ORDER OF SERVICE FOR SUNDAY, APRIL 2, 2023
PALM / PASSION SUNDAY
Due to copyright limitations, we are unable to print the words to many of the songs. However, our musicians have chosen music to fit the scriptures. We invite you to look up the words in your worship book and ponder them. If you do not have a worship book, ponder the words to one of your favourite hymns and listen for God’s voice. Those who have internet may find the songs on YouTube.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK:
“How precious the gift of the cross, how splendid to contemplate! In the cross there is no mingling of good and evil, as in the tree of paradise: it is wholly beautiful to behold and good to taste. The fruit of this tree is not death but life, not darkness but light. This tree does not cast us out of paradise, but opens the way for our return.”
–St. Theodore the Studite
BEFORE WE WORSHIP, WE REFLECT…
The servanthood of a teacher in Isaiah, the outcast in the psalm, those who bow down in Philippians: today’s readings teach humility. On this day we move from Christ’s triumphant ride on a humble donkey to the humiliation of the cross. The humility of the characters in the passion story is in question: Judas, Pilate, the Twelve, chief priests and elders, Barabbas, the crowd, the soldiers, two bandits. Among other things, their lack of humility is what brings about the passion of Christ. There is only one truly humble person in this story: Jesus the Christ. Matthew’s humble Jesus cries out from the cross to ask God why he has been forsaken.
Joseph of Arimathea is a particularly good character on which to base an understanding of humility. A close look at all references to him in the Gospels, and a bit of creative narrative, create an image of a truly humble believer. His devotion represents deep humility that leads to the very finest of good works as he cares for the body of Jesus.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We acknowledge we gather and worship on Treaty 1 Territory, the original lands of Anishinaabeg, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota, and Dene peoples, and on the homeland of the Métis Nation.
Help us to use our gifts, our knowledge, our skills, our positions in society, and our strength in Christ, as a community of faith, to support our indigenous neighbours. Give us humility and the wisdom to know when and how to follow their lead in seeking solutions, and in making positive changes. Open our hearts, our minds, and our spirits to new possibilities when the steps our Indigenous leaders and neighbours wish to take may be uncomfortable or unfamiliar.
We pray for our Indigenous neighbours. We ask that you will help us to let our Indigenous neighbours know that we honour them, we want to live together with them in harmony, and we share their hope for a blessed future together, for growth in mutual understanding and respect, for healing, for justice, and for reconciliation. We pray for all our relations. Amen.
PROCESSIONAL GOSPEL: Matthew 21:1-11
1When they had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2saying 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. 3If anyone says anything to you, just say this, ‘The Lord needs them.’ And he will send them immediately.” 4This took place to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet, saying,
5“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.”
6The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; 7they brought the donkey and the colt, and put heir cloaks on them, and he sat on them. 8A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9The 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!”
10When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, “Who is this?” 11The crowds were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.”
CALL TO WORSHIP
Humble and riding on a donkey,
we greet you;
Acclaimed by crowds and caroled by children,
we cheer you;
moving from the peace of the countryside to the corridors of power,
We salute you: Christ our Lord.
You are giving the beast of burden a new dignity;
you are giving majesty a new face;
you are giving those who long for redemption
A new song to sing.
With them, with heart and voice, we shout:
Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
—from Common Order, Panel on Worship, Church of Scotland, 1994.
CHILDREN’S SONG: VU 124 He Came Riding On A Donkey
CENTERING PRAYER
Merciful God, as we enter Holy week, turn our hearts again to Jerusalem, and to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Stir up within us the gift of faith that we may not only praise him with our lips, but may follow him in the way of the cross.
A NEW CREED
We are not alone; we live in God’s world.
We believe in God: who has created and is creating, who has come in Jesus, the Word made flesh, to reconcile and make new, who works in us and others by the Spirit.
We trust in God.
We are called to be the Church: to celebrate God’s presence, to live with respect in Creation, to love and serve others, to seek justice and resist evil, to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen, our judge and our hope.
In life, in death, in life beyond death, God is with us. We are not alone. Thanks be to God.
CHILDREN’S CHAT
Suppose you were REALLY hungry! And let’s suppose that, as you sat down at the dinner table, there was a bowl of your favourite soup, followed by a bowl of your favourite salad, and then, a plate with your favourite meal, and the aroma was making your mouth water! Finally, there was your favourite dessert!!
Now, suppose you decided that you had to have dessert first, and you ate it down. But then, you decided that since you had dessert, you didn’t want the rest of your meal. How do you think you would feel after a few hours? Not only that, how does your body get all the vitamins it needs to stay healthy if all you are eating is dessert?
