Watchword for the Week
And being found in human form, Jesus humbled
himself and became obedient to the point of death –
even death on a cross. (Philippians 2:7-8)
(Moravian Daily Texts 2016)
ORGAN PRELUDE
WELCOME and OPENING RESPONSES
Humble and riding on a donkey,
we greet you;
acclaimed by crowds and carolled by children,
we cheer you;
moving from the peace of the countryside
to the corridors of power,
we salute you – Christ our Lord.
You are giving the beast of burden
a new dignity;
you are giving majesty a new face;
you are giving those who long for redemption
a new song to sing.
With them, with heart and voice,
we shout – ‘Hosanna!’
Hymn 367 * Hosanna, loud hosanna
People’s Choice Hymns are marked with an asterisk (*)
PRAYER of APPROACH
Easter draws near; the pace quickens;
the clamour grows; rumours fly;
the opposition marshals its forces.
The disciples, ordinary men and women,
bewildered among unfamiliar scenes,
faced down by institutions,
blunder after you, their Teacher,
Lord, Jesus Christ.
May our own journey through these days
be not clouded by foreknowledge,
by knowing too well what happened,
so that we might be able to see
what we have not yet seen
in the events of this coming week,
and also what we would rather not see.
Holy Spirit, descend on us as we worship;
bring us together, help us to journey with
you – Jesus Christ our Lord.
Lord Jesus Christ, on the first Palm Sunday
you entered the rebellious city
where you were to die.
Enter our hearts, we pray,
and subdue them to yourself.
And as your disciples blessed your coming
and spread garments and branches in your way,
make us ready to lay at your feet
all that we have and are,
that we too may bless your coming
in the name of the Lord. Amen.
WORDS of ASSURANCE
God, your constant love reaches the heavens;
your faithfulness extends to the skies. Your
righteousness is towering like the mountains;
your justice is like the depths of the sea.
We find protection under the shadow of your
wings. You are the source of all life.
Thanks be to God. Amen.
Hymn 185 * Come, children, join and sing
CHILDREN’S TIME
SHARING GOD’S PEACE
(Children may join the Kids’ Church programme)
SCRIPTURE READINGS
Philippians 2:5-11 NT p. 248 (247)
St. Matthew 21:1-11 NT p. 30
People may stand for the Gospel reading.
The word of God: Thanks be to God!
Hymn 395 What wondrous love is this?
(Hymn of the Month, April 2017)
SERMON Rev. James Brown
Hymn 364 * All glory, laud, and honour
PALM PROCESSION / OFFERING
Please bring your offerings and your “palm” leaves
forward and place them in the altar space.
DEDICATION PRAYER
Gracious God, even on a day such as this,
when more than any other we contemplate
how we have failed to uphold your word and
your work, still we offer you these gifts of
our hands and our hearts, and pray that you
will receive them and use them, that together
we might continue to tell the world of your
love. Amen.
NOTICES and PRAYERS for OTHERS
God, our Father: let your will be done.
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,
for ever and ever. Amen.
Hymn 365 * Ride on! Ride on in majesty!
BLESSING and Threefold Amen (No. 819)
ORGAN POSTLUDE
0 Comments