Welcome to Rev. Geoff McKee’s Virtual Sunday Service for 05 April 2020 – Palm Sunday.

Palm Sunday is the Sunday before Easter, when Christians celebrate Christ’s triumphant entry (on a donkey) into Jerusalem. In many Christian traditions, though not in the Church of Scotland, this involves processions in which branches of palms are carried.

This week’s service has an audio version of the sermon, which you can access below. Further down, you’ll find the prayers and readings from the service.

First of all, let’s look at the Bible story for today, taken from Matthew’s Gospel.

Matthew 21:1-11 (New International Version)
Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King
21 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”
4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:
5 “Say to Daughter Zion,
‘See, your king comes to you,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”
6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. 8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,
“Hosanna to the Son of David!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”
11 The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

Sermon (audio)

NOTE: It is possible to download the mp3 audio so you can listen to it, say, on your mobile phone. On a PC you can download the audio by right-clicking on the 3 dots at the right-hand end of the audio player, above, and selecting “Save audio as…” from the menu.

Prayers for Palm Sunday

Locked Down

A Prayer from Rev. Dr. Lezley Stewart

There were other doors
once locked in fear,
in a time of waiting
and distress.
It was an uncertain,
questioning time –
longing for what had been known
and treasured before.
Into that space,
calming and soothing,
came these welcome words –
“Peace be with you.”
Peace be with you in every worry,
in every sleepless night,
in every loss experienced,
in every comfort now distant.
Peace be with you in every certainty,
in the shared burden of these days,
in the unexpected connections,
in the gift of another sunset and sunrise.
Peace be with you and yours,
the deepest peace,
the strongest peace,
the peace that passes all understanding.
Christ is our peace
and is in our midst.
His words echo again –
“Peace be with you.”

Opening Prayers

We rise, O God, awakened by your Word, to live another day. Lead us in your path. Show us the steps to take toward greater faith. Hold us in your care as we move through this Holy Week where the shadows deepen even in the daylight.

Holy God, sure of your faithfulness even in your dying, comforted by your compassion toward your people in every age, we beg your mercy for our imperfect gratitude. We have looked to you for paltry favours, when you have given everything. We have withheld from your people, our neighbours, and from your creation, our earth, the care and tending they deserve. We have rejected the cornerstone you sent to build a people of righteousness even here, today. Forgive our failings. Heal what we have broken, nurture what we have neglected, and lead us to your vision, so that we may know the peace of wholeness in you.

Holy God, you reveal the truth about your people and the ways of our world in the suffering of the Son and his steadfast love. Show us again the image of humility you desire for us, and teach us obedience, so that self-emptying may be our pathway, through Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.

Prayers of Intercession

Our Saviour comes to us humbly, riding a donkey and proclaiming a message of peace.
Let us pray for the church, for the earth and all its creatures, and for all people in need, saying,

God of mercy, hear our prayer.
(A time of silence may follow each petition.)

That Christians hear and share the word of God as true disciples,
God of mercy, hear our prayer.

That all ends of the earth receive the words of the king of peace.
God of mercy, hear our prayer.

That all leaders, of church and of state, prefer humble service to empty power.
God of mercy, hear our prayer.

That all people live with gratitude for the gifts of nourishment, friendship, family, trust, patience, and hope with the courage and wisdom to change whatever fails to be life-giving.
God of mercy, hear our prayer.

That those who see the cross starkly revealed in their lives draw strength from the name that is above every other name. We remember all who are affected by the coronavirus. We pray for those who are ill, at home or in hospital; those who care for them; family members, friends, care assistants, nurses and doctors; people at risk running essential services; for those who are in mourning, remembering the loss of someone close, suddenly reminded by everyday incidents of someone no longer there.
God of mercy, hear our prayer.

That we might live with gratitude for our ancestors whose faith and witness have nourished our own, that all who mourn today will be comforted, and that we, who hope to greet Jesus when he comes again, will be ready and filled with joy.
God of mercy, hear our prayer.

God our creator, you show your sons and daughters the way to freedom through the gentle obedience of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Saviour who taught us to pray…

THE LORD’S PRAYER

Old Testament reading for Palm Sunday

Psalm 118:1-2; 19-29 (New International Version)

1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever.
2 Let Israel say:
“His love endures forever.”

19 Open for me the gates of the righteous;
I will enter and give thanks to the Lord.
20 This is the gate of the Lord
through which the righteous may enter.
21 I will give you thanks, for you answered me;
you have become my salvation.
22 The stone the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;
23 the Lord has done this,
and it is marvelous in our eyes.
24 The Lord has done it this very day;
let us rejoice today and be glad.
25 Lord, save us!
Lord, grant us success!
26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
From the house of the Lord we bless you.
27 The Lord is God,
and he has made his light shine on us.
With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession
up to the horns of the altar.
28 You are my God, and I will praise you;
you are my God, and I will exalt you.
29 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever.

Image credit: Photo by Avel Chuklanov on Unsplash