Order of Service for Palm Sunday

CHRIST CHURCH

SHOOTERS HILL

Parish Eucharist on

Palm Sunday

Preparation

Please, take some time before the service for quiet reflection, if possible. Focus on being in God’s presence and prepare yourself for the start of the service.

This prayer may help you as you prepare for the service:

Prayer of Preparation

Almighty God,

to whom all hearts are open,

all desires known,

and from whom no secrets are hidden:

cleanse the thoughts of our hearts

by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit,

that we may perfectly love you,

and worthily magnify your holy name;

through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Commemoration of the Lord’s Entry into Jerusalem

[Stand]

Hosanna to the Son of David.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

Behold your king comes to you, O Zion, meek and lowly, sitting upon an ass. Ride on in the cause of truth and for the sake of justice. Your throne is the throne of God, it endures for ever; and the sceptre of your kingdom is a righteous sceptre. You have loved righteousness and hated evil.

Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows.

Hosanna to the Son of David.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

The Greeting

Grace, mercy and peace from God our Father

and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you

and also with you.

Introduction

Dear brothers and sisters 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.

The people hold up palms or branches while this prayer is said.

God our Saviour, whose Son Jesus Christ entered Jerusalem as Messiah to suffer and to die; let these palms be for us signs of his victory and grant that we who bear them in his name may ever hail him as our King, and follow him in the way that leads to eternal life; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The Palm Gospel

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to St Matthew.

Glory to you, O Lord.

When they had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, ‘Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, just say this, “The Lord needs them.” And he will send them immediately.’ This took place to fulfil what had been spoken through the prophet, saying, ‘Tell the daughter of Zion, Look, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’ The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; they brought the donkey and the colt, and put their cloaks on them, and he sat on them. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!’ When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, ‘Who is this?’ The crowds were saying, ‘This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.’

This is the Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, O Christ.

The Procession

Let us go forth, praising Jesus our Messiah.

During the procession all hold palms or branches, and a hymn is sung.

Hymn:

Make Way, Make Way,

For Christ The King In Splendour Arrives. Fling Wide The Gates

And Welcome Him Into Your Lives.

Chorus

Make Way! (Make Way!) Make Way! (Make Way!) For The King Of Kings! (For The King Of Kings!) Make Way! (Make Way!) Make Way! (Make Way!) And Let His Kingdom In!

He Comes The Broken Hearts To Heal, The Prisoners To Free. The Deaf Shall Hear,

The Lame Shall Dance, The Blind Shall See.

Chorus

And Those Who Mourn

With Heavy Hearts, Who Weep And Sigh; With Laughter, Joy And Royal Crown

He’ll Beautify.

Chorus

We Call You Now To Worship Him As Lord Of All. To Have No Other Gods But Him:

Their Thrones Must Fall!

The Collect

Let us pray for a closer union with Christ in his suffering and in his glory.

Silence is kept.

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.

First Reading

Isaiah 50: 4-9a

The servant of the LORD said: The Lord GOD has given me the tongue of a teacher, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word. Morning by morning he wakens – wakens my ear to listen as those who are taught. The Lord GOD has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, I did not turn backwards. I gave my back to those who struck me, and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard; I did not hide my face from insult and spitting. The Lord GOD helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame; he who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who are my adversaries? Let them confront me. It is the Lord GOD who helps me; who will declare me guilty? All of them will wear out like a garment; the moth will eat them up.

This is the word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Second Reading

Philippians 2: 5-11

Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death – even death on a cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

This is the word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

The Gospel

The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to St Matthew.

See separate document

At the end

This is the Passion of the Lord.

No response is made.

Prayers of Intercession

We stand with Christ in his suffering.

For forgiveness for the many times we have denied Jesus,

let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For grace to seek out those habits of sin which mean spiritual death, and by prayer and self-discipline to overcome them,

let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For Christian people, that through the suffering of disunity there may grow a rich union in Christ,

let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For those who make laws, interpret them, and administer them, that our common life may be ordered in justice and mercy,

let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For those who still make Jerusalem a battleground,

let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For those who have the courage and honesty to work openly for justice and peace,

let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For those in the darkness and agony of isolation,

that they may find support and encouragement,

let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For those who, weighed down with hardship, failure, or sorrow,

feel that God is far from them,

let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For those who are tempted to give up the way of the cross,

let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

That we, with those who have died in faith, may find mercy in the day of Christ,

let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

Holy God,

holy and strong,

holy and immortal,

have mercy upon us.

The Peace

Once we were far off, but now in union with Christ Jesus we have been brought near through the shedding of Christ’s blood, for he is our peace.

The peace of the Lord be always with you

and also with you.

Let us offer one another a sign of Christ’s peace.

Offertory Hymn:

O sacred head, surrounded by crown of piercing thorn! O bleeding head, so wounded, so shamed and put to scorn! Death's pallid hue comes o'er thee, the glow of life decays; yet angel-hosts adore thee, and tremble as they gaze.

Thy comeliness and vigour is withered up and gone, and in thy wasted figure I see death drawing on. O agony and dying! O love to sinners free! Jesu, all grace supplying, turn thou thy face on me.

In this thy bitter passion, good Shepherd, think of me with thy most sweet compassion, unworthy though I be: beneath thy cross abiding for ever would I rest, in thy dear love confiding, and with thy presence blest.

Preparation of the Altar

Prayer at the preparation of the altar.

Jesus, true vine and bread of life,

ever giving yourself that the world might live,

let us share your death and passion:

make us perfect in your love. Amen.

The Eucharistic Prayer

The Lord be with you

and also with you.

Lift up your hearts.

We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give thanks and praise.

