sunday March 29, 2026

Fruitland United Methodist Church
March 29, 2026

*(Please stand if you are comfortably able.)

*Processional:
Processional Start at Fruitland Park at 9:00am Hosana, Hosana, Hosana TFW 2109

Prelude: “Ride on, Ride on in Majesty!” St. Drostane tune arranged by John Dykes
Welcoming the Light of Christ and inviting the neighborhood to worship.
Welcome and Announcements Pastor Jorge

*Opening Prayer Holly K.
Today, we join Jesus in the final ascent to Jerusalem, knowing the depths we will descend on our journey through Holy Week.
Open the gates of righteousness, that we may come worship God!
We join the disciples in declaring that Jesus, riding on a donkey, is our Ruler, the One who will bring peace and salvation for all.
Open the gates of peace, that we may come worship God!
We join with the bystanders who questioned and wondered who this Jesus really is, who feared the consequences of angering the powers that be.
Open the gates of truth, that we may come worship God!
The journey through Holy Week brings us face-to-face with the stark reality of sin and God’s faithfulness to save.
Open the gates of salvation, that we may come worship God whose steadfast love never
fails!
*Sharing the Peace of Christ.

*Opening Hymn: “This is the Day” UMH 658

Scripture Reading: Psalm 118 14-29 UMH 839 Holly K.

Time with Young Christians Pastor Jorge
Please write prayer concerns and celebrations on yellow notepads, to be collected.

Community Expressions Pastor Jorge & Holly
     Sing: “Holy, Holy, Holy” TFWS 2007
     Thanksgiving and Celebration
     Prayers for Healing and Wholeness
     Our Community and World
Let us pray.
Lord’s Prayer: Our Father and Mother, who art in heaven, hallowed be
thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive
those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver
us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and glory forever.
Amen.

*Congregational Song “Bless the Lord, My Soul” TTFWS 2013

Invitation to Generosity Rev. Jorge R.
     Offertory: “In Remembrance of Me” by Ragan Courtney and Buryl Red
*Doxology: Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow UMH 94

Scripture Reading: Luke 19:28-40 Holly K.

*Congregational Song “ Glory to God” TFWS 2033

Sermon: “Who Is This King Who Comes?” Pastor Jorge Rodriguez
Luke 19:28–40

There are days that feel ordinary, and then there are days when something in the
air tells you that this is not like any other day.

Jerusalem woke up that morning with that feeling. At first, it was just a whisper.
Someone said, “He’s near.” Another replied, “Who?” And then the name began
to move through the streets like wind: “Jesus... Jesus of Nazareth... the one who
heals... the one who speaks with authority...”

Suddenly, the city began to stir.

Imagine the scene: dust rising from the road, people stepping out of their
homes, children running ahead, laughing, not fully understanding but sensing
that something important is happening. And then they see Him.

But something feels different.

Because this is not how kings arrive.

There is no war horse, no shining armor, no soldiers clearing the way. Instead,
there is a donkey—a simple, ordinary donkey—and on it, Jesus.

Some in the crowd look at each other, confused. Others begin to shout anyway:
“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!”

It is not a battle cry. It is a pilgrim song. A worship song.

Among the crowd, there are many faces. A child runs ahead, smiling without
fear. A man stands with his arms crossed, wondering, “Could this really be the
one?” A woman holds onto hope, thinking, “If he healed others, maybe he can
heal my life too.” And others are simply watching, curious and unsure.

Where would we be in that crowd?

Running with joy? Watching from a distance? Or blending in, saying the words
without really knowing why?

Jesus keeps moving forward—slowly and peacefully. Without saying a word, He
is already declaring what His kingdom looks like: not built on fear, not enforced
by violence, not defended by swords, but carried in humility.

Some in the crowd must have felt disappointed. They were hoping for a strong
leader, a powerful revolution, a king who would overthrow Rome. Instead, they
see a man on a donkey.

And that tension still exists today.

Because we also want a certain kind of king who solves our problems quickly,
who takes our side, who defeats our enemies. But Jesus comes differently. He
comes not to destroy, but to transform. Not to dominate, but to love.

The noise grows louder. Voices everywhere: cloaks on the ground, branches in
the air. “Blessed is the king!”

It sounds beautiful. But Jesus knows how quickly voices can change. Some of
these same voices, in just a few days, will shout, “Crucify him!”

Not everyone in the crowd understands. Some are there out of excitement,
others out of curiosity, others out of hope.

But perhaps there is a woman who truly believes. She does not shout the
loudest, but in her heart she whispers, “This is the one.” Perhaps there is a child
looking at Jesus with wonder, seeing something real that others are missing.

Why do we follow Jesus?

Is it habit? Tradition? Need? Or is it trust?

Jesus continues moving forward—toward Jerusalem, toward the cross, toward
everything this moment will become.

When the Pharisees say, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples,” Jesus responds, “If
they keep silent, the stones will cry out.”

This moment cannot be stopped. This King cannot be ignored.

And now the procession is not just in Jerusalem. It is here—in our lives, in our
homes, in our hearts. Jesus still comes, not forcing, not demanding, but inviting.
Today, like that crowd, we must choose.

Will we just watch? Will we repeat the words? Or will we truly receive this King?

Where are you in this procession?

Among the curious? The uncertain? Distracted? Or among those who say, “Lord,
I may not understand everything, but I trust you”?

Because this King who comes does not come to take power—He comes to give
life.

And the invitation is still open: to walk with Him, to trust Him, to follow Him--
even when He rides a donkey, and not a war horse.

*Prayer of Commitment:
In the middle of the celebrations – shouted Hosannas, the excitement of the gathered
crowd, the palm branches lifted high – there remains this simple truth: you come in
love to set us free, and you pay a very high price. May we commit ourselves to
following in your Way of Love, not only on days of celebration and thanksgiving,
but through the difficult days as well. In the name of Christ, we pray. Amen.

​*Congregational Song: “King of Kings” TFWS 2075

*Benediction:
Friends,
Go forth humbly to serve the God whose love endures forever.
Go forth in the name of the Christ who entered Jerusalem on a
lowly donkey.
Go forth in the strength of the Holy Spirit that calls us to rejoice in
this very day God has made.
God’s love endures forever.

*Song of Blessing: “Sent Out in Jesus Name” TFWS 2184

Postlude: “All Glory, Laud and Honor St. Theodulph tune, arranged by Lani Smith

For those who wish to use online giving:

Rev. Jorge Rodriguez [email protected]