A long tradition of shared worship continues as we mark Good Friday. Thank you to the Rev. Dr. Lance Odland for sharing in the preparation of this service and reflecting on the Good News of Jesus Christ through Romans 6.5-7. Many thanks to Taye and Jenny for special music.

PRELUDE

OPENING PRAYER:

Holy One, speak to us again
as we hear of the suffering and death of Jesus.
May we hear your Word
above the shouts of the crowd,
and hearing,
may we follow faithfully,
even to the cross.
We pray in the name of Jesus,
who died for us. Amen.

HYMN: Jesus keep me near the cross

Jesus, keep me near the cross;
there a precious fountain,
free to all, a healing stream,
flows from Calvary’s mountain.
In the cross, in the cross,
be my glory ever,
till my raptured soul shall find
rest beyond the river.

Near the cross, a trembling soul,
love and mercy found me;
there the bright and morning star
sheds its beams around me. R

Near the cross! O Lamb of God,
bring its scenes before me;
help me walk from day to day
with its shadow o’er me. R

Near the cross I’ll watch and wait,
hoping, trusting ever,
till I reach the golden strand
just beyond the river. R

PRAYER OF CONFESSION:

And this is the judgment:
that the truth has come into the world,
and we loved our illusions,
rather than reality.
God is true:
in God there is no falseness at all.
For God was in Jesus,
not to condemn the world,
but to restore the world.
Everyone who does evil hates the truth
and does not live in the spirit of love.
But all who do what is true,
live in the Spirit. Amen.

SILENT REFLECTION AND SUNG RESPONSE:

Christ, you lead and we shall follow,
stumbling though our steps may be,
one with you in joy and sorrow,
we the river, you the sea,
we the river, you the sea.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

God will give us what we need:
strength for today,
hope for tomorrow,
and forgiveness
for all that is past.
Amen.

FIRST READING: Psalm 22.1-18

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Why are you so far from helping me,
from the cry of my distress?
O my God, I cry out in the daytime, but you do not answer;
at night also, but I get no relief.
But you are the Holy One,
enthroned upon the praises of Israel.
In you our ancestors trusted;
they trusted, and you delivered them.
They called to you, and you rescued them.
In you they put their trust,
and you did not disappoint them.
But I am a worm, less than human,
an object of derision, an outcast of the people.
All those who see me laugh me to scorn,
they curl their lips and toss their heads, saying:
‘You trusted in God for deliverance.
If God cares for you, let God rescue you!’
But you are the One who took me out of the womb.
You kept me safe on my mother’s breast.
On you have I depended from my birth.
Even from my mother’s womb,
you have been my God.
Do not be far from me, for trouble is close at hand,
and there is no one to help me.
Many bulls encircle me,
strong bulls of Bashan surround me.
They open wide their mouths at me,
like a ravenous, roaring lion.
My life pours out like water;
all my bones are out of joint;
my heart has melted like wax within my breast;
my mouth is parched as dry clay;
my tongue clings to my palate.
I lie in the dust of death.
Dogs surround me;
the wicked hem me in on every side.
They bind my hands and my feet;
I can count all my bones,
while they stand staring, gloating over me.
They divide my garments among themselves;
they cast lots for my clothing.

SECOND READING: Romans 6.5-7

5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— 7 because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.

REFLECTION:

For most of the year we celebrate the new life given to us through Jesus Christ, rejoicing in God’s grace and walking in the Spirit. On Good Friday, however, the cross of Christ looms before us. In a world where the Easter bunny is an “essential service” and chocolate eggs fly off the shelves as fast as toilet paper, where many at this time of year think mainly about family feasts, we hold forth Christ’s crucifixion as what has saved human beings from utter destruction. Jesus was executed in our place. On our behalf he was put to death; for our sake he died and was buried. His death was “once for all,” serving to restore relationship with God, however mysteriously, for all who in and through and with him come to know God as Father.

Death, assuredly, has a gravitas which we cannot dismiss since everything living comes to an end. While many consider this to be simply the order of nature, the circle of life, the dead passing away, or as some say, passing, death is revealed in Scripture to be both a physical and a spiritual reality, the consequence of sin, the inescapable end-point of living apart from God. Since every human being has at some point spurned God and been consigned to disobedience by the holy One (see Romans 11:32), every human being suffers death of body and soul.

Indeed, the New Testament does not shy from the truth that even the living are as good as dead, our self-directed lives judged as missing the mark of God’s holiness. Apart from Christ, we are without hope; apart from Christ, everything and everyone perishes. Yet Christ died to put an end to our death-dealing ways, laying down his life for us. Now, if we have been united with Jesus Christ in baptism, then we have been crucified with him and are to think of ourselves as dead to sin, our old sin-ruined selves put to death and buried.

But death has lost its sting! We have been given a living hope since Christ has been raised to God’s right hand in order to lead us into eternal and abundant life. While united with Christ in his death, we now live united with him in his resurrection, granted new life apart from sin through the gift of the Spirit. This God-centered life is Christ-given, a life in communion with Jesus, a life of service and sacrifice, wherein God’s will is done and not our own; and there is joy, eternal joy!

So, even on Good Friday we are able to rejoice, singing songs of love for the one who died on the cross. Now we truly know that the love of God in Christ never passes away.

SPECIAL MUSIC

THIRD READING: Galatians 2.19-20

19 “For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

REFLECTION:

I’m sure you’ve met someone who is best described as animated. When we say someone is animated, they are generally “full of life” or uniquely spirited, maybe they seem excited or particularly energetic. And then there is the other meaning of animated: when a character is “brought to life” through animation—more commonly called cartoons.

And it is this second meaning—brought to life—that gets to the heart of Paul’s massage. When Paul says “I no longer live, but Christ lives in me,” he is talking about being animated by the presence of Christ within him. Crucified with Christ, the old Paul (Saul) is gone, and the new Paul lives—by faith—with the Son of God within him. He is a new person.

In many ways, the letters of Paul represent working out the meaning. Paul is writing to others, but you get the sense that he is also writing to himself. On the road to Damascus, he was crucified with Christ: learning that his life was no longer his own, and that the one who loves him, lives in him. Paul is desperate to help people understand that what happened to him can happen to others—in the cross.

