Welcome & Notices
Opening Prayer
Jesus, you are the true king of the world!
May our faith and love crown you with glory,
and the sound of our worship hail you
as you enter into our hearts and homes today. Amen.
Song of Worship
Mission Possible
How did you get on with last weeks challenge? There were some lovely photos on slack of some of the birds you spotted. Not many sea creatures though!! Ready for our last week….
Time of Reconciliation
As he entered Jerusalem, the crowds welcomed Jesus with such joy and happiness! But then only a few days later, that same crowd wanted Jesus to die. Their hearts were turned so quickly by fear, pride, guilt and shame. We can turn away from Jesus very quickly too – one moment giving him praise and the next forgetting all about him.
Take a minute in silent prayer to say sorry to Jesus, and to remember his amazing love for you.
Bible Readings
Palm Leaves
If you haven’t done so already, you can make or decorate your own palm leaf here. Get them ready for the first Bible reading!
Video showing how to make your own palm cross – you’ll need some paper, scissors and glue.
https://www.facebook.com/cccdub/videos/260254088323409/?t=101
Interactive reading for Palm Sunday.
Genesis 1:24-31 (NIV)
24 And God said, ‘Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: the livestock, the creatures that move along the ground, and the wild animals, each according to its kind.’ And it was so. 25 God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.
26 Then God said, ‘Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.’
27 So God created mankind in his own image,
in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.
28 God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.’
29 Then God said, ‘I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. 30 And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground – everything that has the breath of life in it – I give every green plant for food.’ And it was so. 31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning – the sixth day.
Sermon
Song of Worship
Search me O God, search me and find
Any way in me
That does not reflect Your purity
Refine me O Lord
In the fire of Your gaze
That I might be holy
In all of my ways
Take me deeper Lord
Draw me closer Lord
Give me a heart
That is after Your own heart
Give me a mind that is clean
And pleasing unto You
Fill me up with Your love
With Your power and Your joy That this world might see you in me
Vicky Beeching© 1997 Thankyou Music
Prayers of Intercession
Prepared by Virginia Patterson
A prayer written by Bishop Fanta Clarke of Northern Ireland, formerly a SAMS missionary in Chile:
Unshakeable God, at this time of national crisis and personal pain we look to you for help and hope;
We don’t understand what’s happening.
We are fearful and apprehensive.
We grieve to see people dying.
We are anxious about the future.
We are fearful about surviving financially.
We are really just about hanging in.
We can’t get a grip on what is going on.
It hurts to see people suffer.
It hurts to see doctors, nurses and care workers stretched to their limits.
It is so painful to think of those in isolation who are deeply worried.
It is heartbreaking to see the bereaved.
It is distressing to know that some people are utterly alone.
We cry out to you for help and hope.
We ask for your forgiveness for our pride and folly.
We repent of our selfishness and sin.
Show us your mercy O Lord. Heal our land.
God of compassion, stretch out your hands of healing.
God of grace, show us your mercy.
God of truth, may your Word bring hope.
Lord Jesus walk with us in our pain, fear and confusion.
Once again calm the storm.
Once again heal the hurting.
Once again bring hope and help.
Bless all who are serving selflessly to care for others, especially those who are searching for a vaccine. Give our leaders wisdom and vision. Help them to make right decisions at this unprecedented time. Strengthen and protect all those who are still working.
Thank you for the thoughtful actions of many people.
Thank you for all whose lives are marked by acts of kindness.
Thank you for churches seeking first your kingdom, a kingdom that cannot be shaken.
Thank you that in you, unshakeable God, there is rock-solid hope for the present and the future.
Thank you that you are God of the Cross and God of the Resurrection.
Breathe afresh your Holy Spirit upon us, our church, our nation and across the whole world at this time.
In the powerful name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
Dear Father,
As we enjoy all the signs of Spring we thank you so much that you are still willing to give us so many indications of your great love for us. Help us to remember that you put us here to care for your beautiful creation. We thank you that because of the present virus and the resulting withdrawal of many people and cars from the countryside, your creation is reviving and looking better than ever. Please help us to learn how to care for your world and keep us from falling back into our selfish habits when this virus is past. Amen.
Lastly, in our own homes let us each one speak out to the Lord the names of those we care about, those who are ill, those who think they may have coronavirus, those who have small children or babies and those who are lonely and afraid.
In your name, dear Lord we commend these people into your strong hands. Amen.
Song of Worship
Closing Prayer
Loving God, on the first day of creation
you made the light that scatters the darkness.
Come Lord Jesus, the light of lights,
and shine on all your people today.
Free us from the darkness of sin,
so we may be found in the crowd of the faithful
when at last we welcome you at your coming in glory.
Hosanna to the Son of David!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
Hosanna in the highest!
Thank you for joining us for worship this morning! Move over to our Slack chatroom for a time to share. Join us this Friday at 11:00am for our Good Friday act of worship with the other churches in Woodley.