Sunday, April 5th 2020
Palm Sunday
Good morning!
Welcome to our Second
week in lockdown.
We hope you have
experienced the presence of God in your life this week. Our two readings for this week show a Praise
and worship service in the street (Jesus entry in Jerusalem) and Woman having
an encounter with Jesus beside a well where He says the place you worship is
less important than who you worship.
We invite you to have
your bible beside you for the service, and then take a moment to remember the
Presence of God is with you.
Maybe you could light
a candle as a sign that you are entering this more deliberate sacred time and or
find something beautiful to look at like a flower, a picture, a view out the
window to remember God as Creator and the giver of Good gifts.
Call to worship
Feel welcome to dwell
in the words below, to read them several times if it helps you to engage with
them more deeply. Note what is happening
with your breathing. Can you slow it
down and still yourself as part of your preparation for this time with God?
We are pausing to
acknowledge the presence of God in our lives.
We are meeting as
part of a church community, this week we are a scattered community.
We are stilling
ourselves, our fears, our anxieties, and all the distracting things around us,
to seek and delight in God’s presence with us.
Let us worship God!
Our words to focus
this time of worship
inspired by Psalm 118
Give thanks to
the Lord, for he is good!
His faithful love endures forever.
Let all Israel
repeat: “His faithful love endures forever.”
Let all who fear the Lord repeat:
“His faithful love endures forever.”
In my distress
I prayed to the Lord,
and the Lord answered me and set me free.
The Lord is for me, so I will have no fear.
What can mere people do to me?
Yes, the Lord is for me; he will help me.
.
Our prayer – Inspired
by Psalm 118
The Psalm writer called you good for he saw your faithfulness touch every
area of his life. You answered his
prayer.
He saw the threats of others fail.
He saw defeat turned into victory.
He saw exclusion become welcome.
And we to have seen your goodness
We may not have our usual freedom to roam but we have warm houses.
We may be missing out on our flat whites and cafe visits
But we have plenty of good food to eat and things to drink.
So in this moment we pause to count the blessings we have.
Why don’t each of us say 2 things
we are grateful for.
…….
God, Jesus taught us to look to you to be the centre of our lives – He
told us to pray for your kingdom and your glory
He Taught us to pray for your forgiveness, provision, guidance and
protection – so we will say the prayer he taught us
Our Father who is in
heaven, Hallowed by your name
Your Kingdom come
your will be done,
On earth as it is in
heaven
Give us this day our
Daily bread
Forgive us our
Trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into
temptation but deliver us from evil
For yours is the
power and the Glory, forever and ever Amen.
.
If you are with
others share your highs and lows for the week. If you are doing this with just
you and God, pause and ponder the things of your week that you are grateful
for: the people you know and love, the
company you have shared….
Don’t forget the low
points – what have you struggled with this week?
Opening Song (Click the underlined words to listen on youtube)
Hosanna hosanna hosanna in the
highest
Hosanna hosanna Hosanna in the highest
Lord we lift up Your name
With hearts full of praise
Be exalted oh Lord my God
Hosanna in the highest
Glory glory glory to the King of Kings
Glory glory glory to the King of Kings
Lord we lift up Your name
With hearts full of praise
Be exalted oh Lord my God
Glory to the King of Kings
Written by: Carl Tuttle
Bible Readings:
If you click the under-lined you can hear Steve Demetrius
read the scriptures
Watch Dylan and Zoe tell the story of Palm Sunday with this video
they made
If you want a kid’s
activity you can follow Abbie as she makes
a palm branch you can make at home. If you have a teddy bear in your window – why
not make a few palm branches for your bears.
Brett’s
Ponderings
Something just don’t seem
normal. Worshipping at home is one. No
being part of a community where we see each other. Does Our Bible readings have anything to say
to us today?
Both readings focus on the
question of who is Jesus?
The woman at the well in
John 4 wonders if he is a prophet and asks questions about the right place to
worship – the Holy place on Mt
Jerusalem or the one on Mt Gerasim? Jesus replies the place doesn’t matter – it
is who you worship (v23) and how you worship (v24) are what matters.
During this lockdown we
have been discovering that while a church building offers many advantages they are
not crucial for our worship. God is not
confined to a building or special location but is with us wherever we go.
Many of us have had moments
when God seemed very real and close, perhaps like me they were beside a river
or in an office or in a hospital ward. (maybe you could recall and share some
of the times when God felt close to you?) Often my moments where not when things were
going well but when I or someone was in turmoil and we needed God to come
through. God is indeed with us in the storm. AS Jesus said as the last words in
Matthew “I will be with you to the end of the age.”
Jesus tells this woman that knowing WHO God
is is far more important than where we worship
The
time is coming and is already here, when by the power of God's Spirit people will
worship the Father as he really is,
offering him the true worship that he wants.. John 4:23 (good news)
Other versions translate
the key words as “true worshipers will worship the Father in
the Spirit and in truth”
How do you answer the WHO question about God?
