Printable services for those unable to attend St C

St Clement Church Community Palm Sunday Service

Good morning to you all as we celebrate our Palm Sunday Service, the beginning of Holy Week.

We will be commemorating the day with a Eucharist service in our church building, this Service of the Word is if you are unable to attend, but we know we are all united in our worship and prayers.

We will be holding a Good Friday service in church at 10.15, but I shall endeavour to email round a Service of the Word for that day too.

May Christ’s love sustain you always.

Much love to you all,

Rev Di and family xx

Grace mercy and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be with us all. This is the day which the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Let us pray:

We have come in the name of Christ to offer our praise and thanksgiving, to hear and receive God’s holy word, to pray for the needs of the world, and to seek the forgiveness of our sins, that by the power of the Holy Spirit we may give ourselves to the service of God.

Amen.

The Beatitudes:

We hear God’s blessings bestowed on his people;

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness,

for they shall be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.

Blessed are those who suffer persecution for righteousness’ sake,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Confession

We have a time of quiet as we recall the times we fail to meet God’s ideal for us, his people.

Let us pray:

Most merciful God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we confess that we have sinned in thought, word and deed. We have not loved you with our whole heart. We have not loved our neighbours as ourselves. In your mercy forgive what we have been, help us to amend what we are, and direct what we shall be; that we may do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with you, our God. Amen.

Absolution

May God who loved the world so much that he sent his Son to be our Saviour, forgive us our sins and make us holy to serve him in the world, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Palm Sunday Collect

Let us pray:

Almighty and everlasting God, who in your tender love towards the human race sent your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ to take upon him our flesh and to suffer death upon the cross:

Grant that we may follow the example of his patience and humility,

And also be made partakers of his resurrection;

Through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you,

In the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Readings

Liturgy of the Palms

Gospel: Mark 11.1-11

(Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark.

Response: ‘Glory to you O Lord.’)

When Jesus and his disciples 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 Jesus 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.

This is the Gospel of the Lord

Response: ‘Praise to you, O Christ)

Liturgy of the Passion

Isaiah 50. 4-9a

Philippians 2.5-11

Gospel: Mark 14.1-15.47

(Hear the passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark.

Response: ‘Glory to you O Lord.’)

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.

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.

This is the passion of the Lord (No response is made)

Reflection:
Today marks the beginning of our walk through Holy Week. And it’s a week that can seem difficult as we move from the triumphal entry of Jesus on Palm Sunday into Maundy Thursday and the Last Supper.

Remember that it was during this meal the disciples, who thought they were gathering for the usual Passover, suddenly had Jesus turn to them and say, “This is my body given for you,” and “This is my blood of the new covenant.”

And with these gifts of body and blood, Jesus also told the disciples that they would all fall away and that one of them would betray him.

And by Friday, that had happened, Jesus had been abandoned by them, was tried and convicted, then nailed to a cross and left to die.

In just a matter of days Holy Week takes us from festive palms to Golgotha’s despair, and that’s what we find so difficult.

We might ask if we really need the emotional rollercoaster of Holy Week? What would be so wrong with just jumping from the Palm Parade to the celebration of Easter and skipping all the sacrifice and death stuff?

What’s wrong with simply moving on to the joy of Easter, with its Easter eggs, big roast dinner, and of course, the empty tomb? After all, an empty tomb, at face value, is a lot easier to deal with than a dying Saviour on a cross.

And add to that all the pain and suffering that comes with Holy Week, is it any wonder that the human tendency is to try and ignore such events and simply move on to the Easter celebration?

But as much as we’d like to skip Holy Week, we know that the only way to Easter is through the cross. That is to say, we know this in our heads, our hearts are another story. Our hearts may be more in sync with the disciples and the fear and disbelief that led them to run away.

And it would seem that over 2000 years later Jesus’ disciples are still running away.

The Lenten Season has been long, almost 40 days long, we began the Lent with ashes on our foreheads (albeit not physically this year) and by now those ashes have got pretty heavy.

Those ashes that Wednesday reminded us of our own mortality and the fact that our only hope is in God. And now, as we move into Holy Week, we follow Jesus from parade, to supper, to crucifixion, to a seemingly hopeless tomb.

We walk this Holy Week road acknowledging it’s loaded with everything in life that has the power to weigh us down and cause us pain, and so some might ask, “Why in the world would we do it then?

Well, because the experience of Holy Week not only provides us with the model of Jesus Christ who teaches us how to bear our burdens, but also it teaches us that Jesus Christ has borne our burdens in such a complete way that not even death can overwhelm us now.

What our walk through Holy Week reminds us of is the fact that pain has the power to change us, but God’s pain has the power to transform and resurrect us.

Which is great good news. But that doesn’t keep us from quietly harbouring a certain uneasiness about how the whole thing came about. We might wonder; “How could a God of love let this happen to his only Son?” Or, “If God let this happen to Jesus (who was perfect) what’s in store for me?”

The truth is, we want to ask this about all suffering, and all death: “Why does God continue to let cancer cells thrive, or a Covid pandemic decimate the world. Let alone the fact that children still starve in this day and age of plenty, and good, faithful people die in horrible ways?”

Those are good questions, and in many ways Holy Week embodies them all.

All the unfairness, all the injustice, all the mystery of not knowing, all the mystery of God’s ways.

Holy Week brings together all the joy and friendship of Jesus and his disciples, with all the pain and anguish of Jesus and his disciples.

Holy Week brings together all the joy of the Palms, with all the pain of the Passion; it brings together all the highs and lows of the lives we lead.

Holy Week doesn’t so much answer our questions as it confirms them by saying to us life isn’t fair, bad stuff happens to good people, death is a reality.

Holy Week confirms all of that for us, but adds significant words of hope; words that say; “And just when you think it’s all over...”

The Christian story doesn’t end with the death of Jesus.

The Christian story is about life, not death.

Holy Week brings the hope of God at work in human suffering, in the unfairness and injustices of the world.

God is at work to overcome these things not by making them disappear with the wave of a magic wand, but by transforming them into something meaningful, something useful and valuable.

It’s a word of good news; that just when we think it’s all over, the best is yet to come.

We need to hold fast to that.

I hope you will join me on the walk with Christ through this week and may we be stronger for it.

Amen

Affirmation of Faith

We say together what we believe about our faith.

We declare our faith in God, who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We believe in God the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named. We believe in God the Son, who lives in our hearts through faith, and fills us with his love. We believe in God the Holy Spirit, who strengthens us with power from on high. We believe in one God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Our Intercessions this week are written by Helen Dunbar

Lord Jesus, on that special day a donkey carried you into Jerusalem. Let it be our privilege to carry you into today’s Jerusalems, our world of trouble and terror. Let us bear your weight and be agents of your peace as you bring your kind judgement to a fallen world.

We pray in particular for all suffering persecution and the death of innocent women and children in the violence in Myanmar, including a seven-year-old girl who was shot by security forces on Wednesday.

We think of all people around the world whose lives have been made difficult by the pandemic, whether through losing loved ones or through loss of income due to economic changes. All people living in poverty struggling to make ends meet, living in accommodation that is not fit for purpose and not having the home comforts that we take for granted.