1. *HAPPY PALM SUNDAY! – Today we remember Jesus’ final entry into Jerusalem before bearing the sufferings of the cross, in triumph as our servant and king, welcomed by the crowds with palm branches and declaring the name of our congregation – Hosanna to the promised Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest! (MATTHEW 21:9). Let us also wave our branches of praise and call to Jesus as our Hosanna, our Savior, the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world!
2. *LENT DEVOTIONAL GUIDE – As we continue into this season of lent, we are using the online devotional by our friends at Highland Park Presbyterian Church of Dallas. One Scripture text is given per week, with different aspects of the text highlighted throughout each day to draw us deeper into God’s Word. This week is the PASSION WEEK, the final week leading to Easter Sunday, as we recall the sufferings of Jesus. Our text is MARK 15:21-26 with the theme, “The Crosses We Carry.” The devotional can be found at the QR code or unlisted online webpage here: https://www.hosannapc.org/lent.html
3. *NEW TABLE SIGNS AND NEWCOMER’S WELCOMING PLATE SHEETS! – *If you are a new or returning visitor, please be ushered after-service to a seat with a welcoming plate sheet, and let our Welcoming Team serve you a meal and a cup of water. It is our joy to serve you! For our Covenant Partners, let us be the hands and feet of Jesus in serving our guests in table fellowship. Let each empty plate sheet remind us to always be reaching out to those around us to share the living bread of Jesus Christ and to grow together in reflecting His image and love into the world.
4. *TODAY’S LUNCH MENU – KOREAN ARMY STEW with tofu/ spam/baked bean/kimchee (bu-dae-jji-gae)! – Also a children’s menu of seaweed and rice will be provided weekly. As time allows, join us after-service to break bread together in the gym as an important part of our worship on the LORD’s day. Today’s menu is delicious Korean Korean Army Stew! Thank the team that prepared it by enjoying the soup!
5. *TABLES/CHAIRS SETUP/CLEANUP continues – For all Sundays in March, Hosanna is taking stewardship of the 12:45pm Saturday setting-up and 1:00pm Sunday cleaning-up of the tables/chairs, seating for 300 people, in the gym for Sunday lunch. *Special thank you to those who helped yesterday’s setup. Cleanup continues today at 1:00pm with table wipe-down and chairs/tables cleanup. Thank you!
6. *TODAY, MINISTRY TEAM (Deacons & Elders) LEADERS meeting, 1:45pm @ Corner Conference Room – The Ministry Team Leaders of Deacons, Elders, and Advisors will gather today at 1:45pm in the corner conference room to pray, evaluate, and dream of new ways to flourish our community. Pray for our Deacons and Elders as they work together in spiritual leadership, godly unity, and common purpose to advance Christ and His Kingdom through Hosanna. Pray for our Elders and Deacons!
7. *THIS FRIDAY (3/29), GOOD FRIDAY WORSHIP, 7:00pm-8:00pm @ Ezra Chapel – As we walk through the holy week of Jesus’ passion, take time this Friday to celebrate the truly good day when Jesus died for our sins! Worship service will begin at 7:00pm.
8. *NEXT SUNDAY (3/30), EASTER JOINT WORSHIP with children, HOLY COMMUNION, after-service CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES on the front lawn (Korean congregation’s O Happy Day festivities) – All children and youth will join us for a joint Easter worship at 11:10am next Sunday, so there is no separate youth, children, or preschool program. *Please prepare your hearts to receive holy communion – all ages (infant to elderly) are invited to the table of our Lord to take of His body and new covenant made in His blood. *You do not have to be baptized and confirmed in the faith to participate, but we encourage those who have not to seek to do so without delay. After-worship, there is a special lunch prepared alongside outside activities for children on the front lawn (prepared by our Korean congregation). Enjoy & celebrate new resurrected life in Christ!
9. *APRIL SPRING PICNIC! – *We continue to ask all to be aware that on 4/21 (Sun), we will not gather at our church facility but at Mary Heads Carter Park in Carrollton for an outdoor Sunday worship, followed by a delicious BBQ picnic lunch with games/fellowship, and prizes from 10am to 3pm. *The purpose of our Spring Picnic is to be a “House of Prayer for All Nations” (ISAIAH 56:1-8), calling all to true righteous worship (not sourced in a location) and mobilizing cross-generational fellowship across our congregation (from children to adults) to inspire godly unity and outreach to our neighbors in need of His love and His house. As we keep announcing this blessed picnic worship throughout the next few weeks, familiarize yourself with the location change for that particular Sunday (4/21). Enjoy God’s beautiful outdoor weather and creation as we become a house of prayer for all nations! *DISCLAIMER: This event is not sponsored by the City of Carrollton.
10. *KINGDOM EXPANSION PRAYER – After two complete cycles of praying for God’s Kingdom to expand in the state of Texas through the work of our Texas Presbytery and ECO denominational family, we are moving to pray for a wider vision of God’s Kingdom to expand through the global prayer guide for the persecuted church and persecuted Christians worldwide from The Voice of the Martyrs organization. Today, we are praying for our persecuted Columbian brothers and sisters in Christ in Latin/South America.

