April 10th, 2022
Palm and Passion Sunday
Find this service at www.graceunitedthornbury.ca/live
Leading us today in Worship:
Minister: Rev. Christine Smaller
Music Director: Dr. Christopher Burton
Scripture Reader: Paul Parkin
~ Leader: regular font ~ All: bold font ~ Sung words: bold italics
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PRELUDE:
Fugue No. 14 ~ J.G. Töpfer
GREETING: (2 Cor. 13:13)
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
And also with you.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THE TRADITIONAL TERRITORY
CALL TO WORSHIP:
It is holy to gather.
It is holy to sing.
It is holy to be generous, to throw our coats on the road.
It is holy to celebrate justice when we see it.
It is holy to shout, “Hosanna!”
It is holy to remember.
It is holy to gather.
It is holy to sing.
Here and now, let us do all of these things.
PRAYER OF AFFIRMATION:
Jesus said: Go to the village ahead of you, and you will find a colt tied there. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, say, “The Lord needs it.”
We believe in a God of surprises.
We believe in a God with a sense of humour.
We believe that there are things we may never understand, but we believe that even in the mystery,
God is there.
OPENING HYMN: VU 122 All Glory, Laud and Honour
Refrain
All glory, laud and honour to you, Redeemer, King,
to whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring.
1. You are the King of Israel, and David's royal son,
now in the Lord's name coming, our King and blessed one.
Refrain
All glory, laud and honour to you, Redeemer, King,
to whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring.
2. The multitude of pilgrims with palms before you went,
our praise and prayer and anthems before you we present.
Refrain
All glory, laud and honour to you, Redeemer, King,
to whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring.
3. To you, before your passion, they sang their hymns of praise;
to you, now high exalted, our melody we raise.
Refrain
All glory, laud and honour to you, Redeemer, King,
to whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring.
4. Their praises you accepted; accept the prayers we bring,
great author of all goodness, O good and gracious king.
Refrain
All glory, laud and honour to you, Redeemer, King,
to whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring.
PRAYER OF AFFIRMATION (cont’d):
They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt, and put Jesus on it. As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road.
We believe in giving what we have.
We believe that actions of generosity change us.
We dare to believe that these small acts can change the world.
The whole crowd of disciples began joyfully praising God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen.
We believe in a God who is a miracle-maker.
We believe in a God of good news.
We believe this good news is so good that we cannot help but sing.
Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus,
“Teacher, rebuke your disciples!”
We believe there will be forces that try to silence what is just, good, hopeful, and generous.
We do not believe those voices will have the last word.
“I tell you,” Jesus replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”
We believe, at the end of the day, love will find a way.
We believe.
Help our unbelief.
In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.
PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION:
Holy God,
sometimes life feels like a parade rushing by us
as we stand on the sidelines and try not to miss it!
There are hundreds of things that catch our eye,
but the thing we fear missing the most is you.
So slow down the speed on this parade.
Paint the colors of this world a little brighter.
And dance through the words in our scripture passage
until it is almost impossible for us to miss you there.
God we are here.
We are trying to pay attention.
Gratefully we pray, amen.
READINGS:
Luke 19:28-40
After he had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.
When he had come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples, saying, “Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ just say this, ‘The Lord needs it.’”So those who were sent departed and found it as he had told them. As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?” They said, “The Lord needs it.” Then they brought it to Jesus; and after throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. As he rode along, people kept spreading their cloaks on the road. As he was now approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen, saying,
“Blessed is the king
who comes in the name of the Lord!
Peace in heaven,
and glory in the highest heaven!”
Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, order your disciples to stop.” He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.”
Psalm 118:1-4 & 25-29 VU 837 Parts One and Four.
Refrain
Hosanna! Hosanna!
Part One (1-4)
Let Israel now say:
"God's love endures for ever."
Let the house of Aaron say:
"God's love endures for ever."
Let those who fear God say:
"God's love endures for ever."
Refrain
Hosanna! Hosanna!
Part Four (25-29)
Save us, O God, we pray;
God, we pray, give us success.
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of God.
We bless you from the house of God.
God, our God, has given us light;
with palm branches in hand let us march to the altar.
You are my God, and I will thank you;
you are my God, and I will extol you.
Refrain
Hosanna! Hosanna!
RESPONSE:
The word of God for the people of God.
Thanks be to God.
MINISTRY OF MUSIC:
When They Heard That Jesus Was Coming ~ R. Cooney
SERMON
HYMN: VU 679 Let There Be Light
1. Let there be light,
let there be understanding,
let all the nations gather,
let them be face to face;
2. open our lips,
open our minds to ponder,
open the door of concord
opening into grace;
3. perish the sword,
perish the angry judgement,
perish the bombs and hunger,
perish the fight for gain;
4. hallow our love,
hallow the deaths of martyrs,
hallow their holy freedom,
hallowèd be your name;
5. your kingdom come,
your spirit turn to language,
your people speak together,
your spirit never fade;
6. let there be light;
open our hearts to wonder,
perish the way of terror,
hallow the world God made.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE:
You are on your way to Jerusalem, precious Lord.
