Bulletin – Sunday, March 24, 2024 – Palm Sunday / Sixth Sunday in Lent
Sunday, March 24, 2024
Palm Sunday / Sixth Sunday in Lent
We Gather as People of Faith
Welcome
Announcements
Call to Worship
One: Everyone loves a parade. Everyone loves a parade! The crowds! The celebration!
All: The excitement! The donkey!
One: The donkey? The donkey!
All: The one that carried Jesus into the city, who helped him through the middle of the crowd. The one who reminded the people what kind of king Jesus was.
One: Ah, the donkey. But today, we are the ones who carry Jesus to the world and beyond. Let us worship God.
Hymn – “He Came Riding on a Donkey” (VU #124)
He came riding on a donkey, he came riding into town;
Slow and easy kind of lowly he came riding with the dawn.
His disciples walked beside him, staying close, a little shy,
Not too sure where he would guide them, on to live or on to die.
But all the morning sang his praises; waking birds and dancing wind;
Here he is, the Son of David; riding on to take his throne.
Then the children gathered, singing shouts of laughter, bursting cheer;
In the streets their song was ringing, “Hosannas” filled the morning air.
Timid adults strained to see him, caught the Spirit, joined the song;
Spread their cloaks along before him, branches flashing in the sun.
So all the city sang his praises; waking streets and dancing crowd;
Here he is, the Son of David; our Messiah, Son of God.
In our fasting, and our feasting, called to follow in his way;
Call to walk his road to Easter, called to live his cross today.
Hosanna to the Son of David, hosanna in the heavens above;
Blessed is he who comes to save us, Blessed is he who brings his love.
Let us join to sing his praises; open hearts and souls to God;
He is with us, Son of David; God’s Messiah, Christ the Lord.
Candle Liturgy
One: We have gathered here, week after week, sharing a common quest for a deeper faith and a deeper experience of the divine. I invite you now to close your eyes and let go of the things that distract and concern you. Listen! The time is drawing near. Jesus is preparing to enter Jerusalem. How will be greet him? Will we follow him all the way to the Cross? The power of Jesus is that he lived what he taught, even when it led to his death. He lived with an abiding awareness of God, radiating the light of God in all he said and did. But that light was too much for the world. There are forces today, as there were in ancient Judea, that conspire to put it out. Where are we in this drama? What are we willing to risk to follow Jesus?
(Silent Time)
One: As we extinguish this light, we acknowledge the darkness and pain illness and disease in the world.
(A candle is extinguished)
One: Let us pray:
All: Loving God, there are so many choices before us every day. Choices offered by our friends, our families, our culture, our own past. Some of them encourage the well-being of the earth, ourselves, and our neighbours; others are destructive. Help us to distinguish between them. May we learn from the choices of Jesus and embody compassion, justice, and inclusion in all we say and do. Amen.
Prayer of Approach and Confession
One: Let us pray…Once again, Jesus, you come to the Holy City and in your coming you have brought attention to yourself and your ministry. We too travel with you once again to the road to Jerusalem, inspired by your actions, bringing us to the awareness of what it means to be fully human. May we seek and find new meaning in our lives. Inspiration of Life and Love, enfold and comfort us with your presence in this sanctuary, on this journey and in our being. Let us pray…
The Litany of the Palm
One: We have delighted in the parade that brought Jesus into Jerusalem. Inspired by crowds around us, we waved our palm branches with enthusiasm, with joy and with anticipation. We wondered to you “What’s next? Is something new about to appear? Fascinate us, O God. Make our lives sing!” Breathlessly, we waited and watched holding our palms. Now we, today, ponder the palm branch, considering the tree from which it came, the country from which it came, the people who harvested it, packaged it, and shipped it so we might hold it today. Ignoring the cacophony of cheers and shouts around us, trying to understand, we take a closer look at the branch…how it is formed. This one branch, with many leaves like the vine with many branches; like the mansion with many rooms. We realize that this palm, O God, is your miracle and symbol of our interconnectedness and interdependence. This palm branch connects us to the whole, of which we are just one part. The parade has now passed us by. The crowds are dispersing and noisy shouts have become conversational murmurs. The street is now littered with palms, discarded and forgotten. But we have not forgotten, O God. We keep the palm branch as a symbol of the mystery and the wonder of this day…this leaf connecting us with all of creation as we pray these words…
All: Surrounded by the holy, we hallow all that is sacred. May we be co-creators of a world where love is lived in this world and the next. May there be bread to feed all people and forgiveness that covers all in grace. May we be empowered to choose good instead of evil, and return to right relationship with all creation. May it be so.
