This service started out as bundle for the house churches of our faith community in Auckland, New Zealand, after worship gatherings were ruled out by the March 25 decision to go to Lockdown - called Alert Level Four here. The idea was that families/couples could work through the service together, picking what suited their ages and attention span. I also hoped that some groups would Zoom together and share it, and they did.
Feel free to "pick and mix" from the ideas. Because this plan was put together under time pressure, I may have forgotten to acknowledge some sources and for that omission I apologise.
Feel free to "pick and mix" from the ideas. Because this plan was put together under time pressure, I may have forgotten to acknowledge some sources and for that omission I apologise.
The resources could also be useful for gathered worship if and when we are back to "normal."
Introduction
This week's journey to the cross and beyond is full of contrasts. It begins with Hosanna but rapidly morphs into Crucify. It marches through sinister rumblings of conspiracy and past moving outpourings of love. Promises of loyalty are made, but will be broken before the week is out. Thankfully we know now that nothing could extinguish the light of God's love, but it is fitting, especially in this time of global uncertainty, that we fully engage with the perils of the Holy Week journey. The horror of the cross and the darkness of the tomb can help us look in and around and discover toxic deception and hidden brokenness in our lives, and in our world. Yet at the same time the power of unshakeable truth and the embrace of unconditional love is revealed.
On Palm Sunday we celebrate the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. Immediately however we notice how far these events are from our experience of 21st century triumphalism. There is a quiet obedience in Jesus’ friends as they carry out his instructions, and in his choice to ride into Jerusalem on a humble donkey. This is very different from the flamboyance of today's celebrities, and it was poles apart from the showiness of the Emperors and Generals of the Roman occupation. Even so, the cry goes up from the crowd, Hosanna, hosanna in the highest Heaven, “Lord save us”. Surely we would have been shouting and waving palms too. Yet in a few short days many of the followers are calling Crucify. Even the best disciples move away from Jesus at his time of need, and leave him standing alone before the Jewish authorities. Our kids may not understand much of politics and society, but they do understand that someone can turn from being your friend to hurting and deserting you.
Palm Sunday illustrates how fickle we can all be as human beings. We are reminded of how readily and enthusiastically we ‘follow’ those on the crest of the wave, the winning rugby team, the popular host, the fashionable influencer, yet drop them like hot potatoes when they displease or disappoint us, attract vocal opposition or simply go out of fashion. We recognise the roller coaster of alternating adulation and vilification in today's world, and learn again the hard lesson that something inherently wrong does not become right just because it is successful, and vice versa.
Palm Sunday illustrates how fickle we can all be as human beings. We are reminded of how readily and enthusiastically we ‘follow’ those on the crest of the wave, the winning rugby team, the popular host, the fashionable influencer, yet drop them like hot potatoes when they displease or disappoint us, attract vocal opposition or simply go out of fashion. We recognise the roller coaster of alternating adulation and vilification in today's world, and learn again the hard lesson that something inherently wrong does not become right just because it is successful, and vice versa.
The heart of the Easter message is the contrast of this world’s brokenness with the fundamental goodness and hope in the Jesus story. That goodness does not depend on our vocal support nor can it be shaken by opposition. The journey of this week is a sober reminder that human beings are capable of both Hosanna and Crucify. That's why we needed a Saviour. As we share this story this weekend, let's try and make connections to our lives as ‘followers’ of all ages, who need saving. Hosanna.
Opening the Service
Call to Worship (from Ps 118)
14 The LORD is my strength and my song; he has given me victory…. 24 This is the day the LORD has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.
Response
This day belongs to God
Let us celebrate and be glad!
Let us tell the Lord we are thankful
Lord you are merciful and kind.
Open the gates for the King!
We will enter shouting praise.
Ask the Lord to save us!
Thank him for listening to our prayers.
Start the celebration!
March with palm branches all the way to the altar!
The stone that the builders tossed aside has become the most important stone.
God’s ways are amazing!
This day belongs to God.
Let us celebrate and be glad!
Prayers led by one person
1. (Adoration) Lord with the people of Jerusalem
and with Christians the whole world over, we acclaim you as our King.
If we had been there that morning, we would have spread our cloaks at your feet.
We would have waved our palm branches and worshipped you as Messiah.
As we worship you this morning, we offer ourselves in your service.
We love you with all our hearts,
and we worship you as the One who came to save us,
Amen.
2. (Confession) LORD Jesus Christ, you entered Jerusalem on a wave of enthusiasm.
Greeted by your joyful people, you were welcomed with shouts of praise and protestations of loyalty.
Yet you knew the bubble would burst, that the welcome was shallow.
We come today,
conscious that our commitment, like theirs, may not be as strong as it could be,
our faith fickle if put to the test, our loyalty flawed.
Speak to us through the stories of that first Palm Sunday and of the events that followed, and enable us to sing glad Hosannas to you, each and every day, for your name's sake.
Amen.
3. (Reformed Collect for Today)
Lord Jesus Christ, on the first Palm Sunday
you entered the rebellious city where you were to die.
Enter our hearts, we pray,
and subdue them to yourself.
