Palm Sunday

​Today is Palm Sunday and at Kingswood this would have been an interactive style of worship. In line with our usual practice, later in the service, you will have the option to choose a particular element to engage with. Palm Sunday, and the day when we would normally receive a palm cross see the video below for you to make a palm cross from paper.

​Hopefully you should have made a Palm Cross!
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.
Hymn – 265 Ride on ride on in Majesty

​Opening prayer.
Lord of Palm Sunday,
as we listen again to the story of your entry into Jerusalem.
we give you thanks and praise
for your willingness to journey beyond the cheering to the cross for us
Breathe your love into our lives and enable us to love others, even as you have loved us.
In your mercy and grace, we receive your love.
Amen

A prayer of confession Based on Psalm 139.1-3
O Lord, you know each one of us. You know when we sit down and when we rise up; you know our thoughts and our deeds, nothing is hidden from your sight.
You are acquainted with all our ways.
Hear us, loving God, as we confess our weakness and failings.
Bring us into the light of your love as we seek for your forgiveness. May we know your mercy and grace in Jesus’ name.
Amen

​Readings. Philippians 2: 5-11 and Matthew 21: 1-11

Hymn – At the name of Jesus every knee shall bow

​Your choice – now is the time for you to decide which element of the service to go to next - there are three choices:-

1. Questions to ponder
2. Reading one of todays reading in the lectio divina style
3. Reflection by John Staton from the Methodist Website.

 

1. Questions to ponder - Matthew 21: 1-11
   One writer recently suggested that peer pressure, jealousy, insecurity, fear, doubt, disillusionment, were just some of the emotions that came swirling together to change this crowd of joyful worshippers into a very different group of people by Good Friday.
   
   We may have experienced some of these emotions at some point in our lives.
   Given the current situation we find ourselves in I for one, find that at times I am experiencing a sense of fearfulness this being prompted by the ‘unknowns and what ifs’ of a future not being quite what I had anticipated.
   
   Do you ever find yourself experiencing any of these emotions in the light of our current time of isolation?
   
   What would you find helpful to alleviate or calm those emotions?
   
   As we try and support each other over these strange days please let Christine Liz or Jessica know if you have an idea that may be helpful for yourself or for others.

As we celebrate again this Palm Sunday let us be reminded of those truths that Jesus triumphal entry into Jerusalem brings:
As we celebrate again this Palm Sunday let us be reminded of those truths that Jesus triumphal entry into Jerusalem brings:

• Jesus is a king who brings us close to God - No other king can do that for us.
• Jesus is the kind of king who loves us - He loves and knows each one of us. No other king can do that.
• Jesus is a king who shows us the way. Throughout his life, by his words and actions, Jesus showed us the way to God and the way that God wants us to live. No other king can do that.
• Jesus is a king who died and rose again for each and everyone of us that he might walk with us and share with us in our most difficult times.

A king like Jesus deserves our love and praise. He deserves to be welcomed into each of our lives.
So, in a moment of quiet, let us, welcome him into our lives and as we do, know that he is with us whatever emotion we may be experiencing at this time. And remember God is love and in him we place our trust.

​2.Lectio Divina

Lectio Divina is a prayer method for reading and praying with the bible. Choose one of today’s readings. (See readings above).
There are four stages to reading the bible in this way and it will take approx. 20 mins – so find a comfortable place chose your reading and begin! We will read the passage three times.
Lectio (Read)
The first reading is an opportunity to get to know the scripture passage. Listen carefully for any words or phrases that seem to jump out. It’s important not to force things, but wait patiently for God to give gentle guidance.

Meditatio (Reflect)
The second reading of the same passage focuses further on the points that you become aware of during the first reading – perhaps just re-read a few verses to reflect carefully on where God has nudged you.

Then reflect on what God might be saying. Try not to analyse the passage. It’s easy to slip into “study mode” and think about interesting points rather than listening to what God might be saying.

Oratio (Respond)
After a third reading, it’s time to respond. We can respond in prayer or record your thoughts.

Contemplatio (Rest)
Spend a few minutes in silent contemplation. This isn’t a time of prayer or meditation — just sit quietly and allow God to work. If your mind starts to wander and dart here and there, bring it gently back to stillness again.

3. Time to reflect - By John Staton - Taken from the Methodist website.
Think about the last time you saw the Queen in a procession, perhaps on television, at the State Opening of Parliament, or the Trooping of the colour, or a royal wedding. How did she travel? Either in a limousine or a stately coach most likely. Have you ever seen her arrive at such an event in a battered white van? But that is the equivalent of what Jesus is doing here. He is coming to Jerusalem as King. That much the prophet Zechariah makes clear. He prophesies after some of God’s people returned from exile in Babylon to Jerusalem. But they had no king, and it was dubious whether they wanted one because kings had not done them much good in the past. But God promised them a king who would be different from any king they had known.

​ Firstly, he would be victorious. That was unusual, though not absolutely unknown in the history of Israel and Judah. And secondly, he would be humble, coming on a donkey - the common working animal in the streets of the city. His victory too would be unusual. It involved dying on a cross, bearing the consequences and responsibility for the disobedience and rebellion of all God’s people so they can reign in life. We too can share in his victory, if we are prepared to believe in Jesus as God’s chosen deliverer, to ask forgiveness for going our own way rather than his, and to commit ourselves to walking with him the way of the cross

​Back together again
​Take your palm cross (either the one you have made – or a cut out cross shape or last years palm cross) and lets ask for God ‘s blessing
A prayer for the blessing of the cross.
Bless to me this palm cross, loving God.
May it help me to praise you from my heart today.
May it help me to understand how much it cost you to die for me.
As I live through this Holy Week and through the coming year
May it remind me that you have promised to be with me always
And that I have promised to follow you always.
Amen

​Intercessions.
Lord Jesus Christ, you came not as a king mighty in battle, but as the prince of peace, the promised deliverer, sent to heal and restore our broken world. So now we pray for peace and healing for all your creation.
We pray for all who long for your peace to reign in their lives – lives that are shattered by sadness, disappointment, illness or bereavement. Silence.
We pray for our families and friends, all our health care workers, all who care, our emergency services, that your peace will reign amongst them Silence
And for ourselves we ask that your peace that passes all our understanding will surround us each day today and in the coming days.
Lord Jesus Christ come again to our world and bring the unity healing and peace that only you can bring - In your name we pray.
Amen -

We say together the Lord’s prayer.

As we enter into this Holy week – let us commit ourselves again to follow our servant king – wherever this may lead us knowing that he has journeyed before us and will continue to journey with us.

Hymn 272 The Servant king

​Blessing
​Lord of the journey, as you set your face towards Jerusalem,
we now set our faces towards the world for which you died.
May we know your presence wherever we are.
May we live in your name and your blessing.
Father Son and Holy Spirit, This day and for evermore
Amen

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