Sunday, March 28, 2021
From the days of our ancient ancestors to present day, God has written on our hearts the love and hope for building a right relationship.
As we head into Holy Week, let us take a look at the treasures we have collected over Lent - treasures that only God can give:
The rainbow as a sign of the covenant God made with Noah;
The family tree that illustrates one part of the three-fold covenant (of land, descendants, and bless) that God made with Abraham and Sarah;
The Ten Commandments which are a set of rules to instruct the people on how to live faithfully, trusting in God;
God's healing power; and
Jesus who came to us as love incarnate, and God who wrote and continues to write love and hope eternal on our hearts every day of our lives.
God continues to make a covenant with us to live in a manner worthy of Christ himself and the ministry he led and continues to lead, through us.
Today is Palm Sunday, a very special day in the journey to the cross. It is the beginning of Holy Week.
For those who have
eyes to see and ears to hear,
all of life is a great parade,
the triumphal procession
marking the entry of God’s spirit
into the world of human affairs.
Some of us will stand on the sidelines,
wondering what the fuss is about;
some will pepper the parade with criticism,
and do all they can to stop or control it,
frightened by the challenge it represents
to comfortable, familiar patterns of behaviour.
But some of us, the fortunate ones,
will be caught up in the parade,
throwing ourselves into the new order
and committing ourselves to whatever comes!
God calls us to join the parade
with joy
and enthusiasm
and commitment!
Let us worship God!
Video: Jesus Entering Jerusalem
Hymn: Hosanna, Loud Hosanna
Lighting of the Christ Candle
As I light this candle, please light your candles at home.
I light this candle as a symbol of the light that Christ
brought into the lives of the many who followed him
from village to village,
to the sea, and
to the mountains,
to hear him teach, witness the miracles and to learn - just as we do today.
Let us welcome the light of Christ this day and always. Amen.
Scripture Reading: Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 - The stone that the builders rejected
Hymn: Ride On! Ride On in Majesty
Scripture Reading: Mark 11:1-11 - Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem
and
Sermon: The Cornerstone Of Our Salvation, by Karen Chandler
Instrumental Reflection
A time to reflect on the scripture and the message during a moment of instrumental reflection.
Offering Invitation
Jesus gave everything. All that he was, for us.
Even when all he had was his life left to give, it was so freely given.
Take time now to offer back to God a portion of all that you have been given.
Our offering is both a practical and symbolic act of our commitment to serve Christ and build His church. Although we can’t actually pass the plate’ online, you are encouraged to continue your gift to the church, as the work of the St Paul’s and the staff continues:
Drop your envelope (cheque or cash) at the church;
Mail your cheque to the church;
Go on PAR (call the church for details);
Use the Donate button at the top of the page (it will take you to SPUC’s Canada Helps page where you can donate online and get an instant tax receipt).
Offertory Hymn: Take My Life and Let It Be
Offering Dedication
O Lord, bless the gifts we have offered. May they be just what you need, and through us, help others in need in our community, country, and around the world. Amen.
Prayers of the People
God of compassion and mercy, today we pray for:
...those who are seeking a closer relationship with you, but unsure of how to bridge
the distance,
...those who are questioning their faith and at a crossroads not knowing where to
turn,
...those who are walking with Christ during the difficult week ahead, knowing that it
will be painful to bear.
Strengthen and sustain us dear Lord, that we,
...become comfortable asking you for help and learning how to speak our hearts
to you,
...know it is okay to ask you for guidance and answers to our questions of faith,
...realize we can lean on you for support, especially this week when we think we are
'okay' but really feel torn inside with the events leading to Good Friday.
This we pray in Jesus' name.
Amen.
The Lord's Prayer
And of all the prayers silent and spoken, we pray the one prayer that unites us in Your presence, O Lord (you can sing with the video or recite the words below):
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed by thy name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory
forever and ever. Amen.
Hymn: Go Now in Peace
Benediction
On the back of a donkey,
Jesus came to bless us.
With a love that did not count the cost,
Jesus came to heal us.
From hopelessness and despair,
Jesus came to free us.
With the power of the Holy Spirit,
Jesus came to save us.
Food for the Journey
In this contemporary music video, Caleb and Kelsey Grimm take the song, "In Christ Alone" and infuse it with lyrics about Jesus Christ being the cornerstone for us as Christians. Appropriate for today. Enjoy!
Closing Notes
Don’t forget to extinguish your candle(s).
Please join us today for Zoom Coffee Time starting at 11:30 am.
Meeting ID: 829 432 3094
Dial in: +1 647 558 0588
Note that portions of this service are drawn and adapted from various resources:
o The Opening Prayer was provided by Jordan Myslik & the youth group,
as found in Gathering, Lent/Easter 2018, page 32. Used with permission.
o The Commissioning was from The Abingdon Worship Annual 2018.
Copyright © 2017 by Abingdon Press. Sending Forth, page 64.
Used by permission.”
Thanks to Max Laumeister for his web script that makes our YouTube videos work.
And, thank you to all of the artists whose music and videos were used in the service:
o The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
o ILP Music
o Jacob George
o Relaxing Music
o David & Noelle Music
o Haewook Kim
o Tina Vanderpol Melodium75
o Caleb & Kelsey Grimm
