Welcome and Opening Prayer
Good morning and welcome everyone
Today is Palm Sunday, the beginning of holy week. That means next Sunday is Easter.
This morning is the third of our worship at home (on-line) services.
You may like to light a candle as a reminder that Christ is present and say a prayer:
‘Lord Jesus Christ, you are the way, the truth and the life. Help us to walk in rhythm with you. Amen.’
Sung Worship
Jesus is royalty. He is a King. Not just any king but the King of kings. Jesus’ leadership is wise and just and merciful. No one else even comes close to matching Jesus’ governance. Listen and/or sing along to the following songs – on YouTube or Spotify.
- Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest (by Carl Tuttle)
- Lift up your heads to the coming King
Pray aloud the Lord’s prayer…
Our Father, who is in heaven. Hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.
Amen.
Scripture Reading – 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,
“Hosannato the Son of David!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Hosannain 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.”
May the Spirit of Jesus illuminate God’s word for us.
Pray: Dear Jesus, help us to understand what you did for us, as we follow your journey to the cross.
Thanksgiving
Think of three things you are thankful for this past week. Declare aloud at least one of your thankful thoughts. Finish with the following prayer…
‘Father God, you are our maker; you know us by name. You know our needs and what is best for us. You are generous and thoughtful. We thank you for watching over our lives for good. Help us to honour you with the choices we make. In Jesus name. Amen.’
More Sung Worship
Listen and/or sing along to the following songs on YouTube or download on Spotify
- Worthy of every song we could ever sing (Build my Life)
- I see the King of glory (Hosanna) by Hillsong
Sermon
You can either read the sermon notes attached to this email. Or, listen to an audio recording of the sermon via the following link:
Song
Listen and/or sing along to ‘The Servant Song’ – either on YouTube or Spotify.
The Servant Song
Brother, sister let me serve you.
Let me be as Christ to you.
Pray that I might have the grace
To let you be my servant, too.
We are pilgrims on a journey.
We are brothers on the road.
We are here to help each other
Walk the mile and bear the load.
I will hold the Christ-light for you
In the night time of your fear.
I will hold my hand out to you;
Speak the peace you long to hear.
I will weep when you are weeping.
When you laugh, I’ll laugh with you.
I will share your joy and sorrow
Till we’ve seen this journey through.
When we sing to God in heaven,
We shall find such harmony
Born of all we’ve known together
Of Christ’s love and agony.
Brother, sister let me serve you.
Let me be as Christ to you.
Pray that I might have the grace
To let you be my servant, too.
Communion
On the first Sunday of each month we normally share communion together. In a general sense, ‘communion’ is a word which means sharing or exchanging intimate thoughts and feelings, especially on a mental or spiritual level. More specifically ‘Communion’ refers to the Christian ritual of sharing bread and a cup in remembrance of Jesus. Although we cannot meet together during this time of lockdown we are all sharing the communion of a similar experience and we are connected by the Spirit of Jesus.
In some church traditions only the priest is allowed to administer communion (aka: Eucharist or Mass). In the Baptist tradition we believe in the priesthood of all believers (e.g. 1 Peter 2:5-9). This doctrine asserts that all human beings have access to God through Christ, the true high priest, and therefore do not need a priestly mediator. This means all Christians are equal and (among other things) are able to administer communion. So you can conduct a communion service in your bubble, with those who are believers in Christ, provided it is done in the right spirit or attitude. That is, an attitude of respect and reverence for Jesus (not flippantly or carelessly).
If you don’t feel comfortable administering communion yourself then it’s okay to pass on this one.
At Tawa Baptist we wouldn’t normally serve communion to children under 12 years. If you have small children with you then I suggest either having communion later, when they are asleep, or let them watch you without partaking themselves. If they are going to watch you, then include them by explaining what you are doing and why. Instead of bread & juice, give the children with you a spoken blessing (with tender laying on of hands).
A simple explanation of why we take communion: We celebrate communion to remember Jesus. The night before he died Jesus instructed his disciples to do this to remember him. When we share communion we remember a number of things about Jesus. We remember Jesus’ death, his resurrection and his presence with us now. We also remember that Jesus will return in glory one day. Communion reminds us we are not alone.
Following are some prayers and words of institution to help you administer communion…
Prayer
All knowing God, in this time of communion, we remember…
We remember our need for your mercy. We have sinned in thought, word and deed. We have sinned against you and against our neighbour. We ask for your forgiveness and pray that you would forgive those who have sinned against us.
Gracious God, we remember Jesus, through whom we have reconciliation and peace with you. We remember Jesus’ life, his suffering and death on the cross and his resurrection from the dead.
Compassionate God, we remember each other (our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ) and we remember the world you love.
[Take a few minutes to pray for others who need God’s help.]
Living God, we remember that we are not alone. You are present with us now and you promise to be with us always, no matter what happens. May you bless each one and help us to feel close to you in our hearts and minds through your Holy Spirit.
Eternal God, we remember this life is not all there is. May you bless the bread and the cup that all who receive them would be strengthened to go the distance in your will. Keep us faithful to Jesus so that we are ready when he returns in glory.
We pray these things through Jesus Christ, our Saviour and our Friend. Amen.
Words of Institution
On the night when he was betrayed the Lord Jesus took a piece of bread and broke it. After he had given thanks he gave it to his disciples and said, ‘Take. Eat. This is my body which given for you. Do this to remember me.’
Eat the bread.
In the same way the Lord Jesus took the cup after supper saying. ‘This cup is God’s new covenant, sealed with my blood, which is poured out for you.’
Drink some grape juice (or red wine).
To conclude someone might like to say: ‘The Lord is risen’
With the response: ‘He is risen indeed’. Amen.
Closing Song
When we sing songs of worship we share in the collective experience of other believers, throughout the world and throughout history. Sung worship can be one expression of koinonia (communion). Listen and/or sing along to the song, ‘All glory, laud and honour’ on YouTube or Spotify. This is an ancient song celebrating Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem on the first Palm Sunday. The word ‘laud’ (from which we get the word ‘applaud’) simply means ‘praise’.
Benediction / Blessing
Proclaim the following blessing…
‘The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord lift up his countenance on you and give you his peace. Amen.’
Tawa Baptist 