BELLS CORNERS UNITED CHURCH
LENTEN WORSHIP SERVICE & REFLECTION
PALM SUNDAY
April 5, 2020
Verses to Ponder: “Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields. Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Mark 11:8-9)
Words of Welcome & Announcements
Good day everyone! I welcome and greet you in the name of Jesus Christ to our worship service. It is so good to know that you are joining us wherever you are! Please know that I miss you all! Today is Palm Sunday and we are doing it in a different way. Instead of gathering in the familiar sanctuary of BCUC, we are gathering in the comforts of our own homes and spaces where we are. If you were able to pick up a palm frond from the church, please make sure you use it as part of your worship centre. If not, you may use a piece of scarf or a coloured cloth or a leafy branch from whatever tree or plant you may have at home. Use them as symbols of Palm Sunday commemorating Jesus’ entry to Jerusalem. Join in the celebration!
Despite physical distancing and self-isolation, we are indeed the church! In this troubled time when we are asked to stay at home and to keep away physically from each other, know that we are all connected and are embraced in God’s love. Pray for each other and take comfort and inspiration from the words of Psalm 46: “God is our refuge and strength. A very present help in trouble.”
As we enter Holy Week, please note that reflections and music for Maundy Thursday and Good Friday will be emailed to you as well as post them on our website at bcuc.org.
Next Sunday is Easter Sunday and it will be observed differently from those of previous years. We will celebrate the sacrament of communion from the comforts of our homes. As Abe mentioned at our meeting last Monday, this is the time when we can drink our favourite wine! I will add to that, and share your favourite bread or crackers. More information about Easter Sunday will be announced in the coming days.
For all other church news, please read the announcements that were emailed to you or check our website.
Let us now gather in worship.
Lighting of Christ Candle:
(light a candle if you wish or turn on a battery-operated flashlight or a lamp)
We light this Christ candle to remind us of the light of truth. May this light enflame our hearts with God’s grace; keep us in the radiance of Christ’s presence; and fill our hearts with the Spirit of hope.
Call to Gather[1] & Prayer of Approach:
Gates open wide!
Greet the Anointed who comes in the name of our God.
Welcome the movement founder, Jesus of Nazareth.
Let voices be raised – hosannas of praise.
Gates open wide!
Homes, open wide!
Trust in the Spirit that dares to imagine God’s reign.
Welcome outsiders once banished, now cherished, set free.
Remove every fence. No need for defense.
Homes open wide!
Hearts, open wide!
Welcome the servant whose service is freedom and peace.
Join in his journey, through death’s shadow, to light.
Sing out in joy! No grief can destroy.
Hearts open wide!
Let us pray:
As the gates of the city swung open to welcome Jesus, so may our hearts be opened to God’s Spirit among us. As Jesus wept for the people, so may we weep for those who suffer at the hands of those who have forgotten how to love. Let our worship today express the joy and sorrow, the laughter and weeping of that first Palm Sunday. Amen.
[1] Rod Sykes, Gathering, Lent-Easter 2016.
Opening Hymn: Hosanna, Loud Hosanna VU 123
1 Hosanna, loud hosanna
the happy children sang;
through pillared court and temple
the lovely anthem rang:
to Jesus, who had blessed them,
close folded to his breast,
the children sang their praises,
the simplest and the best.
2 From Olivet they followed
'mid an exultant crowd,
the victory palm-branch waving,
and singing clear and loud;
the Lord of earth and heaven
rode on in lowly state,
content that little children
should on his bidding wait.
3 "Hosanna in the highest!"
That ancient song we sing,
for Christ is our Redeemer;
earth, let your anthems ring.
O may we ever praise him
with heart and life and voice,
and in his humble presence
eternally rejoice.
Storytime for the Young at Heart with Lorrie:
Good morning everyone!
Today is Palm Sunday – and I hope you all were able to see the Sunday School and Youth resources that were sent out earlier in the week. Did you have fun creating your part in our virtual Palm Sunday parade? I can tell you that I really enjoyed hearing from you!
