Welcome: –

We are here together in worship on the day we call Palm Sunday. It is the first day of Holy Week which leads to Good Friday the Celebrations on Easter Day, or should we join others throughout the world and rename it Resurrection Day, when we can say confidently “He is Risen! – He is risen indeed!”

During this significant season we are encouraged to think about our faith and relationship with our Lord and Saviour. It is a devotional time. It is not just a rehearsal of some historical event but a time when our god given Spirits experience the closeness of an ever-present fellowship with a Friend who is also the Creator of All.

Our service will be slightly different, in that the scripture readings and commentaries will be woven throughout. The service will conclude as we contemplate Jesus and the disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane.

We will also be challenged by the symbols of various events to ensure that they personally have deep significance.

The palm crosses which we all have speak of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem which leads us to the cross on Calvary.

We light our candle to remind us that even in celebration or disheartenment the light of Christ is forever with us.

Bible Reading:

Mark 11.1-11 (J.B. Phillips Paraphrase)

When they were approaching Jerusalem and had come to Bethphage and Bethany on the slopes of the Mount of Olives, he sent off two of his disciples with these instructions, “Go into the village just ahead of you and as soon as you enter it you will find a tethered colt on which no one has yet ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anybody asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’, just say, ‘The Lord needs it, and will send it back immediately.’”

So, they went off and found the colt tethered by a doorway outside in the open street, and they untied it. Some of the bystanders did say, “What are you doing, untying this colt?”, but they made the reply Jesus told them to make, and the men raised no objection. So they brought the colt to Jesus, threw their coats on its back, and he took his seat upon it.

Many of the people spread out their coats in his path as he rode along, and others put down straw which they had cut from the fields. The whole crowd, both those who were in front and those who were behind Jesus, shouted, “God save him! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! God bless the coming kingdom of our father David! God save him from on high!”

Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the Temple and looked round on all that was going on. And then, since it was already late in the day, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.

Commentary 

Here we are presented with Jesus, the man, driven by a clear but different sense of purpose. With his rag-tag of followers Jesus enters the centre of religious and political power, the Son of Man at the end of their journey from Galilee.        

On one hand he overtly assumes the role of Messiah, the one who is to bring God’s salvation to the Nation of Israel yet demonstrates this in the humblest of fashion. He fulfills prophecy entering the city on a colt and calmly challenges the status quo by his entry. He accepts the traditional greeting of Hosanna given to every pilgrim up for the Passover festival.

However, he evokes something more as homage is made with laying of palm branches and the spreading of cloaks before him. Revelation is gradual. Jesus is someone of very special significance.

The familiar palm fronds that that adorn our church each year remind us that this time of praise leads to life changing events one week later.

You are invited to listen to or join in singing 2 songs:

 TIS 724 Hosanna, Hosanna 

TIS 147 To God Be the Glory

Prayer  of Praise        

We now come in prayer

Jesus is king!
King of creation, of all nations, of our lives!
Let us worship with joy, gratitude, and respect.
Hosanna to the Son of David,
to God’s Anointed One!
Hosanna to the king who rides a peaceable donkey!
Hosanna here and in the highest!

Let us pray together.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, Lord of lords, King of kings,
your love for us transforms and startles us.
Your gift to us amazes and bewilders us.
Your life given for us brings us to our knees.
Your abundance reveals our poverty.
Your presence comforts and upholds us.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, Lord of lords, King of kings,
We adore you like no other.

Prayer of Confession

Jesus of Nazareth, born for us in Bethlehem, you humbled yourself for us on a donkey riding to Jerusalem.

You called us to serve you and in easy times we lay down coats for you and spread branches on the road.

But then when the going gets tough, we are called to stand up for you.

So often we lose our voice, mutter under our breath, turn the other way and walk not with you but stand rooted to the spot with fear.

Forgive us, Lord Jesus,

that we so often do not shout out for your kingship. 

Amen.

Assurance of Forgiveness

No matter how much we deny or betray you, Jesus, in your great mercy, you wipe away our tears of sorrow and regret, you cleanse us from the pain and anguish, and you shout out to us that our sins, even ours, are forgiven. Praise God.
Amen.

