Palm Sunday 29 March 2026

HYBRID WORSHIP

Palm Sunday

29 March 2026

Presider: Lay Presenters

Music: Lisa Griffith & Pat Armstrong

 

We acknowledge that 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!

 

Words for Worship

Words of response are in bold & italics

 

Prelude: Let There be Peace On Earth                           Hand Bell Ringers

                           Sheep May Safely Graze, Jubilant Fanfare        

 

Gathering Words

It is Faith that brought each of us to this place.

It is Hope that keeps us coming back week after week

to this holy place.

And it is love of God and for one another that unites us as one.

 

Acknowledgement of the Land

We prayerfully acknowledge with thanksgiving that we

gather on the unceded territories of the Snuneymuxw people. Gracious God, help us to seek a new relationship with the first peoples here, one based in honour and respect. Amen.

 

Welcome

Whoever you are and wherever you are on life’s journey, whether in person, on zoom or at home, you are welcome to this time of worship!  For we together are one Body in Christ.

 

Lighting the Candle

We are here

We are here

God is here 

            God is here

This place is sacred ground.

            This place is sacred ground.

 

Opening Dialogue Prayer for Palm/Passion Sunday

From Common Order, Panel on Worship, Church of Scotland, 1994. Used by permission.

Humble and riding on a donkey,

we greet you;
Acclaimed by crowds and caroled by children,
            we cheer you;
moving from the peace of the countryside to the corridors of power,
            we salute you: Christ our Lord.

You are giving the beast of burden
            a new dignity;
you are giving majesty
         a new face;

you are giving those who long for redemption
         a new song to sing.
With them, with heart and voice, we shout:
         Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the     

         Lord!

 

Opening Hymn: All Glory Laud and Honour                           VU #122

                                                                                                                   

Peace of Christ

May the peace of Christ be with you.

And also with you.

Let us share the peace of Christ with one another.

 

Prayer Before the Reading of Scripture                                                    

Holy Spirit, Open our hearts and our minds to hear your word.

 

Please sit for the reading of the gospel.  The Congregation takes part in this reading.

 

Readers: Don Butt Narrator, Betty Schultze Other, Alie Riekirk Jesus  and All members of the Congregation

 

The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew. (Matthew 27)

 

1. Jesus was brought before the governor, who questioned him,
2. Are you the king of the Jews?
3. Jesus said,
4. You say so.
5. And when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he

made no answer. Then Pilate said to him,

1. Do you not hear how many things they are testifying against you?
2. But he did not answer him one word, so that the governor was greatly amazed. Now on the occasion of the feast the governor was accustomed to release to the crowd one prisoner whom they wished. And at that time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. So when they had assembled, Pilate said to them,
3. Which one do you want me to release to you, Barabbas, or Jesus called Christ?
4. For he knew that it was out of envy that they had handed him over. While he was still seated on the bench, his wife sent him a message, "Have nothing to do with that righteous man. I suffered much in a dream today because of him." The chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas but to destroy Jesus. The governor said to them in reply,
5. Which of the two do you want me to release to you?
6. They answered,
7. Barabbas!
8. Pilate said to them,
9. Then what shall I do with Jesus called Christ?
10. They all said,
11. Let him be crucified!
12. But he said,
13. Why? What evil has he done?
14. They only shouted the louder,
15. Let him be crucified!
16. When Pilate saw that he was not succeeding at all, but that a riot was breaking out instead, he took water and washed his hands in the sight of the crowd, saying,
17. I am innocent of this man's blood. Look to it yourselves.
18. And the whole people said in reply,
19. His blood be upon us and upon our children.
20. Then he released Barabbas to them, but after he had Jesus scourged, he handed him over to be crucified. Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus inside the praetorium and gathered the whole cohort around him. They stripped off his clothes and threw a scarlet military cloak about him. Weaving a crown out of thorns, they placed it on his head, and a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him saying,
21. Hail, King of the Jews!
22. They spat upon him and took the reed and kept striking him on the head. And when they mocked him, they stripped him of the cloak, dressed him in his own clothes, and led him off to crucify him.

As they were going out, they met a Cyrenian named Simon; this man they pressed into service to carry his cross.

And when they came to a place called Golgotha – which means Place of the Skull – they gave Jesus wine to drink mixed with gall. But when he had tasted it, he refused to drink. After they had crucified him, they divided his garments by casting lots. Then they sat down and kept watch over him there. And they placed over his head the written charge against him: This is Jesus, the King of the Jews. Two bandits were crucified with him, one on his right and the other on his left. Those passing by reviled him, shaking their heads and saying,

1. You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself, if you are the Son of God, and come down from the cross!
2. Likewise the chief priests with the scribes and elders mocked him and said,

           

1. He saved others, he cannot save himself. So he is the King of Israel! Let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him. He trusted in God; let him deliver him now if he wants him. For he said, "I am the Son of God."
2. The bandits who were crucified with him also kept abusing him in the same way. From noon onward, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. And about three o'clock Jesus cried out in a loud voice,
3. Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?
4. Which means,
5. My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
6. Some of the bystanders who heard it said,
7. This one is calling for Elijah.
8. Immediately one of them ran to get a sponge; he soaked it in sour wine, and putting it on a reed, gave it to him to drink. But the rest said,
9. Wait, let us see if Elijah comes to save him.
10.   But Jesus cried out again in a loud voice, and gave up his spirit.

(Here all  pause for a short time.)

1. And behold, the veil of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth quaked, rocks were split, tombs were opened, and the bodies of many saints who had fallen asleep were raised. And coming forth from their tombs after his resurrection, they entered the holy city and appeared to many. The centurion and the men with him who were keeping watch over Jesus feared greatly when they saw the earthquake and all that was happening, and they said,
2. Truly, this was the son of God!
   
   

The Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Word: Jesus Enters Jerusalem (on a donkey)

 

Hymn of Response: Were You There                                       VU #144

 

Life & Work of the Church

 

Creed                                   (from Creating Uncommon Worship by Richard Giles adapted DvdG)

Let us affirm our faith . . .              

We believe and trust in God our Creator.

We believe and trust in Jesus the Christ.

We believe and trust in the Holy Spirit.

We believe and trust in the Three in One.

Prayers of the People                                                         Paddy Waymark                                                   

Your light sustains us,

            Hear our Prayers.

 

Lords Prayer                                                                                              

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 forever.

Amen.

 

Offering (offering now to be collected)

Let us now gather our offerings

 

Closing Hymn: Rise Up                                                             MV #130

 

Blessing & Sending

As you leave this place,

when you meet anger, speak with love.

When you meet fear, speak with hope.

When you meet pain, speak with gentleness.

But no matter what, speak this good news.

For the good news of the gospel is

love and justice for all.

It is joy that surprises,

and nonviolence that transforms.

The good news of the gospel is alive in the world,

so go forth speaking.

For if you won’t, then who will?

Thanks be to God

for this good, good news.                                                                            

 

Postlude

 

 

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