I was feeling a bit sad this week about not being able to be together for this event. It’s something I look forward to every year. It’s hard staying at home and not visiting with friends and family… but, then I remembered all of the posts I’ve been reading about how people around the world are still finding ways to celebrate…
There are communities near hospitals where everyone goes out to their balcony or front step to cheer and clap when the shift change happens and doctors and nurses are heading home or going in to work. This Saturday, people in Bells Corners gathered in their cars and made a big parade around the Queensway Carleton Hospital, honking their horns and waving signs of encouragement and thanks to all the people in the hospital – the workers and the patients. People are posting messages of thanks to grocery store workers and take-out folks and truck drivers on Facebook…
And that’s a lot like the parade that happened when Jesus entered Jerusalem on that day so long ago.
“Hosanna!” they cried, “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!”
It was a shout of gratitude to God and Jesus, a show of encouragement to someone who was putting himself out there to make the world a better place.
“Hosanna!” sounds a bit like “Hallelujah!” but it’s more than that, really. It translates into English as “God saves!” or “God save us!”. To the people that day, Jesus was the answer to their prayers. For us, in this strange time of pandemic, our shouts of thanks and parades of honking horns are sending the same message. Those folks on the front lines are an answer to our prayers for healing, and safety, and connection.
Make sure you take a look on the church web page to see the pictures of people from our congregation having our own Virtual Palm Sunday Parade!
Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna! Blessed are you – all of you – who are helping to be the answer to the prayers of this hurting world.
Let your light shine!
Children’s Hymn: Draw the Circle Wide MV 145
Refrain
Draw the circle wide. Draw it wider still.
Let this be our song, no one stands alone,
standing side by side, draw the circle wide.
1. God the still-point of the circle,
‘round whom all creation turns;
nothing lost, but held forever,
in God’s gracious arms. (Refrain)
2. Let our hearts touch far horizons,
so encompass great and small;
let our loving know no borders,
faithful to God’s call. (Refrain)
3. Let the dreams we dream be larger,
than we’ve ever dreamed before;
let the dream of Christ be in us,
open every door. (Refrain)
Words and Music: Gordon Light
Arrangement: Michael Bloss
One License song# 117657
Prayer for Illumination:
God of the journey, whose Word silences the shouts of the mighty, quiet within us every voice but your own. Speak to us through your Word of hope and courage, that by the power of your Holy Spirit, we may welcome Jesus’ entrance into our hearts. Amen.
Gospel Reading: Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem Mark 11: 1-11 (NRSV)
11 When they were approaching Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples 2 and said to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately as you enter it, you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden; untie it and bring it. 3 If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ just say this, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately.’” 4 They went away and found a colt tied near a door, outside in the street. As they were untying it, 5 some of the bystanders said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” 6 They told them what Jesus had said; and they allowed them to take it. 7 Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it; and he sat on it. 8 Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields. 9 Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! 10 Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” 11 Then he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple; and when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.
May these words renew us and give us assurance of hope in this time and in this place. Thanks be to God!
Sermon: “Cloaks, Branches, Hosannas” by Rev. Kim Vidal
Last year, our Palm Sunday all-ages worship service began in the narthex where our children and youth, the members of our sanctuary choir and our ministers processed and paraded in the sanctuary waving palm branches and protest posters. This year, with the “new normal” brought about by COVID-19, in addition to the palm leaves – if you have picked one up from the church, we shall be waving colourful scarves or pieces of cloth or some branches and greens from our homes. Or you simply can wave your hands up in the air as if you are waving to an imaginary VIP passing by in a parade. An actual parade at this pandemic time is not possible due to government orders of physical distancing and limiting to five people in a gathering. Imagine the dismay and disappointment of people when St. Patrick’s Parade in Canada and many cities in the world was cancelled. Moving forward, cities like Toronto have cancelled all events and gatherings up to June 30th this year including the Pride Parade. Despite the fact that we are living in a time of needed isolation and physical distancing, some people have not given up showing their support creatively. Take for example Todd Hamstra, the owner of Freshco Food Chain at Bells Corners who, with MPP Lisa Macleod and other community volunteers organized a car parade yesterday to show support to our healthcare workers including security and maintenance staff at Queensway Carleton Hospital. About 100 participants honked their cars to show their support to these hardworking and dedicated hospital workers.