 
**Prayer Topic: Persecuted Christians in Columbia, Latin/South America
     Many Christians in Colombia are taking great risks to share the gospel in some of the most dangerous places for Christians on earth. Working in these hostile areas often results in persecution from armed guerrillas and paramilitary forces. After voters rejected a 2016 peace agreement with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), a Marxist rebel group, the government approved an agreement with the insurgents without public approval in 2017. Since the agreement, various paramilitary groups in rural areas of the north and west have grown more active and violent.    
     Pastors in Colombia’s “red zones” (areas controlled by militant groups rather than the government) have not benefited significantly from the government’s 2017 peace treaty with the Marxist guerrillas. While the guerrillas no longer officially affiliate with the FARC, they continue to oppress Christians and remain involved in the drug trade. Christians are targeted because their obedience to God’s Word prevents them from supporting or joining the violent factions (guerrillas or paramilitary groups) funded through narcotics trafficking and other criminal activities. Worship, evangelism and travel are dangerous in these areas, as the guerrillas seek to control all aspects of villagers’ lives.
 
The Scripture for today is:
 
But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you (MATTHEW 5:44)
 
Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And “If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good. (1 PETER 4:16-19)
 
Prayer by Pastor Chester:
Our Father, we lift up to You our Columbian brothers and sisters in our Lord Jesus Christ in Latin America. We pray for a decrease in violence, and Your hand to move to stop the narcotics trafficking and other criminal activities that are funding the violent guerilla militants. We pray that the Columbian families of those loved ones already martyred will remain faithful and continue to heal emotionally and spiritually. We pray for widows and orphans in Columbia who are rebuilding their lives, for a touch of Your overflowing love in Christ to fill the emptiness. We pray for the scattered Columbian churches in the “red zones” to stay faithful to testifying of the gospel, even as violence comes to their doorsteps. We pray for the front-line missionaries, to encourage them to press on in this eternal work for You and the salvation of the Columbian people. In the risen Savior of Columbia, Jesus Christ’s name we pray, Amen. 

