Service for Palm Sunday March 24, 2024
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Palm Sunday
All are Welcome!
Watch a video recording of the whole service using YouTube.
The Gathering
Welcome and Announcements.
Focusing Moment.
Acknowledgement of Land
We are gathered today to worship on land that is the Traditional territory of the Anishinaabe people. For thousands of years, they have lived on this land, honouring the Creator, and living with respect for creation. We acknowledge their stewardship of the land and their relationship with the land and its plants and animals, and the lakes and streams with their life forms throughout the ages. We accept the responsibility we have to nurture and protect this legacy.
Written by Jeanne Wilson, Trillium U.C., St. Catherines, Ont.
Gathering, Lent-Easter 2023, p.29. Used with permission.
Call to Worship:
One: Everyone loves a parade!
ALL: Everyone loves a parade!
One: The crowds!
ALL: The celebration!
One: The excitement!
ALL: The donkey!
One: The donkey?
ALL: The donkey!
One: The one that carried Jesus into the city, who helped him go through the middle of the crowd.
ALL: The one who reminded the people what kind of king Jesus was.
One: The donkey!
ALL: Today, we are the ones who carry Jesus to the world—and beyond.
One: Let us worship God.
All: Let us worship God!
One: Hosanna!
All: Hallelujah!
Written by Richard Bott, Grace U.C., Burlington, Ont.
Gathering, Lent-Easter 2024, p.37. Used with permission.
HYMN: “All Glory, Laud and Honour” VU #122
Refrain All glory, laud and honour
to you, Redeemer, King,
to whom the lips of children
made sweet hosannas ring.
1 You are the King of Israel,
and David's royal son,
now in the Lord's name coming,
our King and blessed one. Refrain
2 The multitude of pilgrims
with palms before you went;
our praise and prayer and anthems
before you we present. Refrain
3 To you, before your passion,
they sang their hymns of praise;
to you, now high exalted,
our melody we raise. Refrain
4 Their praises you accepted;
accept the prayers we bring,
great author of all goodness,
O good and gracious king. Refrain
A SONG OF FAITH: Spoken in Unison
We sing of Jesus, a Jew, born to a woman in poverty in a time of social upheaval and political oppression. He knew human joy and sorrow. So filled with the Holy Spirit was he that in him people experienced the presence of God among them. We sing praise to God incarnate. Jesus announced the coming of God’s reign — a commonwealth not of domination but of peace, justice, and reconciliation. He healed the sick and fed the hungry. He forgave sins and freed those held captive by all manner of demonic powers. He crossed barriers of race, class, culture, and gender. He preached and practised unconditional love — love of God, love of neighbour, love of friend, love of enemy — and he commanded his followers to love one another as he had loved them. Because his witness to love was threatening, those exercising power sought to silence Jesus. He suffered abandonment and betrayal, state-sanctioned torture and execution. He was crucified. But death was not the last word. God raised Jesus from death, turning sorrow into joy, despair into hope. We sing of Jesus raised from the dead. We sing hallelujah.
MINISTRY OF MUSIC TIME FOR THE YOUTHFUL
HYMN: “Ride On, Ride On, the Time Is Right” VU #126
1 Ride on, ride on, the time is right:
the roadside crowds scream with delight;
palm branches mark the pilgrim way
where beggars squat and children play.
2 Ride on, ride on, your critics wait,
intrigue and rumour circulate;
new lies abound in word and jest,
and truth becomes a suspect guest.
3 Ride on, ride on, while well aware
that those who shout and wave and stare
are mortals who, with common breath,
can crave for life and lust for death.
4 Ride on, ride on, though blind with tears,
though voiceless now and deaf to jeers.
Your path is clear, though few can tell
their garments pave the road to hell.
5 Ride on, ride on, God's love demands.
Justice and peace lie in your hands.
Evil and angel voices rhyme:
you are the man and this the time.
THE WORD
Scripture: Mark 11:1 - 11
Leader: Hear and listen to what the Spirit is saying to the church.
ALL: Thanks be to God.
MESSAGE
“Remembering the Jesus Story”
Sung Response: “Take, O Take Me as I Am” (MV #85)
Take, O take me as I am;
summon out what I shall be;
set your seal upon my heart
and live in me.
Listen to an audio recording of the message below or read the message at the bottom of this page.
OUR RESPONSE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE and THE LORD’S PRAYER:
A contemporary version
Loving parent of all life, present throughout the cosmos,
The mere mention of your name calls us to love, respect, and care for each other. May justice for all, be imbedded in the hearts of all people.