Parades in the first century world was a big thing. On Palm Sunday 2000 years ago, Jesus and his followers stepped out onto the stage, marched into the city of Jerusalem and paraded out as courageous protesters against the imperial power of Rome. It was the annual Passover festival. During this festival, Jerusalem is a lot like Downtown Ottawa on Canada Day. Jerusalem swells with residents, tourists and pilgrims from all over the country and other parts of the world. The city is alive, vibrant, multicultural, international, technicolour, exciting. Merchants and vendors sell their stuff - exotic foods and drinks, bling-blings and trinkets, brightly colored cloths, painted jars and kitchen wares. The atmosphere sizzles and abuzz with life. Then suddenly, out of the blue, a line of trumpeters blows their instruments, signaling the start of a grand procession. But wait. On that particular day, there is not only one procession but two. Two processions! This was the contention of two famous New Testament Scholars, Marcus Borg and John Dominic Crossan, co-authors of the book, The Last Week.
Crossan and Borg assert that there were two processions on that day in the year 30 in Jerusalem on what we now call Palm Sunday. It was the beginning of the Passover week, the holiest week of the Jewish year. The first procession, we know so well, which is also called the peasant procession – the one we commemorate today with the laying down of cloaks and waving of branches. Coming from the north into Jerusalem, the peasant procession was led by the movement founder Jesus, riding a colt, a young male horse, accompanied by his peasant followers and disciples shouting Hosanna! Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord!
Also entering Jerusalem at Passover, from the west, was an imperial procession led by the Roman governor Pontius Pilate riding on a white large stallion followed by his imperial military cavalry. With crowds of devout Jews flowing into Jerusalem to celebrate their liberation from Egypt, the Roman Governor and his cohorts would put on a display of force, of pomp and circumstance, to deter the Jews from getting too exuberant about the possibility of liberation from Rome. Pilate’s procession was the visible manifestation of Imperial Roman power - a show of strength designed to prevent any outbreaks of insurgency or violent rebellion against Roman rule. In a show of military force, this second parade included, “the sound of marching soldiers on foot, cavalry on horses, leather armor, helmets, weapons, banners, golden eagles mounted on poles, sun glinting on metal and gold.” As the powerful Roman Governor Pontius Pilate rode astride his proud horse, one can smell fear from the onlookers.
The gospel writer Mark who wrote some 50 years after the first Palm Sunday, tells us that Jesus’ parade into Jerusalem was not a spontaneous, spur-of-the-moment event. Mark spends more time telling us about the preparations for Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem than about the event itself. It would seem that Jesus intentionally set himself in stark contrast with the other procession coming into town - to contrast the empire of Rome with that of God’s kin-dom.
The story of Palm Sunday was not uniquely Markan although it was Mark who wrote its first version. Gospel writers, Luke, Matthew and John have their own versions as well. Here are some historical notes that I think will be useful as we reflect and understand the meaning of Palm Sunday.
By the time Luke gets around to telling the story, some 60 or 70 years after the event, the colt in Mark becomes a donkey. Matthew who wrote almost at the same time as Luke can’t seem to decide between a colt and a donkey so Matthew has the disciples bring both a donkey and a colt and Jesus sits on them and rides them into Jerusalem. I wonder how Jesus did that! The crowd spread their cloaks and some spread leafy branches on the road.
In the Gospel of John written some 70 to 80 years after the event, the leafy branches are named as branches of palm trees. Waving palm branches in the ancient times was a tradition that conquering military leaders were welcomed home from battle. The Gospel of John hints that Jesus is a conquering hero and this particular parade is an ironic antithesis to a military parade. As the crowd waved these branches in that procession, the crowd chanted words from Psalm 118: “Save us, we beseech you, O Lord.” “Save us” in Hebrew is hosanna. That phrasing was typically followed with the words: “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.” Hosanna! Save us!
