The Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday March 24, 2024 | The Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday March 24, 2024 March 24, 2024 (Palm Sunday) Music in this service is broadcast with permission under... | By Holy Comforter (Charlotte, NC) | What Jesus had said. And they allowed them to take it. Then they brought the coal 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 field. Then those who went ahead and those 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. I invite you to raise your The Lord be with you. Amen. Let us go forth in peace. Let us pray. Almighty god, whose most dear son went up not to joy, but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified. Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. Your king The Lord be with you. Let us pray. Almighty and ever living 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. Please be seated for our readings. And also just to say that Children's Chapel will happen just before the Passion reading. A reading from the book of Isaiah. 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 to 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 help me, 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. But who vindicates me is near? Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who are my ad versaries? Let them confront me. It is the Lord God who helps me. Who will declare me guilty? The word of the lord mercy on me eyes consumed with sorrow my life is wasted with greed use this time My strength fails me because of are consumed of his way to those out of mind I miss useless that's fear is all They put their heads together against me. They called to take But as for me, I have trusted in you are My tides are in your Rescue me from enemies, and from those who persecute me. Make your face to shine up and in your loving kindness sake A reading from the letter to the Philippians. 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 and 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 if 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 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, 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, a very costly ointment, ointment of gnar, and she broke it up in the jar and poured the ointment on his head. But some were there who said to one another in anger. 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 always 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 of the 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, 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 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. 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 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, 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, 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, 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 called Gethsemane and he said to his disciples, sit here while I pray. He took with him Peter and James and John and begin to be distressed and agitated and 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. You came and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep awake 1 hour? Keep awake and pray that you might not come into the time of trial. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. And again, he 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 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 of swords, 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 a 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 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 no for many gave false testimony against him and their testimony did not agree. Some stood up and gave false testimony against him, saying, be heard and say, I will destroy this temple that is 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 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, The guards also took him over and beat him. While Peter was 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 were also 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 four court. 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're in one of one 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 what 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 priest 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, you want me to release for you the king of the Jews? For he lies 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 called the king of the Jews? They shouted back. Pilate asked them, why? What evil has he done? But they shouted all the more. So, Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, release 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. 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 let him out to crucify him. They compelled a passerby who was coming in from the country to carry his cross. It was Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus. Then, they brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha which means 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 9 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 2 bandits, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by do not derided him, shaking their heads, and saying, and destroy the temple and fill them in 3 days. Save yourself and come down to 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. It was noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon At 3 o'clock, Jesus cried out with a loud voice. Eloy, Iloy, Le Mesabashanis, which means, my God, my God, why have you forsaken me? When some of the bystanders heard it, they said, where this is? He is coming for a right and someone ran, filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink, saying, wait. Wait, let us see whether come and take him down then Jesus gave out 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 Joseph. 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 the evening had come and since it was a day of preparation, that is the day before the Sabbath, Joseph of Arithemathea, 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 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 Joseph, saw where the body was laid. Mercifully grant that we may walk in the way of his suffering and also share in his resurrection. In the name of god, father, son, and holy spirit. Amen. 