Good Friday is overwhelming. When we enter the story, we are never bystanders. We feel the pain and the shame, the tension and the terror, and we are changed. Peter Abelard said that just hearing the story can turn hearts of stone to hearts of flesh. Whoever has “ears to hear” (as Jesus loved to say) will be transformed by the telling, and can become a new person.

So we are animated, transformed, and renewed. And like Paul, we respond to this gift by sharing it with others. We become witnesses to the saving power of God, and take on the task of “liberating others from whatever prevents them from fulfilling themselves as human beings and as daughters and sons of God.” (Gutierrez) The result is a world made new.

May the God of self-giving transform us once more, ever alive in Christ. Amen.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

This prayer, from the Church of England, allows us to pray through the details of Christ’s passion.

Let us pray to God
who loved the world so much that he sent his only Son
to give us life.

Simon from Cyrene was forced to carry the cross for your Son.
Give us grace to lift heavy loads from those we meet
and to stand with those condemned to die.

Lord, in your mercy.
Hear our prayer.

Your Son watched the soldiers gamble to share his clothes.
Transform the hearts of those who make a profit from their victims,
and those whose hearts are hardened by their work.

Lord, in your mercy.
Hear our prayer.

The thief, who was crucified with Jesus,
was promised a place in your kingdom.
Give pardon and hope, healing and peace
to all who look death in the face.

Lord, in your mercy.
Hear our prayer.

From the cross Jesus entrusted Mary his mother
and John his disciple to each other’s care.
Help us also to care for one another
and fill our homes with the spirit of your love.

Lord, in your mercy.
Hear our prayer.

In Mary and John your Son created a new family at the cross.
Fill our relationships,
and those of new families today,
with mutual care and responsibility,
and give us a secure hope for the future.

Lord, in your mercy.
Hear our prayer.

The centurion was astonished to see your glory in the
crucified Messiah.
Open the eyes of those who do not know you
to see in your Son the meaning of life and death.

Lord, in your mercy.
Hear our prayer.

Joseph of Arimathaea came to take your Son’s body away.
Give hope and faith to the dying and bereaved,
and gentleness to those who minister to them.

Lord, in your mercy.
Hear our prayer.

Simon and Joseph, Mary and John
became part of your Church in Jerusalem.
Bring into your Church today a varied company of people,
to walk with Christ in the way of his passion
and to find their salvation in the victory of his cross.

Lord, in your mercy.
Hear our prayer.

and make us one in heart and mind
to serve you in Christ our Lord.
Amen.

THE 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,
for ever and ever. Amen.

HYMN: What wondrous love is this, O my soul

What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul,
what wondrous love is this, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this
that caused the Lord of bliss
to bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul,
to bear the dreadful curse for my soul.

What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul,
what wondrous love is this, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this,
that caused the Lord of life
to lay aside his crown for my soul, for my soul,
to lay aside his crown for my soul.

To God and to the Lamb I will sing, I will sing,
to God and to the Lamb I will sing;
to God and to the Lamb, who is the great I Am,
while millions join the theme I will sing, I will sing;
while millions join the theme I will sing.

And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on,
and when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on;
and when from death I’m free, I’ll sing and joyful be,
and through eternity I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on,
and through eternity I’ll sing on.

BLESSING

May you find in the cross
a sure ground for faith,
a firm support for hope,
and the assurance of sins forgiven.
And may the blessing of God
go with you, now and for ever more.
Amen.

SONG TO GO FORTH

Christ, you lead and we shall follow,
stumbling though our steps may be,
one with you in joy and sorrow,
we the river, you the sea,
we the river, you the sea.

Maundy is an Old English word derived from the Latin mandatum meaning “commandment.” Jesus commanded his friends to love one another, no matter the circumstances, whether together or apart. Today (or tonight) we commemorate one gathering and two rituals. The first, foot-washing, we will mark by taking time during the service to wash our hands. If you are sheltering with one or more people, perhaps you can wash each other’s hands. Next, we remember the Last Supper, and we encourage you to break bread and lift an appropriate beverage—juice or wine—as you reenact this meal. While it is not communion, we celebrate our common life nonetheless. Take time to prepare these elements before you begin.

CALL TO WORSHIP:

Of all nights, why do we gather on this night?
We gather to find the living God,
here, amid the gathering darkness,
and the approaching gloom.

And where is our God to be found?
With his friends, giving them comfort—
while those who would harm him
plot his destruction.

Did he not predict this moment, just days ago?
Jesus said: “Destroy this temple,
and I will raise it again in three days.”
For tonight, though, the meaning is unclear.

What more can he do on this night of nights?
Jesus will wash the feet of those dear to him,
to show that the Master is truly a servant,
and the least and the last are the greatest of all.

And how will it end, this night of such darkness?
A table is set and soon we will gather,
where words of remembrance and glory will tell—
the fruit of the field and the vineyard we’ll share.

And what of the meaning, eternity’s purpose?
The day that shall follow will see it revealed,
when cross and crowd will conspire together:
the wondrous result, too precious to name.

OPENING PRAYER AND SUNG RESPONSE:

Holy God,
we come to worship in the gathering shadows
of Jesus’ suffering and death.
We gather with a cloud of witnesses,
to experience love in action:
service and sacrifice,
commemoration and grace.
Stand with us as we remember,
and encourage us, as mark this day.
Amen.

Christ, let us come with you
to the upper room where the feast is laid,
to the bread and wine where our peace is made:
Christ, let us come with you!

FIRST READING: John 13.1-5, 12-17

It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.
2 The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

HANDWASHING

SUNG RESPONSE:

Teach us your serving love:
to become as friends, to become as one
that the world believe what your life has done:
teach us your serving love.

THE LAST SUPPER

As we begin, tell me about this God we worship.
God is comfort in a time of confusion,
A companion in the darkness of our fear.
Even in the face of death and betrayal, God is with us.

And what of Jesus, where can we find him?
Jesus is setting the table of heaven,
a table of the broken, the outcast, the sinner.
He sets a place for each of us, calling our name.

What happened on the night he was betrayed?
Jesus met his friends in a room just like this one,
around a table, just like this one,
with friends and disciples, like you and me.