Save them from what? It was clear what they needed saving from. The first century people longed for freedom: freedom from the brutality of their Roman rulers, freedom from the ravages of poverty, perhaps freedom from the strict oppression of their religious authorities, or freedom from the fear of illness and death. These historical details are utterly significant in understanding the meaning of Palm Sunday. The gospel writers want to give their readers an impression of who Jesus was using words and images based on Jewish scriptures and traditions.
What are we, 21st century Christians to do with Palm Sunday? Why do we wave our palm branches and shout our own hosannas? Why do we continue with this tradition that started 2000 years ago? Like the first century people who followed Jesus’ way of life, we too must have felt the urge to join the Jesus Movement, joining a march of protest or a statement of some sort – a march offering us freedom in many forms: freedom from the bigotry and hypocrisy of our culture; freedom from our obsession of material goods; freedom from greed we would harbour, freedom from hatred, freedom from the injustice we would perpetrate, freedom from violence we would inflict, perhaps freedom from the pangs of the COVID-19 pandemic that held us helpless and isolated in many ways.
In our lectionary group discussion last Tuesday, the Rev. Karen Boivin asked this important question: Where is God’s grace in this Palm Sunday story? I think grace is found in the sense of freedom that Jesus offered to his first century followers and continues to offer for us today. It is the freedom to embody the Spirit of God which is love. Jesus is pointing a way of being in the world that proclaims love in many forms. To answer Karen’s question about God’s grace, I like what Sue Morrison shared which I find meaningful. She said: “Perhaps it was the presence of Jesus – his calm, non-anxious presence that offered God’s grace to the people. His humility and his message of peace gave the people comfort and made them follow him.” I think so too that when we follow Jesus’ way of life, when we apply his teachings about peace and love and compassion in our daily living, that’s when God’s grace becomes present in us and in the world. God’s grace can also be found in this story by acknowledging that Jesus is offering us a choice between the power of Caesar, symbolic of imperial power and oppression and the power of God, symbolic of love and peace. Caesar’s power is displayed through the wonder and attraction of force and violence. God’s power, on the other hand, is displayed by the nonviolence, compassion and just dominion of God. So which parade would you choose to join in? Which procession are you in right now?
On this Palm Sunday, sadly, Jesus, the movement founder is on his way to his death. He will be crucified few days after entering Jerusalem; after he encounters the powers-that-be; after he and his followers have voiced their protests against oppression and their “NO” to the status quo. This is why the story of Jesus riding into the center of power of his time has such resonance in our own time. The first Palm Sunday offers us a way to shape our own stories that they may embody the same hope: hope of compassion, hope of healing, hope of genuine freedom and justice for all. In this one moment, we can make a way for Jesus, the movement founder. We can throw our cloaks on the ground with humility and sing our songs of hosanna and celebration, yes, even our songs of pain and longings. Palm Sunday allows us to entrust our uncertainties and our fears in God’s grace, in every circumstance and in every, holy week of our lives. May this Palm Sunday be one more act of witness, one more step in our journey of following Jesus’ Way—one that leads to healing and life for all. Thanks be to God. Amen.
Sources: For this sermon, I am most indebted and inspired by the writings of John Dominic Crossan and Marcus Borg (The Last Week); the sermons of Pastor Dawn and the Rev. Dr. Nancy Taylor; the reflections of Nancy Rockwell, Janet Hunt, Alyce Mackenzie and the BCUC Lectionary Group.
Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer:
As we gather our thoughts and our hearts in prayer, we ask God to fill us with hope, challenge and love in this time of uncertainty and fear. Let us pray:
God of all times and places, our Lenten journey brought us today to enter the Holy Week. As in Jesus’ time, the people waved palms and branches in praise of the One who comes in the name of God. We see the crowds shouting hosanna! which will be replaced a few days after with Crucify him!
