Sunday 28th March 2021 (Palm Sunday)
Some parts of this service are the same each week. The sermon, readings and the prayers are recorded during the morning service.
Before you begin, take a moment to pray. Ask your heavenly Father to show you the grace of Jesus, and to fill you afresh with his Holy Spirit. Think of a few other members of the church (if you are from St George’s) and pray also for them.
Start of Service
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
This is the day that the LORD has made.
Let us rejoice and be glad in it. [Psalm 118:24]
King Jesus comes, King Jesus,
Son of God, Son of Man, Messiah.
Hail! King Jesus, King of all!
Recall the words of the Scriptures:
“A great crowd who had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem.
So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying, ‘Hosanna!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!’”
In praise we adore you, King Jesus.
Enter our hearts today
as you entered Jerusalem long ago,
and lead us by faith in the way everlasting. Amen.
First Bible Reading and Confession
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John:
Glory to you, O Lord.
John 12:12-19
This is the Gospel of the Lord:
Praise to you, O Christ.
O Lord, who on this day entered the rebellious city
that later rejected you,
we confess that our wills are as rebellious as Jerusalem’s,
that our faith is often more show than substance,
that our hearts are in need of cleansing.
Have mercy on us, Son of David, Saviour of our lives.
Help us to lay at your feet all that we have and all that we are,
trusting you to forgive what is sinful, to heal what is broken,
to welcome our praises, and to receive us as your own. Amen.
Hosanna to the Son of David!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
For Christ came into the world not to condemn the world,
but that the world through him should be saved.
Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children.
And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us,
a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Hosanna! Amen!
The Collect (set prayer for this week)
Almighty and everlasting God,
who in your tender love towards the human race
sent your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ
to take upon him our flesh
and to suffer death upon the cross:
grant that we may follow the example of his patience and humility,
and also be made partakers of his resurrection;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
bible reading and sermon
This is one video but it contains the two parts of the sermon, and the Bible reading (Psalm 118) in the middle.
After the sermon, take time to respond to God’s Word to you. Whenever we hear from God a good practice is to think of TSP (“teaspoon”):
T for Thank You - what do you need to praise God for?
S for Sorry - what do you need to confess?
P for Please - what do you need to ask of God, for yourself and others?
creed and prayers
Do you believe in God the Father?
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended to heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit?
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
Today the prayers are led by John Williams.
blessing
May the Father,
who so loved the world that he gave his only Son,
bring you by faith to his eternal life. Amen.
May Christ,
who accepted the cup of sacrifice in obedience to the Father’s will,
keep you steadfast as you walk with him the way of his cross. Amen.
May the Spirit,
who strengthens us to suffer with Christ that we may share his glory,
set your minds on life and peace. Amen.
And the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always.
Amen.
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord:
In the name of Christ, Amen.
If you are not a regular member of St George’s but want to connect with us, please please contact us via this page. We have Evening Prayer using Zoom every day (except Saturdays) at 5pm and you are welcome to join us. Contact us for details. Our Prayer page gives you Bible readings and reflections for each day and many of us are finding these such an encouragement.
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