​

1. *LENT DEVOTIONAL GUIDE – As we continue into this season of lent, we are using the online devotional by our friends at Highland Park Presbyterian Church of Dallas. One Scripture text is given per week, with different aspects of the text highlighted throughout each day to draw us deeper into God’s Word. This week’s text is HEBREWS 12:1-3 with the theme, “The Clarity of Call.” In these days leading up to Easter, let us grow our hunger for the LORD through a fresh devotion to Him! The devotional can be found at the QR code or unlisted online webpage here: https://www.hosannapc.org/lent.html
2. *NEW TABLE SIGNS AND NEWCOMER’S WELCOMING PLATE SHEETS! – *If you are a new or returning visitor, please be ushered to a seat with a welcoming plate sheet, and let our Welcoming Team serve you a meal and a cup of water. It is our joy to serve you! For our Covenant Partners, let us be the hands and feet of Jesus in serving our guests in table fellowship. Let each empty plate sheet remind us to always be reaching out to those around us to share the living bread of Jesus Christ and to grow together in reflecting His image and love into the world.
3. *TODAY’S LUNCH MENU – SOYBEAN SPROUT RICE with soy/sesame/garlic sauce (kong-na-mul-bap)! – Also a children’s menu of seaweed and rice will be provided weekly. As time allows, join us after-service to break bread together in the gym as an important part of our worship on the LORD’s day. Today’s menu is delicious Korean soybean sprout rice! Thank the team that prepared it by enjoying the soup!
4. *TABLES/CHAIRS SETUP/CLEANUP continues – For all Sundays in March, Hosanna is taking stewardship of the 12:45pm Saturday setting-up and 1:00pm Sunday cleaning-up of the tables/chairs, seating for 300 people, in the gym for Sunday lunch. *Special thank you to those who helped yesterday’s setup. Cleanup continues today at 1:00pm with table wipe-down and chairs/tables cleanup. Thank you!
5. *TODAY, SESSION/ELDER BOARD meeting, 1:45pm @ Corner Conference Room – The session is gathering today for their monthly meeting. Pray for our Elders as they shepherd, govern, and guard the spiritual health of our congregation.
6. *THIS FRIDAY (3/22), AGAPE life group FELLOWSHIP NIGHT! – This Friday, we invite all young adults, college, postgraduates, and newlyweds to a fellowship night at Cidercade Arlington. See our shepherd, Deacon Hana Lee, for details.
7. *NEXT SUNDAY (3/23), MINISTRY TEAM (Deacons & Elders) LEADERS meeting, 1:45pm @ Corner Conference Room – The Ministry Team Leaders of Deacons, Elders, and Advisors will gather next Sunday to pray, evaluate, and dream of new ways to flourish our community. Pray for our Deacons and Elders as they work together in spiritual leadership, godly unity, and common purpose to advance Christ and His Kingdom through Hosanna.
8. *APRIL SPRING PICNIC! – *We continue to ask all to be aware that on 4/21 (Sun), we will not gather at our church facility but at Mary Heads Carter Park in Carrollton for an outdoor Sunday worship, followed by a delicious BBQ picnic lunch with games/fellowship, and prizes from 10am to 3pm. *The purpose of our Spring Picnic is to be a “House of Prayer for All Nations” (ISAIAH 56:1-8), calling all to true righteous worship (not sourced in a location) and mobilizing cross-generational fellowship across our congregation (from children to adults) to inspire godly unity and outreach to our neighbors in need of His love and His house. As we keep announcing this blessed picnic worship throughout the next few weeks, familiarize yourself with the location change for that particular Sunday (4/21). Enjoy God’s beautiful outdoor weather and creation as we become a house of prayer for all nations! *DISCLAIMER: This event is not sponsored by the City of Carrollton.
9. *KINGDOM EXPANSION PRAYER – After two complete cycles of praying for God’s Kingdom to expand in the state of Texas through the work of our Texas Presbytery and ECO denominational family, we are moving to pray for a wider vision of God’s Kingdom to expand through the global prayer guide for the persecuted church and persecuted Christians worldwide from The Voice of the Martyrs organization. Today, we are praying for our persecuted Algerian brothers and sisters in Christ in north Africa.

 
**Prayer Topic: Persecuted Christians in Algeria, north Africa
     Before the founding of Islam in the seventh century and the subsequent invasion by Arab Muslims, Algeria was inhabited by the Berber people. Today, they live mainly in Algeria’s mountainous Kabylie area in the north, while Arabs inhabit the rest of the country. The Christian faith has a long history in North Africa, especially among ethnic Berbers. The early church father Augustine of Hippo is thought to have been a Berber from Algeria. After centuries of oppressive Muslim occupation, public Christian worship and witness have largely disappeared, but many Berbers are now rediscovering their Christian heritage. Churches have seen rapid growth, and Algeria has experienced one of the world’s largest movements of Muslims coming to faith in Christ. Algerian Christians are reaching out boldly to their Muslim countrymen, causing increased persecution in an uncertain political climate.
     97 percent of Algerians are Sunni Muslims. Christian converts from Islam are persecuted by the government and their own family members. They also face a variety of hardships from the local community.
     Algeria is a shining example of church growth in North Africa and is also a leader for theological training and church development in the region. Nearly all of the church growth has occurred within the Berber community. Although churches are allowed to meet openly, in 2018 the government temporarily closed many church buildings and harassed congregations. Berber Christians, who are watched carefully, have gained a collective voice through an association of churches. Sharing the gospel with Arabs can cause serious problems, but Berber Christians continue to share the gospel boldly in and around al-Qaida terrorist camps. Secret communities of Arab Christians exist throughout the country. While it is not common for Christians to be imprisoned, one believer was imprisoned for nearly a year in connection with a social media post.
 