Did you know that there are people in the world who do not want to face any discomfort in their life, so they are always trying to do fun things and hang out with fun people, kind of like only eating dessert, because hurting people bring them down? They avoid pain at all costs. Well, that may work for awhile, but life finally gets through and people learn that they can’t avoid pain. They can try, but it will happen no matter what.
Palm Sunday seems like such a happy day with the people shouting their praise for Jesus, celebrating his entrance into Jerusalem. But within a few days, those same people will be shouting for Jesus to be crucified to death on the cross. I’m sure Jesus would have liked to avoid the pain and death of crucifixion, and, being Jesus, he didn’t. He chose to die for all of God’s people. The disciples, Jesus’ mother and other female friends, went through a lot watching Jesus die. It was horrible, no doubt about it! AND, they supported each other, trusted God no matter how much sadness they felt, and grieved together. They became closer as they walked through their pain together. They became stronger as a result.
Pain and suffering are going to happen in your life whether you want to face it or not. So, better to have family and friends to help you on your journey, trusting that God will help get you through, surrounded by love.
MINUTE FOR MISSION: Your Generosity Increases Food Security
When did you first become aware of climate change? When did you first feel its effects?
In Canada, we have always experienced wildfires and droughts, hurricanes and winter storms. But “once-in-a-lifetime” disasters are happening with far greater frequency than ever before. Fortunately, to date, we have had the resources to cope with the effects of weather’s worst.
Many others around the world face different challenges.
In Zambia, Merit Mabenga has felt the deep impacts of climate change. Droughts are killing her crops. Wells are drying up, forcing her to walk farther and farther to fetch clean, safe drinking water. Necessities are scarce, and prices are soaring far beyond Merit’s modest reach because of climate change.
The impacts of climate change can feel overwhelming. But as always, the Bible shares its wisdom. 1 Corinthians 12:25–26 reminds us that “there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it” (NIV).
Thanks to donors like you, Merit has planted a diverse selection of vegetables and now harvests three times a year. This means increased food security for her family and greater ability to access education. In fact, Merit has earned enough to send her son to college. Her children are her future; Merit needs them not just to survive but also to thrive!
Your gifts to Mission & Service go directly toward our programs and partners around the world. Every dollar you give makes a difference because it helps someone who needs it. Thank you for your generosity.
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION – by Beth Merrill Neel
Come, Lord Jesus, into our midst this day. Open our hearts to receive your love; open our minds to hear your story; open our hands to receive your grace. In praise and adoration, we raise our palms to you. Amen.
READINGS AND PSALM
First Reading: Isaiah 50:4-9a
The servant of the Lord expresses absolute confidence in his final vindication, even though he has been struck and spit upon. This characteristic of the servant played an important role in the early church’s understanding of the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
4The 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.
5The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, I did not turn backward.
6I 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.
7The 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; 8he who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with
me? Let us stand up together. Who are my adversaries? Let them confront me.
9aIt is the Lord God who helps me; who will declare me guilty?
Psalm 31:9-16
R: Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit. (Ps. 31:5)
9Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am in trouble;
my eye is consumed with sorrow, and also my throat and my belly.
10For my life is wasted with grief, and my years with sighing;
my strength fails me because of affliction, and my bones are consumed.
11I am the scorn of all my enemies, a disgrace to my neighbors, a dismay to my acquaintances;
when they see me in the street they avoid me.
12Like the dead I am forgotten, out of mind; I am as useless as a broken pot. R
13For I have heard the whispering of the crowd; fear is all around;
they put their heads together against me; they plot to take my life.
14But as for me, I have trusted in you, O Lord. I have said, “You are my God.
15My times are in your hand; rescue me from the hand of my enemies, and from those who persecute me.
16Let your face shine upon your servant; save me in your steadfast love.” R
Second Reading: Philippians 2:5-11
Paul uses an early Christian hymn to help us comprehend Jesus’ obedient selflessness on the cross and how God has made Christ lord over all reality. The perspective of the cross becomes the way we rightly understand God, Christ, our own lives, and fellowship within the community of Christ.
5Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, 6who, though he was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited,
7but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness.
And being found in human form, 8he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death—
even death on a cross.
9Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name,
10so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Gospel: Matthew 27:11-54
In fulfillment of scripture and obedience to God’s will, Jesus goes to the cross so that a new covenant in his blood may bring forgiveness of sins. Even the soldiers who crucify him recognize him to be the Son of God.
11Now Jesus stood before the governor; and the governor asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You say so.” 12But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he did not answer. 13Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many accusations they make against you?” 14But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.