You are invited to listen to or join in singing the song SIS 228 Thank you Jesus for your love for us.

Bible Reading          

Matthew 21 (J.B. Phillips Paraphrase)

Then Jesus went into the Temple and drove out all the buyers and sellers there. He overturned the tables of the money-changers and the benches of those who sold doves, crying—“It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer’. But you have turned it into a ‘den of thieves!’”

Commentary          

Jesus’ righteous indignation comes to the fore. The Court of the Gentiles was accessible to all Jews and non-Jews alike. It was a place where all Nations could gather in prayer but had become a moral cess pit. It had been taken over by a marketplace selling wine, oil, salt and birds for temple rituals. It exchanged Roman and Greek coinage to Jewish coinage required for offerings. Exchange rates were high and profiteering rife. Many stalls were owned and controlled by the High priest. The spirituality on display left everything to be desired. 

The sound of coins crashing to the ground echo Judas remorse as he throw down his thirty pieces on silver. In contrast, Jesus commends the actions of the poor widow’s 2 small coins, all she had, which she gave in devotion.

Jesus teaches that in the kingdom of God money has no value of itself. The motives for the actions of those who are offering are what matters. Motive and opportunity. For those who are well of an offering is merely a contribution. There is more where that came from. For the poor widow, her offering is a sacrifice. She returns to an empty home with an empty stomach.

Offertory     

As we make our offering may we consider our motive and opportunity. May our offering be out of love and devotion.

 Offertory Prayer

Almighty and everlasting God, as we bring our gifts and lay them at your altar, we remember the crowds in Jerusalem who laid their cloaks on the road, shouting “Hosanna” as Jesus passed. May our loud Hosannas come from our hearts in love and gratitude to you as we lay our lives before you.

Bible Reading          

Matthew 22 (J.B. Phillips Paraphrase)

When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees they came up to him in a body, and one of them, an expert in the Law, put this test-question: “Master, what are we to consider the Law’s greatest commandment?”

Jesus answered him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind’. This is the first and great commandment. And there is a second like it: ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself’. The whole of the Law and the Prophets depends on these two commandments.”

Commentary         

There was no conversation between the Pharisees and Sadducees, the so-called experts. Their one-sided intention was to trick Jesus and expose him as a fraud. In all these encounters Jesus turned the arguments back onto his interrogators and silenced them.  They should have known better. This is something that they knew full well. The Shema, the essence of their faith. 

          Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise. Bind them as a sign on your hand, fix them as an emblem on your forehead, and write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

            So if you love the Lord with all your heart, soul and might, then you must love your neighbour as you love yourself.

You are invited to listen to or join in singing the song SIS 12 ‘A New Commandment’

Bible Reading:

John 13         (J.B. Phillips Paraphrase)

Before the festival of the Passover began, Jesus realised that the time had come for him to leave this world and return to the Father. He had loved those who were his own in this world and he loved them to the end.

With the full knowledge that the Father had put everything into his hands and that he had come from God and was going to God, rose from the supper-table, took off his outer clothes, picked up a towel and fastened it round his waist. Then he poured water into the basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to dry them with the towel around his waist.

When Jesus had washed their feet and put on his clothes, he sat down and spoke to them, “Do you realise what I have just done to you? You call me ‘teacher’ and ‘Lord’ and you are quite right, for I am your teacher and your Lord.

But if I, your teacher and Lord, have washed your feet, you must be ready to wash one another’s feet. I have given you this as an example so that you may do as I have done.

Believe me, the servant is not greater than his master and the messenger is not greater than the man who sent him. Once you have realised these things, you will find your happiness in doing them.

Commentary

            This a graphic symbolic action that demonstrates the direction in which we must lead our Christian lives. There are no words to replace the action of caring for those around us, our neighbours.  We are not to be known by our success and prowess but by the spirit of life changing love given through the Holy Spirit dwelling in us.   