And what did he say to his loving companions?
This bread that I break is my body now broken,
The wine that I pour is my blood shed for you:
To each time remember you do this for me.

What is the mystery revealed on this night?
Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.

And what is the hope we proclaim at this table?
We hope that the Spirit will once more descend,
on us and on others at tables like this one:
as the body of Christ is present tonight.

Bless then, this table, the One and the Three:
Through Christ and with Christ,
in Christ and the Spirit, all glory is yours.
Both now and forever—the God we adore. Amen.

The 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, for ever and ever. Amen.

THE LOVE FEAST

Partake or share the simple elements.

SUNG RESPONSE:

Christ of the open hands,
you have brought us close to be loved and fed,
you have touched our life, now you walk ahead:
Christ, let us come with you!

SECOND READING: Psalm 116

I love you, God, because you heard my voice
when I made supplication,
because you turned your ear to me,
when I called upon your name.
The cords of death entangled me,
and the pangs of the Grave laid hold on me;
I suffered distress and anguish.
Then I called upon the name of God:
‘O God, I pray, save my life.’
How can I repay you, God,
for all the good things you have done for me?
I will take up the cup of salvation,
and call upon the name of God.
I will pay my vows
in the presence of all God’s people. Amen.

BLESSING

Even as we turn away, Lord,
you cannot turn away.
Even in the face of denial and betrayal,
you never turn away.
Even in death, death on the cross,
you will never turn away.
To you be the glory, Lord,
now and ever, Amen.

HOLY WEEK SERVICES

Our shift online in the midst of crisis allows us to embrace the tradition of Holy Week services. From Holy Monday to Holy Saturday, we will share a short service each day—as we prepare for the resurrection of our Lord.

SCRIPTURE SENTENCES

Let all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you.
Let those who love your salvation say evermore, “God is great!”
But I am poor and needy; hasten to me, O God!
You are my help and my deliverer;
O LORD, do not delay! —Psalm 70.4-5

PRAYER:

You, Lord, are our help and our deliverer:
you rescue us when we falter,
and you hold us in our time of need.
Draw close, this day,
and help us as we pray.
Surround us with your Spirit,
and remind us of the great cloud of witnesses
that are ever near.
In the name of our Redeemer, we pray.
Amen.

READING: Hebrews 12.1-3

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary or lose heart.

REFLECTION

The art of theological reflection means drawing the Word together with our experience, and discovering something new about both. Pondering this passage from Hebrews, I would say that the image of running a race is pretty far removed from what is happening right now. Certainly, we must have perseverance in the face of this crisis, but a race is not the first image I would reach for.

Unless it’s a marathon. Like this crisis, a marathon is something to be endured. It’s uncomfortable, it’s unnatural, and even those who train can falter. There is also the same emotional range: lighter moments, some fear, and even anger. One of our coaches said that there would be a moment—after about 35 kilometres—that we might lash out: and sure enough, it happened. This is my confession.

The reason we read this passage in Holy Week is much the same. Lent and Holy Week can feel like a marathon, making our way to the cross and all that the journey entails. Those who have spent time in candid self-reflection may feel shame. Some grow weary, and some may lose heart. But Jesus endured the cross for sinners, dying that we might live. Recall that his last word, on that far away hill, was “forgive.”

HYMN: Take up your cross (verse 2)

Take up your cross; let not its weight
fill your weak spirit with alarm;
Christ’s strength shall bear your spirit up,
and brace your heart, and nerve your arm.

PRAYER

Help us, God,
to persevere in prayer.
Guide our hearts as we turn to you,
and give us the words
to express our need for your aid.
Help those dear to us,
and help the countless others who struggle
in the face of illness and death.
Remember everyone assisting others:
give them courage
and help them endure.
We pray in the name of the pioneer
and perfecter of our faith,
Jesus the Christ, Amen.

BLESSING:

Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way,
and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless
until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. Amen.
—1 Thessalonians 5:23

HOLY WEEK SERVICES

Our shift online in the midst of crisis allows us to embrace the tradition of Holy Week services. From Holy Monday to Holy Saturday, we will share a short service each day—as we prepare for the resurrection of our Lord.

SCRIPTURE SENTENCES:

In you, O LORD, I take refuge;
let me never be put to shame.
In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me;
incline your ear to me and save me.
Be to me a rock of refuge, a strong fortress, to save me,
for you are my rock and my fortress. —Psalm 71.1-3

PRAYER:

We would see Jesus, Lord,
and stand in his presence.
We know that his hour draws near,
and more will be the glory.
Draw us nearer to the week ahead,
allow us to pray with him,
and wait with him,
and follow him.
And remind us, God, of the great reversal:
that the one who could use saving
chose to save us instead.
Amen.

READING: John 12.20-26

20 Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the festival. 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.
23 Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. 25 Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.

REFLECTION

Pity the poor Greeks. They arrived at the eleventh hour of Jesus’ earthly ministry. They were too late. Yet they become a proxy for everyone who seeks to see Jesus, who seeks to understand the life he offers. The simple phrase (“Sir, we would see Jesus”) has become part of Christian memory: that there will always be those who want to know more, to understand Jesus and his way.

Still, we can ask: were they too late? Reading between the lines, there may be more here. John carefully records the steps taken in the story: Greeks ask Philip, Philip asks Andrew, Philip and Andrew ask Jesus, and the response is made. I think it’s fair to assume that Andrew and Philip carried this message back to the Greeks—meaning that they still learned the Good News: the Seed that dies will live, and produce more seeds for eternal life.

Finally, the lateness of the hour, and the hurried response, was only part of the story. They did not have the audience they sought, but they were witnesses to all that happened in the Holy City. They get to witness the turmoil, the crowds, the rituals of Roman justice, and Calvary itself. They weren’t too late—they were just in time. They (and we) get to experience the week ahead. May we walk together. Amen.

HYMN: My faith looks up to Thee (verse 2)

While life’s dark maze I tread,
and griefs around me spread, be thou my guide,
bid darkness turn to day;
wipe sorrow’s tears away;
nor let me ever stray from thee aside.