God of wisdom, what would it be like if we were among the crowd that day? Will we offer our loud praises and recognize the passion of Jesus? Will we offer our solidarity with the crowd and not be intimidated by the presence of the political and religious powers? Or will we run away and hide in fear of being crucified with Jesus? May we remember that Jesus entered Jerusalem bearing his cross of non-violence, truth in service, and humility for justice. Forgive us when we are lost in confusion and doubt. With your grace, enfold our daily lives with insight and clarity that we may know your presence within each of us. In this Holy week, help us to fast from resentment, hostility, and apathy and instead feast on the love, peace and joy so freely offered for the journey.
Spirit of healing, gently touch the lives of those needing comfort and wholeness in distressed lives and souls. In this time of uncertainty and fear amid the COVID-19 pandemic, there is crying and mourning in all parts of the world. God’s children are wounded.
Seniors and young ones, royalty and common folks, health workers and travelers, political and religious leaders. God’s children are wounded.
Military people and civilians, physically abled and mentally challenged, healthy and weak, poor and rich. God’s children are wounded.
We earnestly pray:
For those who have died from the COVID-19 virus, may healing love be with their loved ones in this time of sorrow.
For those who are sick and those recovering from illness, may they find comfort from those who tend to them.
For the doctors, nurses, researchers, first-responders and all health workers who seek to heal the sick and who put themselves at risk, may they know that many are praying for them and rallying behind them.
For the leaders in all sectors of the society, may they lead with wisdom and foresight to act with love and true concern for the well-being of the people they are meant to serve.
For people in places they call home or those without homes or those stranded in other parts of the world and could not go home.
For those who work for peaceful and just solutions.
For those who stand on guard to protect the helpless.
For those who pray, and for those who do not remember how to pray.
For those whose names are in the headlines, and for those who are forgotten.
Compassionate Spirit, reach into our hearts and our minds and spark us into action. Move us to see the needs of your hurting world. We offer up to you all that is wrong within us and the world where we live, for we are the ones who must be enlightened, who must be led into the light. Prepare us now to enter into the Holy Week with hearts willing to change and lives ready to transform. And with grateful hearts, let us unite in this prayer that Jesus taught his followers:
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come.
Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, The power,
and the glory, For ever and ever. Amen.
The Offering:
Note: If you are not on PAR and wish to send in your offering and donations, you can drop them in the slot by the kitchen door of the church. You can also send in your support through e-transfer or canadahelps.org. Thank you for your continued love and support to BCUC.
Invitation & Offertory Prayer:
In times of stress, in times of angst, we do not know what to do.
God, give us the courage to stay present with you and with our loved ones.
In times of need within this world and this community, we feel overwhelmed.
God, help us to focus on the little gifts we can give, on the little things we can do.
In times of abundance, in times of poverty,
Guide us God, in how we can give to this church, to the wider community, to our family and friends. Let us now offer our gifts of time, talents and treasures to God.
Let us pray. Like palms of rejoicing, like cloaks on the ground, we bring these gifts and offer them here. Let both gifts and the givers be lifted up, blessed, and sent forth to do your will. Amen.
Sending Forth:
The God who rejoiced with Jesus as he was acclaimed by the Palm Sunday crowd, celebrates with us as we journey through the Holy Week.
The God who stayed with Jesus as he endured agony and death on that dark hill, will stand with us in the testing times of life.
Jesus, our Teacher, you are faithful. With open hands, we wait on you.
With open hearts, we receive your presence.
Go in peace this day and in the days to come. Amen.
Closing Hymn: We Shall Go Out with Hope of Resurrection VU 586 (Tune: Londonderry)
1 We shall go out with hope of resurrection; we shall go out, from strength to strength go on; we shall go out and tell our stories boldly; tales of a love that will not let us go.
We'll sing our songs of wrongs that can be righted; we'll dream our dream of hurts that can be healed; we'll weave a cloth of all the world united within the vision of new life who sets us free.
2 We'll give a voice to those who have not spoken; we'll find the words for those whose lips are sealed; we'll make the tunes for those who sing no longer, expressive love alive in every heart.
We'll share our joy with those who are still weeping, raise hymns of strength for hearts that break in grief, we'll leap and dance the resurrection story including all in circles of our love.
Words : June Boyce-Tillman
Arrangement: John Barnard
ONELICENSE SONG #01198