Do you think he is a God who causes suffering, or is indifferent to it? Some
posts on the internet suggest God is leaving us alone to face the consequences
of our greed and injustice. But Palm
Sunday shows a God who rides into the epicentre of selfish pride and human
power to bring the love and mercy of God not leave us alone.
Yet those who observed that day were placing
their own thoughts and understandings on Jesus.
In verse 9 we read
The crowds walking in front of Jesus and
those walking behind began to shout, “Praise to David's Son! God bless him who
comes in the name of the Lord! Praise be to God!”
They were quoting Psalm 118 which is a
Messianic Psalm of ascent. They were
hoping for a King to ride in and defeat the enemies and re-establish Israel’s
autonomy. But the enemy Jesus came to
defeat was neither the Romans or the ruling elite but the selfishness and sin
of every person, because these left us in the grip of guilt and evil and
alienate us from God.
Despite the crowds throwing
down their garments and cutting palm branches to wave (Someone said Kings
didn’t walk on the dirt) and the use of Psalm 118 not everybody knew what was
going on as you read in v 10 and 11.
When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was thrown into an uproar.
“Who is he?” the people asked. “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth in
Galilee,” the crowds answered.
So some thought of him as a
conquering King, others a Prophet, few, if any, recognised him as the saviour
and the suffering servant (Isaiah 52-53).
·
I am with
you in lockdown
·
I am with
you in sickness
·
I am with
you in the midst of financial hardship
·
I am with
you when you don’t understand me
·
I come to
you when you are sinful and undeserving
Application
How can you show someone
in need that you are there for them?
How can you pray and
support them at this time?
How can you deepen your
worship so that it is in Spirit and Truth?.
Is there
other connections between your bible readings and message and your highs and lows for the
week?
·
Was there a word, sentence, or phrase that
stood out to you in the readings today?
Pray for those who shared
their highs and lows giving thanks for the blessings and asking for God’s help
with the struggles.
A further Prayer
Written by Yvonne Laing
Palm
Sunday Prayer April 5th
Almighty God, as we come to you in prayer,
help us to still ourselves and focus on Your loving presence. As we do so we
thank you that, although at this time, we are separated in our life-saving
bubbles, we are still very much together in spirit.
We remember how, on that first Palm Sunday,
the crowds waved branches and welcomed Jesus as the king who would deliver
them. They shouted “Hosanna! meaning “Save us now!”
Now today as we celebrate Palm Sunday, our
world is also facing a huge challenge. People, are anxious and seeking
deliverance from COVID19. We ask you to help those who are paralysed by their
anxiety. Help them to lift their focus from their fear and look to you our God
who understands and cares, and is able to bring calm in the midst of this
storm.
With grateful hearts, we lift before you all
our leaders, and their advisors, both nationally and locally, who are working
so hard and sacrificially to guide us through these challenging times. Keep
them safe we pray. Empower them with your wisdom and guidance.
We pray for all the “front line” people who are
working to keep us safe. Lord, in your mercy protect and strengthen them we
pray. Equip them with the knowledge and provisions to keep safe from harm. May
they feel valued and supported.
Oh God keep us from greed or
self-centredness. Give us an understanding of other people’s situations. Help
us all to adapt; to share safely and generously, and to encourage one
another in the power of your love.
We pray for all young people. Keep them alert
and safe. Help them to fully understand and take on board the advice they are
being given. May they continue to blossom even within their confinement.
Lord at this time of lockdown we lift before
you all families. Some are under stress with new babies or young children who
do not understand what is happening.
We pray for the elderly, the unemployed,
those living alone, the disabled and their caregivers. We think of the bereaved
and those unable to sit with their loved ones during their final hours or to
farewell them as they would like to. May their hearts be filled with your peace
that passes all human understanding.
We also recognise that
there are many in our world for whom sickness is the norm, scarcity of
resources is a continual hardship, and persecution or dislocation brings daily
challenges. Let us not forget them Lord but rather, give us generous
hearts, and commitment as we support the agencies trying to help them. May they
too know your deep love compassion and empowerment for each day.
We thank you that even in these times of
isolation, we can still discover and develop our God – given talents and
develop our relationships. Thank you for this opportunity to learn and
grow in ways we never thought possible, nor had time for.
As we follow the events of Easter
week with the joyful celebrations of Palm Sunday, the isolation and abandonment
that Christ felt as he was betrayed, and crucified; and the anxiety and
confusion felt by the disciples as they mourned the death of their leader, help
us to hold on to the joy and promise of the resurrection with its’ abundant and
everlasting life.