PRAYER

You will never let us be put to shame, Lord.
The passion that leads to death,
is never a source of shame for us—
but the path to eternal life.
Help us prepare for the time to come.
Allow us:
to pray the words you pray,
to cry the tears you cry,
to carry the cross you bear.
Save us from the time of trial,
incline your ear and deliver us,
And hear us as we pray. Amen.

BLESSING:

Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way,
and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless
until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. Amen.
—1 Thessalonians 5:23

HOLY WEEK SERVICES

Our shift online in the midst of crisis allows us to embrace the tradition of Holy Week services. From Holy Monday to Holy Saturday, we will share a short service each day—as we prepare for the resurrection of our Lord.

SCRIPTURE SENTENCES:

People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
They feast on the abundance of your house;
you give them drink from your river of delights.
For with you is the fountain of life;
in your light we see light. —Psalm 36.7-9

PRAYER:

Gracious God,
we have traveled this way before:
The journey up to Jerusalem is long,
and the road is hard,
but we travel with you by our side.
Help us, this day, to call to mind
our first, halting steps toward toward
the passion of Jesus Christ.
Remind us that the journey is as important
as the destination, and that our formation
as your disciples, is always one step at a time.
Amen.

READING: Isaiah 42.1-4

“Here is my servant, whom I uphold,
my chosen one in whom I delight;
I will put my Spirit on him,
and he will bring justice to the nations.
He will not shout or cry out,
or raise his voice in the streets.
A bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.
In faithfulness he will bring forth justice;
he will not falter or be discouraged
till he establishes justice on earth.
In his teaching the islands will put their hope.”

REFLECTION

From the very beginning, disciples and new believers turned to scripture to understand what they were experiencing. It follows then, that they would look to Isaiah for insights into Jesus. He was (for them) the “servant of the Lord.” They understood that God delighted in him, and that he brought to life much of what the prophet described.

The best single-word summary of the passage might be fortitude. It’s an old word, fortitude, coming from the Latin fortis meaning brave. Anyone familiar with heraldry will recognize fortis, appearing on numerous coats of arms. But fortitude is more than bravery, it’s also courage in pain or adversity: the bruised reed that will not break, and the smouldering wick that cannot to put out.

It is fortitude that our Lord and Saviour will need as the events of the week unfold. But this is not courage for his own sake, but rather for our sake. God’s Spirit is within him: to bring justice to the earth, and teach us the ways of God. We will be shown his righteousness, that we might cast the same light and show others.

HYMN: Be still, my soul

Be still, my soul, for God is on your side;
bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.
Trust in your God, your saviour and your guide,
who through all changes faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul, your best, your heavenly friend
through stormy ways leads to a peaceful end.

PRAYER

God of reed and smoldering wick,
you will neither break nor be extinguished.
We turn to you in the most difficult times,
trusting you will never falter,
nor be discouraged.
Encourage us, in this time,
and give us good courage.
As we shelter, remind us that we do so
under the shadow of your wings,
and beside the fountain of life.
Protect those dear to us,
and strengthen those who serve us.
And help us to put our trust in you.
In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

BLESSING:

Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way,
and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless
until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.
—1 Thessalonians 5:23

We remain in unfamiliar territory, marking Palm Sunday online. Many thanks to our young people, creating a virtual palm parade for us to enjoy. We pray that the Holy Spirit will speak through what follows, offering a sense of comfort and connection. Special thanks to Dave Hewitt, singing “Sweet Hour of Prayer.” Please feel free to forward this service to others.

PRELUDE: “What a Wondrous Hope” by Heather Sorensen

OPENING PRAYER

Hosanna in the highest!
Blessed is the one who comes
in the name of the Lord!
Hosanna in the highest!
We shout “save us” Lord,
trusting that you alone are our salvation,
the rock on which we stand.
Find us in the crowd, God,
and hear our cry!
Whether our steps are halting,
or we rush ahead,
we remain one people:
blessed is the one who comes in your name.
Hosanna in the highest!

HYMN OF PRAISE: All glory, laud and honour

R: All glory, laud and honour
to you, Redeemer, King,
to whom the lips of children
made sweet hosannas ring.

You are the King of Israel,
and David’s royal son,
now in the Lord’s name coming,
our King and blessed one. R

The multitude of pilgrims
with palms before you went;
our praise and prayer and anthems
before you we present. R

To you, before your passion,
they sang their hymns of praise;
to you, now high exalted,
our melody we raise. R

Their praises you accepted;
accept the prayers we bring,
great author of all goodness,
O good and gracious king. R

Words and music by Theodulph/Teschner

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

We love a parade!
We love to get what we want.
We love for things to unfold
according to our plan
and not the divine plan—
a plan that remains a mystery to our eyes.
Help us to trust in you, O God,
and help us to set aside our desire for your desire,
and our will for your will, now and always. Amen.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

God will give us what we need:
strength for today,
hope for tomorrow,
and forgiveness
for all that is past.
Amen.

FIRST LESSON: Psalm 118.19-29

Open for me the gates of the righteous;
I will enter and give thanks to the Lord.
This is the gate of the Lord
through which the righteous may enter.
I will give you thanks, for you answered me;
you have become my salvation.
The stone the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;
the Lord has done this,
and it is marvelous in our eyes.
The Lord has done it this very day;
let us rejoice today and be glad.
Lord, save us!
Lord, grant us success!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
From the house of the Lord we bless you.[a]
The Lord is God,
and he has made his light shine on us.
With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession
up to the horns of the altar.
You are my God, and I will praise you;
you are my God, and I will exalt you.
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever.

SECOND LESSON: Matthew 21.1-11

As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”
4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:
5 “Say to Daughter Zion,
‘See, your king comes to you,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”
6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. 8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,
“Hosanna to the Son of David!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”
11 The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

HYMN: Tell me the stories of Jesus

Tell me the stories of Jesus I love to hear,
things I would ask him to tell me if he were here:
scenes by the wayside, tales of the sea,
stories of Jesus, tell them to me.

First let me hear how the children stood round his knee,
and I shall fancy his blessing resting on me;
words full of kindness, deeds full of grace,
all in the lovelight of Jesus’ face.

Tell me, in accents of wonder, how rolled the sea
tossing the boat in a tempest on Galilee!
And how the Master, ready and kind,
chided the billows and hushed the wind.