And as your disciples blessed your coming
and spread garments and branches in your way,
make us ready to lay at your feet
all that we have and are,
that we too may bless your coming
In the name of the Lord.
Informal alternative
Today’s Bible story is about people who followed Jesus. Talk with someone else about who you have been “following” on TV, social media, or the internet this week. What drew you to that person or movement? What draws you to following Jesus?
Sung Worship
You may want to wave some palm branches here. Use ladder ferns, flax, paper cutouts, flags or ribbons. No dollar shops open, you’ll have to improvise! And why not take some photos of your parade to share with our Facebook group?
Most can be found on You-Tube, but I have omitted links online due to copyright constraints.
Kids under 8 songs
• Hosanna Rock,
• Ho Ho Ho Hosanna,
• Hallelu, Hallelu
• This is the day
Everyone Songs
• Hosanna (Carl Tuttle)
• All Hail King Jesus
• Follow my Leader (the journey of life..)
Teen/Adult songs (songs that use a lot of metaphors, which are beyond kids unless you take time to explain them.)
• Hosanna (Brooke Fraser)
• All glory, laud and honour
• Ride on ride on in majesty
• The Summons (Iona) very suitable for quiet reflection
Bible Readings
Psalm 118
A major source of symbolism for Palm Sunday was this psalm, which was one that pilgrims are said to have sung going up for the Feast of Tabernacles. There is 'Hosanna' (v.25 'save us'); ‘Blessed is the one that comes in the name of the Lord’ (v.26, a welcome to pilgrims); the idea of entering through city gates (v.19); and the ritual shaking of foliage (v.27). The humble king on a donkey is found in Zech.9:9 and the spreading of garments as a spontaneous gesture of respect in 2 Kings 9:13.
Luke 19: 28 - 37 New Living Translation
After telling this story, Jesus went on toward Jerusalem, walking ahead of his disciples. As he came to the towns of Bethphage and Bethany on the Mount of Olives, he sent two disciples ahead. “Go into that village over there,” he told them. “As you enter it, you will see a young donkey tied there that no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks, ‘Why are you untying that colt?’ just say, ‘The Lord needs it.’ ”
So they went and found the colt, just as Jesus had said. And sure enough, as they were untying it, the owners asked them, “Why are you untying that colt?”
And the disciples simply replied, “The Lord needs it.” So they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their garments over it for him to ride on.
As he rode along, the crowds spread out their garments on the road ahead of him. When he reached the place where the road started down the Mount of Olives, all of his followers began to shout and sing as they walked along, praising God for all the wonderful miracles they had seen.
Read p 199
Parents, don’t be afraid of what seems like repetition. Tell the story, sing it, act it, paint it and then have a quiz on it!
Kids Video
There are heaps, but I liked this one.
All Age Group Presentation
You will need: four large card footprints with the words Confused, Critical, Curious, and Convinced written in big letters. Dress ups are optional!
Leader: Jesus often called people by saying “Follow me”. Our Bible passage tells us that crowds of people followed Jesus to Jerusalem that day. We're going to meet a few of them now, to find out why they were there and help us think about how we can follow Jesus more closely
Show the “confused” footprint
Speaker 1: the first group we meet are Jesus' disciples. They had all arrived in Jerusalem for the Passover feast. It seemed everything had been building up for this moment. They were hoping for the big reveal of Jesus as God’s Chosen Prince or Messiah. But Jesus insisted on riding into the city on a young donkey, fetched by two disciples for him earlier that morning. Not exactly a symbol of a King or General; they always used horses. Still, as Jesus rode by, crowds of people joined with the disciples, all shouting and throwing their coats down on the road, signifying honour and service. There had been crowds before but not shouting and singing about Jesus being a King who comes in the Name of the Lord. Jesus himself seemed quite solemn and serious, he had even been weeping. So what was going on? These followers of Jesus had been with him for some time but there were still many things they didn't understand. The arrival in Jerusalem was very confusing for them. Their footprints were confused.
Show the “critical” footprint
Show the “curious” footprint.
Speaker 3. This is for the donkey’s owner. . He would have been pretty surprised when two young men came into his yard and untied his youngest animal without permission. When he asked what they were doing, the two men simply said “the Lord needs it”. As far as we can tell, the man did not object; he accepted the voice of authority. We don't know if this man was actually in the crowd but it would be surprising if he didn't go and see what happened to his donkey. Maybe he had heard of Jesus or knew him; by that time many in Jerusalem would have come across this young Galilean rabbi and his followers. That's why the crowd gathered so quickly. Stories about Jesus must have spread, about how he fed a massive crowd of people and raised a young man to life. The donkey seller would have been really curious. And there would have been others in the crowd like that, not taking one side or the other, just leaving footprints of curiosity.
Show the three footprints again to remind people that there were some who were confused, some were critical and some were just curious.
Show the “convinced” footprint:
Speaker 4: But in general the people there by the road that day were joyful, convinced that Jesus was the King who had come in the name of the Lord. But their certainty was not based on very much and most were probably swayed by the excitement of the parade. Soon the emotion of the experience would give way to a quite different reaction as they shouted for Jesus to be put to death. It would only be later - after Jesus died and came alive again - that they recovered that certainty that he was indeed sent by God.