You are invited to list to or join in singing the song TIS 640   ‘Kneels At The Feet Of His Friends’

Bible Reading          

Matthew 26 (J.B. Phillips Paraphrase)     

The disciples did as Jesus had instructed them and prepared the Passover. Then late in the evening he took his place at table with the twelve and during the meal.

In the middle of the meal Jesus took a loaf and after blessing it he broke it into pieces and gave it to the disciples. “Take and eat this,” he said, “it is my body.” Then he took a cup and after thanking God, he gave it to them with the words, “Drink this, all of you, for it is my blood, the blood of the new agreement shed to set many free from their sins. I tell you I will drink no more wine untilI drink it fresh with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

Commentary

            In the closing hours despite Jesus direct teaching of what must come, his disciples still did not understand fully what Jesus was on about. We have participated in the sacred institution of communion remembering what Jesus have done for us, yet we cannot fully comprehend his sacrifice and freedom from sin. The implications are for a changed life. We trust that God has it all under control. Partaking of the body and blood of Jesus in the bread and wine we remember and become God’s people, participants in his kingdom life.

You are invited to listen to or join in singing the Song  SIS 25‘Take Our Bread’  

Bible Reading:                    

Matthew 26   (JB Phillips Paraphrase)

Then Jesus came with the disciples to a place called Gethsemane and said to them, “Sit down here while I go over there and pray.” Then he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee and began to be in terrible distress and misery. “My heart is nearly breaking,” he told them, “stay here and keep watch with me.”

Then he walked on a little way and fell on his face and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible let this cup pass from me—yet it must not be what I want, but what you want.”

^40-46 Then he came back to the disciples and found them fast asleep. He spoke to Peter, “Couldn’t you three keep awake with me for a single hour? Watch and pray, all of you, that you may not have to face temptation. Your spirit is willing, but human nature is weak.” Then he went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to pass from me without my drinking it, then your will must be done.” And he came and found them asleep again, for they could not keep their eyes open. So he left them and went away again and prayed for the third time using the same words as before.

Then he came back to his disciples and spoke to them, “Are you still going to sleep and take your ease? In a moment you will see the Son of Man betrayed into the hands of evil men. Wake up, let us be going! Look, here comes my betrayer!”

You are invited to read the words of this song: Gethsemane

Unfortunately there is no you tube clip for this song.

Come to the garden

Come with me watch and pray

Sit down close by me

Sit by me watch and pray

My father, if it’s possible

Take this cup from me

My father, if it’s possible

Yet not my will, but as you will

My dear friends you are sleeping

You cannot stay awake

Your spirit, it is willing

But you cannot for my sake

My soul is overwhelmed

Unto the point of death

My soul is overwhelmed my friends

Stay here – Keep watch awhile with me

Not for one hour

You cannot watch and pray

Temptation seeking

Your hearts  – at risk today

I pray – I pray in earnest

My sweat it falls like blood

Falling down unto the ground

Alas!  – The hour has come

Are you still sleeping

Enough! – The hour has come

The Son of Man is now betrayed

Rise up! – I hear them come.

 words from the gospel narratives – music Ian Kerr © March 2013

Prayers of the People

                        Loving God, Your Son Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey as a different kind of king. You call us to be different too. We pray that we may bear the fruit of your Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Take firm root in our lives, so we may lovingly serve and welcome all, with no exceptions. Help us to live together in your love and shine as lights in the darkness to reveal your glory in the world.

Lord in your love:

Hear our prayer

Loving God, at the Last Supper, Jesus washed his Disciples’ feet as an example of service. We pray for all those who serve at this time in social care and other essential services; all who volunteer or are good neighbours. We thank you for their compassionate love and ask you to bless their work; equip them with the energy and determination they need to go on rising to the needs of the hour. Help us all to seek the common good.

Lord in your love:

Hear our prayer

            Loving God, In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus experienced distress and anguish over what lay ahead. We pray for all who are experiencing distress and anguish at the present time. All those who are ill; at home or in hospital; those fearful for others; those whose jobs have vanished; whose futures are in great doubt. We thank you for all the efforts made on their behalf and pray that we may all receive your peace and love.