Into the city I’d follow the children’s band,
waving a branch of the palm tree high in my hand;
one of his heralds, yes, I would sing
loudest hosannas! Jesus is king!

Show me that scene in the garden of bitter pain;
and of the cross where my Saviour for me was slain.
Sad ones or bright ones, so that they be
stories of Jesus, tell them to me.

Words and music by Parker/Challinor

REFLECTION

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

In my mind’s eye, the palms are waving, having shared the keyword “Hosanna!” (there, did it again).  I hope you have some sort of rudimentary palm branch nearby—window blind maybe, or unravel a toilet paper roll.  And thanks again to our younger members, who have been busy improvising since midweek. “Hosanna!”

One of the curious aspects of the Palm Sunday story is the ever-growing nature of the audience.  Like the “one that got away,” the size of the crowd grows with each retelling. In Mark, written first, “many people” gather to greet Jesus.  In Luke and Matthew we go from “a whole crowd of disciples” to a “very large crowd.” And finally, in John’s Gospel, a “great crowd” forms to welcome the one who comes in the name of the Lord.

Based on the evidence presented then, we can assume it was a small crowd—not socially-isolated small—but small nonetheless.  And this assumption, rather than diminish the story, makes it more dramatic. In any form of protest there is safety in numbers—and in this case there was not.  These brave few took a big risk that day, something that seems to get lost in the excitement of the day.

The primary clue will come a week from now, when the disciples will lock themselves away for fear of the authorities.  And this tells us that danger was present in this earlier episode, but more an implied danger than the overt danger that will follow the events of Good Friday.  So, excitement and fear, in equal measure, as Jesus enters Jerusalem that day.

It’s hard to make a direct comparison to what we are collectively experiencing, but I’m going to try.  These days we are trying to walk each day, usually down to the lake, through a fairly quiet residential neighbourhood.  Even still, there are a few people around, with everyone trying to do the polite thing and make space. So, there is the excitement of getting out of the house, and the fear which is now implied in every encounter on the street.  And it’s a complex fear: fear that we’re scaring others, fear that we’re offending others when we scramble across the street, and fear—of course—that someone we meet may be ill. It’s a mix of the rational and the irrational, and it’s a way of living that I pray is short lived.  But here we are.

Having shared all that, I think you can see the parallel I’m beginning to draw.  Imagine the mixture of excitement and fear as Jesus does this new thing. Even his initial instructions (“If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them”) suggests confrontation.  By the end of the story the whole city was in turmoil, asking, “Who is this?” The extra character in the story is the anonymous other: the one who might demand an explanation, or the one who might bristle at this overt act of defiance.  The whole city becomes a character, and the description “was in turmoil,” which actually tells us very little.

Why turmoil?  Well, the answer is in the text, because soon after dismounting the animal he has been riding, Jesus heads straight for the Temple.  You know the story— he’s turning over tables, he’s making an improvised whip of cords, and he’s explaining as he goes: “This house of prayer,” he says, “has become a den of robbers.”  He pauses to heal some people—he always pauses to heal some people—and then the fight comes. As the words “Hosanna to the Son of David,” still surround him, the so-called religious ones protest: “Do you hear what we hear,” they ask, but Jesus has a verse.  He always has a psalm in his back pocket, this time from Psalm 8:

From the lips of children and infants
you, Lord, have called forth your praise.

Again, it’s praise but it’s also protest.  By blessing the “one who comes in the name of the Lord” they are also blessing his program, the program where “the blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.” (Luke 7.22)  In other words, the existing order is coming to an end and a new creation is dawning. Friday may be a bump on the road, but the road still leads to a new heaven and a new earth.  

And change on this scale is always threatening.  One of the unknowns in this current crisis is what happens next.  There are questions about underfunding in healthcare and public health, but larger questions about income inequality, mounting personal debt, and the cost of housing.  Do we rush back to “the way things were” or do we take time to reflect on how our current structures have made this crisis even worse?  

The end of our passage is also a good place to end.  “Who is this?” an anxious city asks. And the answer comes back: “This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.”  Remember this name, and hold a place in your heart. He comes in the name of the Lord, and his name is blessed. Hosanna (“save us”) the people say, and the wonders begin.  Amen.

MUSIC: “Sweet Hour of Prayer” by William W. Walford

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

This prayer was published by the United Church of Canada as part of our denomination’s response to COVID-19.

We pray for those who struggle.
We pray for those who struggle at this time of huge uncertainty;
for political leaders faced with unforeseen challenges, uncharted ways, difficult decisions,
Holy One, we will acknowledge wise choices, we will offer words of support.

We pray for those who struggle.
We pray for those in situations never before experienced.
We pray for moms and dads who struggle with having children at home all day.
It is difficult to find new activities; it is hard to stay creative.
Holy One, we will listen carefully to the challenges, we will encourage fresh ways of communication with good friends.

We pray for those who struggle,
We pray for those whose day is radically different.
We pray for those who must leave their usual workspace,
for those breadwinners who must work at home.
Holy One, we will support the new priorities, and be patient with ourselves and others.

We pray for those who struggle.
We pray for those who have lost their jobs
We pray for those whose financial security has gone,,
who have anxiety around paying rent or providing for family needs .
Holy One, we will be there in the testing times, we will assure them of their self-worth.

We pray for those who struggle.
We pray for those who have been affected by the Covid 19 virus.
Those who are sick at home and those who have been hospitalized, in their suffering, and in their fear.
Holy One, we will hear and respond to their distress, we will be a safe but compassionate presence to their loved ones.

This prayer we offer in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

THE 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,
for ever and ever. Amen.

HYMN: My song is love unknown

My song is love unknown,
my Saviour’s love to me,
love to the loveless shown that they might lovely be.
O who am I that for my sake
my Lord should take frail flesh, and die?

He came from his blest throne
salvation to bestow,
but people scorned, and none the longed-for Christ would know.
But O my Friend, my Friend indeed,
who at my need his life did spend!

Sometimes they strew his way,
and his sweet praises sing,
resounding all the day hosannas to their King.
Then ‘Crucify!’ is all their breath,
and for his death they thirst and cry.

Here might I stay and sing,
no story so divine;
never was love, dear King, never was grief like thine!
This is my friend, in whose sweet praise
I all my days could gladly spend.

