Worship at home.  W/B 28th March 2026

Dave Elliott

Prayer:

Lord be with us at the start of this special week, as we celebrate your arrival in Jerusalem.

Amen

HYMN: 262  Singing the Faith

All glory Laud and Honour to thee Redeemer King.

Prayer:

God of the journey of the beginning and the end, and the promise of new beginnings. We come to worship you today and we remember your journey into Jerusalem. Be with us in our worship, help us to see your courage, your love and your preparation for this Holy Week. We thank you that we can worship you and that we can witness your love every day but very much in this coming Holy Week.

Amen.

The Lords Prayer:

So we say the prayer that Jesus taught us saying ;Our father who art in heaven..

Hymn: 265 'Ride on ride on in majesty

Reading:

Matthew ch 21 v 1-11.

Today's gospel tells the story of Jesus entering Jerusalem.  It is in Matthew ch 21 v 1-11.

Message:

In our reading today Matthew as is his custom, wants to show us that Jesus is fulfilling events prophesied in the Old Testament. In Psalm 118 he comes in humble obedience to God.  This Psalm is sung at Passover. Matthew also quotes the Prophets in v 5 'See your King comes to you riding on a donkey'.

So Jesus is making his way to Jerusalem the Holy City, knowing that in the Passover festival the place would be crowded and there would be a heightened awareness of  Jesus' presence. The Passover is possibly the most important Jewish festival. It celebrated God calling the Israelites out of slavery and their journey through the wilderness to the promised land. Jesus also in his journey into Jerusalem is promising his people, you and me, a new beginning based on his death on the cross and his glorious resurrection. This Palm Sunday is the start of the journey to those great events.

For us, today is about standing up for what we believe, as Jesus did on that first Palm Sunday. We also have events in our lives when we know life isn't going to be easy. Events when we may be called to state our faith, say what we really believe as Christians about life issues. Sometimes we are called to make this witness not always in an easy way. Yet today reminds us that if we are to follow Jesus then that journey with him has to be all the way through hard and through good times. We don't often go on religious processions although I remember when we used to walk with the cross on Good Friday along the streets of Coulby Newham. So how do we show our witness?  Who do we bring to Jesus? By our words, or our actions? How do we witness? by going to church, by saying what we believe?  People say don't get involved in religious debates, well sometimes we have to to show where we stand.  

Today Palm Sunday, makes me feel the challenge of standing up for what I believe. This week also shows me the power and the courage Jesus showed on that day when he entered Jerusalem,. He didn't come as a great warrior, but in humility riding on a humble donkey. This was also a sign that the battle was won, and another one about to begin. So I wish you a special Holy Week, in which we need to pray and  study the Scriptures as we look at how Jesus prepared for his death and his resurrection. We too walk with him, all the way.

Amen.

Hymn:264 'Make way'

Prayers:

We pray Lord God that we may be brave and strong in our faith, always able to stand up for what we believe. Help us to follow you all the days of our lives that even in difficult times we may know you are with us and that you lead us onwards. Lord as we look to the cross we are filled with sadness that you should die for us, and in so many ways stand up against evil people to fulfil  your ministry for us. Bless us in this Holy Week that we may learn more of you and of that strength and courage you demand from us.

Bless and be with all who have difficulty following their faith. Those who have to stand up and be counted.

Be with the people we love today; our families and our friends. Be with all who are ill at this time, those who are lonely those suffering depression. Bless all who care for them in so many different ways. Lord we pray for this troubled world, for the people who are suffering, whatever their nationality, from the horrors of war, of killing and destruction. Bless and be with all in power in our World that they may be given the courage to make a difference.  

Lastly we pray for forgiveness when we have missed opportunities to lift up our Cross for you. Hear our prayers in the name of Jesus.

Amen.

Hymn:

STF 272  'From heaven you came helpless babe'

Prayer:

Lord as we go with you into this Holy Week, hold us close, help us to be with you. The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Love of God and the power of the Holy Spirit be with us today and with all God's people.

Amen