It is indeed right and just,

our duty and our salvation,

always and everywhere to give you thanks,

holy Father, almighty and eternal God,

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

For as the time of his passion and resurrection draws near

the whole world is called to acknowledge his hidden majesty.

The power of the life-giving cross reveals the judgement

that has come upon the world and the triumph of Christ crucified.

He is the victim who dies no more, the Lamb once slain,

who lives for ever, our advocate in heaven

to plead our cause, exalting us there

to join with angels and archangels, for ever praising you and saying:

Holy, holy, holy Lord,

God of power and might,

heaven and earth are full of your glory.

Hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

Hosanna in the highest.

All glory be to you, our heavenly Father,

who, in your tender mercy,

gave your only Son our Saviour Jesus Christ

to suffer death upon the cross for our redemption;

who made there by his one oblation of himself

once offered a full, perfect and sufficient sacrifice,

oblation and satisfaction for the sins of the whole world;

he instituted, and in his holy gospel commanded us to continue,

a perpetual memory of his precious death until he comes again.

Hear us, merciful Father, we humbly pray,

and grant that, by the power of your Holy Spirit,

we receiving these gifts of your creation, this bread and this wine,

according to your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ's holy institution,

in remembrance of his death and passion,

may be partakers of his most blessed body and blood;

who, in the same night that he was betrayed,

took bread and gave you thanks; he broke it

and gave it to his disciples, saying:

Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you;

do this in remembrance of me.

In the same way, after supper he took the cup and gave you thanks;

he gave it to them, saying:

Drink this, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant,

which is shed for you and for many

for the forgiveness of sins.

Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.

Jesus Christ is Lord:

Lord, by your cross and resurrection you have set us free. You are the Saviour of the world.

Therefore, Lord and heavenly Father,

in remembrance of the precious death and passion,

the mighty resurrection and glorious ascension

of your dear Son Jesus Christ,

we offer you through him this our sacrifice of praise

and thanksgiving.

Grant that by his merits and death, and through faith in his blood,

we and all your Church may receive forgiveness of our sins

and all other benefits of his passion.

Although we are unworthy, through our manifold sins,

to offer you any sacrifice,

yet we pray that you will accept this

the duty and service that we owe.

Do not weigh our merits,

but pardon our offences,

and fill us all who share in this holy communion

with your grace and heavenly blessing;

through Jesus Christ our Lord,

by whom, and with whom, and in whom,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

all honour and glory be yours,

almighty Father, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Lord's Prayer

Let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us

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, the power and the glory,

for ever and ever. Amen.

Breaking of the Bread

The president breaks the consecrated bread.

Every time we eat this bread and drink this cup,

we proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.

Agnus Dei

Jesus, Lamb of God, have mercy on us.

Jesus, bearer of our sins, have mercy on us.

Jesus, redeemer of the world, grant us peace.

Giving of Communion

Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

Blessed are those who are called to his supper.

Lord, I am not worthy to receive you,

but only say the word, and I shall be healed.

Music is played.

The Post Communion prayer is prayed.

Lord Jesus Christ, you humbled yourself

in taking the form of a servant,

and in obedience died on the cross for our salvation:

give us the mind to follow you

and to proclaim you as Lord and King,

to the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Faithful God, may we who share this banquet

glory in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ,

our salvation, life and hope,

who reigns as Lord now and for ever. Amen.

The Dismissal

May the Father, who so loved the world that he gave his only Son, bring you by faith to his eternal life. Amen.

May Christ, who accepted the cup of sacrifice

in obedience to the Father’s will,

keep you steadfast as you walk with him the way of his cross. Amen.

May the Spirit, who strengthens us to suffer with Christ

that we may share his glory, set your minds on life and peace. Amen.

And the blessing of God almighty,

the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,

be among you and remain with you always. Amen.

From heaven you came, helpless babe, Entered our world, your glory veiled; Not to be served but to serve, And give your life that we might live.

This is our God, the Servant King, He calls us now to follow him, To bring our lives as a daily offering Of worship to the Servant King.

There in the garden of tears, My heavy load he chose to bear; His heart with sorrow was torn, 'Yet not my will but yours,' he said.

Chorus

Come, see his hands and his feet, The scars that speak of sacrifice, Hands that flung stars into space To cruel nails surrendered.

Chorus

So let us learn how to serve, And in our lives enthrone him; Each other's needs to prefer, For it is Christ we're serving.

Chorus

© Archbishops' Council

The word Catholic means universal. We believe that we are not just part of the church community where we live, but we are united with the Church Universal throughout time and eternity and Christ is ever-present with us. This is essential to remember, most especially when we find ourselves separated from the physical presence of our sisters and brothers in Christ. An Act of Spiritual Communion is intended for those who cannot receive the Holy Sacrament due to unusual circumstances.

Now imagine Jesus, Mary or one of the saints coming to you in a gracious and kind manner, holding out to you the Blessed Sacrament. As you see them approach, say:

Lord, I am not worthy to receive you,

but only say the word and I shall be healed.

Then, make an Act of Spiritual Communion in these or other words:

My Jesus,

I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.

I love You above all things,

and desire to receive You into my soul.

Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally,

come at least spiritually into my heart.

I embrace You as if You were already there

and unite myself wholly to You.

Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.

As you imagine yourself receiving the Bread of Heaven, be still and rest in the love of God.

Thank Him for entering beneath the roof of your soul with words such as:

Soul of Christ, sanctify me.

Body of Christ, save me.

Blood of Christ, inebriate me.

Water from the side of Christ, wash me.

Passion of Christ, strengthen me.

O good Jesu, hear me.

Within your wounds hide me.

Suffer me not to be separated from you.

From the malicious Enemy defend me.

In the hour of my death call me and bid me come to you,

that with your Saints I may praise you,

for ever and ever. Amen.