Words by Samuel Crossman

BLESSING

God’s goodness and mercy follow you.
Christ’s compassion surround you.
The Spirit dwell with you
–in the house of the Lord–
now and forever.
Amen.

SONG TO GO FORTH

God be with you till we meet again;
loving counsels guide, uphold you,
with a shepherd’s care enfold you;
God be with you till we meet again.

Words and music by Rankin/Williams

We appreciate the kind words following our last virtual worship. We pray that the Holy Spirit will speak through what follows, offering a sense of comfort and connection. Please feel free to forward this service to others.

PRELUDE: Lord, listen to your children praying

Lord, listen to your children praying,
Lord, send your Spirit in this place;
Lord, listen to your children praying,
Send us love, send us pow’r, send us grace.

OPENING PRAYER

Gather us, God,
from the solitary places
from every form of shelter
from all that separates us.

Gather us, God,
from a time of trouble
from a time of trepidation
from every type of trial.

Gather us, God,
when only prayer can bind us
when only love can hold us
when only life in Christ can lead us home.
Amen.

HYMN OF PRAISE: When morning gilds the skies

When morning gilds the skies,
my heart awakening cries:
may Jesus Christ be praised!
When evening shadows fall,
this rings my curfew call:
may Jesus Christ be praised!

To God, the Word on high,
the hosts of angels cry:
may Jesus Christ be praised!
Let mortals, too, upraise
their voice in hymns of praise:
may Jesus Christ be praised!

Let all of humankind
in this their concord find:
may Jesus Christ be praised!
Let all the earth around
ring joyous with the sound:
may Jesus Christ be praised!

Be this, while life is mine,
my canticle divine:
may Jesus Christ be praised!
Be this th’eternal song,
through all the ages long:
may Jesus Christ be praised!

Words and music by Casual/Barnby

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Jesus said:
“I am the resurrection and the life.”
We seek the life you give, Lord
Life abundant
Life everlasting
Life in you.
Give us that life: that no more will we
Long for things that do not satisfy
Dwell on things that diminish us
Give in to things that we know
we can overcome when we trust in you.
Amen.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

God will give us what we need:
strength for today,
hope for tomorrow,
and forgiveness
for all that is past.
Amen.

FIRST LESSON: Psalm 130

Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord;
Lord, hear my voice.
Let your ears be attentive
to my cry for mercy.
If you, Lord, kept a record of sins,
Lord, who could stand?
But with you there is forgiveness,
so that we can, with reverence, serve you.
I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits,
and in his word I put my hope.
I wait for the Lord
more than watchmen wait for the morning,
more than watchmen wait for the morning.
Israel, put your hope in the Lord,
for with the Lord is unfailing love
and with him is full redemption.
He himself will redeem Israel
from all their sins.

SECOND LESSON: John 11.17-44

17 On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. 18 Now Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, 19 and many people had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. 20 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.
21 “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”
23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”
24 Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”
25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
27 “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”
28 After she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. “The Teacher is here,” she said, “and is asking for you.” 29 When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him. 30 Now Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. 31 When the people who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, noticed how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there.
32 When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”
33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the people who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. 34 “Where have you laid him?” he asked.
“Come and see, Lord,” they replied.
35 Jesus wept.
36 Then the people said, “See how he loved him!”
37 But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?”
38 Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. 39 “Take away the stone,” he said.
“But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.”
40 Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”
41 So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.”
43 When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.
Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”

Photo by orientalizing (Creative Commons BY-NC-ND 2.0)

REFLECTION

Help can come from unexpected places.

Somehow I fell upon an article in the Harvard Business Review with the simple and arresting title, That Discomfort You’re Feeling is Grief.  As the author describes it, the editorial staff were meeting online when the conversation turned to how people were feeling. When one colleague added that she felt mostly grief, the group resolved to learn more.

They turned to David Kessler, grief expert and protégé of the late Elisabeth Kübler-Ross.  Kübler-Ross, you will recall, pioneered the five stages of grief—denial, anger, bargaining, sadness and acceptance—and helped millions overcome a common burden.  Kessler, with permission from the Kübler-Ross family, added a sixth stage, something we will turn to later.

To begin, though, we should let David Kessler explain how the five stages fit into our current situation:

“Whenever I talk about the stages of grief, I have to remind people that the stages aren’t linear and may not happen in this order. It’s not a map but it provides some scaffolding for this unknown world. There’s denial, which we saw a lot of early on: This virus won’t affect us. There’s anger: You’re making me stay home and taking away my activities. There’s bargaining: Okay, if I social distance for two weeks everything will be better, right? There’s sadness: I don’t know when this will end. And finally there’s acceptance. This is happening; I have to figure out how to proceed.” [1]

And this, of course, is just the surface.  Kessler’s five examples mirror the earliest stages of the crisis—the part we’re already experiencing—and not the profound loss that may visit or has already visited families during this time.  And this takes us to another point that Kessler underlines: much of what is troubling us right now is anticipatory grief, the worst-case feelings that can overwhelm us. His primary lesson is this: acknowledge these feelings and don’t try to suppress them—and then balance them by calling to mind all that we are doing to avoid what we fear most.  

It is a gift of the Holy Spirit that the reading for today is master class in grief.  But before I go further, I need to make a couple of points about the story of raising Lazarus.  First, and most importantly, this is a miracle story—Jesus resuscitates Lazarus—and not a resurrection story.  Resurrection is coming, but we still need to wait. And this takes us to the second point: Lazarus was raised from the dead, but still died.  The defeat of death will come later—once and for all—but for now, the story of that blessed day will still need to wait.

So let the class begin: the denial begins early, in the first part of the chapter, when Jesus breaks the bad news by saying that Lazarus has fallen asleep.  In their denial, they take him literally—the first stage of grief. Stages two and three—anger and bargaining—appear the moment he meets Martha: “If you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”   It seems like Martha knows the end of the story, that she believes that her brother will be raised, but her next comment tells the real tale: “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”  What seems like a hopeful statement is really sadness: she understands that she will not see her brother again in this life. And at the same moment, there is a measure of acceptance—providing examples of sadness and acceptance in one simple statement—and the final two stages.  Or so it would seem.

