{"id":118,"date":"2020-04-05T00:44:58","date_gmt":"2020-04-05T00:44:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/oneking.ca\/wp\/?p=118"},"modified":"2020-04-05T00:44:58","modified_gmt":"2020-04-05T00:44:58","slug":"palm-sunday","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/michaelkooiman.com\/index.php\/2020\/04\/05\/palm-sunday\/","title":{"rendered":"Palm Sunday"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/49731837113_34709f4162_c.jpg\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n<p><em>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 &#8220;Sweet Hour of Prayer.&#8221; Please feel free to forward this service to others.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<p>PRELUDE: \u201cWhat a Wondrous Hope\u201d by Heather Sorensen<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"http:\/\/oneking.ca\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/sorensen.m4a\"><\/audio><\/figure>\n\n\n<p>OPENING PRAYER<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Hosanna in the highest!<br \/> Blessed is the one who comes <br \/> in the name of the Lord! <br \/> Hosanna in the highest!<br \/> We shout &#8220;save us&#8221; Lord,<br \/> trusting that you alone are our salvation,<br \/> the rock on which we stand.<br \/> Find us in the crowd, God,<br \/> and hear our cry!<br \/> Whether our steps are halting,<br \/> or we rush ahead, <br \/> we remain one people:<br \/> blessed is the one who comes in your name.<br \/> Hosanna in the highest!<\/p>\n\n\n<p>HYMN OF PRAISE: All glory, laud and honour <\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"http:\/\/oneking.ca\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/allglory.m4a\"><\/audio><\/figure>\n\n\n<p>     <em>R: All glory, laud and honour<br \/>     to you, Redeemer, King,<br \/>     to whom the lips of children<br \/>     made sweet hosannas ring.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<p><em>You are the King of Israel,<br \/>and David&#8217;s royal son,<br \/>now in the Lord&#8217;s name coming,<br \/>our King and blessed one.  R<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<p><em>The multitude of pilgrims<br \/>with palms before you went;<br \/>our praise and prayer and anthems<br \/>before you we present.  R<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<p><em>To you, before your passion,<br \/>they sang their hymns of praise;<br \/>to you, now high exalted,<br \/>our melody we raise.  R<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<p><em>Their praises you accepted;<br \/>accept the prayers we bring,<br \/>great author of all goodness,<br \/>O good and gracious king.  R<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\">Words and music by Theodulph\/Teschner<\/p>\n\n\n<p>PRAYER OF CONFESSION<\/p>\n\n\n<p>We love a parade!<br \/>\nWe love to get what we want.<br \/>\nWe love for things to unfold <br \/>\naccording to our plan <br \/>\nand not the divine plan\u2014<br \/>\na plan that remains a mystery to our eyes.<br \/>\nHelp us to trust in you, O God,<br \/>\nand help us to set aside our desire for your desire, <br \/>\nand our will for your will, now and always. Amen.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>ASSURANCE OF PARDON<\/p>\n\n\n<p>God will give us what we need:<br \/> strength for today,<br \/> hope for tomorrow,<br \/> and forgiveness <br \/> for all that is past.<br \/> Amen.<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/49735953146_8e41eae814_z.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"748\" height=\"522\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n<p>FIRST LESSON: Psalm 118.19-29<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Open for me the gates of the righteous;<br \/>   I will enter and give thanks to the Lord.<br \/> This is the gate of the Lord<br \/>   through which the righteous may enter.<br \/> I will give you thanks, for you answered me;<br \/>   you have become my salvation.<br \/> The stone the builders rejected<br \/>   has become the cornerstone;<br \/> the Lord has done this,<br \/>   and it is marvelous in our eyes.<br \/> The Lord has done it this very day;<br \/>   let us rejoice today and be glad.<br \/> Lord, save us!<br \/>   Lord, grant us success!<br \/> Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.<br \/>   From the house of the Lord we bless you.[a]<br \/> The Lord is God,<br \/>   and he has made his light shine on us.<br \/> With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession<br \/>   up to the horns of the altar.<br \/> You are my God, and I will praise you;<br \/>   you are my God, and I will exalt you.<br \/> Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;<br \/>   his love endures forever.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>SECOND LESSON: Matthew 21.1-11<\/p>\n\n\n<p>As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, \u201cGo 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.\u201d<br \/> 4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:<br \/> 5 &#8220;Say to Daughter Zion,<br \/>     &#8216;See, your king comes to you,<br \/> gentle and riding on a donkey,<br \/>     and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.\u2019&#8221;<br \/> 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,<br \/> \u201cHosanna to the Son of David!\u201d<br \/> \u201cBlessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!\u201d<br \/> \u201cHosanna in the highest heaven!\u201d<br \/> 10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, \u201cWho is this?\u201d<br \/> 11 The crowds answered, \u201cThis is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n<p>HYMN: Tell me the stories of Jesus<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"http:\/\/oneking.ca\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/stories.m4a\"><\/audio><\/figure>\n\n\n<p><em>Tell me the stories of Jesus I love to hear,<br \/>things I would ask him to tell me if he were here:<br \/>scenes by the wayside, tales of the sea,<br \/>stories of Jesus, tell them to me.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<p><em>First let me hear how the children stood round his knee,<br \/>and I shall fancy his blessing resting on me;<br \/>words full of kindness, deeds full of grace,<br \/>all in the lovelight of Jesus&#8217; face.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<p><em>Tell me, in accents of wonder, how rolled the sea<br \/>tossing the boat in a tempest on Galilee!