Hybrid Church, Palm Sunday, Theme:  “Talents in Tune”, Sally Bullas

Hybrid Church, Palm Sunday, Theme:  “Talents in Tune”, Sally Bullas

Musician: Dorothy Dittrich

We acknowledge these lands upon which we worship are the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Snuneymuxw First Nation.

Whoever you are and wherever you are on life’s journey,

you are welcome here!

Welcome & Announcements

Whether you are gathering in person, on zoom or worshipping at home with the bulletin, welcome! We are one community, one in the body of Christ. 

Centering & Stillness                                                                                                         (Carmina Gadelica)

God before me, God behind me,
God above me, God below me;
I on the path of God,
God upon my track.(invitation to sit in silence)

Introit: Don’t Be Afraid                                                                                                             MV #90

          Don’t be afraid.  My love is stronger,
          my love is stronger than your fear.
          Don’t be afraid.  My love is stronger and
          I have promised, promised to be always near.

The Christ Candle is Lit 

One:  In a burst of joyful noise…

All:    in the wave of palm...

One:  the path of radiant love is lit… 
All:    with the exuberance of our faith well placed.

Hymn: Hosanna, Loud Hosanna                                                                  VU #123

1 Hosanna, loud hosanna
the happy children sang;
through pillared court and temple
the lovely anthem rang:
to Jesus, who had blessed them,
close folded to his breast,
the children sang their praises,
the simplest and the best. 

2 From Olivet they followed
'mid an exultant crowd,
the victory palm-branch waving,
and singing clear and loud;
the Lord of earth and heaven
rode on in lowly state,
content that little children
should on his bidding wait.

3 "Hosanna in the highest!"
That ancient song we sing,
for Christ is our Redeemer;
earth, let your anthems ring.
O may we ever praise him
with heart and life and voice,
and in his humble presence
eternally rejoice!

Greeting
One:  The grace of Christ Jesus, the love of God, 

          and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

All:     And also with you

Opening Words                                                           (Duncan Wilson, worshipwords.co.uk)

One:  Open now the gates to God’s holy place.
All:    We will go in and give thanks to our God.

One:  The foundation stone which the builders set aside has proved             the most important of all.

All:    This was achieved by God and how wonderful to behold.

One:  Today celebrates God’s victory.  Rejoice in it.

All:    God bless the One who comes in the name of the holiest.
          From this holy place, we bless you.

One:  So with hosannas in your hands, begin the festivities!
All:    This way, we give thanks to our God whose love knows no limits.         

Hymn: And On This Path                                                                                          MV #8

1And on this path,

the gates of holiness are open wide,

and on this path,

the gates of holiness are open wide,

and on this path,

the gates of holiness are open wide,

Open wide! Open wide! Open wide!

The gate are open wide!

2So enter in,

the gates of holiness are open wide!

so enter in,

the gates of holiness are open wide!

so enter in,

the gates of holiness are open wide!

Open wide! Open wide! Open wide!

The gate are open wide!

Opening Prayer (Global Ministries, Disciples of Christ/United Church of Christ, adp) 

One:  Blessed is the one that weeps for us and with us when we have lost our way.

All:    Blessed is the one that comes towards us in majesty and  humbleness down that ancient twisted path straight into our gated cities, locked up hearts.

One:  Blessed is the one that hears our shouts of joy then endures our chants of betrayal.

All:    Blessed is the one that knows our limitations, who pours out his love for us, into us so we can be:

One:  guardians of truth
          protectors of justice
          architects of peace.

All:    Hosanna in the highest we are inspired by your passion and
          are ready to follow.

(time to reflect)

Passing of the Peace

One:         The peace of Christ be with you! 

All:           And also with you!

You are invited to turn to those directly around you and share Christ’s peace. Those on zoom, please unmute and share with one another.

                              

Reader:                                                                    Reader: Catherine Woodward

By the gift of your Spirit, calm and quiet our souls that we may hear your Word today and be lifted up to walk with you. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen

                                                                        

Psalm 118 Parts 1, 3, & 4                                                                                      VU #837

Refrain

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

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.”   R

Open to me the gates of the temple, 

that I may enter and give thanks to God.

          This is the gate of God; through it the righteous shall enter.

