Order of Service – Sunday 5 April 2020 – PALM SUNDAY
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CALL TO WORSHIP
Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
This is the day that the Lord has made: let us rejoice and be glad in it!
HYMN: 271 “The Advent of Our God”
DECLARATION
It was on this day that the Christ entered the holy city to shouts of ‘Hosanna!’ It was in this week that He entered the Temple, the place of worship, and cleansed it; it was in this week that He gave the meal of thanksgiving to His disciples; it was on the Friday of this week that He humbled himself, and became obedient to the point of death – even death on a cross. (Philippians 2:8)
SONG – This Is The Day
This is the day, this is the day that the Lord has made,
Let us rejoice, let us rejoice and be glad in it!
This is the day that the Lord has made,
Let us rejoice and be glad in it!
This is the day, this is the day that the Lord has made.
This is the day, this is the day that the Lord has made,
We will rejoice, we will rejoice 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.
RESPONSIVE READING
Hosanna to the Son of David!
Hosanna in the highest heaven!
Lord Jesus Christ, You humbled Yourself and became as nothing for our redemption. Give to Your Church the Servant mind to display Your grace and mercy . . .
We bow the knee and confess Your name.
Lord Jesus, on this day the crowd shouted praises, but in just a few days they turned on You. We pray for all at the mercy of fickle popularity.
Give governments strength and courage to hold to what is true and right.
Lord Jesus, as the crowd spread their cloaks and waved tree branches in Your honour, we give thanks for the occasions that fill us with joy by being alive . . .
Draw us closer to one another and to You.
Lord Jesus, in Your passion we see our human frailty. Be with all whose endurance is strained and spirit is weakened by their ailments . . .
Sustain the weary with Your eternal word.
Lord Jesus, You shared our life even to the point of death. Gather to Yourself in gentleness and peace all who have died.
As You are highly exalted so may we come to share in Your eternal Kingdom.
HYMN: 724 “Hosanna, Hosanna”
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
I ask you to pray for the peace of the world, and for all the nations of the world. Pray for enemies to be reconciled and for justice to be done. Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer.
I ask you to pray for our church and for Christians everywhere. Pray for courage and integrity in following the way of the cross. Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer.
I ask you to pray for the forgiveness of our sins through our Lord Jesus Christ. Pray for pardon and peace. Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer.
I ask you to pray for all who offer their gifts to Christ, and for those who have betrayed His trust in them. Pray for love and loyalty in all our relationships. Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer.
I ask you to pray for the sick and all prisoners, and for people preparing to die. Pray for healing, freedom, and hope. Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer
I ask you to pray for the pandemic and its rapid spread around the world, causing thousands of people to be contaminated, unwell, perishing, and leaving behind loved ones mourning their loss and many countries to announce lock-down, causing financial and social chaos. Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer
I ask you to give thanks for all the saints, and for the resurrection light that shines on them. Remember those who have died. Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer.
Holy God, hear the prayers of Your Church. Forgive our sins and send us the grace we need to be faithful followers of our crucified and risen Lord, for we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION
Holy One, speak to us again as we read of the suffering and death of Jesus. May we hear your word above the shouts of the crowd, and hearing, may we follow faithfully, even to the cross. We pray in the name of Jesus, who died for us.Amen.
BIBLE READINGS – Ivy Lee
Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 (Pages 606-607) Matthew 21:1-11 (Pages 1977-978)
MESSAGE: “Give Thanks! Can We?” Krikor Youmshajekian
HYMN: 429 “Break Now the Bread of Life”
THE INVITATION
The peace of the Lord, which surpasses all understanding, be with you.
Christ our Lord invites to His table all who love Him, who earnestly repent of their sin and seek to live in peace with one another.
BREAKING THE BREAD
Christ is the bread of joy, who shares food with sinners.
Christ is the cup of life, who revives the faint-hearted.
Let us receive what we are; let us become what we receive.
The body of Christ. (Say a prayer and ask the Father to bless the bread and the cup)
We break this bread and take this cup so that we can share in the life of
Christ. God’s gifts for God’s people. (Take the bread and eat. Drink the cup)
THE LORD’S PRAYER
HYMN: 333 “All Glory, Praise and Honour”
BENEDICTION