We warmly invite everyone to share in prayer and reflection on this unusual Palm Sunday. Here are some resources to assist.
They can be used all in one go, bit by bit, or selectively, as suits your needs (privately, or with others).
As we remember Jesus entering Jerusalem to face trials but with the promise of ultimate hope and assurance,
may God bless us all on this special day in our own demanding times.
They can be used all in one go, bit by bit, or selectively, as suits your needs (privately, or with others).
As we remember Jesus entering Jerusalem to face trials but with the promise of ultimate hope and assurance,
may God bless us all on this special day in our own demanding times.
Acknowledgement of Country
Firstly, as we gather in God's presence, we acknowledge the land which is covered by the Milton parish, its traditional custodians, elders past present and emerging, and all Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people in our communities. May we honour and share more deeply the wisdom of all, and walk in paths of just reconciliation and renewal of all Creation
Firstly, as we gather in God's presence, we acknowledge the land which is covered by the Milton parish, its traditional custodians, elders past present and emerging, and all Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people in our communities. May we honour and share more deeply the wisdom of all, and walk in paths of just reconciliation and renewal of all Creation
Opening Reflections
Take a moment to breathe in God's peace as we begin our journey through Holy Week. Rest in the love which gave Jesus strength to share life and hope in the midst of the huge challenges of Jesus' own day. That love can give us peace and courage too to live and praise God in all that we face and feel.
We may like to listen to, and/or join in with, one of the great ancient songs of Palm Sunday.
All Glory, Laud and Honour to God, wherever we may be..
Take a moment to breathe in God's peace as we begin our journey through Holy Week. Rest in the love which gave Jesus strength to share life and hope in the midst of the huge challenges of Jesus' own day. That love can give us peace and courage too to live and praise God in all that we face and feel.
We may like to listen to, and/or join in with, one of the great ancient songs of Palm Sunday.
All Glory, Laud and Honour to God, wherever we may be..
The Entry into Jerusalem - a reading from the Gospel of Matthew 21.1-11
The story of Christ's entry into Jerusalem is one of the most dramatic and deeply symbolic narratives in the Gospels.
Please read this passage in your Bible, or online here, and hold some silence to let it speak to you...
The story of Christ's entry into Jerusalem is one of the most dramatic and deeply symbolic narratives in the Gospels.
Please read this passage in your Bible, or online here, and hold some silence to let it speak to you...
Blessing of Palms
Traditionally we bless palm crosses and branches in our worship on this day.
So you might like to say this prayer as a blessing on any palm leaves (or other green branches) you have,
or hold out the palms of your own hands as you read it and ask for God's blessing...
Everliving God
we remember how on this day
people took living branches
and cried out 'Hosanna'
as they greeted Jesus on the road.
Bless us as we set out on the road to Jerusalem.
May the texture and fragrance of living things
remind us that you always lead us to life.
Bless and protect us as we face all that is ahead.
May the knowledge of your presence give us courage
and your love enfold us like the cloaks that lined the road.
Bless and surround us as we journey on. Amen.
(Penny Jones)
Traditionally we bless palm crosses and branches in our worship on this day.
So you might like to say this prayer as a blessing on any palm leaves (or other green branches) you have,
or hold out the palms of your own hands as you read it and ask for God's blessing...
Everliving God
we remember how on this day
people took living branches
and cried out 'Hosanna'
as they greeted Jesus on the road.
Bless us as we set out on the road to Jerusalem.
May the texture and fragrance of living things
remind us that you always lead us to life.
Bless and protect us as we face all that is ahead.
May the knowledge of your presence give us courage
and your love enfold us like the cloaks that lined the road.
Bless and surround us as we journey on. Amen.
(Penny Jones)
A Reading from the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 26.14-chapter 27.66 (or chapter 27 verses 11-54)
On Palm Sunday, it is customary to read the full Passion Narrative from one of the Gospels - or, alternatively, the main section of it.
Please join in by reading part at least of these passages, in your own Bible, or online here - Matthew chapter 26 and Matthew chapter 27
On Palm Sunday, it is customary to read the full Passion Narrative from one of the Gospels - or, alternatively, the main section of it.
Please join in by reading part at least of these passages, in your own Bible, or online here - Matthew chapter 26 and Matthew chapter 27
A Reflection (by Penny Jones)
"The Lord needs it". This is what Jesus instructs his disciples to tell the owners of the Palm Sunday donkey.
The question is 'what is our donkey?' 'What is it that Jesus needs from us today?
click here to read more
or click on the YouTube link below...
"The Lord needs it". This is what Jesus instructs his disciples to tell the owners of the Palm Sunday donkey.
The question is 'what is our donkey?' 'What is it that Jesus needs from us today?
click here to read more
or click on the YouTube link below...
Prayers of Intercession
Holy, humble, hope-bearing God,
you come among us riding on a donkey,
challenging our preconceptions
and calling us to ever-surprising love.
