2nd April 2023
What follows is a worship service which, I pray, you can participate in at a time(s) that are convenient to you. This 'service' will take about forty five (45) minutes.
I pray that you will feel called to ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE in this service.
The text that is in regular typeface (that is what you are reading at the moment) is to be read quietly, while the text that is in bold face (like you are reading right now) is meant to be read aloud.
Opening Hymn:
Let us continue by watching, and please do feel free to sing or read aloud the lyrics, as we commence our praise and thanksgiving.
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The Pewsheet:
Call to Worship:
We meet in the name of God,
Creator of the universe,
source of true humanity,
mother and father of all. Amen.
We meet in the name of Jesus,
Word made flesh,
saviour of fallen humanity, lover of all. Amen.
We meet in the name of the Holy Spirit,
Lord and giver of life,
midwife of new humanity,
inspirer of all. Amen.
An Assurance of Forgiveness
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The Sentence for the Day
Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who welcomes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!
The Prayer for the Day (Collect)
Let us pray together.
Jesus, when you rode into Jerusalem the people waved palms with shouts of acclamation. Grant that when the shouting dies, we may still walk beside you even to a cross; for the glory of your holy name. Amen.
A reading from The Psalms
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Pause for a moment of silent reflection.
The Gradual Hymn
Let us continue by watching, and please do feel free to join in singing another wonderful hymn.
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A reading from the Gospel according to Saint Matthew
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Listen to the sermon:
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or, if you prefer, you can read to the sermon, below:
Sermon Palm Sunday, 2nd April 2023
Take my lips O God and speak through them, take our minds O God and think through them, take our hearts O God and love through them this day. <Amen>
We come today to Palm Sunday, the beginning of the holiest week of the year, and I want to focus today on just six words of Jesus from our gospel narrative, “The Master has need of it.”
In advance of the procession into Jerusalem with all the palms and hosannas The Lord tells two of his disciples that he wants them to go into the city and they're told they will find a donkey and they have to untether it, and if there's any protest from the owner they are to say simply, “The Master has need of it.”
Well, it struck me, that's a terrific “life motto” for us. It signals the humility of the one being called, like a donkey, like a humble animal, called to work for Christ … not very graceful and unlikely to draw attention to itself.
I love how those words of Jesus place our entire lives under the under the guidance of The Master.
The Master needs our lives. The Master needs our service.
EVERY Christian should say in regard to himself or herself, “The Master has need of ME.” <PAUSE>
However, let me clarify one point by saying a quick word about “need”. It might strike you as odd because God doesn't “need” anything, and strictly speaking that’s true. God is the Lord of the universe. God is the creator of all things … so God needs - nothing!
God doesn't “need” our existence. God doesn't “need” our good works. God could accomplish what God wants on his own!
However, Christ’s words to us today speak to the PRIVILEGE of the Christian life.
God delights in allowing us to cooperate with His power and His glory. God is giving US the privilege to act as instruments of His purpose. God wants to draw us into His work.
Once we understand this principle, everything is revolutionised because customarily people think, “Well, yeah, my talents and capacities and abilities, they're for me to make my life better, to make my life more accomplished so I can do what I want. Lucky me that I have these gifts so I can accomplish my goals.”
But in the light of “The Master has need of it” we should turn all of that around, turn that on its head.
Rather, the gifts we have - and by the way, I choose that word GIFTS with a great deal of emphasis for that is what they are … not things that we've earned or deserved … what gifts we may have, we received FOR THE SAKE OF CHRIST - TO BE USED FOR HIS PURPOSES! <PAUSE>
So let's me make it more concrete … have you ever thought about having some unashamedly modest conversation with God? ..… God, I’m a very smart person. I’m intelligent. I did well in school. I got advanced degrees. I’m articulate. I’m competent when it comes to admin. I’m really comfortable talking to people I’ve just met. I can cope with modern technology. Would you ever pause to ask, “Hmm, how come I have such capacities ? How come I'm so smart?”
Ah, maybe so I can show off and can accomplish great things for myself?<PAUSE>
NO NO NO, says The Master - it's to give your gifts back to Christ that He might use them. <PAUSE>
So, let’s say you're really good with people. You're an extroverted, gregarious type. People like you. You're popular. “Hey, good for me. That means I got a lot of friends and I'm popular.” Yeah, that's a very superficial way to look at it. What if you were to say, “No no, I've received this gift of gregariousness so I could give it back to Christ, so I could use that gift now to be an evangelist to reach out to people so I can speak to people more effectively about Christ.
How come you've got such a sympathy for the less fortunate? I know people coming from missionary backgrounds who, from the time they were little kids, had this great sympathy for those who suffer. They had a great gift of compassion and The Master gave it to them because He wants them to give it back to Him by being of service to his people.
How come you’ve got such musical talent? How come you’ve got such great singing voices? How come you have the courage to stand up in front of people and read the Holy Scriptures?
You see my point … The Master has need of it.
That means that in our humility, we’re going to give back to Christ, what Christ gave to us <PAUSE> … and you too will be untethered, liberated, set free … just like that donkey.
So on this Palm Sunday, identify with that humble, little donkey. Look at the whole direction and purpose of your life and say, "You know, ultimately, the Master has need of it” …. and to God will be the glory.
In the name of God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit <AMEN>
Pause and Reflect
Just take a moment now to pause. Bow your head, close your eyes.
Allow these words of Holy Scripture and this interpretation of them today speak to you.
An Affirmation of Our Faith
Let us affirm our faith by listening as "The Apostles Creed" is read to us.
(click the "play" button below when you are ready to listen)
... and now ... let us pray for the Church and for the World, giving thanks for God's goodness.
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The Lord's Prayer
Remembering that we are confident to pray this day, and every day, because Jesus Christ has taught us:
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.
Let us conclude our prayers by praying together and aloud:
God of mercy,
you have given us grace to pray with one heart and one voice,
and have promised to hear the prayers
of two or three who agree in your name,
fulfil now, we pray,
the prayers and longings of your people
as may be best for us and for your kingdom.
Grant us in this world to know your truth,
and in the world to come to see your glory. Amen.
The Blessing
The blessing of Almighty God who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
be with you and all of those whom you love,
on this day and forever more.
A Closing Hymn
Let us continue with our closing hymn and please do feel free to sing along with another great hymn of wonder, hope and joy.
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Dismissal
Go now to love and serve The Lord,
Go in peace.
Amen, we go in the name of Christ.