15Now at the festival the governor was accustomed to release a prisoner for the crowd, anyone whom they wanted. 16At that time they had a notorious prisoner, called Jesus Barabbas. 17So after they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you, Jesus Barabbas or Jesus who is called the Messiah?” 18For he realized that it was out of jealousy that they had handed him over. 19While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that innocent man, for today I have suffered a great deal because of a dream about him.” 20Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus killed. 21The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” 22Pilate said to them, “Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” All of them said, “Let him be crucified!” 23Then he asked, “Why, what evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!”
24So when Pilate saw that he could do nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took some water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.” 25Then the people as a whole answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” 26So he released Barabbas for them; and after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified.
27Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor’s headquarters, and they gathered the whole cohort around him. 28They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, 29and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on his head. They put a reed in his right hand and knelt before him and mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” 30They spat on him, and took the reed and struck him on the head. 31After mocking him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.
32As they went out, they came upon a man from Cyrene named Simon; they compelled this man to carry his cross. 33And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull), 34they offered him wine to drink, mixed with gall; but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. 35And when they had crucified him, they divided his clothes among themselves by casting lots; 36then they sat down there and kept watch over him. 37Over his head they put the charge against him, which read, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.”
38Then two bandits were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. 39Those who passed by derided him, shaking their heads 40and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” 41In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes and elders, were mocking him, saying, 42“He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him. 43He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he wants to; for he said, ‘I am God’s Son.’ ” 44The bandits who were crucified with him also taunted him in the same way.
45From noon on, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. 46And about three o’clock Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” 47When some of the bystanders heard it, they said, “This man is calling for Elijah.” 48At once one of them ran and got a sponge, filled it with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink. 49But the others said, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him.” 50Then Jesus cried again with a loud voice and breathed his last. 51At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, and the rocks were split. 52The tombs also were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised. 53After his resurrection they came out of the tombs and entered the holy city and appeared to many. 54Now when the centurion and those with him, who were keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were terrified and said, “Truly this man was God’s Son!”
HYMN: VU 123 Hosanna, Loud Hosanna
SERMON
(Today’s sermon is directed to Walker’s parents who are presenting him for Baptism.)
Easter Sunday is designed for baptisms. The embracing of the baptized into the body of Christ, God’s people, is fitting when celebrating the resurrection of Christ. The promise of faith, forgiveness of sins and eternal life are lived out as we hear the story of the empty tomb. Baptisms make sense on Easter Sunday. Not so much on Palm / Passion Sunday. Or do they?
Today we read of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem while riding on a donkey, an animal representing peace. The people are celebrating, clothing is being thrown on the path, palm branches are waving, excitement is high, God feels near. Then, a few scripture readings later, we hear of Jesus betrayal, trial, crucifixion, and Jesus feeling like God has abandoned him. The mood changes so fast, one almost gets whiplash! Which is why Palm / Passion Sunday makes sense for a baptism, because that is exactly how life operates. Celebration to grief in 0-60 and back again. It is also the reality of being a parent. The ultimate reality being that while we try, we can never have complete control over life and our children. We cannot protect them from every harm.
In the United Church worship resource book, Celebrating God’s Presence, we read the following about baptism:
Baptism celebrates God’s initiative and our response. It is God’s “Yes” to us, and our “Yes” to God. It is a sign of the Divine-human covenant. Baptism flows from God’s unmerited grace and pours out in lives of gratitude and commitment. As initiation into the Church, the Body of Christ, it is an act of welcoming, blessing, and belonging.
The covenant of baptism celebrates the fullness of God’s grace throughout the story of salvation: in creation and in exodus, in wilderness and in exile, in birth and in death. In his baptism, Jesus received the Holy Spirit and was declared God’s beloved, he opened himself to repentance and forgiveness, and marked a new beginning in his ministry. In our baptism we are similarly claimed, called, and commissioned.[1]
As we look at the gospel texts for this Palm / Passion Sunday that run the gamut from exhilaration to agony and deep grief, what do we learn about this baptismal covenant, the Holy Spirit, life itself, and how does it all connect to Walker who has been baptised into the body of Christ, the Church?
The underlying theme of Matthew’s gospel is that the realm of heaven has come to earth through Jesus. In other words, God has moved into our neighbourhood. The key gift of the Spirit that resonates through Jesus is strength: strength of character, strength of will, strength of purpose, strength of devotion to what God wants Jesus to do. In Matthew’s gospel, in the garden of Gethsemane, it is clear that Jesus does not want to die, still, his strength of purpose and devotion to God arms him with the courage to do just that.