(The Prayer of Jesus by Valerie Kingsbury and Christopher Bowman, 2018, Gathering)
Words of Assurance
Truly we are surrounded by the holy but we do not see it. Yet God keeps offering us signs day in and day out. By doing so God tells us that he very much wants us to have a holy relationship with us. God accepts every repentant heart and works in us by the power of the Holy Spirit to show all that is holy, including us. We are a forgiven people. Thanks be to God.
Sung Response – “How Deep the Peace” (MV #95)
How deep the peace, the confidence, of those whose wrongs are forgiven.
How deep the peace, the confidence, of those whose hearts are healed.
We Hear God’s Word
Prayer for Illumination
For the word of God in scripture, for the word of God among us, for the word of God within us. Thanks be to God.
Scripture Reading: Philippians 2:5-11
5 Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, assuming human likeness. And being found in appearance as a human, 8 he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God exalted him even more highly and gave him the name that is above every other name, 10 so that at the name given to Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Scripture Reading: Mark 11:1-11
1 When they were approaching Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples 2 and said to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden; untie it and bring it. 3 If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ just say this: ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately.’” 4 They went away and found a colt tied near a door, outside in the street. As they were untying it, 5 some of the bystanders said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” 6 They told them what Jesus had said, and they allowed them to take it. 7 Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it, and he sat on it. 8 Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields. 9 Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! 10 Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” 11 Then he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple, and when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church
Thanks be to God!
Anthem – “Messiah”
Someone’s shouting from the desert.
Someone’s shouting from the sea.
Someone’s shouting from the mountain
Someone’s shouting from the valley.
Messiah, come and be our King.
Messiah, come and be our King.
Someone’s shouting from the city,
I am young, I am cold.
Someone’s shouting from the country,
I am lonely, I am old.
Messiah, come and be our King.
Messiah, come and be our King.
Someone’s shouting I am broken.
Someone’s shouting make me whole.
Someone’s shouting come and change me.
Someone’s shouting save my soul.
Messiah, come and be our King.
Messiah, come and be our King.
Meditation – “Riding on a Donkey”
Hymn – “When They Heard that Jesus was Coming” (MV #128 – vs. 1, 2, 6, and 9)
When they heard that Jesus was coming,
Sing hosanna to the chosen one!
All the people went out to meet him.
Sing hosanna to the chosen one!
Sing hosanna, sing hosanna,
Sing hosanna to the chosen one!
Spread their cloaks and branches before him,
Sing hosanna to the chosen one!
Children sang with palm branches waving.
Sing hosanna to the chosen one!
Sing hosanna, sing hosanna,
Sing hosanna to the chosen one!
Vision blest, and hope for the future,
Sing hosanna to the chosen one!
God’s beloved, radiant with glory.
Sing hosanna to the chosen one!
Sing hosanna, sing hosanna,
Sing hosanna to the chosen one!
Rising sun, the light of the world,
Sing hosanna to the chosen one!
Words of life, who give us your Spirit.
Sing hosanna to the chosen one!
Sing hosanna, sing hosanna,
Sing hosanna to the chosen one!
We Respond to God’s Word
An Invitation to Share
Like any parade some people jump in with both feet and risk and lead and transform; others stand and cheer and encourage. Still others can’t be bothered and others criticize. But you are here, showing yourselves as participating and cheering. Palm Sunday is a good day for giving and your offering is solid evidence of your commitment. Your offering will not be gathered.
Offering Response – “These Lenten Gifts We Bring”
These Lenten gifts we bring,
Our living faith expressed,
We offer them, most lovingly,
And thus our hearts are blessed.
