Church At Home St. Timothy’s Lutheran Church – Pembroke, Ontario Palm Sunday March 28, 2021

Invocation Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

Processional Gospel Mark 11:1-11 The holy gospel according to Mark. Glory to you, O Lord. When they were approaching Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples 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. If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ just say this, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately.’” They went away and found a colt tied near a door, outside in the street. As they were untying it, some of the bystanders said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” They told them what had said; and they allowed them to take it. Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it; and he sat on it. 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! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” 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. The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.

Hymn – All Glory, Laud, and Honor - #344 (Read or Sung – Music and Text Public Domain) If you wish to sing please use this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61VT1J424vE

Refrain: All glory, laud, and honor to you, redeemer, king, to whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring.

1 You are the king of Israel 4 To you, before your passion, and David’s royal Son, they sang their hymns of praise. now in the Lord’s name coming, To you, now high exalted, our King and Blessed One. [Refrain] our melody we raise. [Refrain]

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2 The company of angels 5 Their praises you accepted; are praising you on high; accept the prayers we bring, creation and all mortals great author of all goodness, in chorus make reply. [Refrain] O good and gracious King. [Refrain]

3 The multitude of pilgrims with palms before you went; our praise and prayer and anthems before you we present. [Refrain]

Prayer of the Day Everlasting God, in your endless love for the human race you sent our Lord Jesus Christ to take on our nature and to suffer death on the cross. In your mercy enable us to share in his obedience to your will and in the glorious victory of his resurrection, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

First Lesson Psalm 31:9-16 Second Lesson Isaiah 50:4-9a Philippians 2:5-11

Homily

Let’s face it – who doesn’t love a parade? Villages, towns, and cities all have parades throughout the year. The fall of the year, there are homecoming parades welcoming students back to colleges and universities. Many of them are followed up with a big party. It wouldn’t be in the Waterloo Region without the annual Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest Thanksgiving Day Parade! For many years it was broadcasted across Canada. And let’s not forget everyone’s favourite parade: The Parade. This parade is held in nearly every town and every city in North America. The guest of honour, Santa Claus, sits in his beautifully adorned red sleigh at the end of the parade. The Santa Claus Parade is the most famous in Canada. Traditionally held on the third Sunday of November, it signals the beginning of the shopping season. And then there’s this unique and wonderful parade, which takes place in the small town of Kincardine Ontario, located on the shores of Lake Huron, every summer Saturday night since 1948. At exactly 8 p.m., rain or shine, the Kincardine Scottish Pipe Band takes to the street, and followed by a multitude of tourists and locals, marches down Queen Street. Following the band, you become part of the parade. As you walk, you wave to the spectators who line the street. History would tell, the band stops at the end street, dekes into the hotel to quaff a cold beer. This gives time for the many participants to catch up. Once finished their beverage, you can hear the bag pipes gather their air and the band makes their way back down the street again to perform in Victoria Park. Today the church celebrates another parade in the name of Palm Sunday; Jesus is making his way to Jerusalem. In their book, “The Last Week: What the Gospel Really Teach about Jesus’s Final Days in Jerusalem”, Borg and Crossan suggest, this wasn’t the only one that was taking

