Worship March 26, 2021
Let us worship
Open to me the gates of righteousness,
that I may enter through them
and give thanks to the Lord.
This is the gate of the Lord;
the righteous shall enter through it.
I thank you that you have answered me
and have become my salvation.
The stone that the builders rejected
has become the chief cornerstone.
This is the Lord’s doing;
it is marvelous in our eyes.
This is the day that the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
—Psalm 118:19-24
A prayer to center you
The God of love reaches to us.
Come now, loving God.
May we hear the loud Hosanna’s of praise
in the middle of the stress, strain and pain of the world we are facing.
Settle our minds that we may hear you speak,
through whispers, through wind, through words.
Amen
Holy Scripture from Mark 11:1-11
11When they were approaching Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples 2and 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. 3If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ just say this, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately.’” 4They went away and found a colt tied near a door, outside in the street. As they were untying it, 5some of the bystanders said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” 6They told them what Jesus had said; and they allowed them to take it. 7Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it; and he sat on it. 8Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields. 9Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting,
“Hosanna!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
10Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David!
Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
11Then 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.
Reflection:
Hosanna!
The shouts rise up in the streets.
The palms wave in the air.
Garments are thrown in the street.
A celebration.
We enter Holy Week with a celebration. So much is coming in the days the that lie ahead; betrayal, fear, frustration, abandonment, death, darkness. They all come between this moment of celebration and empty tomb.
But in this moment there was celebration.
Humanity shows the worst of it’s self in the days ahead. Jesus suffers great pain, both physical and emotional. Sorrow and pain come to the disciples and to God. Darkness comes before the light, but in this moment, in this story, the people celebrate.
Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming Kindgom of our ancestor David! Hosanna in the highest heaven!
This past year, 2020 into 2021, has been hard, filled with dark moments, pain, and fear. I am sure there are more of those moments that lay ahead of us but even though we know that is true, maybe we should take just a moment to celebrate anyway. Sometimes it takes some celebrating to get through what lies ahead. Sometimes we have to find some joy in the middle of the hard to get through the even harder. Sometimes it takes celebrating the small joy we can find to face the huge challenges that we may face later. So let us take this moment to shout hosanna’s to the Lord.
Let us take a moment away from the pain of a world divided,
let us step away for a moment from the fear of gun violence and mob attacks,
let us briefly lay down our worry and concern
and turn our focus to Christ. Let us celebrate the love of God shown to us despite our own unworthy nature and shout Hosanna!
Holy Week is a week were we walk through it all with Jesus. From the celebration of palm waving to the deep sorrow of suffering back to the ultimate joy of our freedom in Christ through the resurrection. We cover all the feels this week. In such a short time, so much changes. So I invite you to progress through this Holy Week taking time to focus on the story—to walk with Jesus through all these highs and lows. This past year has been filled with all the feels, we have walked many highs and lows and through great darkness. Having walked through so much, may we walk through this Holy Week with new eyes. May the stories provide new meaning and insight and new hope. Let us look at what God calls us to through the life that Christ displayed for us; a life of love, compassion, forgiveness and grace! In the midst of the darkness that surrounds us, let us take a moment to look for the light, the light of Christ. May we step into that light carrying with us Christ. In the midst of shouting hosanna, may we remember that “blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David! Hosanna in the highest heaven!”. Let us step into this Holy Week clinging to the promise of the coming kingdom. May we celebrate with loud Hosanna’s that we believe the kingdom will come—fear will one day be conquered, pain will be eased, and darkness made light. Let us work toward that kingdom, to bring all the love and light that we can into this world.
Hosana!
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!
What do you think...
Where do you see God’s light shining through the darkness?
What makes you proclaim Hosanna in the highest?
What can you commit to that will help you walk through this Holy Week more in tune with Christ? —Commit to reading the passion story? Commit to daily prayers of the world and your community this week? Commit to a daily walk looking for God’s light? Commit to volunteering to sharing love and light to those around you?
Take a moment to shout your Hosanna’s? Make a list of things that you give thanks for. List the blessings in your life. Then take a moment to share…with me below, with your family and friends, or just with God by shouting it out!
Hosanna
Psalm 118:26-29
Blessed is the one who comes
in the name of the Lord.
We bless you from the house of the Lord.
The Lord is God,
and he has given us light.
Bind the festal procession with branches,
up to the horns of the altar.
You are my God,
and I will give thanks to you;
you are my God, I will extol you.
O give thanks to the Lord,
for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever…
Prayer of Sending
Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Blessed are you, most Holy God.
We await your coming kingdom with hope and expectation.
Until that times come,
use us O God.
May we shed your love, grace and compassion throughout the world.
May we be a light for you until your eternal light overtakes the darkness.
Amen.
Going out.
Go out into the world, seeking the light of Christ Jesus and may you see all around you the love, compassion, joy, generosity, and hope in the Kingdom of God.
and in all that you do, may the love of Christ Jesus uphold you,
the peace of God sustain you and may the Holy Spirit guide you each step of the way
Let all God’s people say: AMEN
