Sunday, March 18, 2018

An Ordo for Palm Sunday (25 March 2018)

In the last few years we have made a decision at Saint Faith's to keep Palm/Passion Sunday as 'Palm Sunday'.  This means that we do not read the Passion narrative from the Synoptic Gospels but keep the focus on the 'triumphal' entry into Jerusalem.

We have moved the blessing of the palms and the procession to the end of the eucharistic liturgy as the act by which we enter into the events of the last week in Jerusalem.  On Good Friday we will read the Johannine Passion narrative in keeping with the ancient tradition of the Christian community.


Palm Sunday
25 March 2018

The Gathering of the Community

Gathering Music

Announcements

Greeting and Litany

The Presider greets the Community from the door to the Nave.

Christ became obedient unto death for us,
even death upon a cross.
He was pierced for our sins,
bruised for no fault but ours.
His punishment has won our peace,
and by his wounds we are healed.
Worthy is the Lamb that was slain
to receive power and riches and wisdom,
strength, honour, glory and praise.  Amen.

During the procession to the Sanctuary, the biddings of the Litany are offered and the response is sung..

When we willfully misuse your gifts of creation:
Holy God, holy and mighty, holy immortal one,
have mercy upon us. [1]

When we see the ill-treatment of others
and do not go to their aid:
Holy God, holy and mighty, holy immortal one,
have mercy upon us.

When we condone evil and dishonesty
and fail to strive for justice:
Holy God, holy and mighty, holy immortal one,
have mercy upon us.

When we hear the good news of Christ
but fail to share it with others:
Holy God, holy and mighty, holy immortal one,
have mercy upon us.

When we do not love you with all our hearts
nor our neighbours as ourselves:
Holy God, holy and mighty, holy immortal one,
have mercy upon us.

The Presider then says the following,

May the God of love and power
forgive us and free us from our sins,
heal and strengthen us by the Spirit,
and raise us to new life in Christ our Lord.  Amen. [2]

The Collect of the Day

Let us pray.

Holy and immortal God,
as we enter into this holy week
turn our hearts to Jerusalem,
so that, united with Christ and all the faithful,
we may enter the city not made with hands,
your promised realm of justice and peace,
eternal from age to age.  Amen. [3]

The Proclamation of the Word

First Reading:  Isaiah 50.4-9a

A reading from the prophet Isaiah.

            The 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.  The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, I did not turn backward.  I 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.

            The 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; he who vindicates me is near.  Who will contend with me?  Let us stand up together.  Who are my adversaries?  Let them confront me.  It is the Lord God who helps me; who will declare me guilty?

Here what the Spirit is saying to the church.
Thanks be to God.

The Psalm of the Day

Psalm 31.9-16 with the Refrain from Songs for the Holy One alt.

Refrain (twice):  Holy One, may the light of your face shine upon us.

9 Have mercy on me, O Lord, *
            for I am in trouble;
my eye is consumed with sorrow, *
            and also my throat and my belly.
10 For my life is wasted with grief, *
            and my years with sighing;
my strength fails me because of affliction, *
            and my bones are consumed.

Refrain:  Holy One, may the light of your face shine upon us.

11 I have become a reproach to all my enemies *
            and even to my neighbours,
a dismay to those of my acquaintance; *
            when they see me in the street they avoid me.
12 I am forgotten like a corpse, out of mind; *
            I am as useless as a broken pot.
13 For 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.
14 But as for me, I have trusted in you, O Lord. *
            I have said, “You are my God.”

Refrain:  Holy One, may the light of your face shine upon us.

15 My times are in your hand; *
            rescue me from the hand of my enemies,
            and from those who persecute me.
16 Make your face to shine upon your servant, *
            and in your loving-kindness save me.”

Refrain:  Holy One, may the light of your face shine upon us.

The Second Reading:  Philippians 2.5-11

A reading from Paul’s letter to the Philippians.

Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness.  And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death — even death on a cross.

            Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church.
Thanks be to God.

The Hymn before the Gospel

‘Into Jerusalem Jesus Rode’  Common Praise #183 v. 1

The Gospel:  Mark 11.1-11

The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark.
Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

            When they were approaching Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, [Jesus] sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately as you enter it, you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden; untie it and bring it.  If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ just say this, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately.’ ”  They went away and found a colt tied near a door, outside in the street.  As they were untying it, some of the bystanders said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?”  They told them what Jesus had said; and they allowed them to take it.  Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it; and he sat on it.  Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields.

            Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna!  Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!  Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David!  Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

            Then [Jesus] entered Jerusalem and went into the temple; and when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.

The Gospel of Christ.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

The Hymn after the Gospel

‘Into Jerusalem Jesus Rode’  Common Praise #183 v. 1

The Sermon

The Affirmation of Faith

Let us affirm our faith.

We believe and trust in God the Author of creation,
source of all being and life, the one for whom we exist.

We believe and trust in God the Word of redemption,
who took our human nature, died for us and rose again.

We believe and trust in God the Spirit of wisdom,
who gives life to all people and makes Christ known in the world.