As he enters Jerusalem to many accolades, Jesus is aware that every step the donkey takes brings him closer to death. He stays on the donkey.
With a breath we are in Pilate’s domain and he is questioning Jesus, who is from Galilee. What is lost on a 21st Century audience are the verbal barbs that Pilate throws at Jesus, to no avail. According to one commentator, Judeans thought Galileans were hillbillies. Uneducated bumpkins. That Roman governor, Pilate, really insulted Judeans by suggesting they would be so stupid and low-class as to have a Galilean as their King.
In Mediterranean culture a lower class person would never ask questions of, or make accusations to, a higher class person. Only a higher class person could do that to a lower class person. And the lower class person would always respond; never remain silent. And similarly, a higher class person would never respond to questions or accusations from a lower class person.
So when Jesus refuses to answer to the accusations he is silently asserting that he is the higher class person.[2]
Here is the strength of character and devotion that is fuelled by the Spirit. Jesus is so rooted in God, so devoted to God’s will and so secure in who he is that he has no need to respond to Pilate. What others think of Jesus, Jesus doesn’t care. He knows who he is, and that is all that matters.
So then why does Jesus cry out on the cross asking why God has forsaken him? Why do we? There are no words recorded in that cry. Much can be made of it. Did God really abandon Jesus? Was there suddenly a disconnect? Let’s look at the facts.
Jesus was human, in excruciating pain, dehydrated, losing blood from the flogging – his back looking like raw hamburger; the crowds continuously taunting, yelling, screaming – a cacophony of noise. His body is on sensory overload. Jesus is aware that he is about to die. I suggest that his cry was a cry for strength to get him through the last moments of pain to the other side of death, to be free of his body and be embraced by God. Just because it feels like God has left, does not mean that God has deserted us.
What does Jesus’ death show us? Again, I turn to the words of David Ewart: Jesus seems to be showing us that what we need is to unhesitatingly – unwaveringly – trust that the Kingdom of heaven has come near. That God is with us and for us. …Jesus is also showing us that this kind of unwavering trust in God may require unimaginable courage.[3]
As Walker’s parents, you love your son to the core of your being. You will do your utmost to parent and model for him kindness, compassion, forgiveness, generosity, unconditional love. You will model for him your faith. You will teach him and remind him that he is a child of God. You hope that he will stand so strongly in this sense of self that nothing the world throws at him will shake his conviction that he is loved unconditionally by his parents and the Source of Life itself.
That is the hope. There are no guarantees.
Today, Walker, like Jesus, like all the baptised, has been claimed, called, and commissioned. With your guidance, and God’s call, Walker will discern what God wants him to do with his life. The Holy Spirit may call him to paths yet untrod to places unknown. His journey may require unimaginable courage. Know this: God is with us and for us. Christ is present in Walker and the Spirit will grant him whatever strength and courage he needs. Walker may choose a path few take. He will always be loved and never alone. Amen.
HYMN OF THE MONTH: MV 162 Christ, Within Us Hidden
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
Sustained by God’s abundant mercy, let us pray for the church, the world, and all of creation.
Save your church, O God. Enable us to boldly confess in every time and place that Jesus Christ is Lord. With the humility of a servant, equip congregations, and other ministry settings to proclaim your extravagant love for all. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
Save your creation, O God. Every living being you have made has purpose. Give us renewed appreciation of farm animals who labor in the fields, service animals who accompany their human companions, and beloved pets who live alongside us. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
Save the peoples of the earth, O God. Restore dignity to those who are scorned and persecuted for their religious beliefs or political activism, and deliver them from the hand of their enemies. Bring peace to places where conflict runs deep. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
Save those who cry to you in any need, O God. Watch over all who are incarcerated or awaiting trial, and stand with those who are unjustly accused. Be present with those feeling isolated, lonely, or fearful. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
Save us in your love, O God. Guide the work of church musicians, pastors, choirs, readers, deacons, technicians, acolytes, and all who assist in worship. Sustain them in their leadership as they accompany congregations through this Holy Week. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
Save us at the last, O God. We give you thanks for your saints of old who embodied your servant love. As you came to their aid, so deliver us in times of trial, that every knee would bend in praise to you. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
We lift our prayers to you, O God, trusting in your steadfast love and your promise to renew your whole creation; through Jesus Christ our Savior.
Amen.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
SENDING SONG: VU 122 All Glory, Laud And Honour
BENEDICTION
May God, whose arms were spread on the cross to embrace the whole world, help us this week to take up the cross and follow Christ. Amen.