I thank you for you have answered me; you have become my salvation.

          The stone which the builders rejected

          has become the chief cornerstone.

This is God’s doing, marvellous in our eyes.

          This is the day that God has made,

          let us rejoice and be glad in it!   R

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.                                 

Gospel Reading:                                                                   Reader: Catherine Woodward

As is your custom, please stand or sit for the reading of the gospel. 

Reader: God be with you.  
All:    And also with you

Reader:           The Good News of Jesus the Christ according to Matthew

All:     Glory to you, Christ Jesus.

Matthew 21:1-11 (NRSV)

When they had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, ‘Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, just say this, “The Lord needs them.” And he will send them immediately.’ This took place to fulfil what had been spoken through the prophet, saying, ‘Tell the daughter of Zion, Look, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’ The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; they brought the donkey and the colt, and put their cloaks on them, and he sat on them. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!’ When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, ‘Who is this?’ The crowds were saying, ‘This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.’

Reader: This is the Gospel of Christ.   

All:        Praise be to Jesus Christ       

Reflection:                         “Make a Joyful Noise”

Silent Reflection

Lenten Theme: Forward in Faith – Step by Step

Palm Sunday: “Talents in Tune”

In the name of the Holy One, our call to ministry is achieved step by step.  Our Lenten journey places us one step after another on a pathway towards the unfolding of God’s “Kin-dom Come.”  Christ Church Gabriola is on the journey.  Our ministries bear witness to our discipleship and following in Jesus’ way.  Palm Sunday is a paradox of joy-filled celebration heralding the beginning of Holy Week in anticipation of Good Friday and the dark day to come before Easter glory bursts upon us.  The darkness cannot be avoided, but it is not for today.  Today we are filling our worship space with joyful noise.  Perfectly tuneful (if not completely in tune), we soar in Spirit with music of the spheres.  Today we live a high note.  Thank you to each who brought their musical talent to our service today—we have truly entered the gates thanksgiving!   

Hymn: Joyful, Joyful We Adore You                                                                   VU #232

1Joyful, joyful, we adore you,

God of glory, life and love;

hearts unfold like flowers before you,

opening to the sun above.

Melt the clouds of sin and sadness,

drive our fear and doubt away;

giver of immortal gladness,

fill us with the light of day.

2All your works with joy surround you,

earth and heaven reflect your rays,

stars and angels sing around you,

center of unbroken praise.

Field and forest, vale and mountain,

flowery meadow, flashing sea,

chanting bird and flowing fountain,

sound their praise eternally.

3You are giving and forgiving,

ever blessing, ever blest,

wellspring of the joy of living,

ocean depth of happy rest!

Source of grace and fount of blessing,

let your light upon us shine;

teach us how to love each other,

lift us to the joy divine.

4Mortals, join the mighty chorus

which the morning stars began;

God's own love is reigning o'er us,

joining people hand in hand.

Ever singing, march we onward,

victors in the midst of strife;

joyful music lifts us sunward

in the triumph song of life.

Affirmation of Faith                                                              New Zealand Prayer Book

You, O God, are supreme and holy.

You create our world and give us life.

Your purpose overarches everything we do.

You have always been with us. 

You are God.

You, O God, are infinitely generous,

good beyond all measure.

You came to us before we came to you.

You have revealed and proved

your love for us in Jesus Christ,

who lived and died and rose again.

You are with us now. 

You are God.

You, O God, are Holy Spirit.

You empower us to be your gospel in the world.

You reconcile and heal; you overcome death.

You are our God. We worship you.             

Offering Invitation

Doxology                                                                                                                                        CP #669

Praise God the Source of life and birth,

Praise God the Word, who came to earth.

Praise God the Spirit, holy flame.

All Glory, honour to God’s name.

Offering Prayer                                                                                                               (Glen E. Rainsley)

Loving God, whenever we make offerings in Christ’s name and for the church’s use, let it be with a sense of joy derived from generosity.  Remove any hindrances or restraints that prevent us from knowing the spiritual gladness of abundant giving.  With thanks for all we have received, we extend our prayer and praise.  Amen.