<br \/>And how the Master, ready and kind,<br \/>chided the billows and hushed the wind.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<p><em>Into the city I&#8217;d follow the children&#8217;s band,<br \/>waving a branch of the palm tree high in my hand;<br \/>one of his heralds, yes, I would sing<br \/>loudest hosannas! Jesus is king!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<p><em>Show me that scene in the garden of bitter pain;<br \/>and of the cross where my Saviour for me was slain.<br \/>Sad ones or bright ones, so that they be<br \/>stories of Jesus, tell them to me.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\">Words and music by Parker\/Challinor<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/49735473683_872ba2207f_o.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"748\" height=\"698\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n<p>REFLECTION<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!<\/p>\n\n\n<p>In my mind\u2019s eye, the palms are waving, having shared the keyword \u201cHosanna!\u201d (there, did it again).&nbsp; I hope you have some sort of rudimentary palm branch nearby\u2014window blind maybe, or unravel a toilet paper roll.&nbsp; And thanks again to our younger members, who have been busy improvising since midweek.  \u201cHosanna!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n<p>One of the curious aspects of the Palm Sunday story is the ever-growing nature of the audience.&nbsp; Like the \u201cone that got away,\u201d the size of the crowd grows with each retelling.  In Mark, written first, \u201cmany people\u201d gather to greet Jesus.&nbsp; In Luke and Matthew we go from \u201ca whole crowd of disciples\u201d to a \u201cvery large crowd.\u201d  And finally, in John\u2019s Gospel, a \u201cgreat crowd\u201d forms to welcome the one who comes in the name of the Lord.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Based on the evidence presented then, we can assume it was a small crowd\u2014not socially-isolated small\u2014but small nonetheless.&nbsp; And this assumption, rather than diminish the story, makes it more dramatic.  In any form of protest there is safety in numbers\u2014and in this case there was not.&nbsp; These brave few took a big risk that day, something that seems to get lost in the excitement of the day.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>The primary clue will come a week from now, when the disciples will lock themselves away for fear of the authorities.&nbsp; 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.&nbsp; So, excitement and fear, in equal measure, as Jesus enters Jerusalem that day.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s hard to make a direct comparison to what we are collectively experiencing, but I\u2019m going to try.&nbsp; These days we are trying to walk each day, usually down to the lake, through a fairly quiet residential neighbourhood.&nbsp; 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.&nbsp; And it\u2019s a complex fear: fear that we\u2019re scaring others, fear that we\u2019re offending others when we scramble across the street, and fear\u2014of course\u2014that someone we meet may be ill.  It\u2019s a mix of the rational and the irrational, and it\u2019s a way of living that I pray is short lived.&nbsp; But here we are.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Having shared all that, I think you can see the parallel I\u2019m beginning to draw.&nbsp; Imagine the mixture of excitement and fear as Jesus does this new thing.  Even his initial instructions (\u201cIf anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them\u201d) suggests confrontation.&nbsp; By the end of the story the whole city was in turmoil, asking, \u201cWho is this?\u201d  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.&nbsp; The whole city becomes a character, and the description \u201cwas in turmoil,\u201d which actually tells us very little.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Why turmoil?&nbsp; Well, the answer is in the text, because soon after dismounting the animal he has been riding, Jesus heads straight for the Temple.&nbsp; You know the story\u2014 he\u2019s turning over tables, he\u2019s making an improvised whip of cords, and he\u2019s explaining as he goes: \u201cThis house of prayer,\u201d he says, \u201chas become a den of robbers.\u201d&nbsp; He pauses to heal some people\u2014he always pauses to heal some people\u2014and then the fight comes.  As the words \u201cHosanna to the Son of David,\u201d still surround him, the so-called religious ones protest: \u201cDo you hear what we hear,\u201d they ask, but Jesus has a verse.&nbsp; He always has a psalm in his back pocket, this time from Psalm 8:<\/p>\n\n\n<p><em>From the lips of children and infants<br \/>   you, Lord, have called forth your praise.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<p>Again, it\u2019s praise but it\u2019s also protest.&nbsp; By blessing the \u201cone who comes in the name of the Lord\u201d they are also blessing his program, the program where \u201cthe 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.\u201d (Luke 7.22)&nbsp; 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.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p>And change on this scale is always threatening.&nbsp; One of the unknowns in this current crisis is what happens next.&nbsp; There are questions about underfunding in healthcare and public health, but larger questions about income inequality, mounting personal debt, and the cost of housing.&nbsp; Do we rush back to \u201cthe way things were\u201d or do we take time to reflect on how our current structures have made this crisis even worse?&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p>The end of our passage is also a good place to end.&nbsp; \u201cWho is this?\u201d an anxious city asks.  And the answer comes back: \u201cThis is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.\u201d&nbsp; Remember this name, and hold a place in your heart.  He comes in the name of the Lord, and his name is blessed.  Hosanna (\u201csave us\u201d) the people say, and the wonders begin.&nbsp; Amen.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>MUSIC: &#8220;Sweet Hour of Prayer&#8221; by William W. Walford<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"http:\/\/oneking.ca\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/sweethour.mp3\"><\/audio><\/figure>\n\n\n<p>PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE<\/p>\n\n\n<p><em>This prayer was published by the United Church of Canada as part of our denomination&#8217;s response to COVID-19.