We believe and trust in one God:
Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  Amen. [4]

The Prayers of the Community

Intercessions, Thanksgivings and Petitions

The Exchange of the Peace

May the peace of Christ, our servant Lord, be with you all.
And also with you.

The Holy Communion

The Offertory Hymn

‘Crown Him with Many Crowns’  Common Praise #378

The Prayer over the Gifts

Let us pray.

God our provider,
you have not fed us with bread alone,
but with words of grace and life.
Bless us and these your gifts,
which we receive from your bounty,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen. [5]

The Thanksgiving at the Table

The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.

Blessed are you, gracious God,
creator of heaven and earth;
we give you thanks and praise
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who for our salvation became obedient unto death.
The tree of defeat became the tree of victory:
where life was lost, life has been restored.
Therefore with angels and archangels
and all the heavenly chorus,
we cry out to proclaim the glory of your name. [6]

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory. 
Hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. 
Hosanna in the highest. [7]

Blessed are you, gracious God,
creator of the universe and giver of life. 
You formed us in your own image
and called us to dwell in your infinite love. 
You gave the world into our care
so that we might be your faithful stewards
and show forth your bountiful grace.

But we failed to honour your image in one another and in ourselves;
we would not see your goodness in the world around us;
and so we violated your creation,
abused one another and rejected your love. 
Yet you never ceased to care for us
and prepared a way of salvation for all people.

Through Abraham and Sarah you called us into covenant with you. 
You delivered us from slavery,
sustained us in the wilderness
and raised up prophets to renew your promise of salvation. 
Then, in the fullness of time,
you sent your eternal Word, made mortal flesh in Jesus. 
Born into a human family and dwelling among us,
he revealed your glory.
Giving himself freely to death on the cross,
he triumphed over evil, opening the way of freedom and life.

On the night before he died for us,
our Saviour Jesus Christ took bread,
and when he had given thanks to you,
he broke it, and gave it to his friends, and said: 
‘Take, eat:  this is my body which is given for you. 
Do this for the remembrance of me.’

As supper was ending, Jesus took the cup of wine,
and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and said: 
‘Drink this all of you:  this is my blood of the new covenant,
which is poured out for you and for all for the forgiveness of sins. 
Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.’

Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith: 

Christ has died. 
Christ is risen. 
Christ will come again.

Remembering his death and resurrection,
we now present to you from your creation this bread and this wine. 
By your Holy Spirit may they be for us the body and blood of our Saviour Jesus Christ. 
Grant that we who share these gifts may be filled with the Holy Spirit
and live as Christ’s body in the world. 
Bring us into the everlasting heritage of your daughters and sons,
so that with all your saints, past, present and yet to come,
we may praise your name for ever.

Through Christ and with Christ and in Christ,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
to you be honour, glory and praise,
for ever and ever.  Amen. [8]

The Lord’s Prayer

As our Saviour taught us, let us pray,
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.
Save us from the time of trial,
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and for ever.  Amen.

The Breaking of the Bread

Jesus, Lamb of God,
have mercy on us.
Jesus, bearer of our sins,
have mercy on us.
Jesus, redeemer of the world,
give us your peace. [9]

These are the gifts of God for the people of God.
Thanks be to God.

The Communion

The Hymn after Communion

‘As We Gather at Your Table’  Common Praise #61

The Sending Forth of the Community

The Blessing of the Palms

Dear friends in Christ,
during Lent we have been preparing
for the celebration of our Lord’s paschal mystery.
On this day our Lord Jesus Christ
entered the holy city of Jerusalem in triumph.
The people welcomed him with palms and shouts of praise,
but the path before him led to self-giving, suffering and death.
Today we greet him as our Sovereign,
although we know his crown is thorns and his throne a cross.
We follow him this week from the glory of the palms
to the glory of the resurrection
by way of the dark road of suffering and death.
United with him in his suffering on the cross,
may we share his resurrection and new life.

The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.

It is right to praise you, almighty God,
for the acts of love by which you have redeemed us
through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
The Hebrews acclaimed Jesus as Messiah and Sovereign,
with palm branches in their hands, crying,
Hosanna in the highest.
May we also, carrying these emblems, go forth to meet Christ
and follow him in the way that leads to eternal life;
who lives and reigns in glory with you and the Holy Spirit,
now and for ever.  Amen.

The Distribution of the Palms

The Processional Hymn

‘All Glory, Laud and Honour’  Common Praise #181

The Dismissal

The Deacon sends the community forth.

Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

Let us go forth in peace.
In the name of Christ.  Amen.




[1] Common Praise #707.

[2] The Litany was crafted from the Confession for ‘City, World and Society’ and the Absolution from Common Worship (2000), 127, 135 alt.

[3] Liturgy Task Force (2016), 63.

[4] Common Worship (2000), 144 alt.

[5] Evangelical Lutheran Worship (2006), 64.

[6] The Book of Alternative Services (1985), 221.

[7] Common Praise (1998), #735.

[8] Enriching Our Worship 1 (1998), 57-59 alt.

[9] Common Praise (1998), #747.

1 comment:

Unknown said...

Thanks Richard! I've been missing "Palm Sunday!" This is so helpful. Allen+