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. Everybody loves a parade They're fun. You get to see things that you don't see every day. They mark fun occasions often times. Occasions of remembrance. Occasions that often bring together family. Seems like everybody by this time had heard about Jesus Why even some Greeks had approached his disciples asking to meet him? Jesus knew that he had well and truly arrived. He was a headliner. So, what to do next? Let's give the people a parade. Unlike most parades, Jesus knew that this one was going to end in disaster At least for those who were leading it. This occasion would not end up with fun. But would it itself become its own occasion of remembrance. In fact, we had a parade today. Jesus believed in a god of hope Where there's life, there's hope. It is said So, we'll give the people the biggest parade that they have had in a while. A parade filled with hope. Let's give them what they want. What do they expect? Here comes Jesus. We've all heard about Jesus. Here he comes to be our king. Let's him on as he arrives. Maybe we can be a part of his kingdom. Hope can be fleeting as fame can be fleeting. Jesus knew that this was the end of the line. It was time to fish or cut bait. The parade to end All parades. No more signs would do. It was time for a takeover. Time to bring in the kingdom. Time for thy kingdom come. Time to gain it all. Strangely enough by losing it all. Losing it all and knowing in advance that all would be lost How does one face such ad versity and still walk bravely into it? It was time for Jesus to establish his community by being left alone Watching as the people he loved, denied and deserted him. In order to well and truly get his movement where it needed to go, he had to go to Jerusalem To the seat of all the institutional power. To the holders of the temporal power, and to call them out. The only thing left to him was to go to Jerusalem Even when knowing that crucifixion would be the likely result. Testing the validity of his movement by turning it over to the rest of the parade. Ending his part in the movement. So that it could restart. Perhaps, the movement was getting so slow with bugs and viruses and spam. So slow that it needed a reboot. Jesus needed to turn the movement off for just a moment so that it could live afresh without all that garbage. This was the necessary restart. This is the entry in triumph that ends in tragedy. To be followed with triumph. This, that, is our story. Triumph to tragedy. To triumph. The Hosanna urge didn't understand They were willing to jump on board but only if it would not cost them anything They were willing to be bystanders. If that could get them into the kingdom. The same people that cheered Hosanna are the same people that cheer, crucify him. I have news for you. There is no room for bystanders In the kingdom that Jesus wants to build. And there is no getting to the triumph without experiencing the tragedy. The tragedy of pain the tragedy of hunger, The tragedy of abandonment the tragedy of humiliation, the tragedy of betrayal The tragedy of dying. The tragedy of watching a loved one die. The tragedy Not very parade worthy until the triumph This is our story Do not run from it. Accept it. Maybe even embrace it. That's what this week is all about. It is about our walking in Jesus's story and finding in its very same nuts and bolts, our story. The church's story, and our own personal stories. I encourage you to participate in as much of this week as you are able either through private time in prayer or with devotionals or with reading or with taking advantage of what the church has to offer. Each day holds a different tragedy turned gift that only god can offer but that we ourselves must unwrap. Don't stand around You can't be a bystander and get into the kingdom It wasn't true then and it isn't true now. You can't get into the movement without it costing you something. And to maximize the movement, it has to cost you like Jesus Everything. The only way to turn that tragedy to turn that triumph to tragedy and back into triumph. Jesus went to Jerusalem knowing what he was made of but seeking to learn what his followers were made of or maybe just maybe what he could make them into. Welcome to Holy Week. Don't stand by and simply watch the parade. To truly be a part of the kingdom, you have to join in. Pay the cost. Whatever the cost. Because the cost is worth it. As Jesus knew, the tragedy is temporary. But the triumph is eternal. Amen. I invite you to stand or kneel for our prayers. On this day, the church hears again the passion of our lord, into which we are baptized, recreated by the mind of Christ, let us pray for the whole people of god in Christ Jesus, and for all people according to their needs, saying, lord, have mercy. For the whole church throughout the world, its bishops, clergy, and all the baptized. Let us pray to the lord. Lord, have mercy. For peace among nations and forbearance among all people. Let us pray to the lord. Lord, have mercy. For this assembly, as we walk the road toward the cross, let us pray to the lord. Lord, have mercy. We pray for the joys and gifts of life, large and small, remembered, and forgotten, especially for those on our prayers prayer list, including We pray for those sharing their time and talent for spreading the gospel at Holy Comforter. Today, we remember the Handbell Choir including Gail Fenimore, Mary Fry, Jane Kearns, Leslie Perlic, Carol Redfern, and John Wells. We pray for those who are ill or in need of your healing care. Including Margaret Khan and Sarah Lofton. For Matthew O'Neill, Charlotte, Lees, Rich Young, Maureen Meninger, and those wounded in the Moscow concert shooting. And for those we now name either aloud or in our hearts. We pray for all who have died and for all who grieve them. We pray especially for Donald Wilhoy, Mary Kane, and Margaret Morrison, and those 40 killed in Moscow. And those we now name either aloud or in our hearts. Let us pray to the lord. Lord, have mercy Hasten, oh Father, the coming of your kingdom, and grant that we, your servants, who live now by faith, may with joy behold your