Prayers of the People                                                              Mona Smart                                                                                 

One:  Loving God,

All:    Hear Our Prayers

The Prayer of Jesus (sung)                                                                                        VU #959

Our Father in heaven, 

hallowed be your name,

your Kin-dom 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 kin-dom, the power

and the glory are yours,

now and forever.

Blessing of the Palm Crosses:                                                               (Jan Richardson)

This blessing can be heard coming from a long way off.

This blessing is making its steady way up the road toward you.

This blessing blooms in the throats of women, springs from the hearts
of men, tumbles out of the mouths of children.

This blessing is stitched into the seams of the cloaks that line the road,
etched into the branches that trace the path, echoes in the breathing
of the willing colt, the click of the donkey’s hoof against the stones.

Something is rising beneath this blessing. Something will try to drown it out. But this blessing cannot be turned back, cannot be made to still its voice, cannot cease to sing its praise of the One who comes along the way it makes.

May the blessing of peace and possibility go with us as we carry these crosses from this place and into the world.

(palm crosses are distributed)

Special Music: Bach-Gunod Ave Maria       Dorothy Dittrich & Pat Armstrong

Benediction                                                                                                                

Beyond this day of waving palms let there be outreach of welcoming spirits.  Open yourselves to the living presence of Christ. Get into the faith with all your heart and mind and strength.  Amen.

Hymn: This Is The Day                                                                                                           VU #412

1This is the day, 

this is the day that our God has made, that our God has made;

we will rejoice, 

we will rejoice, and be glad in it, and be glad in it.

This is the day that our God has made, 

we will rejoice and be glad in it.

This is the day, 

this is the day that our God has made.

2Open to us, 

open to us your gates, O God, your gates O God;

we will go in, 

we will go in, to your holy place, to your holy place.

Open to us your gates, O God, 

we will go in to your holy place.

Open to us, 

open to us your gates, O God.

3You are our God, 

you are our God, we will praise your name, we will praise your name;

we will give thanks, 

we will give thanks, for your faithfulness, for your faithfulness.

You are our God, we will praise your name, 

we will give thanks for your faithfulness.

You are our God, 

you are our God, we will praise your name.

4This is the day, 

this is the day that our God has made, that our God has made;

we will rejoice, 

we will rejoice, and be glad in it, and be glad in it.

This is the day that our God has made, 

we will rejoice and be glad in it.

This is the day, 

this is the day that our God has made

Thank You

Blessing                                                                                   (Sam Goodman, worshipwords.co.uk If you are with another person, you are invited to face one another as we reassure each another with this blessing:

One:  The next time it gets light I will awake with hope
          and tonight as it gets dark I will not fear.
Right/The next time it grows light I will welcome the dawn.
Zoom The next time morning comes I’ll be reborn.

One:  The next time it grows dark I will not hide away…

          the darkness does not extinguish the light you bring

Left:  The next time I am afraid I will remember you…
          the promises you made will still ring true

One:  The next time darkness comes I will be re-assured
          that light is simply waiting over the horizon.

All:    The next time morning comes I’ll try to celebrate
          that your love lifts light to shine for all around.

*  *  *

A Palm Cross Prayer Liturgy for Home      (churchsupporthub.org, adapted)

1.     Hold the cross in your right hand and then place your left thumb on the left ‘crosspiece’. Pray for the world, in these or similar words: Loving God, thank you that your peace reaches into every situation across our world. Be close to those places that need peace this day. In your mercy – Hear our prayer

2.     Place your left thumb on the right of the ‘crosspiece’ and pray for people in need in these or similar words: Loving God, thank you that your hope reaches into every situation. Be close to those who are ill or sad this day. In your mercy – Hear our prayer

3.     Place your left thumb on the base of the ‘crosspiece’: Pray for the community where you live in using these or similar words: Loving God, thank you that your joy reaches into our homes. Help us to know that you are with us every day. In your mercy – Hear our prayer.

4.     Place your thumb on top of the ‘crosspiece’: Pray for those who lead in the church and teach us about Jesus: Loving God, thank you that your love is shared through your church. Give wisdom to those who help us to know the good news of Jesus. Lord in your mercy – Hear our prayer

5.     Place your thumb in centre of the ‘crosspiece’: Pray for yourself, in these or similar words: Loving God, thank you for Jesus and for his love. Help me to follow in his way more and more each day. Amen.