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place in the city that day. Every year at Passover, pilgrims would flock to Jerusalem to worship and remember; remember their past, their heritage. This Passover celebration was a time when the Jewish people celebrated the ways that their God had delivered and liberated them from the oppressive Egyptian empire. Because the Romans knew what the celebration marked, the Roman governor of Judea would come to Jerusalem to keep the peace—and to make sure that the citizens didn’t get any big ideas about liberating themselves from any other empire any time soon. Moving from the West, Pilate processed into Jerusalem through the largest gate, the Western Gate, riding on a war horse with cavalry, soldiers, banners and troops marching behind him. The streets were cleared and large crowds gathered to watch. None of the pilgrims who had assembled to worship in Jerusalem could miss the point being made: their celebration of the Passover was only happening at the tolerance of the Roman government. On the other side of town, another, more rag-tag procession had begun. Jesus rode a colt down the Mount of Olives on the East side of the city, surrounded by a crowd of followers. They spread their cloaks and palm branches ahead of him. Small children were lifted up onto the shoulders of their parents as they greeted him with shouts of “Hosanna!” Pilate rode a war horse through the largest gate into the city, decked out in armor, with banners waving and troops marching behind. Jesus rode a donkey colt, through a small Eastern gate. He wore no armor and was followed by small children waving palm branches instead of banners. Such a contrast and it is here that two worlds collide. I have to admit that I am struck by the mood of the crowd and their cry: Hosanna – meaning save us. They must be worn out by the Roman occupation. They must feel like strangers in their own land. They must feel they have little day-to-day hope of improving their life. And so, their cry becomes louder: Save us Jesus! Save us! Yet, how quickly, as we know, these cries of Hosanna turn into cries of crucify him by week’s end. Two processions made their way into Jerusalem that day. Rev. Kristin Adkins-Whitesides points out, Palm Sunday is a day of contrasts as we too are confronted with the choice between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of Caesar. We who desperately seek to be faithful to Jesus today, are forced to ask ourselves: Which parade are we part of? If we follow Jesus in this procession, we will join him and his disciples in the upper room and watch as he breaks bread and pours a cup – reminders of his suffering. If we follow him to a garden, we will watch him pray. His friends will fall asleep. He will be led away, arrested and betrayed. If we will follow him, we will hear the cries; crucify Him. If we follow him, we will be with the crowds as we as watch his execution. Which parade will you follow: kingdom of the world or the kingdom of God?

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The path of discipleship is hard; I have said this before. The journey is hard. The crowds do remind me that Christ did indeed come to save me, to save us, from a world that teaches us that what matters most is what I want rather than seeing the possibility that meeting my neighbour’s need will satisfy my own heart’s deepest desire. My friends in Christ. Jesus came to save and to transform. Death it will feel like at first, and then life. The parade is about to start. May we get ready and follow. Amen. Prayers Relying on the promises of God, we pray boldly for the church, the world, and all in need. A brief silence. In Jesus you came among us as a suffering servant. Give your church humility. Redeem your people from pride and the certainty that we always know your will. Heal us and empower us to confess Christ crucified. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great. In creation, life springs from death. Redeem your creation awaiting resurrection: restore lost habitats and endangered species. Create new possibilities for areas affected by climate change, grant relief from natural disasters, and nurture new growth. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great. Jesus was handed over to the powers of this world. In all nations, instruct the powerful, that they would not exploit their power but maintain justice. Sustain soldiers, and guide those who command them, that they serve those in greatest need. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great. On the cross Jesus joined all who feel forsaken. Abide with those who are condemned to death. Defend those who are falsely accused. Console and strengthen those who are mocked or bullied. Accompany all who suffer especially: Albert, Marie, Gale, Debbie, Elizabeth, Christa, Mildred, Mary, Stan, Eveline, Margaret, Anne, and for those we name aloud or in our hearts (long pause for private prayers); grant respite and renewal. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great. You called followers to tend Jesus’ body in death. Sustain hospice workers and funeral directors. Bless this congregation’s ministries at times of death: those who plan and lead funerals, those who prepare meals, all who offer support in grief. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great. You inspired the centurion to confess Jesus as your Son. We praise you for the faith you have given to people of all places and times. Give us also such faith to trust the promises of baptism and, with them, to look for the resurrection of the dead. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great. We entrust ourselves and all our prayers to you, O faithful God, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Holy Communion

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Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit let us pray as Jesus taught us………..

Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on 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, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.

Hymn – Go to Dark Gethsemane - #347 (Read or Sung – Music and Lyrics Public Domain) If you wish to sing please use this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vD6tcMroY0A

1 Go to dark Gethsemane, 3 Calv'ry’s mournful mountain climb; all who feel the temper’s pow'r; there, adoring at his feet, your Redeemer’s conflict see. mark the miracle of time, Watch with him one bitter hour; God’s own sacrifice complete. turn not from his griefs away; “It is finished!” hear him cry; learn from Jesus Christ to pray. learn from Jesus Christ to die.

2 Follow to the judgment hall, 4 Early hasten to the tomb view the Lord of life arraigned; where they laid his breathless clay: oh, the wormwood and the gall! all is solitude and gloom. Oh, the pangs his soul sustained! Who has taken him away? Shun not suff'ring, shame, or loss; Christ is ris'n! He meets our eyes. learn from him to bear the cross. Savior, teach us so to rise.

Benediction

The Lord bless you and keep you, The Lord’s face shine upon you and be gracious to you, The Lord look upon you with favour and give you (+) peace. Amen.

Prayers used by permission by Augsburg Fortress – Sundays and Seasons

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STTLC Communique

The Guide to Worship has been sponsored to the glory of God by: • Judy Markus and family in loving memory of her stepfather, Clarence Prescott, who entered the church triumphant on March 13, 2013. • Nancy Briscoe and David Brose in loving memory of their sister, Elizabeth Clouthier, who entered her eternal rest on April 1, 2020. Easter Flowers – If you wish to make a donation towards flowers for our Easter Services, please contact the Church Office 613-732-2992. Thank you!

Holy Week and Easter Services

Maundy Thursday April 1 at 7:00 pm. – with Holy Communion Good Friday April 2 at 10:00 am Easter Sunday April 4 at 8:30 am and 11:00 am No Easter Breakfast

Please remember to call the church office Wednesday to Friday morning from 9 to 11 to make your reservation for these services (Good Friday closed). If you are calling at other times, please leave a message on the answering machine. Covid Protocols continues and services will be held in Jubilee Hall. Wishing you a Blessed Easter and stay safe!

Beginning Sunday, April 25, an additional monthly service has been added during this time of pandemic. This service will take place on the last Sunday of the month at 2:00 pm. in the afternoon. It will be held in the Sanctuary of the church. Again, Covid Protocols will continue and registration is required for this service. Looking forward to seeing you in church!

Return to In-Person Worship at St. Timothy’s! Again, registration will be required by calling the church office Wednesday through Friday mornings from 9 am to 11 am to make a reservation. Reservations will now be on a first-come first-served basis. Services will continue to be conducted in Jubilee Hall and will be available on FM 88.1 if you wish to listen to it on a car radio in the church parking lot. All volunteers, leaders and worshippers are required to wear a mask inside the building, and please be assured our established measures and protocols will continue to be practiced for your health and safety.

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Offerings……Thank you for your on-going support of St. Timothy’s in these challenging times. A reminder that offerings can be made by placing a cheque in your offering envelope; placing it into a plain envelope; addressing it to the church and either delivering it to the church or mail it to the church. If you do not have an offering envelope please follow the same procedure. In either case, please do not place cash in the envelope. You may also make a donation on line by going to our website www.sttlc.ca and using the donate button. Thank you for remembering St. Timothy’s. A reminder…..even during this time of pandemic, you can sponsor the Guide to Worship ($20.00) or flowers for the many blessings in your life. Please contact the church office if you wish to do so.

Easter Food Drive – We’re back!!!

For the month of April, the Witness Committee is asking for your help in supporting our St. Joseph’s Food Bank. They are in need of the following items: Canned Pork and Beans, Canned Stew and Canned Vegetables. Other items which are always needed: Pasta, Tomato Sauce, Spaghetti Sauce, Canned Soups, Hand Soap, Shampoo and Toilet Paper. Please ensure that you check the “Best Before” dates on all donated items. The Food Bank will not accept expired items and such items will be discarded. Dropping off your items is easy. Sunday mornings you may place your donations on a table at the entrance way to the church. During the week, you may drop them off during office hours. The Food Drive starts on Easter Sunday. Thanking you for your generosity in providing to those in need.

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