O loving God receive
These gifts we gladly give,
That show our faith and hope and trust;
Your way we seek to live.
Offering Prayer
Like palm of rejoicing, the cloaks on the ground you have brought these gifts and offer them here. Holy One, let both gifts and givers be lifted up, blessed and sent forth to do your will. Amen.
Prayers of the People
One: God who dwells beyond us.
All: God who dwells among us.
One: God who calls us to dwell together. Bless us now as we gather our thoughts in prayer…
One: The people in the crowd watch Jesus come into Jerusalem. They wonder how the power of people and military feel about his charismatic person who threatens to take over the center of the political stage. Thus, we pray for the powerless in our world…the hungry, the intimidated, the exploited poor here and in countries around the globe. We pray the powerless in our community…the homeless and the poor. We wonder how we might support them.
One: O God, we are grateful for our freedoms. Thus, we pray for the Ukraine and its people and the refugees from there that have reached our shores. We also pray for the Russian people who have been led astray, corrupted by the politics of the day. We pray for the leadership of Israel to be compassionate and just. We pray for the peoples of Palestine and the Gaza Strip who find themselves displaced by this war. We pray for the leaders of governments around the world that are struggling to lead their peoples in life-giving ways. We wonder how we might support them.
One: Among the crowd are persons who have been helped and healed in body, mind, and spirit by God’s Chosen One. There is joy in their hearts! But there are also those who realize that Jesus’ actions could lead to his death. Thus, we pray for those we know, and those we do not know, who have received unexpected and disturbing diagnosis…those suffering at home or in the hospital and those dying or bereaved. We think especially of persons in our families and friends within our church…whose we name aloud or hold silent in our hearts…Marlene, Rob, Heather, Barb, Angela, Jay, Norm, Kieran, Paul, Joe, Nick, Brenda, Al, Brian, Helen, Laila, Jan. We offer our condolences to the family of Bonnie Sells…moment of silence. We wonder how we might support them.
One: There are individuals in the Palm Sunday crowd who have heard Jesus teach and have changed their lifestyles or life’s direction. There are those who have heard his message and stories second-hand and have taken them to heart. There are members of the synagogue and temple in the crowd too. All are wondering how this prophet with huge popular appeal will affect their faith, Lives, and faith community. Thus, we pray for ourselves, as we consider our life’s direction; as we think about our work or social activities; as we ponder our relationships with family and community; as we think about our limited life-span; as we think about how Christian faith affects all of our lives. We wonder just how the coming of Jesus to confront the powerful ones of this time could or will impact us in our life and our time. We wonder how we will support God. Let us pray that ancient prayer that Jesus taught…
All: 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.
We Go Into God’s World
Hymn – “All Glory, Laud and Honour” (VU #122)
All glory, laud and honour to you, Redeemer, King,
To whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring.
You are the King of Israel, and David’s royal son,
Now in the Lord’s name coming, our King and blessed one.
All glory, laud and honour to you, Redeemer, King,
To whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring.
The multitude of pilgrims with palms before your went;
Our praise and prayer and anthems before you we present.
All glory, laud and honour to you, Redeemer, King,
To whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring.
To you, before your passion, they sang their hymns of praise;
To you now high exalted, our melody we raise.
All glory, laud and honour to you, Redeemer, King,
To whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring.
Their praises you accepted; accept the prayers we bring,
Great author of all goodness, O good and gracious king.
Benediction
Today we encountered the timeless tale of Palm Sunday. Inspired, encouraged, and transformed by this faith story, go and be the faith-filled people that you are. Be generous with your kindness, be radical in your loving, be tender in your compassion. May the God of the journey go with you this Holy Week. May the Christ of vulnerability show you the way we must go. May the delightful Holy Spirit always be your guide. Amen. Go in peace.
Response – “From This Place of Prayer and Praising”
From this place of prayer and praising,
Cross and table, well-worn pews,
God, we leave to work and witness,
Living every day for you.
Bless us on our Lenten journey,
Loving Parent, Holy Friend;
Spirit, guide your people onward
Till once more we meet again.