Lord in your love:

Hear our prayer

            Loving God, In Jesus, you love the whole world. So, we continue to pray for those areas where normal, daily life is violence, war and grinding poverty. We continue to remember the situation in Ukraine and the Middle East. We pray that as we approach Easter, peace may begin to take root even in these dark places.

Lord in your love:

Hear our prayer

Loving God, On the cross as Jesus died, your love was glorified. We thank you that He was obedient to death and that you raised Him on high so we know that not even death can separate us from your love. You have redeemed us by love. Jesus is the light of the world; a light which eternally shines and brings hope, that no darkness can quench. Today, we commend all who have died to your eternal joy and care. As we live, work and pray through Holy Week, we thank you that you turn our darkness into light. In your light shall we see light.

Lord, in your love:

Hear our prayer merciful Father. Accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen

We pray for the peoples of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.

We are thankful for preservation of the distinct cultural practices, literature, music and natural resources in these countries, for the faithful witness of Christians during times of persecution and for those who survived times of occupation, for how these countries peacefully became independent after 1918 and 1991, and for new-found freedoms that the people here have experienced, that they might be used for the good of all.

We pray for peaceful relations with Russia and among all the ethnic groups in these lands, for the healing of old wounds remaining from 20th century struggles for just economic development that benefits all citizens in these countries, and for those who live and work abroad, and for governmental leaders and all people, that they might together strive for justice, peace and the well-being of all.

Prayers

Crumble the walls

God, we pray:
crumble the walls that still separate Christians,
and create a unity, according to your heart and will.
Accept us as we are, but mould us as you want us to be,
and help us become the leaven of unity and love
in our country and around the World.

(Zbigņevs Stankevičs, the Archbishop Metropolitan of the Roman Catholic Church in Latvia, from: WCC NEWS)

Stay with us

Oh God,
we don`t know what lies ahead.
Therefore stay with us, so that we may stay in you
and confess your name to the end.
Amen

(© Ove Sander, Estonia)

Roll back the stones

Lord Jesus, you have always loved us from the beginning, and you have shown the depth of your love in dying for us on the cross and thereby sharing our sufferings and wounds.  At this moment, we lay all the obstacles that separate us from your love at the foot of your cross.  Roll back the stones which imprison us.  Awaken us to your resurrection morning.  There may we meet the brothers and sisters from whom we are separated.
Amen.

(Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2016, Latvia)

We thank you God for Bible Society Australia’s partnership with Bible translation organisations to produce audio recordings of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Scriptures.  We pray for the success of the audio recordings in KukatJa, Alyawarra, Burarra, and Eastern Arrernte that are anticipated.  We praise you God that more language groups have reached out for Bible translation assistance.

We pray for Nashat, the General Secretary of the Palestinian Bible Society (PBS) and the team serving in East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip, for the protection of PBS staff and for their families and children.  We pray for an end to war in the Middle East and for help to reach those in need.  Nashat shared, “We were asked by several key church leaders to help, and we responded with food, water, milk, mattresses, walkers, medicine, clothes and other essentials … We launched a social media campaign to give spiritual and emotional support to affected Christians … We will continue to be a living testimony and stand with the body of Christ. Thank you for your prayers and support.”

We thank you God for the thousands of classroom sets and borrow Bibles distributed to Special Religious Education and Christian Religious Instruction volunteer teachers and instructors through BSA’s Bibles in Schools Scripture Grant.  We pray for your wisdom and guidance for all BSA’s partnered Scripture teachers and chaplains, and for the children introduced to the Bible through them.

Bible%20Society%20Prayer_Letter_-_March_2024.pdf

We pray for the team as they prepare for Scripture Union Northern Territory Easter Camp which is running from 5-8 April.  We pray for the Tasmanian chaplains as they continue their vital work in schools.  A number of chaplains have switched schools this year due to changes in allocations of funding by the state government. We pray they will be able to settle in and adjust to their new environments well.