son, that is coming in glorious majesty. Even Jesus Christ, our only mediator and ad vocate. Amen. Amen. The peace of the Lord be always with you. And also with you. Please do be seated. Good morning once again and a very warm welcome. Do we have people with us this morning who are celebrating a birthday or a wedding anniversary this week? Have birthdays over here, wedding anniversaries here, in the life of our parish this week, birthdays include Edwin Thomas, Edwin Thomas Junior, Elliot McKee, Sharon Patterson, Jane Coghill, Mary Wanamaker, Amy McKee, Matt Redfern, Jenny Turner, Susan Utzi, and Mitchell Wickham. Would anyone like to share a significant number? It's fair enough. You don't have to. I invite everyone to join with saying our birthday collect which is on page eleven. We pray together. Oh God, our times are in your hand. Look with favour we pray on your servants. As they begin another year. Grant that they may grow in wisdom and grace. And strengthen their trust in your goodness. All the days of their life. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Many happy returns. I would like to draw your attention to just a couple of notices. Um starting today after this service, there are intergenerational stations of the cross available in the van every building. It's something for you to do at your own pace and they will be there for this whole week. So, at any point, you are invited to go over to Van Every and to walk yourself through the stations of the cross as a self-guided prayer exercise for Holy Week. Another request to please lend me your plants for the vigil on Thursday. Please bring your plants on Wednesday or Thursday morning and they'll be part of our garden for the Thursday vigil. And you could also sign up to keep watch. Um at the link. Final shout for ordering Easter lilies that has to be done today. If you have not already done that Yes, there's other things. Take this home and have a good look at it. Are there any notices from the congregation this morning? Fabulous. This morning as we come to receive communion, you will have a couple of different options. We will have intention on the floor and on this side of the altar rail, intinction is where the wafer is dipped in the wine and then given to you. If you come to this side of the altar rail, you'll receive the wafer in your hand and you may then drink from the common cup if you would like to. If you need gluten free, please come to the middle of the altar with your palms down and you'll receive gluten free and if you'd prefer a prayer of blessing, simply come with your arms folded across your chest. But please know you are welcome. You are all invited to participate at the Lord's table in whichever way you feel most comfortable. Walk in love as Christ loved us and gave himself for us. An offering and sacrifice to God. All things come of thee, oh lord, and of thine own Bless these gifts in the service of your kingdom. This morning we use Eucharistic prayer B as you can find it on page 367 of your books of Common Prayer. The Lord be with you. Lift up your hearts. Let us give thanks to the Lord, our God. It is right and a good and joyful thing always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth, through Jesus Christ, our lord, for our sins, he was lifted high on the cross, that he might draw the whole world to himself, and by his suffering and death, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who put their trust in him. 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. We give thanks to you, oh god, for the goodness and love which you have made known to us in creation, in the calling of Israel to be your people, in your word spoken through the prophets, and above all, in the word made flesh, Jesus your son. For in these last days, you sent him to be incarnate from the Virgin Mary, to be the saviour and redeemer of the world. In him, you have delivered us from evil, and made us worthy to stand before you. In him, you have brought us out of error into truth, out of sin to righteousness, out of death into life. On the night before he died for us, 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, according to his command, oh Father, we remember his death, we proclaim his resurrection. We await his coming and glory. And we offer our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to you, oh Lord of all, presenting to you from your creation, this bread and this wine. We pray you, gracious God, to send your Holy Spirit upon these gifts, that they may be the sacrament of the body of Christ, and his blood of the new covenant. Unite us your son in his sacrifice that we may be acceptable through him, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit, in the fullness of time, but all things in subjection under your Christ, and bring us to that heavenly country, where with all your saints, we may enter the everlasting heritage of your sons and daughters, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, the firstborn of all creation, the head of the church, and the author of our salvation, 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. And now as our savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say, 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. The gifts of God for the people of God. Take them in remembrance that Christ died for you and feed on him in your hearts by faith with thanksgiving. Towards a shoe and We continue on page fourteen In order that all may receive Holy Eucharist, Brad Follett will take communion to Julie Wood today. In the name of this congregation, we send you forth bearing these holy gifts, that those to whom you go, may share with us in the communion of Christ's body and blood. We who are many are one body, because we all share in one bread, one cup. Amen. I invite you to and for our 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. Bow down before the Lord. Almighty God, we pray you graciously to behold this, your family, for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed, and given into the hands of sinners, and to suffer death upon the cross, who lives and reigns forever and ever. Beloved, let us go forth in the name of Christ. Thanks be to god. It's gotta be awesome. I was going to stand there behind him too