The Scripture for today is:
 
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:10)
 
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)
 
Prayer by Pastor Chester:
Our Father, we lift up to You our Algerian brothers and sisters in our Lord Jesus Christ in northern Africa, specifically among the ethic Berber community. We pray for the Algerian church leaders to be strong and wise while they endure hardship. Although the government seeks to close down their church doors, we ask for their safety and new worshipping communities to form throughout the land of Algeria, for Your gospel cannot be stopped! We pray for our Algerian brothers and sisters who suffer at the hands of their unbelieving family members, that they remain steadfast in Your love for them and fervent in their testimony of new life in Your Son. We pray that Your salvation by grace through Christ alone may spread through Bible distribution and media. Help us remember Algeria prayerfully, and not take for granted the freedom we have to gather and worship Christ freely today. In the risen Savior of Algeria, Jesus Christ, we pray, Amen. 

​

1. *LENT DEVOTIONAL GUIDE – As we continue into this season of lent, we are using the online devotional by our friends at Highland Park Presbyterian Church of Dallas. One Scripture text is given per week, with different aspects of the text highlighted throughout each day to draw us deeper into God’s Word. This week’s text is JOHN 19:25-27 with the theme, “The Provision of People.” In these days leading up to Easter, let us grow our hunger for the LORD through a fresh devotion to Him! The devotional can be found at the QR code or unlisted online webpage here: https://www.hosannapc.org/lent.html
2. *NEW TABLE SIGNS AND NEWCOMER’S WELCOMING PLATE SHEETS! – Just another reminder that we have table signs and plate sheets for new and returning visitors. Be the hands and feet of Jesus in serving our guests in table fellowship. Let each empty plate sheet remind us to always be reaching out to those around us to share the living bread of Jesus Christ and to grow together in reflecting His image and love into the world.
3. *TODAY’S LUNCH MENU – DRIED POLLOCK FISH AND RADISH SOUP (boog-uh-guk)! – Also a children’s menu of seaweed and rice will be provided weekly. As time allows, join us after-service to break bread together in the gym as an important part of our worship on the LORD’s day. Today’s menu is delicious Korean dried pollock fish and radish soup! Thank the team that prepared it by enjoying the soup!
4. *TODAY’S KITCHEN MINISTRY continues – Thank you to yesterday’s 9:30am food prep servants (Heather Lee; Ashley Chung) and today’s 12:40pm dishwashing servants (Edward Jeon; Aiden Song) for their ministry. For those willing to serve in this ministry, please see Elder Heather Lee.
5. *TABLES/CHAIRS SETUP/CLEANUP continues – For all Sundays in March, Hosanna is taking stewardship of the 12:45pm Saturday setting-up and 1:00pm Sunday cleaning-up of the tables/chairs, seating for 300 people, in the gym for Sunday lunch. *Special thank you to those who helped yesterday’s setup. Cleanup continues today at 1:00pm with table wipe-down and chairs/tables cleanup. Thank you!
6. *TODAY, PRAISE TEAM meeting, 1:30pm @ Corner Conference Room – The Praise Team and Media Team Coordinators will be gathering after the tables/chairs cleanup for an important meeting concerning future direction and discernment.
7. *THIS FRIDAY (3/15), AGAPE life group, 6:30pm! – This Friday, the Lee’s (Heidi and Sam) have generously opened their home. Thank you in advance to the Lee’s for their godly hospitality. We invite all young adults to this Friday’s gathering. RSVP to Deacon Hana or in the group chat. Pray for our AGAPE ministry of college, postgraduates, and newlyweds, gathering every Friday evening at 6:30pm at various homes, and our shepherd, Deacon Hana Lee, as she guides this precious family.
8. *NEXT SUNDAY (3/17), SESSION/ELDER BOARD meeting, 1:45pm @ Corner Conference Room – The Board will be gathering for their monthly meeting. Pray for our Elders and overseeing shepherds in their gathering.
9. *APRIL SPRING PICNIC! – On 4/21 (Sun), we will not gather at our church facility but at Mary Heads Carter Park in Carrollton for an outdoor Sunday worship, followed by a delicious BBQ picnic lunch with games/fellowship from 10am to 3pm. *The purpose of our Spring Picnic is to be a “House of Prayer for All Nations” (ISAIAH 56:1-8), calling all to true righteous worship (not sourced in a location) and mobilizing cross-generational fellowship across our congregation (from children to adults) to inspire godly unity and outreach to our neighbors in need of His love and His house. As we keep announcing this blessed picnic worship throughout the next few weeks, familiarize yourself with the location change for that particular Sunday (4/21). Enjoy God’s beautiful outdoor weather and creation as we become a house of prayer for all nations! *DISCLAIMER: This event is not sponsored by the City of Carrollton.
10. *KINGDOM EXPANSION PRAYER – After two complete cycles of praying for God’s Kingdom to expand in the state of Texas through the work of our Texas Presbytery and ECO denominational family, we will be moving to pray for a wider vision of God’s Kingdom to expand through the global prayer guide for the persecuted church and persecuted Christians worldwide from The Voice of the Martyrs organization. Today, we are praying for our persecuted Afghan brothers and sisters in Christ.

