This is it, the final candle in our Lenten journey! We’ve extinguished the candles of temptation, searching, and confession. We recognized joy as an important part of trusting God, and last week we recognized sorrow as an unavoidable part of being human. This week, they all come together in the candle of salvation.

PALM/PASSION SUNDAY            The Candle of Salvation

As the crowds watched Jesus come into Jerusalem, some waved branches, and some threw their coats on the ground to create a sort of “red carpet” for Jesus. But all of them cried out this one word: “Hosanna!”

We might think of that word as meaning, “Hooray!” But it really means, “Lord, Save Us!”

And that is exactly what Jesus came to do.
He came to save us.

He saves us from our sins when we trust in him,
and he saves us for eternal life that can never be taken away.

As our 40 days of Lent come to a close, we turn to Jesus and ask him to save us. Let’s pray the prayer of confession together.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry, and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

Almighty God have mercy on us and forgive us all our sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen us for all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep us in eternal life. Amen.