WE GATHER TO PRAISE GOD TO PONDER:
This Sunday focuses on the irony of the Gospel. We live out at once the
triumph of the entry into Jerusalem and the tragedy of the crucifixion.
MUSICAL PRELUDE
(
A time for quiet reflection and preparation for worship
)
HYMN: "
All Glory, Laud and Honour" V.U. 122
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP:
Today we begin Holy Week. It is a week when we follow Jesus into Jerusalem
as the people wave palm branches.
By the end of the week we stand at the foot of the cross.
Today we see the kiss of betrayal and hear the sound of thirty pieces of
silver.
We listen as Jesus is condemned by false witnesses.
We see him mocked in a purple robe.
We feel the crown of thorns pressed upon our heads.
We follow his lonely walk to Golgotha.
We stand at a distance as He is nailed to the cross and raised toward a
lonely sky.
As such a violent and fearful week begins, we remember that God's
steadfast love endures forever.
OPENING PRAYER
Merciful God, we come out of our darkness to receive Your light. We
come out of our sorrow to receive Your joy. We come out of our doubts
to receive Your certainty. We come out of our anxiety to receive Your
peace. We come out of our sin to receive Your forgiveness. Open our
hearts that Your grace may fill our every need. In the name of Jesus,
we pray. AMEN
Lent 6 - War Reader 1
: Conflicts in our world cause at least 1,000 deaths per year. We welcome
into our midst the One we call the Prince of Peace. Today we celebrate His
triumphant entry into the city of Jerusalem.
Reader 2:
In a few days He will die as a traitor. His country was occupied by a
foreign power and peace was maintained by military might.
Reader 1
: Civil unrest, armed conflict and unjust use of power are all too common.
Conflict plagues our world. It destroys natural resources. With the planet
groaning under our excesses, we need to find ways to promote peace among
all people. As we extinguish this candle we lament the terror and
destruction caused by conflict and war.
(Last purple candle is extinguished)
Let us join in our Prayer of Confession.
A PRAYER OF CONFESSION
God of mercy, we long for peace in our own lives and among the nations
of the world. We turn to You and confess those places where our
resentment and prejudice make us slow to cooperate in efforts for
reconciliation and peace. Forgive us, we pray. Giver of life, in the
midst of a world at war, we groan with creation: have mercy upon us.
AMEN
SUNG RESPONSE
"As the Sun With Longer Journey"
V.U. 111 (vs 2)
Through the days of waiting,
watching in the desert of our sin,
Searching on the far horizon for a sign of cloud of wind,
We await the healing waters of our Saviour's victory.
RESPONSE: V.U. 400
Lord, listen to your children praying,
Lord, send your Spirit in this place,
Lord, listen to your children praying,
Send us love, send us power, send us grace
PASTORAL PRAYER
WE RESPOND TO GOD'S WORD IN FAITH AND ACTION
OFFERING INVITATION
OFFERTORY RESPONSE:
For food in a world where many walk in hunger, for friends in a world where
many walk alone, for faith in a world where many walk in fear, we give you
thanks, O God. V.U. 552
OFFERTORY PRAYER: We have received much that we did not earn . . . the
dancing colours of spring, and the early morning music of the birds,
the laughter of friends and the love of family. We have received these
things as a gift. As abundantly as we have received, let us also give.
AMEN
HYMN:
"Were You There" V.U. 144
COMMISSIONING AND BLESSING
POSTLUDE
(
A time to quietly reflect on all that you have experienced this
morning
LicenSing #620168
