Worshipping at Home 10th April 2022
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Palm Sunday - 10th April 2022 

The First Hymn
Welcome!

Palm Sunday is the beginning of Holy Week. The four Gospels give us a lot of detail about the last week of Jesus’ mission. It’s a time of intense teaching, prayer and action, and yet for us it is a time of slowing down, taking time out…and watching. We watch Jesus as he goes through unbearable suffering, only to achieve the most amazing victory. As Pontius Pilate said, without realizing the weight of his own words, ‘Behold the man’. 


Psalm 31: 9-16 

Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; my eye wastes away from grief, my soul and body also. For my life is spent with sorrow, and my years with sighing; my strength fails because of my misery, and my bones waste away. I am the scorn of all my adversaries, a horror to my neighbours, an object of dread to my acquaintances; those who see me in the street flee from me. I have passed out of mind like one who is dead; I have become like a broken vessel. For I hear the whispering of many-- terror all around!-- as they scheme together against me, as they plot to take my life.
But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, "You are my God." My times are in your hand; deliver me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors. Let your face shine upon your servant; save me in your steadfast love.

Acclamation

All glory, laud, and honour 
to thee, Redeemer, King, 
to whom the lips of children 
made sweet hosannas ring. 
Thou art the King of Israel, 
thou David's royal Son, 
who in the Lord's name comest, 
the King and Blessed One.

The Collect Prayer

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.

Sharing the Peace

We are the Family of God;
In the one Spirit we were all baptised
into one body.

Let us then pursue all that makes for peace
and builds up our common life.

(At this point please think of others
and in your heart send them
the message: Peace be with you.)

Bible Reading

Luke 19: 28-40 (The crowds welcome Jesus into Jerusalem.)

 

After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, ‘Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, “Why are you untying it?” say, “The Lord needs it.”’ Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them. As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, ‘Why are you untying the colt?’ They replied, ‘The Lord needs it.’ They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road. When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: ‘Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ‘Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!’ Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, ‘Teacher, rebuke your disciples!’ ‘I tell you,’ he replied, ‘if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.’

Thought for the Day

We arrive at the gates of Jerusalem. The moment of triumph has arrived. Jesus prepares to enter the city as the champion of the people. There is so much to write about, and yet the Gospel writers spend their ink telling us about the donkey Jesus commandeered as his mode of transport. This will seem odd until we realise that this action links the event to the words of the prophet Zechariah: “Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” (Zechariah 9:9) In the lead-up to this verse the prophets talks about God defeating the enemies of the people. 

After the verse we read about the joy of victory: “The Lord their God will save his people on that day as a shepherd saves his flock. They will sparkle in his land like jewels in a crown.” (Zechariah 9:16) Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem created a scene that was packed full of meaning. The great preacher used the moment to cram a long sermon into one image. Jesus, the fulfilment of Israel’s hopes, Jesus the Messiah, had won the people over in a way no other authority had, and he had done in through love and humility. Jesus, the Prince of Peace, had won the title of King of Kings. This is the eternal wisdom of God. This is the ultimate triumph of good over evil. 

The world has had 2,000 years to contemplate and test out this Gospel. It is with utter sadness that he witness the futile madness of those who will not learn the lesson. And yet, as John says in the opening of his Gospel, to those who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become the children of God. 

Let us Pray

Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your Son and paving the way for our lives to be set free through Jesus' death on the cross. Thank you for what this day stands for - the beginning of Holy Week, the start of the journey towards the power of the cross, the victory of the Resurrection, and the rich truth that Jesus truly is our King of Kings. "Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord..." We give you praise and honour for your ways are righteous and true. We give you worship for you are holy and just. We will declare that your love stands firm forever, that your lovingkindness endures forever. In the Mighty Name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

Life-giver, Pain-bearer, Comforter, day by day you sustain the weary with your word and gently encourage us to place our trust in you. Awaken us to the suffering of those around us; give us grace to share one another's burdens in humble service. Amen.

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.

(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.)
The Blessing

Christ crucified draw you to himself, to find in him a sure ground for faith, a firm support for hope, and the assurance of sins forgiven; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you, and remain with you always.


Amen.

 The Second Hymn

If you have any thoughts, questions or concerns, please contact us

Henley in Arden The incumbent/priest in charge John Ganjavi
telephone 01564 792570 or email Incumbent / Priest in charge

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I believe if you keep your faith, you keep your trust, you keep the right attitude, if you're grateful, you'll see God open up new doors.
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