Leader: In our world today some people are still confused by Jesus, perhaps they have tried to follow him but there's still a lot they don't understand. Others are very critical and refuse to consider Jesus’ claim on their life. And there are some who are just curious, and would like to know more about who Jesus is and what he came to do. We can be sure that in our church and in our families there are many followers of Jesus who feel convinced he is real, who know him personally, and want to follow him more closely every day. May we as a church and as individuals help the curious, the confused and even the critical to learn more about Jesus and why it is worth following him.
Adapted from a service published by Scripture Union UK in 2012
Other activities
Everyone needs a stone, or a paper cutout of one, and permanent pens. Choose one of:
- Reread Luke 19: 39-40. Write an exclamation of praise on the stones. Kids could add googly eyes if you have them. Take turns to show your rock and shout your words.
- Reread Psalm 118: 22. Think about Jesus being the most important stone holding everything together and decorate your stone to remind you of that. Pray to him for people in our church family.
- Read Luke 23: 53, about Joseph’s rock tomb being used for Jesus. Paint a cross on your stone and share something about something of yours that can be used by Jesus during this season,
Some simple crafts and word puzzles were included in the pack.
While the kids engaged with those, adults were encouraged to reflect on James Ensor’s painting and to read about it. Discussion with other participants was around the question: What would an artist paint if Jesus rode into Auckland in 2020?
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James Ensor’s painting Christ’s Entry into Brussels
in 1889
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Prayers for Others
This week our hearts minds will be focussed on the pandemic and its global effects. Intercession helps us lift our thoughts to the needs of others, but God cares about each of us personally too, and offers us his peace.
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Phil 4: 6, 7
1. For the sick and infected: God, heal and help. Sustain bodies and spirits. Contain the spread of infection.
2. For our vulnerable populations: God, protect our elderly and those suffering from chronic disease. Provide for the poor, especially where health care is costly
3. For the young and the strong: God, give them the necessary caution to keep them from unwittingly spreading this disease. Inspire them to help.
4. For our local and national government: God, help our elected officials as they allocate the necessary resources for combatting this pandemic. Help them to provide for more tests.
5. For our scientific community, leading the charge to understand the disease and communicate its gravity: God, give them knowledge, wisdom, and a persuasive voice.
6. For the media, committed to providing up-to-date information: God, help them to communicate with appropriate seriousness without causing panic.
7. For consumers of media, looking to be well-informed: God, help us find the most helpful information to equip us as good neighbours. Keep us from anxiety and panic, and enable us to implement the recommended strategies, even at a cost to ourselves.
8. For those with mental health challenges who feel isolated, anxious, and helpless: God, provide them every necessary support.
9. For the homeless: Protect them from disease and provide shelter in our cities.
10. For travellers stuck in foreign countries: God, help them return home safely and quickly.
11. For Christian missionaries throughout the world, especially in areas with high rates of infection: God, provide them with words of hope, and equip them to love and serve those around them.
12. For workers facing layoffs and financial hardship: God, keep them from panic, and inspire your church to generously support them.
13. For business leaders making difficult decisions that affect the lives of their employees: God, give these women and men wisdom, and help them to lead self-sacrificially.
14. For families with children at home for the foreseeable future: God, help mothers and fathers to partner together creatively for the care and flourishing of their children. For single mothers and fathers, grow their networks of support.
15. For parents who cannot stay home from work: God, help them find child care solutions.
16. For pastors and church leaders faced with many challenges during lockdown: God, help them to creatively imagine how to pastor their congregants and love their cities well.
17. For college and university students, for whom courses are changing, placements are cancelled, and graduation is uncertain: God, help them put their trust in you.
18. For Christians in every neighbourhood, community, and city: May your Holy Spirit inspire us to pray, to give, to love, to serve, and to proclaim the gospel, that the name of Jesus Christ might be glorified in the world.
19. For frontline health care workers, we thank you for their vocation to serve us. We also pray for their safety and health, and for the needs of their families. That they can stay clear-minded in the midst of the surrounding panic. That they might exhibit extraordinary peace, so that many would ask about the reason for their hope.
20. For ourselves as we face change and challenge. Teach us to be your faithful people in this global crisis. Help us to follow in the footsteps of our shepherd, Jesus, as we make sacrifices for the sake of all. And equip us with everything we needed for doing your will. AMEN
Ending Prayer
Father as we step out into this week,
May we follow in Jesus’ footsteps.
As he stands up for justice and truth
May we follow in Jesus’ footsteps.
As he washes the feet of his friends
May we follow in Jesus’ footsteps.
As he pours out his love on the cross
May we follow in Jesus’ footsteps.
And as he rises with new life and hope
May we follow in Jesus’ footsteps.
Amen,.
During Holy Week 2020 I also wrote some daily devotions which will be posted shortly.
During Holy Week 2020 I also wrote some daily devotions which will be posted shortly.
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