Good morning – this is a Palm Sunday like no other. You will always remember where you were for Palm Sunday 2020. And I pray that you are in the comfort of your own home – safe and sound. Too many are spending this day in hospital or in the ICU. And sadly, we know more will become ill in the days to come. SO first – give thanks if you are at home, and pray for those who are not.

The traditional Palm Sunday reading can be found in all four Gospels: Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-44, John 12:12-19. I invite you to take a moment to read those (one, or all – just click and it should open in a new tab).

I have chosen to preach on this passage: Philippians 2:1-11 (again, I’m not reading that on the video, so I encourage you to read it out loud in your own home).

Here is a prayer for this Sunday, which I found on re:Worship (a resource I use regularly for calls to worship and prayers):

O Lord, you rode on.
You rode over the cloaks and under the branches,

You rode through the shouts and past the praises,

Receiving the praise that you deserved, 

but not confusing our praise in your presence for your purpose in coming.

O Lord, you rode on.
You rode towards the controversy and the cost,

You rode towards the curses and the cross,

Receiving the stripes you didn’t deserve,

to give us a reward that we couldn’t earn.

O Lord, you rode on.
You rode through the tomb and the grave,

You rode through our time and space,

Ascending to a throne that will never decay, 

A priesthood that will never pass away,

 A life of love that will always remain, 

And hearing us even now as we pray.

O Lord, you rode on.
We remember the journey you have taken 

as we commit ourselves to walking in the same way. 

Give us the strength, hope, and joy we need as we follow.
In your name we pray, Amen.

~ written by Pastor Joe Welty, Broadway-First Baptist Church, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Our organist, Eric Medhurst recorded a hymn for us, from the comfort of his home, in his own words: On many Sundays I have played a short contemporary arrangement of a familiar Hymn prior to the service which I think many people have enjoyed. As my contribution to Rev. Rebekah’s ongoing and much appreciated effort to keep the spirit of worship alive during these trying times I will be providing a short video each week.  This weeks selection is “Lamb of God” by Twila Paris in a sensitive and thoughtful arrangement by Lloyd Larson.  This beautiful hymn is unfortunately not in our Hymn Book but it may be familiar to some.

The words can be found here.

Here is my video sermon: