THE LITURGY OF THE PALMS
Please join in the congregational responses printed in bold
THE OPENING ACCLAMATION
Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord. Peace in heaven and glory in the highest.
THE EXHORTATION
Dear friends in Christ, for five weeks of Lent we have been preparing, by works of charity and self-sacrifice, for the celebration of our Lord’s Paschal mystery. Today we come together to begin this solemn celebration in union with the whole Church throughout the world. Christ entered in triumph into his own city, to complete his work as our Messiah: to suffer, to die, and to rise again. Let us remember with devotion this entry which began his saving work and follow him with a lively faith. United with him in his suffering on the cross, may we share his resurrection and new life.
THE COLLECT OF THE DAY
Let us pray.
Almighty and everliving God, in your tender love for the human race you sent your Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon him our nature, and to suffer death upon the cross, giving us the example of his great humility: Mercifully grant that we may walk in the way of his suffering, and also share in his resurrection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
THE LESSON: JOHN 12:12-16
The next day the great crowd that had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord— the King of Israel!” Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it; as it is written: “Do not be afraid, daughter of Zion. Look, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt!” His disciples did not understand these things at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written of him and had been done to him.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The Lord Be With You
And Also With You
Let us give thanks to the Lord, our God
It is right to give him thanks and praise
It is right to praise you, Almighty God, for the acts of love by which you have redeemed us through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. On this day he entered the holy city of Jerusalem in triumph, and was proclaimed as King of kings by those who spread their garments and branches of palm along his way. Let these branches be for us signs of his victory, and grant that we who bear them in his name may ever hail him as our King, and follow him in the way that leads to eternal life; who lives and reigns in glory with you and the Holy Spirit, now and forever.
Amen.
Celebrant: Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord
People: Hosanna in the Highest
THE PROCESSION
Celebrant: Let us go forth in peace.
People In the name of Christ. Amen.
THE STATION AT THE DOOR
Blessed is the One who comes in the Name of the Lord.
God is the Lord who has shined upon us.
THE STATION COLLECT
Let us pray. Almighty God, you have shown us in your Son the true way of blessedness: Give us grace to take up our cross and follow him, in the strength of patience, and in constancy of faith; and grant us such fellowship with him in his suffering, that we may know the secret of his strength and peace; who now lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
THE PROCESSIONAL: All Glory Laud And Honor
THE COLLECT OF THE DAY
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray.
Almighty and everliving God, in your tender love for the human race you sent your Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon him our nature, and to suffer death upon the cross, giving us the example of his great humility: Mercifully grant that we may walk in the way of his suffering, and also share in his resurrection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
THE LITURGY OF THE WORD
THE OLD TESTAMENT READING: ISAIAH 50: 4-9A
The Lord God has given me the tongue of a teacher, that I may know how to
sustain the weary with a word. Morning by morning he wakens-- wakens my
ear to listen as those who are taught. The Lord God has opened my ear, and
I was not rebellious, I did not turn backward. I gave my back to those who
struck me, and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard; I did not hide
my face from insult and spitting. The Lord God helps me; therefore I have not
been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like flint, and I know that I shall
not be put to shame; he who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with
me? Let us stand up together. Who are my adversaries? Let them confront
me. It is the Lord God who helps me; who will declare me guilty?
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
PSALM 31:9-16 In te, Domine, speravi
9 Have mercy on me, O LORD, for I am in trouble; *
my eye is consumed with sorrow,
and also my |throat and my belly.
10 For my life is wasted with grief,
and my |years with sighing; *
my strength fails me because of affliction,
and my bones are consumed.
11 I have become a reproach to all my enemies and even to my
neighbors,
a dismay to those of my acquaintance; *
when they see me in the street they avoid me.
12 I am forgotten like a dead man, out of |mind; *
I am as useless as a broken pot.
13 For I have heard the whispering of the crowd;
fear is all around; *
they put their heads together against me;
they plot to take my life.
14 But as for me, I have trusted in you, O LORD. *
I have said, "You are my God.
15 My times are in your hand; *
rescue me from the hand of my enemies,
and from those who persecute me.
16 Make your face to shine upon your servant, *
and in your loving kindness save me."
TTHE SECOND LESSON: PHILIPPIANS 2:5-11
Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,
Who, though he was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God
as something to be exploited,
but emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,
being born in human likeness.
And being found in human form,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to the point of death--
even death on a cross.
Therefore God also highly exalted him
and gave him the name
that is above every name,
so that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bend,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue should confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
SEQUENCE HYMN: Ride On, King Jesus
THE GOSPEL MARK 14:1-15:47
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark
Glory to you, Lord Christ
The congregation remaining seated, the Passion Gospel is read in parts, led by a narrator
who begins by saying:
The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark.
It was two days before the Passover and the festival of Unleavened Bread.
The chief priests and the scribes were looking for a way to arrest Jesus by
stealth and kill him; for they said, “Not during the festival, or there may be a
riot among the people.”
While he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at the
table, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very costly ointment of nard,
and she broke open the jar and poured the ointment on his head. But some
were there who said to one another in anger, “Why was the ointment wasted
in this way? For this ointment could have been sold for more than three
hundred denarii, and the money given to the poor.” And they scolded her.
But Jesus said, “Let her alone; why do you trouble her? She has performed a
good service for me. For you always have the poor with you, and you can
show kindness to them whenever you wish; but you will not always have me.
She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for its
burial. Truly I tell you, wherever the good news is proclaimed in the whole
world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her.”
Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went to the chief priests in
order to betray him to them. When they heard it, they were greatly pleased,
and promised to give him money. So he began to look for an opportunity to
betray him.
On the first day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb is sacrificed,
his disciples said to him, “Where do you want us to go and make the
preparations for you to eat the Passover?” So he sent two of his disciples,
saying to them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet
you; follow him, and wherever he enters, say to the owner of the house, ‘The
Teacher asks, Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my
disciples?’ He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make
preparations for us there.” So the disciples set out and went to the city, and
found everything as he had told them; and they prepared the Passover meal.
When it was evening, he came with the twelve. And when they had taken
their places and were eating, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray
me, one who is eating with me.” They began to be distressed and to say to
him one after another, “Surely, not I?” He said to them, “It is one of the twelve,
one who is dipping bread into the bowl with me. For the Son of Man goes as
it is written of him, but woe to that one by whom the Son of Man is betrayed!
It would have been better for that one not to have been born.”
While they were eating, he took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke
it, gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and
after giving thanks he gave it to them, and all of them drank from it. He said
to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. Truly
I tell you, I will never again drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I
drink it new in the kingdom of God.”
When they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. And
Jesus said to them, “You will all become deserters; for it is written,
‘I will strike the shepherd,
and the sheep will be scattered.’
But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” Peter said to him,
“Even though all become deserters, I will not.” Jesus said to him, “Truly I tell
you, this day, this very night, before the cock crows twice, you will deny me
three times.” But he said vehemently, “Even though I must die with you, I will
not deny you.” And all of them said the same.
They went to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, “Sit
here while I pray.” He took with him Peter and James and John, and began
to be distressed and agitated. And he said to them, “I am deeply grieved,
even to death; remain here, and keep awake.” And going a little farther, he
threw himself on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour
might pass from him. He said, “Abba, Father, for you all things are possible;
remove this cup from me; yet, not what I want, but what you want.” He came
and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep?
Could you not keep awake one hour? Keep awake and pray that you may
not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
And again he went away and prayed, saying the same words. And once
more he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy; and
they did not know what to say to him. He came a third time and said to them,
“Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? Enough! The hour has come; the
Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up, let us be going. See,
my betrayer is at hand.”
Immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived;
and with him there was a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests,
the scribes, and the elders. Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying,
“The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.” So
when he came, he went up to him at once and said, “Rabbi!” and kissed
him. Then they laid hands on him and arrested him. But one of those who
stood near drew his sword and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off
his ear. Then Jesus said to them, “Have you come out with swords and clubs
to arrest me as though I were a bandit? Day after day I was with you in the
temple teaching, and you did not arrest me. But let the scriptures be fulfilled.”
All of them deserted him and fled.
A certain young man was following him, wearing nothing but a linen cloth.
They caught hold of him, but he left the linen cloth and ran off naked.
They took Jesus to the high priest; and all the chief priests, the elders, and the
scribes were assembled. Peter had followed him at a distance, right into the
courtyard of the high priest; and he was sitting with the guards, warming
himself at the fire. Now the chief priests and the whole council were looking
for testimony against Jesus to put him to death; but they found none. For
many gave false testimony against him, and their testimony did not agree.
Some stood up and gave false testimony against him, saying, “We heard him
say, ‘I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will
build another, not made with hands.’” But even on this point their testimony
did not agree. Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus,
“Have you no answer? What is it that they testify against you?” But he was
silent and did not answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the
Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” Jesus said, “I am; and
‘you will see the Son of Man
seated at the right hand of the Power,’
and ‘coming with the clouds of heaven.’”
Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “Why do we still need witnesses?
You have heard his blasphemy! What is your decision?” All of them
condemned him as deserving death. Some began to spit on him, to blindfold
him, and to strike him, saying to him, “Prophesy!” The guards also took him
over and beat him.
While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant-girls of the high
priest came by. When she saw Peter warming himself, she stared at him and
said, “You also were with Jesus, the man from Nazareth.” But he denied it,
saying, “I do not know or understand what you are talking about.” And he
went out into the forecourt. Then the cock crowed. And the servant-girl, on
seeing him, began again to say to the bystanders, “This man is one of them.”
But again he denied it. Then after a little while the bystanders again said to
Peter, “Certainly you are one of them; for you are a Galilean.” But he began
to curse, and he swore an oath, “I do not know this man you are talking
about.” At that moment the cock crowed for the second time. Then Peter
remembered that Jesus had said to him, “Before the cock crows twice, you
will deny me three times.” And he broke down and wept.
As soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders
and scribes and the whole council. They bound Jesus, led him away, and
handed him over to Pilate. Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?”
He answered him, “You say so.” Then the chief priests accused him of many
things. Pilate asked him again, “Have you no answer? See how many charges
they bring against you.” But Jesus made no further reply, so that Pilate was
amazed.
Now at the festival he used to release a prisoner for them, anyone for whom
they asked. Now a man called Barabbas was in prison with the rebels who
had committed murder during the insurrection. So the crowd came and
began to ask Pilate to do for them according to his custom. Then he
answered them, “Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?”
For he realized that it was out of jealousy that the chief priests had handed
him over. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release
Barabbas for them instead. Pilate spoke to them again, “Then what do you
wish me to do with the man you call the King of the Jews?” They shouted
back, “Crucify him!” Pilate asked them, “Why, what evil has he done?” But
they shouted all the more, “Crucify him!” So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the
crowd, released Barabbas for them; and after flogging Jesus, he handed him
over to be crucified.
Then the soldiers led him into the courtyard of the palace (that is, the
governor’s headquarters); and they called together the whole cohort. And
they clothed him in a purple cloak; and after twisting some thorns into a
crown, they put it on him. And they began saluting him, “Hail, King of the
Jews!” They struck his head with a reed, spat upon him, and knelt down in
homage to him. After mocking him, they stripped him of the purple cloak and
put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him.
They compelled a passer-by, who was coming in from the country, to carry
his cross; it was Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus.
Please stand.
Then they brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means the
place of a skull). And they offered him wine mixed with myrrh; but he did not
take it. And they crucified him, and divided his clothes among them, casting
lots to decide what each should take.
It was nine o’clock in the morning when they crucified him. The inscription of
the charge against him read, “The King of the Jews.” And with him they
crucified two bandits, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed
by derided him, shaking their heads and saying, “Aha! You who would
destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself, and come down
from the cross!” In the same way the chief priests, along with the scribes, were
also mocking him among themselves and saying, “He saved others; he
cannot save himself. Let the Messiah, the King of Israel, come down from the
cross now, so that we may see and believe.” Those who were crucified with
him also taunted him.
When it was noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the
afternoon. At three o’clock Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema
sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken
me?” When some of the bystanders heard it, they said, “Listen, he is calling
for Elijah.” And someone ran, filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a stick,
and gave it to him to drink, saying, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come
to take him down.” Then Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last. And
the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. Now when the
centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he
said, “Truly this man was God’s Son!”
There were also women looking on from a distance; among them were Mary
Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and
Salome. These used to follow him and provided for him when he was in
Galilee; and there were many other women who had come up with him to
Jerusalem.
When evening had come, and since it was the day of Preparation, that is,
the day before the sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of
the council, who was also himself waiting expectantly for the kingdom of
God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate
wondered if he were already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked
him whether he had been dead for some time. When he learned from the
centurion that he was dead, he granted the body to Joseph. Then Joseph
bought a linen cloth, and taking down the body, wrapped it in the linen cloth,
and laid it in a tomb that had been hewn out of the rock. He then rolled a
stone against the door of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother
of Joses saw where the body was laid.
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Christ.
THE SERMON: The Rev’d Hank Tuell
THE NICENE CREED
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, Eternally begotten of the Father. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten not made, of one Being with the Father.
Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Jesus, light of the World, how quickly the joy and exuberance of the people
on this day was turned hostile and angry by political manipulation, and even
your friends betrayed you. Let us walk with you through this coming Holy
Week, remain in your presence, and never deny that you are our Savior.
Hosanna to our Messiah!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the
Lord!
Jesus, Light of the World, help us to engage the hearts and minds of the
leaders of this world, our country, and our community, that we may eliminate
the fear-mongering, posturing, and oppression that leads to a death like
yours. We pray especially for: Joseph our President, Kathy our Governor and
Eric our Mayor.
Hosanna to our Messiah!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Jesus, Light of the World, enfold with your loving arms, those who are ill,
desperate, or hopeless, and those who worry and care for them. We pray
especially for: Dr. John, Generosa, Jim, Bernard, Darrin, Rodney, Harold,
Lauren, Matthew, Gweneth, Trevor, Juli, Ondeene, Carole, George, Paul,
Michael, Francine, Arthur, Anthony, Robert, Dillon, Henrietta, Phillip, Dice,
Christopher, Dan, Teresa, Chris, Frances, David, Robert, and all those on our
prayer list.
Hosanna to our Messiah!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Jesus, Light of the World, as You came to lead us all into the glory of eternal
life, turn our grief into joy and comfort knowing those we mourn are with You
now in everlasting peace.
Hosanna to our Messiah!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Jesus, Light of the World, we pause in this moment to offer You our other
heartfelt intentions and petitions, silently or aloud.
Hosanna to our Messiah!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Jesus, Light of the World, as we begin this sacred week, endow our spiritual
leaders with extraordinary grace, that through you and them, we may all be
drawn together in your saving embrace. We pray especially for: Matthew,
Allen and Mary our Bishops, and Hank our Priest and all clergy of your church.
Hosanna to our Messiah!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
CONCLUDING COLLECT
God of Mercy, as we re-experience the events of this day and of the week
to come, help us to see the times in our lives when we, too, have deserted
Jesus and given in to the ways of the world instead. Grant us the willingness
to confess through our words and actions that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the Glory
of You, our God. We ask this through Christ, Your Sacrificial Son, and Your Most
Holy Spirit, who live and reign with You, One God, now and forever. Amen.
THE PEACE
The peace of the Lord be always with you. And also with you.
Let us offer one another a sign of peace.
THE ANNOUNCEMENTS
THE OFFERTORY ANTHEM: The Palms
THE OFFERTORY HYMN: O Sacred Head, Sore Wounded
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING - B
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give him thanks and praise.
It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to
you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.
Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with
all the company of heaven, who forever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of
your Name:
Holy, holy, holy, Lord
God of power and might.
Heaven and Earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest. Hosanna in the highest
Blessed is He who come in the name of the Lord
Hosanna in the highest. Hosanna in the highest,.
Holy and gracious Father: In your infinite love you made us for yourself; and, when we had fallen into sin and become subject to evil and death, you in your mercy, sent Jesus Christ, your only and eternal Son, to share our human nature, to live and die as one of us, to reconcile us to you, the God and Father of all.
He stretched out his arms upon the cross, and offered himself in obedience to your will, a perfect sacrifice for the whole world.
On the night he was handed over to suffering and death, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, “Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.”
After supper he took the cup of wine; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and said, “Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.”
Therefore, we proclaim the mystery of faith:
Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.
We celebrate the memorial of our redemption, O Father, in this sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Recalling his death, resurrection, and ascension, we offer you these gifts.
Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body and Blood of your Son, the holy food and drink of new and unending life in him. Sanctify us also that we may faithfully receive this holy Sacrament, and serve you in unity, constancy, and peace; and at the last day bring us with all your saints into the joy of your eternal kingdom.
All this we ask through your Son Jesus Christ. By him, and with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and forever.
THE GREAT AMEN
THE LORD'S PRAYER
THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD
Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.
Therefore, let us keep the feast.
THE FRACTION ANTHEM S-165
THE COMMUNION
COMMUNION HYMN: Ah Holy Jesus
THE POST COMMUNION PRAYER
Let us pray.
Eternal God, heavenly Father, you have graciously accepted us as living members of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, and you have fed us with spiritual food in the Sacrament of his Body and Blood. Send us now into the world in peace, and grant us strength and courage to love and serve you with gladness and singleness of heart; through Christ our Lord Amen.
THE BLESSING
May God the Father, who does not despise the broken spirit give to you a
contrite heart.
Amen
May Christ, who bore our sins in his body on the tree, heal you by his
wounds.
Amen
May the Holy Spirit, who leads us into all truth, speak to you words of pardon
and peace.
Amen
And may the blessing of God almighty, The Father, Son and the Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always.
Amen
THE RECESSIONAL: All Hail The Power of Jesus' Name
THE DISMISSAL
The Mass is ended. Our service now begins! Let us go forth into the world, rejoicing in the power of the Spirit!
Thanks be to God.
THE POSTLUDE