Dear friends,
THIS SUNDAY the Rev. Linda Faith Chalk will be leading us in worship.
THERE WILL BE PALM BRANCHES available to everyone upon entering the sanctuary. Please be sure to receive yours from one of the ushers. Everyone is invited to process around the sanctuary, waving their palms, at the time of The Procession, right after the reading from Luke’s gospel.
TOMORROW IN OUR WORSHIP we begin with the celebration of Palm Sunday. We hear of the cheering crowds, of the palm branches, the angry religious leaders and their rebuke to Jesus that he should rebuke his disciples. Jesus’ response brings to mind words of Paul when he says: all creation has been groaning together until this moment in God’s story. As Jesus answers them, he simply affirms: “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.” This in response to the Blessed King who comes in the name of the Lord! As we move through our worship we hear the words of the prophet Isaiah, and the words of the Psalmist as he affirms in verse 14 “But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, ‘You are my God’”. This same God who fashioned the heavens and the earth, who knows the thoughts of all and the obedience of his blessed Son… Philippians reminds us that it is the obedience of the Son that has brought him to this place in time for eternity. As the passion is read, we hear of the machinations of various individuals who don’t quite seem to realize the role that is theirs as the drama unfolds. The accusations, the trial, the repudiation of responsibility and finally the verdict of crucifixion… and as we watch these scenes play out, we recognize that the very one who made the heavens and the earth hangs on the cross shrouded in darkness until he cries out: “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” A cry which echoes for time and for eternity.
OUR CLOSING HYMN THIS SUNDAY will be sung after the benediction, and we ask that everyone leave from the sanctuary in silence….
GOOD FRIDAY: We will be holding a solemn service of prayer and song in the sanctuary, to which all are invited, at 11 am on Good Friday, April 18. Please join us for this special service, led by our Interim Moderator Rev. Dr. Roland De Vries. This service will not appear on our YouTube channel.
EASTER FLOWERS: Anyone wishing to contribute to the purchase of Easter flowers for our sanctuary may place their name and donation on the offering plate – or send an e-transfer. Should you wish these to be memorial flowers, please include the name(s) of the person(s) you would like to remember. The last day for contributing is Wednesday April 16.
OUR SPECIAL EASTER OFFERING (the yellow envelope in your boxed set of offering envelopes) has been designated toward the work of Camp d’action biblique (CAB), our Presbyterian summer camp in Richmond, QC – a roughly 90-minute drive from the South Shore. It is a camp where children and youth can spend a week in the summer and live in Christian community while having a great time. For more information, visit: www.cabqc.ca
Order of Service
Prelude
Welcome
Call to Worship
Prayer of Adoration
Prayer of Confession
Declaration of Grace
Praying together, followed by The Lord’s Prayer
The Gospel according to Luke 19:28-40
The Procession – Hymn 214: “All glory, laud and honor”
Children’s Time
Old Testament Lesson: Isaiah 50: 4-9a
Responsive Psalm 31: 9-16
Gloria Patri
New Testament Lesson: Philippians 2: 5-11 (en français BFC)
Hymn 379: “From heaven you came, helpless babe” (vs 2&3 en français)
The Passion according to Luke 23:1-49 – Dramatic reading
Choir Anthem – Response to the Gospel – “Were you there?”
Sermon: “Eyes that See”
Confession of Faith – Living Faith 3.4.3
Hymn 231: “When I survey the wonderous cross
Offering and Offertory
Prayer of Thanksgiving and Intercession
Benediction
Hymn: “How deep the Father’s love for us” (vs 2 en français)
The Congregation shall leave the sanctuary in silence