Thankyou that you have given us a treasure
which transcends any pain, isolation, illness or loss. For in the midst of any
challenges we may face, you are able to give us a deep peace and Joy which
passes all earthly understanding Lift our eyes and our hearts to You with
anticipation, as we claim your promise that You will never leave or forsake us
and you will supply all our needs. Hosanna and thank
you! AMEN.
Final HYMN
We close reading, praying or
singing the hymn:
Click the underlined words
The Heart
of Worship
When the
music fades
All is stripped away
And I simply come
Longing just to bring
Something that's of worth
That will bless Your heart
I'll
bring You more than a song, for a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within through the way things appear
You're looking into my heart
I'm
coming back to the heart of worship
And it's all about You, all about You, Jesus
I'm sorry, Lord, for the thing I've made it
When it's all about You, all about You, Jesus
King of
endless worth
No one could express how much You deserve
Though I'm weak and poor
All I have is Yours, every single breath
I'll bring You more than a song, for a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within through the way things appear
You're looking into my heart
I'm
coming back to the heart of worship
And it's all about You, all about You, Jesus
I'm sorry, Lord, for the thing I've made it
When it's all about You, all about You, Jesus
Say this to one
another – (and yourself)
The Lord bless you
and keep you;
May the Lord be kind and gracious to you;
the Lord look upon
you with favour and give you peace.
Numbers 6:24ff
Go now in peace, Go
now in peace. May the love of God surround you, Everywhere, everywhere, you may
go.
=====================================
NOTICES
Help during the health crisis: We are wanting to be able to offer help where
we can and where it is needed. For
example, this might be to pick up some groceries and leave them at the door of
someone who feels unable to be in contact with people at that time. It might be a ride to an appointment. If you wish your name to go onto a list of
those willing to help please let anyone Brett or the church office know. Please note - in order to protect everyone,
you must be in good health yourself to be involved in this.
The Prayer Team: If you or someone you know would benefit from having some prayer
support we have a prayer chain so please feel free to send your requests to office@stcolumba-taradale.org.nz
and the team will spring into action. (You can be assured of confidentiality).
Zoom Meeting after worship
(BYO cuppa and chat)
We are having a get together on Zoom on Sunday after worship at 10:30am.
You can also use your regular phone and dial in the numbers below and add
the meeting id when asked.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/953292967?pwd=Y2kwNDNSRDdDWnRQU0ZTcTN3eFBEQT09
Meeting ID: 953 292 967
Password: 018936
+6448860026,,953292967# New Zealand
Dial by your location
+64 4 886 0026 New Zealand
Ministers all the people Parish contact
details
Church office Will be unstaffed but Anna will answer
emails for all needs or questions Phone Brett Walker
Home 06 8442256
Mobile 0274083658
TV and Online services on Sunday
St
Columba’s
Look for the link on the church facebook
page
Other
online and TV Church services
·
Presbyterian moderator of NZ
devotions 9am on Sunday – Right Reverend Fakaofo Kaio
·
TV One 8am
Praise be or 9am on Tv1 plus 1
·
TV three 8:30am David Jeremiah Turning point
·
Shine TV Sundays
8am – Tak Bhana- running with fire - Auckland Church
9am – Paul De Jong – Life
church – Auckland Church
11.05 David Jeremiah – a good bible teacher
6 pm 30 minutes of Gaither
gospel
7pm 30 minutes songs of
praise
Radio
Radio rhema 99.1 FM
LifeFm – more modern
music 93.5 FM
Southern Star – more
traditional music 909am
A Prayer-Reflection, by Eddie Askew
Sometimes I feel like a donkey Lord.
Overburdened. Not very bright. Taken for granted.
There’s always room on my back for one more burden... or so people think.
Sometimes they dangle a carrot in front of me, to encourage me to do more.
Sometimes they show me a stick ... still I go plodding on.
But when I think about it, that’s often the way I treat people too.
Unthinking. Unfeeling. Just assuming they are there.
Before I get too sorry for myself, I need to remember your donkey.
Tied up. Doing nothing. Until your call came. Its good to be needed; to know my
efforts aren’t all wasted.
That you can untie knots, free me, use me.
And what a use!
God’s son sitting on my back, wanting to use me.
Forgive me Lord for the times I see that as a burden, instead of a glorious
privilege.
Forgive me for wishing you’d get on with things without my help and leave me
quietly chewing the hay.
Yet I’m glad you need me, want to use me. It makes me feel valued.
There are limits though. The donkey can only do so much.
There came a time Lord, just a few days after that ride, when it wasn’t the
donkey taking the strain.
It was you carrying the weight. On the cross.
Taking the burden of a world gone wrong.
Taking responsibility for all its sin.
Our sin; my sin.
Carrying it all, carrying me,
to the gates of your kingdom. You needed a donkey Lord, just for a time.
I need you Lord ... Always