 
**Prayer Topic: Persecuted Christians in Afghanistan
      The Good News of Christ reached Afghanistan by the second century, but today there are no church buildings. Cultural and religious opposition to the gospel as well as significant security issues remain great challenges for all missions efforts in this Central Asian nation. And sadly, most Afghans have never heard the gospel, do not know a Christian and have been indoctrinated to follow Muhammad’s teachings without question. Radical Islam and violent tribal political activity make the nation a difficult and dangerous place for Christians to practice their faith. There is, nevertheless, a special unity among Christians laboring for the gospel in Afghanistan. Indigenous, near-culture and expatriate believers are boldly taking risks and using every possible opportunity to help believers grow in faith and connect with local house churches. While church growth has been slow among the more than 40 unique people groups, significant Christian growth has occurred among the Hazara people, and members of other people groups are also coming to know Christ.
      Afghan Christians cannot worship openly. They must worship in homes or other small venues, and evangelism is forbidden. Christians and seekers are highly secretive about their faith or interest in Christianity, especially since the resurgence of the Taliban. Beatings, torture and kidnappings are routine for Christians in Afghanistan. Although waves of Christians have fled the country to worship openly, some Afghan Christians have stayed to maintain a witness for Christ. A small number of Christians are martyred every year in Afghanistan, but their deaths generally occur without public knowledge. A few are also in prison, but imprisonment is not common. Christian converts from Islam are often killed by family members or other radicalized Muslims before any legal proceedings can begin.
 
The Scripture for today is:
 
Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted (2 Timothy 3:12)
 
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. (1 Peter 4:12-14)
 
Prayer by Pastor Chester:
Our Father, we lift up to You our Afghan brothers and sisters in our Lord Jesus Christ. We pray for their peace, protection and provision for them and their families. We pray for their small gatherings in prayer will uplift their souls with encouragement, training, and true worship to keep following after Your Son in the power of Your Spirit. We pray for front-line workers involved in evangelism, discipleship, and house churches throughout Afghanistan – strengthen them and make their work fruitful through Bible translation, radio, TV, and social media ministries. May it bear much fruit to reach more of the Afghan people. We pray our brothers and sisters will persevere through opposition, even at great sacrifice to their families and safety. We pray for greater access to Afghanistan, that Your Word may go forth to every language, tribe, tongue. Through the Savior whom You sent for Afghanistan and the Afghan people, their Deliverer Jesus Christ we pray, Amen.