Today may we accept only what we need, respecting creation, doing our part in sustaining the delicate balance of the natural world. Renew us with your grace, as we stumble through this world and help us to share the spirit of forgiveness, with those who have hurt us. Guide us with your spirit of love when we are tempted to be of this world. May evil be removed and replaced with your love. For by living with your love written on our hearts, we may rise above injustice and share the glory of equality, and peace with all of creation. All the days of our lives and into eternity.
Amen
By Rev. Stephanie Richmond Seagrave/ Greenbank UC
Used with permission
HYMN: “Hosanna, Loud Hosanna” VU #123
1 Hosanna, loud hosanna the happy children sang;
through pillared court and temple the joyful anthem rang;
to Jesus, who had blessed them close folded to his breast,
the children sang their praises, the simplest and the best.
2 From Olivet they followed 'mid an exultant crowd,
the victory palm branch waving, and singing clear and loud;
the Lord of earth and heaven rode on in lowly state,
content that little children should on his bidding wait.
3 'Hosanna in the highest!' That ancient song we sing,
for Christ is our Redeemer; earth, let your anthems ring.
O may we ever praise him with heart and life and voice,
and in his humble presence eternally rejoice!
PRESENTATION OF OUR OFFERINGS
Offertory Prayer (In Unison)
Generous God, we come shouting “hosanna” and waving palm branches. We come with our offering — of our time, our talents, and our treasures. May our praise be true and may our offering pass the test — when followers are ridiculed and when following is more costly than we had planned. We pray for the strength to follow through on what these offerings represent. May we be found faithful in this time. Amen.
Written by Beth W. Johnston, Bridging Waters P.C., Nipawin, SK
Gathering, Lent/Easter 2021. Used with permission.
SUNG BLESSING: VU# 108 vs 1
1 Throughout these Lenten days and nights
we turn to walk the inward way,
where, meeting Christ, our guide and light,
we live in hope till Easter Day. ©
Sending Forth:
One: Let us go into this Holy Week trusting in the grace of God. When our strength fails and we descend into horror and dread, may we still find the courage to turn toward the cross, to our king who wears a crown of thorns, and serve his world with compassion.
Go and remember that all our lives are held in God’s gracious hand.
ALL: Amen!
Written by Taylor Croissant, Southminster U.C., Lethbridge, Alta.
Gathering, Lent-Easter 2024, p.37. Used with permission.
A Time of Fellowship
© Music Reproduced with permission under License number A-605748, Valid for: 26/10/2023 - 25/10/2024; One License - Copyright Cleared Music for Churches.
Sermon 24th March 2024
“Remembering the Jesus Story”
Mark 11:1 - 11
Gracious God, be with us today in this place, in the Scriptures and in our words.
May the words of my mouth and the meditations of our hearts praise your Holy name. Amen.
Today’s message, originally written by David Cathcart, will be a little different.
I’ll need your help in singing the sung response from More Voices #85 printed in your bulletin.
You’ll know when to sing when you hear me say… “and in his heart sang:”
Let’s give it a try…
Sung Response: “Take, O take me as I am” (MV 85)
Take, O take me as I am;
summon out what I shall be;
set your seal upon my heart
and live in me.
While in the wilderness praying, Jesus was tempted by the Tempter to do all kinds of things that God wouldn’t want him to do.
But each time the Tempter tempted him, Jesus turned to God and in his heart sang:
Take, O take me as I am;
summon out what I shall be;
set your seal upon my heart
and live in me.
So Jesus went to the River Jordan where he was baptized by his cousin, John.
When he rose from the water, the Holy Spirit like a dove came swooping down and a voice said,
“This is my son the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”
When Jesus heard this he turned to God and in his heart sang:
Take, O take me as I am;
summon out what I shall be;
set your seal upon my heart
and live in me.
Jesus started his ministry: he called disciples to follow him; he healed people who were sick; and he cast out evil spirits that kept people from living freely.
And most importantly he taught people how much God loved them.
He worked very, very hard.
Sometimes when he was very, very tired, Jesus turned to God and in his heart sang:
Take, O take me as I am;
summon out what I shall be;
set your seal upon my heart
and live in me.
Finally, it was time for Jesus to go to Jerusalem.
He told his followers that he would be arrested, tried, and beaten.
He would be hung on a cross to die.
But then on the third day he would be raised.
His followers were afraid.
No one understood what Jesus said, but still they walked toward Jerusalem.
