Sunday 5th April, Palm Sunday 2020
HOLY WEEK AT HOME
Services for the Triduum (Maundy Thursday to Easter Day) will be sent out later this week. We plan to join in prayer at the following times*:
Maundy Thursday - 9th April, 6.30pm 'Tenebrae' (Latin for 'darkness' or 'shadows') a centuries old Holy Week service where candles are extinguished after each reading. The Revd Chris Min
chin will lead us in an adapted version telling the story of Jesus' last night with his disciples and his betrayal. There will be an accompanying video of candles, or you can light your own at home.
Good Friday - 10th April, 2pm
Prayers at the foot of the cross. Using a painting of the cross by the painter Caspar David Friedrich, the Revd David Kirkwood leads us in a meditation on the cross and the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus.
The Easter Vigil - 12th April, 10am
You can use this service the night before or at dawn on Sunday if you prefer!
The great celebration of Jesus rising to new life. Beginning in darkness we build in anticipation until you are invited to make a great noise - whether with bells, clapping, musical instruments, or pots and pans!
The Revd David Kirkwood will reflect on a different painting by Caspar David Friedrich. We also renew our baptismal vows in the knowledge that, through the power of God, new life and joy has come out of the death and despair of the cross.
Night prayer during Holy Week Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday, 9pm Compline, or Night Prayer, is a short and quiet service to end the day. We will pray at 9pm but you can use this anytime before you go to bed. In addition to the main Holy Week services, you may wish to set aside some time earlier in the week to enter fully into this most holy time. We will use this order of service here. The Church of England is uploading the audio version, you can listen along here.
* We are suggesting times to join us in prayer but you are welcome to use these services at any time!
NOTICES
Do you need some help? You may have to self-isolate but you don’t have to feel alone! Contact the clergy or our volunteers and we will find the best way to support you and those not currently isolating can bring you supplies. Everyone, please keep social-distancing - stay 2 metres apart, and only go outside to exercise, and go to the shop for essentials.
Make your palm cross!
'Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest'
We can't hand out palm crosses this year, but you can make your own out of paper!
Hold onto your cross as an aid to your prayer during our Church at Home service
There is also simpler version for young children to cut out and colour.
Children's resources - Palm Sunday We will include resources each week from Roots to help you reflect on Bible readings with children at home. You can download and print the resources here: Activity sheet Colouring sheet
WORSHIP Palm Sunday 2020 Service led by The Revd Dominic Coad
Listen to the service here:
We will pray at 10am on Sunday, join us at home at if you can. Responses are optional. If you are listening online, a pause will be left for you to say responses. Or if there is more than one person, one person can lead and the other respond.
Today is Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week. Today we recall Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem and prepare to journey with him to the cross by hearing again the passion narrative. May we take up our crosses and follow him.
Opening prayer Hosanna to the Son of David, the King of Israel. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. Grace, mercy and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Hymn - Listen here 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! Chorus
Confession Christ himself carried up our sins in his body to the tree, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds we have been healed. Let us confess our sins. O God, you know my foolishness and my sins are not hidden from you: Lord, have mercy (Lord have mercy). Let not the flood overwhelm me nor the depths swallow me up; let not the pit shut its mouth upon me: Christ, have mercy (Christ have mercy). Hear me, O Lord, as your loving kindness is good; turn to me as your compassion is great: Lord, have mercy. (Lord have mercy). May the Father forgive us by the death of his Son and strengthen us to live in the power of the Spirit all our days. Amen.
Collect Almighty and everlasting God, who in your tender love towards the human race sent your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ to take upon him our flesh and to suffer death upon the cross: grant that we may follow the example of his patience and humility, and also be made partakers of his resurrection; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew:
The short version (Matthew 27.11-54) is included here. You may wish to read the full version in your own Bible (Matthew 26.14-27.66).
Now Jesus stood before the governor; and the governor asked him, ‘Are you the King of the Jews?’ Jesus said, ‘You say so.’ But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he did not answer. Then Pilate said to him, ‘Do you not hear how many accusations they make against you?’ But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed. Now at the festival the governor was accustomed to release a prisoner for the crowd, anyone whom they wanted. At that time they had a notorious prisoner, called Jesus Barabbas. So 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?’ For he realized that it was out of jealousy that they had handed him over. While he was sitting on the judgement 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.’ Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus killed. The governor again said to them, ‘Which of the two do you want me to release for you?’ And they said, ‘Barabbas.’ Pilate said to them, ‘Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?’ All of them said, ‘Let him be crucified!’ Then he asked, ‘Why, what evil has he done?’ But they shouted all the more, ‘Let him be crucified!’ So 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.’ Then the people as a whole answered, ‘His blood be on us and on our children!’ So he released Barabbas for them; and after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified. Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor’s headquarters, and they gathered the whole cohort around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and 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!’ They spat on him, and took the reed and struck him on the head. After mocking him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him. As they went out, they came upon a man from Cyrene named Simon; they compelled this man to carry his cross. And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull), they offered him wine to drink, mixed with gall; but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. And when they had crucified him, they divided his clothes among themselves by casting lots; then they sat down there and kept watch over him. Over his head they put the charge against him, which read, ‘This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.’ Then two bandits were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by derided him, shaking their heads and 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.’ In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes and elders, were mocking him, saying, ‘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. He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he wants to; for he said, “I am God’s Son.” ’ The bandits who were crucified with him also taunted him in the same way. From noon on, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. And 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?’ When some of the bystanders heard it, they said, ‘This man is calling for Elijah.’ At 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. But the others said, ‘Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him.’ Then Jesus cried again with a loud voice and breathed his last. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, and the rocks were split. The tombs also were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised. After his resurrection they came out of the tombs and entered the holy city and appeared to many. Now 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!’ (Matthew 27.11-54)
Prayers Spend some time in prayer for yourself, one another, and the world, using the following intentions: Let us pray to the Father through his Son who suffered on the cross for the world’s redemption. The response today is: By the Saviour’s cross and passion, Lord, save us and help us. The Church All who feel cut off for the sacramental life of the church particularly:
those whose baptism have been postponed,
those whose wedding plans have had to change
those whose funerals can no longer take place in church or with loved ones
all those who face illness and death without the comfort of fellowship or Eucharist.
The World
Those working to combat Covid19. Those in government around the world and all faced with difficult decisions. Medical staff and health professionals, Places whose health services are most vulnerable and undeveloped. A Spirit of cooperation and solidarity.
The Sick & Suffering
All affected by Covid19
Lesley Towers
The Departed
Ellen Chambers
All victims of Covid19
Holy God, holy and strong, holy and immortal, have mercy on 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.
Hymn - Listen here Were you there when they crucified my Lord? Oh, were you there when they crucified my Lord? (Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble) tremble Were you there when they crucified my Lord? Were you there when they nailed him to the cross? Were you there when they nailed him to the cross? (Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble) tremble Were you there when they nailed him to the cross? (Were you there when they laid him in the tomb? Were you there when they laid him in the tomb? Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble) tremble Were you there when they laid him in the tomb? Well, were you there when the stone was rolled away? Were you there when the stone was rolled away? (Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble) tremble Were you there when the stone was rolled away?
Conclusion The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ And the love of God And the fellowship of the Holy Spirit Be with us all, evermore. Amen.