Welcome to our service - 2 April 23
This service sheet can be used individually or with households.
We would encourage you to say (or even sing) hymns and songs out loud.
Prayers, other liturgy or readings can be said out loud or silently, corporately or individually.
SERVICE
Sisters and brothers in Christ, during Lent we have been preparing by works of love and self-sacrifice for the celebration of our Lord’s death and resurrection. Today we come together to begin this solemn celebration in union with the Church throughout the world. Christ enters his own city to complete his work as our Saviour, to suffer, to die, and to rise again. Let us go with him in faith and love, so that, united with him in his sufferings, we may share his risen life.
SAY:
Hosanna in the highest.
Hosanna to the Son of David, the King of Israel.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
SONG: https://youtu.be/B_p7810nDx0
Hosanna, hosanna,
hosanna in the highest.
Hosanna, hosanna,
hosanna in the highest.
Lord, we lift up your name,
with hearts full of praise.
Be exalted, O Lord my God -
hosanna in the highest.
Glory, glory, glory to the king of kings.
Glory, glory, glory to the king of kings.
Lord, we lift up your name
with hearts full of praise.
Be exalted, O Lord my God -
glory to the king of kings.
Carl Tuttle (c) 1985 Mercy Publishing/Thankyou Music
CONFESSION
Lord Jesus Christ,
we confess we have failed you as did your first disciples.
We ask for your mercy and your help.
When we take our ease
rather than watch with you:
Lord, forgive us.
Christ have mercy.
When we bestow a kiss of peace
yet nurse enmity in our hearts:
Lord, forgive us.
Christ have mercy.
When we strike at those who hurt us
rather than stretch out our hands to bless:
Lord, forgive us.
Christ have mercy.
When we deny that we know you
for fear of the world and its scorn:
Lord, forgive us.
Christ have mercy.
May the Father forgive us
by the death of his Son
and strengthen us
to live in the power of the Spirit
all our days. Amen.
COLLECT
True and humble king,
hailed by the crowd as Messiah:
grant us the faith to know you and love you,
that we may be found beside you
on the way of the cross,
which is the path of glory. Amen
SING: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNWkKuj1Hq4
This is the day,
this is the day that the Lord has made,
that the Lord has made.
We will rejoice,
we will rejoice and be glad in it,
and be glad in it.
This is the day, that the Lord has made,
we will rejoice and be glad in it.
This is the day,
this is the day that the Lord has made.
Les Garrett © 1967,1980
Scripture in Song/Thankyou Music
READINGS
Philippians 2. 5 - 11
You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
Though he was God,
he did not think of equality with God
as something to cling to.
Instead, he gave up his divine privileges;
he took the humble position of a slave
and was born as a human being.
When he appeared in human form,
he humbled himself in obedience to God
and died a criminal’s death on a cross.
Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honour
and gave him the name above all other names,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Matthew 21: 1 - 11
As Jesus and the disciples approached Jerusalem, they came to the town of Bethphage on the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent two of them on ahead. “Go into the village over there,” he said. “As soon as you enter it, you will see a donkey tied there, with its colt beside it. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone asks what you are doing, just say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will immediately let you take them.”
This took place to fulfil the prophecy that said,
“Tell the people of Jerusalem,
‘Look, your King is coming to you.
He is humble, riding on a donkey—
riding on a donkey’s colt.’”
The two disciples did as Jesus commanded. They brought the donkey and the colt to him and threw their garments over the colt, and he sat on it.
Most of the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of him, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. Jesus was in the centre of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting,
“Praise God for the Son of David!
Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the LORD!
Praise God in highest heaven!”
The entire city of Jerusalem was in an uproar as he entered. “Who is this?” they asked.
And the crowds replied, “It’s Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
This is the word of the Lord,
Thanks be to God.
Questions for reflection
I would invite you to re-read the reading from Matthew’s gospel. As you do, imagine you are the disciples. Focus on what they must has been feeling throughout the passage in contrast to all that they will experience in the coming days.
· If you have a Bible, I would invite you to look up Zechariah 9: 9 – 17. How does the gospel writer use this passage to explain who Jesus is and the prophecy that he is fulfilling?
· Why is it therefore significant that Jesus is riding on a colt?
· Why do the people ‘spread their garments on the road ahead of him, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road’?