We pray for the success of the Melrose Easter Camp is being held from 29 Mar – 1 April at Camp Willochra.  This is run by a body of believers from the Mid North Region of South Australia under the guidance of Scripture Union Australia. Our vision is to bring the truth of the Gospel to the next generation and encourage them in relationship with Jesus.

We will celebrate Easter Family Camp is a new camp in the mountains of Central Gippsland and features a team of mostly new to Scripture Union volunteers.  E pray for a strong, confident and unified team along with fun, safety and great Bible engagement at this sacred time of year.

We pray that the Western Australia’s Liquorice Allsorts Camp would run smoothly and effectively, being a time of fun and connection for both leaders and campers (9-13 April).

We pray for the teams of chaplains and volunteers preparing for Easter & Autumn Camps.  We pray for the campers as they prepare to attend and for you to speak to them through the lives of the leaders and the message presented.

We give you thanks God for the many passionate supporters of Scripture Union around Australia who give their prayer, finances and time to see young people reached for Christ in our Nation.

SU%20SEQ-Prayer-Guide-March-2024.pdf

We pray for Misaun Lepra TimorLeste’s Board, as they build relationships with the government and other local and international partners.  May this process be a smooth one.

We thank you God for the new Misaun Lepra strategic plan 2023-2027.  We pray for your guidance for the Chair and Board members and for the teams who will carry out this work. We pray that our targets within the strategic plan will be met.

We pray for the PHACE project, funded by the New Zealand Government through The Leprosy Mission New Zealand, for your wisdom for the team as they implement the project in the community.

We pray for a successful start of the Ending Leprosy Transmission Project in Oecusse, a highly endemic municipality.  We thank you that the new team in Oecusse; has a new office established there that could lead to the sort of impact that will attract the attention of the government and other donors.  We pray this may lead to new partnerships on the border with Indonesia.

We thank you God for the two associations of persons affected by leprosy that have been established in Timor-Leste, AELTL and ATLETIL.  We pray for the success of their advocacy work, that this will reach more people and ultimately educate people about the early treatment of leprosy and how to prevent disability.  We pray that they will raise awareness about the rights of people affected by leprosy.

We pray for the Executive Director and the staff of Misaun Lepra, for a continuation of their commitment and that they will be able to bring about change for those who are in need in Timor-Leste.  We pray for the health of the team and their families, who always support leprosy work in Timor-Leste.

We pray for the people that are supported through the projects of the Leprosy Mission Timor-Leste.  May your love and compassion flow through us as we serve them.  May you touch their lives, bring healing, and provide the resources they need.  May our projects be a source of hope, transformation, and empowerment.

Hear our prayers merciful Father. Accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen

Lord’s Prayer

Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come,

your will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.

Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil,

For the Kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours,

Now and forever.  Amen.

As we conclude our time of worship together let us stand and sing that great song of thanksgiving and praise. Let us sing from our hearts.  

You are invited to listen to or join in singing the song  Tis 129  ‘Amazing Grace How Sweet The Sound’

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now am found
Was blind but now I see

Was Grace that taught my heart to fear
And Grace, my fears relieved
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed

Through many dangers, toils and snares
We have already come
T’was Grace that brought us safe thus far
And Grace will lead me home

The Lord has promised good to me

His word my hope secures

He will my shield and portion be

As long as life endures

Benediction:

Our Christ Candle remains alight for there is always hope. Hope that is eternal. As we journey this Holy Week towards the life changing events of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. May light come into your eyes. May hope spring up in your heart. May peace guide all of your mind.

May the peace of our Lord, Jesus, who is the Christ, be with you and remain with you always.  We pass that blessing to those amongst us and to those we meet along the way.

Peace be with you

And also with you.

You are invited to listen to or join in singing the song: Sis 72 Now Unto Him 

Now unto him who is able to keep,
able to keep you from falling,
and present you faultless
before the presence of his glory
with exceeding joy;
to the only wise God our Saviour,
be glory and majesty,
dominion and power
both now and forever.
Amen.

Playout Music:  ‘In Christ Alone’

Acknowledgements with thanks

Brian Radcliffe for his notes on Mark 11 -16. Encounter with God Mar 2024

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