Give us grace and strength
to walk through Holy Week
in the power of Resurrection faith.
Holy, humble, hope-bearing God,
may your enduring love prevail
We pray for ourselves and the wider Church:
that we may place our hurts and anxieties in your hands,
be renewed by your strength and peace,
and offer prayer and comfort to our world.
Holy, humble, hope-bearing God,
may your enduring love prevail
We pray for our nation:
that we may stand strong together,
with appropriate distance, patience and mutual support,
remembering especially all workers in health and essential services,
those who are have lost livelihoods,
the poor, homeless, and imprisoned,
those in situations of domestic violence,
and all those making difficult decisions at this time.
Holy, humble, hope-bearing God,
may your enduring love prevail
We pray for our world:
remembering especially those nations
who have been hardest hit by the coronavirus,
those who are struggling with a critical lack of resources,
and all refugees and asylum-seekers.
Holy, humble, hope-bearing God,
may your enduring love prevail
We pray for those who are ill or greatly burdened:
remembering, in a moment of silence,
those known to us and for whom our prayers have been asked...
Holy, humble, hope-bearing God,
may your enduring love prevail.
We remember those who have died recently,
those who mourn their loss,
and those whose anniversaries of death fall at this time
Holy, humble, hope-bearing God,
in the face of all change and challenge
may your enduring love shine bright,
in Jesus' Name, Amen.
(Jo Inkpin)
The Lord's Prayer
Please use whatever form seems best to you - or check out the NRSV version here
and/or listen to the following notable recording...
Please use whatever form seems best to you - or check out the NRSV version here
and/or listen to the following notable recording...
Giving Thanks (Eucharist)
The word eucharist means thanksgiving, and when we share bread and wine together as the body and blood of Christ, we use one of the Great Thanksgiving prayers in our authorised prayer book .
(see photo here from our worship in the Chapel of the Holy Spirit at St Francis College in Milton).
When we have no opportunity to gather in this way with an ordained priest to lead us, we may still take time to give thanks for God's blessing to us, and especially the gift of love in Jesus Christ.
Perhaps you may like to read one of the Gospel versions of the Last Supper and Jesus' words at this point? - click here for Mark's Gospel chapter 14, 22-25
If you have an Anglican Prayer Book, you can also read one of the authorised prayers.
As you share food today, you may also like to remember God present with us whenever we take bread and wine, or anything else to eat.
The word eucharist means thanksgiving, and when we share bread and wine together as the body and blood of Christ, we use one of the Great Thanksgiving prayers in our authorised prayer book .
(see photo here from our worship in the Chapel of the Holy Spirit at St Francis College in Milton).
When we have no opportunity to gather in this way with an ordained priest to lead us, we may still take time to give thanks for God's blessing to us, and especially the gift of love in Jesus Christ.
Perhaps you may like to read one of the Gospel versions of the Last Supper and Jesus' words at this point? - click here for Mark's Gospel chapter 14, 22-25
If you have an Anglican Prayer Book, you can also read one of the authorised prayers.
As you share food today, you may also like to remember God present with us whenever we take bread and wine, or anything else to eat.
Prayer of Commendation
Let us ask God to give us grace to continue to live our lives in faith hope and love:
God of the onward journey
Amid uncertainty, give us courage
Amid darkness, give us light
Amid fear, give us hope
Amid instability, give us balance
amid conflict, give us peace
and in all things accompany us
along the Way.
(Penny Jones)
Let us ask God to give us grace to continue to live our lives in faith hope and love:
God of the onward journey
Amid uncertainty, give us courage
Amid darkness, give us light
Amid fear, give us hope
Amid instability, give us balance
amid conflict, give us peace
and in all things accompany us
along the Way.
(Penny Jones)
A Blessing for the next stage of our journeys
Creator of the palm leaves,
the sky, the sea and all that is
Bless us and keep us
Redeemer of the fickle crowds,
the fearful disciples and all we are
Bless us and keep us
Sanctifier of the ordinary,
the donkeys and all that can be
Bless us and keep us
This Palm Sunday and always, Amen.
(Jo Inkpin & Penny Jones)
Creator of the palm leaves,
the sky, the sea and all that is
Bless us and keep us
Redeemer of the fickle crowds,
the fearful disciples and all we are
Bless us and keep us
Sanctifier of the ordinary,
the donkeys and all that can be
Bless us and keep us
This Palm Sunday and always, Amen.
(Jo Inkpin & Penny Jones)
Offertory
In our usual worship, we include an opportunity to offer monetary and/or other gifts to God.
If you would like to contribute to the work of Milton Anglicans during the COVID-19 crisis, please feel to do so via electronic means -
via BPoint
or by contacting the parish office
In our usual worship, we include an opportunity to offer monetary and/or other gifts to God.
If you would like to contribute to the work of Milton Anglicans during the COVID-19 crisis, please feel to do so via electronic means -
via BPoint
or by contacting the parish office