And still, Jesus turned to God and in his heart sang:
Take, O take me as I am;
summon out what I shall be;
set your seal upon my heart
and live in me.
When they got to Jerusalem, Jesus rode into the city on the back of a donkey and people shouted,
“Hosanna! Hosanna in the highest!” they were so excited to see him coming.
They were sure Jesus was going to build an army to conquer the city leaders and bring food, clothing, and shelter to the poor from the riches of his conquest.
But Jesus just shook his head, turned to God, and in his heart sang:
Take, O take me as I am;
summon out what I shall be;
set your seal upon my heart
and live in me.
It came time to share the last supper, so Jesus sat with his disciples in the upper room of a house for a last meal.
He told his friends that he would not get to eat again until he sat with his father in heaven.
But no one understood him.
He told them that one of them would betray him to the religious leaders of Jerusalem who wanted him dead.
But they didn’t believe him.
He told Peter that he would deny him three times before the rooster crowed in the morning, but Peter denied this, saying he would follow Jesus to the very end, even to death.
Jesus gave them bread and said it was his body, broken for them.
And he gave them wine, saying it was God’s promise to be with them always.
As he told them to remember him whenever they ate bread and drank wine together, again he turned to God and in his heart sang:
Take, O take me as I am;
summon out what I shall be;
set your seal upon my heart
and live in me.
After supper, they went to a garden where Jesus prayed.
His friends were very tired and fell asleep.
When Jesus woke his friends up, Judas showed up with the soldiers from the religious leaders who wanted him dead.
They arrested Jesus.
All Jesus’ friends ran away because they didn’t want to get arrested too.
Peter followed, careful not to be caught, and watched as the soldiers took Jesus to the home of the chief religious leader.
A woman looked at Peter and said:
“I know you! You are one of Jesus’ followers!”
And Peter protested,
“No, no, I’m not!”
Another person heard him and said,
“You speak like a Galilean; you must be one of his friends.”
And Peter insisted, “No, no, I’m not!”
A third person saw him and said,
“I saw you in his crowd of disciples.”
And Peter cried out,
“No, no, it wasn’t me.”
And then Peter heard the rooster crow three times.
It was morning, and he had denied Jesus three times, just as Jesus said he would.
Peter wept bitterly, turned to God, and in his heart sang:
Take, O take me as I am;
summon out what I shall be;
set your seal upon my heart
and live in me.
Jesus was taken to the religious leaders.
They sent him to the Roman governor, who sent him to the Jewish king, who sent him back to the Roman governor.
Everyone wanted Jesus dead, but no one wanted to kill him.
Finally, Pilate, the Roman governor, said to the crowd of people that had gathered that he would have Jesus whipped and set him free.
But the people, urged on by the religious leaders, said, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”
Pilate said, “No, no, no. I will have him whipped and set free.”
And the people cried, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”
One more time, Pilate said,
“No, no, no. I will have him whipped and set free.”
And the people cried, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”
When Pilate finally washed his hands of Jesus and said,
“Fine, let him be crucified,” Jesus turned to God and in his heart sang:
Take, O take me as I am;
summon out what I shall be;
set your seal upon my heart
and live in me.
The soldiers built a big cross for Jesus and made him carry it through Jerusalem to a hill called Golgotha.
On that hill they set the cross up and hung Jesus on it, with nails in his hands and feet.
They crucified two thieves, one on either side of him.
People made fun of him and called him names.
The soldiers hung a sign over his head that read,
“King of the Jews” in several languages so that everyone would know who he was.
People called out to him,
“If you really are the son of God, save yourself.”
Then they laughed and turned their backs on him.
The soldiers threw dice to see who would get his clothing.
But Jesus turned to God and in his heart sang:
Take, O take me as I am;
summon out what I shall be;
set your seal upon my heart
and live in me.
And Jesus died. (pause)
When Jesus was dead, Joseph of Aramathea, Mary Jesus’ mother, Mary the sister of Martha, and several other women had Jesus lifted down from the cross and they wept over his body.
They wrapped him in linen and placed him in a new tomb with a huge stone to close it in.
As they left Jesus’ body in the tomb, they remembered how much he had meant to them, what he had taught them, and the things he had done.
Very afraid and uncertain of what was to happen next, they turned to God, as Jesus had taught them, and in their hearts they sang:
Take, O take me as I am;
summon out what I shall be;
set your seal upon my heart
and live in me.
David Cathcart, Alameda/ Frobisher P.C., Alameda, Sask.
