbyteries’ Cooperative Committee on the Examination of Candidates wonders if the required exam reflects a candidate’s readiness for ministry. — Adrian White Two South Carolina pastors announce they will stand for co-moderators of the 226th General Assembly The Rev. CeCe Armstrong and the Rev. Tony Larson used the month of February to discern their call and discuss their shared vision for the PC(USA). — Mike Ferguson Presbyterian Peace Fellowship launches new Gun Violence Prevention Congregational Toolkit The new toolkit offers 80 pages of educational, pastoral, emergency and worship resources, and suggestions for action and advocacy. — PPF Anxiety, politics, and the lost mysticism of the church We have replaced our faith in God with faith in a candidate or political party, writes Joshua Gritter. Why? A St. Patrick's Day Prayer This prayer draws on the Celtic tradition of the caim, or encircling, prayer that may be familiar in the blessing of St. Patrick. — Heather Prince Doss Tech disparities in the Christian world When writing for the Outlook's March 2024 issue, Eric Nolin struggled to find women leaders in the Christian world working with AI. What does that say about the tech world? About the Christian world?