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<p>We pray for those who struggle.<br \/>\nWe pray for those who struggle at this time of huge uncertainty;<br \/>\nfor political leaders faced with unforeseen challenges, uncharted ways, difficult decisions,<br \/>\nHoly One, we will acknowledge wise choices, we will offer words of support.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>We pray for those who struggle.<br \/>\nWe pray for those in situations never before experienced.<br \/>\nWe pray for moms and dads who struggle with having children at home all day.<br \/>\nIt is difficult to find new activities; it is hard to stay creative.<br \/>\nHoly One, we will listen carefully to the challenges, we will encourage fresh ways of communication with good friends.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>We pray for those who struggle,<br \/> We pray for those whose day is radically different.<br \/> We pray for those who must leave their usual workspace,<br \/> for those breadwinners who must work at home.<br \/> Holy One, we will support the new priorities, and be patient with ourselves and others.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>We pray for those who struggle.<br \/>\nWe pray for those who have lost their jobs<br \/>\nWe pray for those whose financial security has gone,,<br \/>\nwho have anxiety around paying rent or providing for family needs .<br \/>\nHoly One, we will be there in the testing times, we will assure them of their self-worth.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>We pray for those who struggle.<br \/>\nWe pray for those who have been affected by the Covid 19 virus.<br \/>\nThose who are sick at home and those who have been hospitalized, in their suffering, and in their fear.<br \/>\nHoly One, we will hear and respond to their distress, we will be a safe but compassionate presence to their loved ones. <\/p>\n\n\n<p>This prayer we offer in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>THE LORD&#8217;S PRAYER<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Our Father who art in heaven, <br \/>\nhallowed be thy name.  <br \/>\nThy kingdom come,<br \/>\nThy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  <br \/>\nGive us this day our daily bread; <br \/>\nand forgive us our trespasses <br \/>\nas we forgive those who trespass against us; <br \/>\nand lead us not into temptation <br \/>\nbut deliver us from evil.  <br \/>\nFor thine is the kingdom, <br \/>\nand the power, and the glory, <br \/>\nfor ever and ever.  Amen.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>HYMN: My song is love unknown<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"http:\/\/oneking.ca\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/mysong.m4a\"><\/audio><\/figure>\n\n\n<p><em>My song is love unknown,<br \/>my Saviour&#8217;s love to me,<br \/>love to the loveless shown that they might lovely be.<br \/>O who am I that for my sake<br \/>my Lord should take frail flesh, and die?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<p><em>He came from his blest throne<br \/>salvation to bestow,<br \/>but people scorned, and none the longed-for Christ would know.<br \/>But O my Friend, my Friend indeed,<br \/>who at my need his life did spend!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<p>Sometimes they strew his way,<br \/>\nand his sweet praises sing,<br \/>\nresounding all the day hosannas to their King.<br \/>\nThen &#8216;Crucify!&#8217; is all their breath,<br \/>\nand for his death they thirst and cry.<\/p>\n\n\n<p><em>Here might I stay and sing,<br \/>no story so divine;<br \/>never was love, dear King, never was grief like thine!<br \/>This is my friend, in whose sweet praise<br \/>I all my days could gladly spend.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\">Words by Samuel Crossman<\/p>\n\n\n<p>BLESSING<\/p>\n\n\n<p>God\u2019s goodness and mercy follow you.<br \/>Christ\u2019s compassion surround you.<br \/>The Spirit dwell with you<br \/>\u2013in the house of the Lord\u2013<br \/>now and forever.<br \/>Amen.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>SONG TO GO FORTH<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"http:\/\/oneking.ca\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/meetagainredux.m4a\"><\/audio><\/figure>\n\n\n<p><em>God be with you till we meet again; <br \/> loving counsels guide, uphold you, <br \/> with a shepherd\u2019s care enfold you; <br \/> God be with you till we meet again.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\">Words and music by Rankin\/Williams<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/oneking.ca\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/image.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-131\" width=\"739\" height=\"713\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img src=\"http:\/\/oneking.ca\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/image-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-138\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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 &#8220;Sweet Hour of Prayer.&#8221; Please feel free &hellip; <a href=\"http:\/\/michaelkooiman.com\/index.php\/2020\/04\/05\/palm-sunday\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Palm Sunday<\/span> <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/michaelkooiman.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/118"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/michaelkooiman.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/michaelkooiman.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/michaelkooiman.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/michaelkooiman.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=118"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/michaelkooiman.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/118\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/michaelkooiman.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=118"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/michaelkooiman.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=118"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/michaelkooiman.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=118"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}