You are on your way to suffering and to death
for the sake of our freedom and our salvation.
This is mystery and wonder.
Our hearts overflow into songs of praise.
“Hosanna!”, we cry with the crowds.
“Blessed are you who comes in God’s name!”
Yet, you puzzle us:
you puzzle us with your suffering love
that is more powerful than our brokenness;
you puzzle us with your freely chosen humility
that brings blessings in our weary places;
you puzzle us with your forgiveness
that summons us beyond our hurt.
Liberating Saviour,
you make us uncomfortable
so that you can lead us
into more life and deeper wonder;
so that God can take who we are
and break us open, and bless us
and give us to the world.
Grant us grace
to welcome this holy restlessness,
that we may live by the power of your Spirit,
and in your name….
THE LORD’S PRAYER
As a child turns to a loving caregiver who watches over them, we turn in prayer to you O God, who are our heavenly parent, our mother,
Our Father, who art in Heaven…
PASSING THE PEACE OF CHRIST
The Peace of Christ be with you.
And also with you.
We share the peace of Christ by typing in the chat box.
You may also think of one person with whom you would like to share the peace of Christ.
MUSIC FOR PASSING THE PEACE:
Menuet from "Le tombeau de Couperin" ~ M. Ravel
PRAYER FOR OUR OFFERINGS:
Bountiful God,
we come with our offerings in response to your love.
With the new life in Christ,
we give ourselves in service to others.
With the energy bestowed by the Spirit,
we seek to inflame all your people
with a zeal for your way.
Receive the work we do, and the gifts we bring,
that they may become a blessing in your sight.
Donate online: www.graceunitedthornbury.ca, select “Give”
or contact the office by email: graceucworship@gmail.com
phone: 519-599-2438 to arrange a cheque pick-up, or an e-transfer
Mail: Grace UC, 140 Bruce St. S. PO Box 219, Thornbury, ON N0H 2P0
Care, Prayer, Share
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Join us by Zoom following this service for:
Coffee Hour
The link was sent out by e-blast.
HYMN: VU 126: Ride On, Ride On, The Time is Right (Verses 1,2,3 & 5)
1. Ride on, ride on, the time is right:
the roadside crowds scream with delight;
palm branches mark the pilgrim way
where beggars squat and children play.
2. Ride on, ride on, your critics wait,
intrigue and rumour circulate;
new lies abound in word and jest,
and truth becomes a suspect guest.
3. Ride on, ride on, while well aware
that those who shout and wave and stare
are mortals who, with common breath,
can crave for life and lust for death.
5. Ride on, ride on, God's love demands.
Justice and peace lie in your hands.
Evil and angel voices rhyme:
you are the man and this the time.
COMMISSIONING and BENEDICTION:
SUNG BLESSING: : MV 214 May God’s Sheltering Wings
May God's sheltering wings,
her* gathering wings protect you.
May God's nurturing arms,
her* cradling arms sustain you,
and hold you in her* love,
and hold you in her* love.
* alternative: "his"
POSTLUDE:
Chorale Prelude: "Treuer Gott, Ich Muss Dir Klagen" ~ J. Pachelbel
*****
RESOURCES USED
LITURGY SOURCES:
The following are used with permission:
Call to Worship & Opening Prayer: Sanctifed Art Lent 2022
Dedication of Offering written by Stephen Fearing, posted on WellSpring
Prayers of the People: Adapted from a prayer written by Christine Jerrett and posted on https://christinejerrett.wordpress.com/
HYMNS and SUNG VERSES
- Psalm Sung Verse: “Hosanna! Hosanna!:’ Refrain: Albert Ham ca. 1900Public Domain
- “All Glory Laud and Honour:” Words: Theodulph of Orleans ca. 820. alt., trans. John Mason Neale 1851. Music: Melchior Teschner 1615. OneLicense
- “Let There Be Light:” Words: .Frances Wheeler Davis 1968, alt.. Music: Robert J. B. Fleming 1967. Words copyright 1970 Frances Wheeler Davis. Music copyright 1976 Margaret Fleming
- “Ride On, Ride On, The Time is Right:” Words, Music: John L. Bell 1988. 1988 WGRG, The Iona Community. G.I.A. Publications, Inc.. One License
SCRIPTURE PASSAGES:
Scripture Passage from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) Bible, copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission.
Prelude: Fugue No. 14 ~ J.G. Töpfer. Organ Book No. 1. C.H. Trevor, ed.. Oxford University Press 1965. One License
Ministry of Music: When They Heard That Jesus Was Coming ~ R. Cooney. Words and music: Roy Cooney, 1999. Words and music copyright 1999 GIA PublicationsOne License
Music for Passing the Peace: Menuet from "Le tombeau de Couperin" ~ M. RavelPublic Domain
Postlude: Chorale Prelude: "Treuer Gott, Ich Muss Dir Klagen" ~ J. Pachelbel. Organ Book No. 1. C.H. Trevor, ed.. Oxford University Press 1965. One License