And here is where we get to explore the difference between what seems to be happening and what’s really happening.  You may recall that last week I described John’s Gospel as an extended book of signs that all point to God’s glory. And that’s what is really happening here: the raising of Lazarus is another sign of God’s glory.  John himself sums this up in the beginning of his book when he says “In Him was life, and that life was the light for all people.” In the same way Matthew, Mark and Luke speak of the kingdom, John speaks of life: abundant life (10.10), life everlasting (3.16) and the bread of life (6.48) where Jesus reminds us that he is the “living bread that came down from heaven.” [2]

And this takes us to David Kessler’s sixth stage of grief: meaning.  The author expresses the hope that we can move from ‘acceptance’ to meaning: finding light in the midst of our grief—some life-giving meaning that comes despite the dislocation and fear.  And he suggests a couple of examples: remembering the joy of an extended telephone conversation, or really savouring a walk outside, not just walking to get somewhere. The challenge is to name your own examples, to find the meaning that will allow us to defeat anxiety in a tense time.

Before I close, I want to share a word about that unique little verse that makes this passage noteworthy: “Jesus wept.”  Even when the sign was ready, even as the plan was unfolding, even as the end was assured—Jesus wept. Jesus wept for the pain of everyone around him, for the fear and the heartbreak, for the damage this event might cause his friends.  He wept for them and he wept with them. And the weeping continues. Whatever befalls us in the days and weeks to come, remember the compassion of Christ: he weeps when we are weeping, and we never walk alone.

Back to our search for meaning, Jesus provides—even before he brings his friend back to life: “I am the resurrection and the life,” he says. “The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”  The question, of course, is another challenge in the meaning-making that only Jesus can give. We need to remember and cling to the new life we have already received in Christ Jesus—the life that is meant to be a light for all people. May our light shine forth even in this time of trouble. Amen.

[1]Scott Berinato, “That Discomfort You’re Feeling is Grief,” HBR. [2]Craig S. Keener, “Eternal Life in John,” bibleodyssey.org

HYMN: Breathe on me, breath of God

Breathe on me, breath of God,
fill me with life anew,
that I may love what thou dost love,
and do what thou wouldst do.

Breathe on me, breath of God,
until my heart is pure,
until my will is one with thine,
to do and to endure.

Breathe on me, breath of God,
till I am wholly thine,
until this earthly part of me
glows with thy fire divine.

Breathe on me, breath of God:
so shall I never die,
but live with thee the perfect life
of thine eternity.

Words and music by Edwin Hatch

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

Gracious and loving God,
We come before you as one body,
together but in separate places.
As we pray these words, alone or in twos,
we remember that the Risen One is with us,
binding us, one to another, now and always.

We praise you this day, O God,
for the creation you give us,
for the earth and all it’s goodness,
for the hidden potential in field and forest,
for the spring that is unfolding—
even if we remain indoors.

We thank you for our congregation,
for care extended and love made known:
for calls and messages,
for questions and interest
for timely reminders that are never alone.
Enrich our ministry to each other,
and extend this care beyond our fellowship
to include all who seek to dwell in your love.

Today, O God, we ask:
When we are anxious, send calm
When we are restless, send meaning
When we are overwhelmed, send comfort
When hearts are heavy with grief, send assurance
and help us see light in this time.

We gather these and other concerns, praying
for everyone on the front lines of this crisis:
nurses and physicians,
hospital staff and technicians,
caregivers and everyone who supports them.
We pray for all essential workers:
hold them through fatigue and fear.
We also pray for those compelled to remain home,
but would rather be practicing their vocation.

God, be with our friends and loved ones,
keep them from harm,
and remind them of your abiding love.

Out of the depths we cry to you, Lord;
we trust you will hear our voice.
Remain attentive when we cry for mercy
and remain with us now
and forevermore.
Amen.

HYMN: There is balm in Gilead

There is a balm in Gilead
to make the wounded whole.
There is a balm in Gilead
to heal the sin-sick soul.

Sometimes I feel discouraged,
and think my work’s in vain,
but then the Holy Spirit
revives my soul again. R

If you cannot preach like Peter,
if you cannot pray like Paul,
you can tell the love of Jesus
and say, ‘He died for all.’ R

Traditional African American spiritual

BLESSING

God’s goodness and mercy follow you.
Christ’s compassion surround you.
The Spirit dwell with you
–in the house of the Lord–
now and forever.
Amen.

SONG TO GO FORTH

God be with you till we meet again;
loving counsels guide, uphold you,
with a shepherd’s care enfold you;
God be with you till we meet again.

Words and music by Rankin/Williams

Photo by Mathilde AUDIAU (Creative Commons BY-NC-ND 2.0)

During this time of social isolation, we look for ways to share words of comfort and hope in the face of uncertainty and fear.  We encourage you to pray over the words that follow, and follow the song links within the liturgy.  Heather recorded them for us, and we are grateful.    

OPENING PRAYER

You are the vine, Lord, and we are the branches.
Though apart, we are connected–one to another–
by your presence: 
living vine
cup of blessing
shepherd of the sheep.
Draw our hearts together, Lord
so that even in these troubled times
we will share the love you give.
Speak to us, today:
Through word and song
prayer and praise.
We trust we are never far apart when we abide in your love. Amen.

HYMN OF PRAISE: Like the murmur of the dove’s song

Like the murmur of the dove’s song,
like the challenge of her flight,
like the vigour of the wind’s rush,
like the new flame’s eager might:
come, Holy Spirit, come.

To the members of Christ’s body,
to the branches of the Vine,
to the church in faith assembled,
to our midst as gift and sign:
come, Holy Spirit, come.

With the healing of division,
with the ceaseless voice of prayer,
with the power to love and witness,
with the peace beyond compare:
come, Holy Spirit, come.

Words and music by Daw/Cutts

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Hear us, God as we pray:
We confess we have too much of some things
and too little of others.
We could use less worry, less news, 
less judgement, less self-justification.
We could use more calm, more quiet,
more compassion, more understanding.
Help us find a balance,
help us find the middle path.
help as we pray. Amen.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

God visits us with love and mercy,
forgiving our shortcomings and leading us home.
These are words we can trust. Amen. 

