Order of Service for All Age on Palm Sunday -- 5th April 2020
ALL AGE 05.04.20 Palm Sunday, Year A
Welcome, notices, birthdays
On screen before the service:
Matthew 21.1-11
Jesus enters Jerusalem as a Passover pilgrim for the last time, demonstrating how he brings in God’s kingdom and setting the stage for the showdown with those he sees as God’s real enemies.
Hymn: Make way, make way
Make way, make way,
For Christ the king In splendour arrives. Fling wide the gates
And welcome him Into your lives.
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.
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!
And those who mourn
With heavy hearts, Who weep and sigh; With laughter, joy and royal crown
He’ll beautify.
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!
We call you now to worship him
As lord of all. To have no other gods but him:
Their thrones must fall!
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!
A Gathering Prayer
We are pilgrims on your journey. We celebrate with the crowds, pouring into Jerusalem. Jesus, you rode on a donkey and coats were laid at your feet… The crowds waved palm branches and shouted, ‘Hosanna’… We sing and shout praise to you, Lord Jesus… You came knowing the sacrifice you were about to make… You came to change the world… Thank you for the sacrifice you made for us… Amen.
A prayer of confession
Lord Jesus, you came to change the world. Forgive us when we become complacent, when change is difficult – and we give up. Lord Jesus, you came to serve, not to be served. Forgive us when we put ourselves and our needs before those of our brothers and sisters. Lord Jesus, you came to bring peace. Forgive us when we cause more fights, more trouble, and more wars than peace. Lord Jesus, you came to set the captives free. Forgive us when we don’t stand up for justice and freedom for our neighbours. Lord Jesus, you came to meet us where we are. Forgive us when we don’t stand with each other through the pain and struggle. Help us to change the world by serving one another, working for peace, standing up for justice, and walking with our fellow pilgrims. Amen.
The Absolution
May almighty God have mercy on you,
forgive you your sins
and bring you to everlasting life. Amen.
Reading: Matthew 21: 1-11
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.’
Address :
Hymn Meekness and Majesty
Meekness and majesty manhood and deity
In perfect harmony the Man who is God
Lord of eternity dwells in humanity
Kneels in humility and washes our feet
O what a mystery meekness and majesty
Bow down and worship for this is your God
This is your God
Father's pure radiance perfect in innocence
Yet learns obedience to death on a cross
Suffering to give us life
Conquering through sacrifice
And as they crucify prays Father forgive
O what a mystery meekness and majesty
Bow down and worship for this is your God
This is your God
Wisdom unsearchable God the invisible
Love indestructible in frailty appears
Lord of infinity stooping so tenderly
Lifts our humanity to the heights of His throne
O what a mystery meekness and majesty
Bow down and worship for this is your God
This is your God
This is your God
Intercessions
Lord Jesus, we pray for all who give of themselves sacrificially, for those whose lives are dedicated to serving others: parents, carers, foster carers, doctors, nurses, supermarket workers, cleaners and refuse collectors and all other key workers We pray for those caring for children or elderly relatives. Let us travel together and lighten the load. We pray for those serving in war-torn countries around the world: medics, those who work in missions, the media, NGOs and charities… who bring food, shelter and healing to those in need, sometimes putting their lives on the line. Let us travel together and lighten the load. We pray for those in our communities who need our unconditional love: those hurting from broken relationships, abuse, bullying, domestic violence
Those isolation themselves because of the virus, those who are worried about loved ones and all those who have lost loved ones Let us travel together and lighten the load. We pray that we might be Easter people, laying down our lives to serve others, bringing hope to hopeless situations – the hope of the cross and resurrection. Let us travel together and lighten the load. Amen.
Merciful Father,
Accept these prayers for the sake of your Son,
Our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Lord’s Prayer (sung)
Our Father who art in heaven HBTN
Thy kingdom come thy will be done HBTN
On earth as it is in heaven HBTN
Give us this day our daily bread HBTN
Forgive us all our trespasses HBTN
As we forgive those who trespass against us HBTN
And lead us not into temptation HBTN
But deliver us from all that is evil HBTN
For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory HBTN
For ever and for ever and ever HBTN
As we wait on you, Lord God, renew our strength, our hope, and our vision to be your arms in this world, reaching out and enfolding with love all those in our community Amen.
Blessing:
Jesus our King, give you ears to hear his voice, and minds and bodies ready to do what he asks.
and may the blessing of God Almighty,
the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit
be amongst you and remain with you, now and forever. Amen.
The Peace
The Peace of the Lord be always with you
All and also with you
Hymn: Give me joy in my heart
Give me joy in my heart, keep me praising, give me joy in my heart, I pray; give me joy in my heart, keep me praising, keep me praising till the break of day. Sing hosanna, sing hosanna, sing hosanna to the King of kings! Sing hosanna, sing hosanna, sing hosanna to the King! Give me peace in my heart, keep me loving, give me peace in my heart, I pray; give me peace in my heart, keep me loving, keep me loving till the break of day:
Sing hosanna, sing hosanna, sing hosanna to the King of kings! Sing hosanna, sing hosanna, sing hosanna to the King! Give me love in my heart, keep me serving, give me love in my heart, I pray; give me love in my heart, keep me serving, keep me serving till the break of day:
Sing hosanna, sing hosanna, sing hosanna to the King of kings! Sing hosanna, sing hosanna, sing hosanna to the King!
Give my oil in my lamp, keep me burning, Give me oil in my lamp, I pray, Give my oil in my lamp, keep me burning, Keep me burning ’till the end of day.
