Palm Sunday

Good Morning. Welcome to our Palm. Sunday written service. This morning you can read the extended Gospel reading, join us in prayer and listen to the anthem and hymn for today. We also reflect on Rev Derek Akker’s words last Palm Sunday – we were in a similar situation, worshipping from home, unable to go to church.

Opening Prayer

Almighty and everlasting God,
who in your tender love towards the human race
sent your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ
to take upon him our flesh
and to suffer death upon the cross:
grant that we may follow the example of his patience and humility,
and also be made partakers of his resurrection;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Palm Sunday Reflection

Rev Derek Akker

On this, different, Palm Sunday let us bring the donkey back into the story with the words of:

’The Donkey’ by G K Chesterton’.

When fishes flew and forests walked
And figs grew upon thorn,
Some moment when the moon was blood
Then surely I was born;

With monstrous head and sickening cry
And ears like errant wings,
The devil’s walking parody
Of all four-footed things.

The tattered outlaw of the earth,
Of ancient crooked will;
Starve, scourge, deride me: I am dumb,
I keep my secret still.

Fools! For I also had my hour;
One far fierce hour and sweet:
There was a shout about my ears,
And palms before my feet.

The poem is told through the voice of the donkey and its of the sad existence. The donkey opens with the unsettling words of blood red moon and flying fish, the prelude to the birth of something ugly. The words have a bitter tone reinforcing the negative status of the donkey in the world.

The poem ends where the donkey with his long-ears, huge-head and screeching cry, carrying the Prince of Peace. An event leading towards Jesus’ unthinkable appointment with death. Jesus had his face towards the cross, where he would, defeat death by his own death.

The poem concludes with the donkey having the last word, a word of honour, finally being recognised by the people. As Christ rode him into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, it was as if everyone loved donkeys now, because they were tied to this story and the events of Holy Week.

The story portrays the absurdity of Palm Sunday: just think, the Messiah, the King of Israel entered Jerusalem with no throne or army at his side, but on a donkey. This animal, a downtrodden beast, has hosted the majesty of the Christ.

There’s a wider point not just about Easter but human life as a whole: we’re invited to see in the lowly and unimpressive, glimpses of glory and dignity. All humanity is graced to be made in the image of God, all humanity is wonderfully made.

In a society still so locked into superficial judgements, there is a timely warning in the events of Palm Sunday. It’s God – not human judgements – who gives creatures their glorious dignity, our God often turns things upside down.

Refrain:
All glory, laud, and honour,
to thee, Redeemer, King,
to whom the lips of children
made sweet hosannas ring.

Thou art the King of Israel,
thou David’s royal Son,
who in the Lord’s name comest,
the King and Blessed One.

(Refrain)

The company of angels
are praising thee on high,
and we with all creation
in chorus make reply.

(Refrain)

The people of the Hebrews
with psalms before thee went;
our prayer and praise and anthems
before thee we present.

(Refrain)

To thee, before thy passion,
they sang their hymns of praise;
to thee, now high exalted,
our melody we raise.

(Refrain)

Thou didst accept their praises;
accept the prayers we bring,
who in all good delightest,
thou good and gracious King.

(Refrain)

The Extended Gospel Reading

The gospel reading is Mark 14: 1-15.47

The Intercessions

(Intercessions are taken from – Passiontide and Holy Week – Common Worship Seasonal Material)

Let us pray to the Father, who loved the world so much that he sent his only Son to give us life. Simon from Cyrene was forced to carry the cross for your Son. Give us grace to lift heavy loads from those we meet and to stand with those condemned to die.