Photo by salmonsalmon (Creative Commons BY-NC-ND 2.0)

FIRST LESSON: Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: 
he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: 
he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, 
I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; 
thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: 
thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me 
all the days of my life: 
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

SECOND LESSON: John 15.1-5, 9-12

1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes[a] so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 

9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.

REFLECTION

I’m trying to remember the moment the world changed.

For me, I’m going to suggest a week-ago-Friday, during a trip to the supermarket. The whole toilet paper thing was already a thing—I wasn’t expecting to find any—but that was just the beginning. The lot was full, the cart supply was low, and people were giving each other a wide berth. Then I saw the line: carts lined up to the rear of the store and beyond.

I guess we were practicing appropriate social distancing, but there was still lots of conversation. It turns out that the person ahead of me was the spouse of a local pastor, so we had lots to talk about. We compared some of the plans being made, some of the changes already happening, and why she was hoarding potato chips (she has teenagers and plans to trade snacks for chores).

Even then, this may not have been the moment of change. We did worship together on March 15, a time that now seems a month ago. And that’s the other feature of this new time we inhabit: time itself seems to have slowed to a near halt. Maybe it’s all the difficult news we have to digest, maybe it’s a bit of boredom, or maybe it’s adjusting to this new, less hectic, pace we have adopted.

The world has changed. New and frightening news each day, disruption on a scale we’ve never seen, and stress: worry about loved ones, our neighbours, the people we usually see day-by-day—and a variety of institutions and enterprises that are newly at risk. Our (new) main job is to manage this stress: for the sake of ourselves, for the people we live with, and for everyone we are in touch with.

One of the blessings we have received is our new phone tree. Many people offered to help, lists were assigned, more people offered to help, and now we have a network of care that includes everyone in the congregation. (Phone captain’s note: you may not know the number of the person calling, so please pick up.) In effect, we are recreating what happens on Sunday: checking in, expressing need, and extending kindness. Thanks again to all our callers.

And the phone tree is also a metaphor, the vine and branches that link us one-to-another. And that, of course, takes us to our reading:

4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

John’s Gospel has been described in a variety of ways: a book of signs followed by a book of glory; a long passion narrative with an introductory section on Jesus’ ministry; an extended book of signs that all point to God’s glory. In John 15, we read part of the “farewell discourses,” words and prayers that share a vision of the passion, as well as the unique time that will follow this event. And the overall message of these discourses is simple: ‘remain in me and I will remain in you.’

Time and again the message is the same: “I will not leave you orphans” (14.18) and “I am going away and I am coming back to you” (14.28) and “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them.” (17.15) We may feel alone, but we are never alone: the Risen One walks beside us each day. We may feel isolated, but we are part of a larger fellowship, animated by the Holy Spirit.

Maybe I watch too many mystery programs, but one of things that comes to mind when I read this passage is “means, motive, and opportunity.” Usually that is a list of ingredients needed to solve a crime, but in this case it explains the image of the vine and branches.

Means: We are part of the same branch, and that means we are linked together and cannot be separated, regardless of what the world sends.

Motive: Jesus the True Vine asks only that we remain in his love—that is our motive. Our motive is not to create the fruit—the fruit comes from God—but simply to bear the fruit that follows when we remain in his love.

Opportunity: The time in which we find ourselves is the opportunity. We are called to remain in his love, to express his love in the way we care for one another, and in the way we care for our neighbours.

We have discovered in this new age that we are all connected, for good and for ill. But rather than separate ourselves, we need to draw together, and remain in the love of Christ that defines us. We need to ignore those who would seek to divide us—nation from nation—and see instead our common humanity. And so we pray: for health and healing, for an end to fear, and for a world made new. Amen.

HYMN: Seek ye first the Kingdom of God

Seek ye first the kingdom of God
And His righteousness;
And all these things shall be added unto you.
Hallelu, Hallelujah!

Ask, and it shall be given unto you;
Seek, and you shall find.
Knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
Hallelu, Hallelujah!

We shall not live by bread alone,
But by every word
That proceeds out from the mouth of God.
Hallelu, Hallelujah!

Music by Karen Lafferty (1971)

Photo by Abigail Batchelder (Creative Commons BY-NC-ND 2.0)

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

We prayed these words on March 15, but they bear repeating. They were written by our Moderator, the Rt. Rev. Richard Bott.

In this time of COVID-19, we pray:
When we aren’t sure, God,
help us be calm;
when information comes
from all sides, correct and not,
help us to discern;
when fear makes it hard to breathe,
and anxiety seems to be the order of the day,
slow us down, God;
help us to reach out with our hearts,
when we can’t touch with our hands;
help us to be socially connected,
when we have to be socially distant;
help us to love as perfectly as we can,
knowing that “perfect love casts out all fear.”

For the doctors, we pray,
for the nurses, we pray,
for the technicians and the janitors and the
aides and the caregivers, we pray,
for the researchers and theorists,
the epidemiologists and investigators,
for those who are sick,
and those who are grieving, we pray,
for all who are affected,
all around the world…
we pray
for safety,
for health,
for wholeness.

May we feed the hungry,
give drink to the thirsty,
clothe the naked and house those without homes;
may we walk with those who feel they are alone,
and may we do all that we can to heal
the sick—
in spite of the epidemic,
in spite of the fear.

Help us, O God,
that we might help each other.

In the love of the Creator,
in the name of the Healer,
in the life of the Holy Spirit that is in all and with all,
we pray.

May it be so.

BLESSING 

God’s goodness and mercy follow you.
Christ’s compassion surround you.
The Spirit dwell with you
–in the house of the Lord–
now and forever.
Amen.

SONG TO GO FORTH

God be with you till we meet again;
loving counsels guide, uphold you,
with a shepherd’s care enfold you;
God be with you till we meet again.

God be with you till we meet again;
unseen wings protecting hide you,
daily manna still provide you;
God be with you till we meet again.

God be with you till we meet again;
when life’s perils thick confound you,
put unfailing arms around you;
God be with you till we meet again.

God be with you till we meet again;
keep love’s banner floating o’er you,
smite death’s threatening wave before you;
God be with you till we meet again.

Words and music by Rankin/Williams

Photo by Sheila Sund (Creative Commons BY 2.0)