· What type of King were the people expecting?
· The phrase ‘Praise God’ translated in our version is usually translated ‘Hosanna’. It literally means ‘save us’. What type of saviour were the people hoping for?
· Zechariah prophesied that this King would ‘proclaim peace to the nations’. How do you think the crowd thought this would come about?
· As you consider our world and particularly places where there is war and conflict, how do you imagine peace will come into those situations? Do you believe it is possible? Spend some time praying into this.
· How do we honour Jesus with our lives? Are we willing to lay it all down for Jesus?
· Have your turned Jesus into someone who is there simply to help you through the various things of life - he is simply a comforting religious experience?
· Is Jesus really King over your life?
Let us affirm our faith in Jesus Christ the Son of God:
Though he was divine,
he did not cling to equality with God,
but made himself nothing.
Taking the form of a slave,
he was born in human likeness.
He humbled himself
and was obedient to death,
even the death of the cross.
Therefore God has raised him on high,
and given him the name above every name:
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, and every voice proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father. Amen.
O LORD, HEAR MY PRAYER,
O Lord, hear my prayer:
When I call answer me.
O Lord, hear my prayer,
O Lord, hear my prayer:
Come and listen to me.
Jacques Berthier/Taizé.
Copyright © 1982 Ateliers et Presses de Taize (France).
PRAYERS - written by John Gough
Heavenly Father, as we begin Holy Week and reflect on Christ’s passion, may we truly understand the sacrifice he made for us.
As we think of Jesus journeying to Jerusalem, arriving in peace on a young donkey, as opposed to a steed prepared for war. Pray in your hearts for all areas of the world Where there is conflict, pray for a fresh hope for peace to prevail.
As we think of Jesus praying in the garden of Gethsemane, feeling the anguish at what he was about to face, pray in your hearts for family or friends who suffer with fear or anxiety, and give thanks also for all who work in the mental health support services.
As we think of Jesus being falsely tried, tortured and crucified, pray in your hearts for people across the world who have been falsely accused and imprisoned, with no hope of justice or release.
Finally pray in your hearts for our Church here in Greystones and the progression of Bless Greystones for our parish and community.
Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your son Jesus Christ.
Amen.
LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your Kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those
who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and for ever. Amen
SING: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MiXfvEA_Ysg
YOU ARE THE KING OF GLORY,
You are the Prince of Peace;
You are the Lord of heaven and earth,
You’re the Sun of righteousness.
Angels bow down before You,
Worship and adore, for
You have the words of eternal life,
You are Jesus Christ the Lord.
Hosanna to the Son of David!
Hosanna to the King of kings!
Glory in the highest heaven,
For Jesus the Messiah reigns.
Mavis Ford. © 1978 Authentic Publishing/Adm. by Kingswaysongs
OFFERTORY - Take a moment to consider how you are going to continue to give to the life of the church and support other aid agencies and mission organisations.
Yours, Lord, is the greatness, the power,
the glory, the splendour, and the majesty;
for everything in heaven and on earth is yours.
All things come from you, and of your own do we give you.
SING: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zo5pfl6z6lA
1. Ride on! ride on in majesty!
Hark! all the tribes Hosanna cry!
O Saviour meek, pursue Your road
With palms and scattered garments strowed.
2. Ride on! ride on in majesty!
In lowly pomp ride on to die:
O Christ, Your triumphs now begin
O'er captive death and conquered sin.
3. Ride on! ride on in majesty!
The angel armies of the sky -
Look down with sad and wondering eyes
To see the approaching acrifice.
4. Ride on! ride on in majesty!
The last and fiercest strife is nigh:
The Father on his sapphire throne
Awaits his own anointed Son.
5. Ride on! ride on in majesty!
In lowly pomp ride on to die;
Bow Your meek head to mortal pain,
Then take, O God, Your power, and reign.
H H Milman
A prayer from the 1st Century oral tradition:
You are the peace of all things calm
You are the place to hide from harm
You are the light that shines in dark
You are the heart's eternal spark
You are the door that's open wide
You are the guest who waits inside
You are the stranger at the door
You are the calling of the poor
You are my Lord and with me still
You are my love, keep me from ill
You are the light, the truth, the way
You are my Saviour this very day.
May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage our hearts and strengthen us in every good deed and word.