Liturgy

The King is coming.
Our God arrives, clothed in frail human flesh,
riding a meek donkey’s foal.

Yet, this is not the first time you have come to us, O God.
The history of human affairs is the history of your arrival among us,

As Creator,
Purpose-Giver,
Liberator,
Prophet’s voice and
Priest’s desire.

The story of each of our lives is the story of your coming to us,

As Comforter,
Friend,
Example,
Challenger,
Abundant Giver of Life.

And so we praise you.
Open our eyes this week to your presence with us, Lord,
and be glorified among us.

We ask in the name of the Father,
of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

-— written by John van de Laar

Congregational Prayer

On this Palm Sunday, let us pray a prayer of confession together as a community.

Jesus, our Lord,
we shout hosannas to praise you.
With eager hands, we place our palms of praise
on the path before you.

Yet, Lord, we confess that the mouths
that seek to praise you often deny or defy you.

We confess that the hands that seek to serve you often become fists.
We confess our praise is often empty.

Just as the people of Jerusalem did long ago,
We sing “Hosanna,” but will cry “Crucify.”

As the crowd laid their palms in front of you,
you took no glory for yourself.

Yet, we confess that we crave acceptance and take the easy way.
We do not stay true to your will.

Forgive us, Lord, and help us
to follow in the way of your obedience to our Father.
Help us to be faithful and loving servants of Jesus, our King.

We pray in the name of the Father,
of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Reflection

How are you when it comes to doing the small things beautifully in your life?
How may the path that Christ asks us to be on be more humble than we think or want?

Benediction

From Palm Sunday to Holy Saturday,
may God in his infinite mercy
grant you a journey
of renewal and hope;
a time of prayer and reflection;
And joyful anticipation
of our Lord’s resurrection.

May you live and serve this week in remembrance of Christ’s love.

We pray in the name of the Father,
of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Go in peace and live the church.
See you throughout the week.

[Photo by Jocelyn Catterson and Jeremy Daigneault @ Flickr]