St Mark 15 : 1 – 5

As soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. They bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate. Pilate asked him, ‘Are you the King of the Jews?’ He answered him, ‘You say so.’  Then the chief priests accused him of many things.  Pilate asked him again, ‘Have you no answer? See how many charges they bring against you.’  But Jesus made no further reply, so that Pilate was amazed.

Reflection

The former American president, Theodore Roosevelt, gave a speech in 1910 in Paris to urge the United States to participate in the arena of global power, during which he said:

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.” 

I think many Christians, and our churches, fear being in the public arena of power. Perhaps we fear the corrupting influences of violent power, or the shame of failure. We hold back, looking for ways to act in the background, avoiding tension and trying our best to be nice. This makes us lukewarm.

Jesus encourages us to enter the arena. But his way of being in the arena transforms it. Where violent power lobs punches and accusations, the power of God in Jesus sits like a dove. He does not punch back, nor defend himself. In silence, he offers an embrace.

This amazes practitioners of violence. It leaves me wondering that if only Pilate and the chief priests could drop their egos, pride, and faith in violent power, they could embrace and be embraced by God’s love.

For today’s Body of Christ—the church—to offer that same embrace to the world, we too have to go into the arena. We need not be afraid, but we do need to be present in it differently. Friends, let us go with boldness.

Prayer

God, you sent Jesus to show us that your embrace remains even in the face of every form of violence we throw at you or the world. Help us to enter the arena of public life with boldness, following you in laying aside our weapons of violence, and offer your embrace. Amen.

 

St Mark 14: 66 – 72

While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant-girls of the high priest came by.  When she saw Peter warming himself, she stared at him and said, ‘You also were with Jesus, the man from Nazareth.’  But he denied it, saying, ‘I do not know or understand what you are talking about.’ And he went out into the forecourt. Then the cock crowed.  And the servant-girl, on seeing him, began again to say to the bystanders, ‘This man is one of them.’  But again he denied it. Then after a little while the bystanders again said to Peter, ‘Certainly you are one of them; for you are a Galilean.’  But he began to curse, and he swore an oath, ‘I do not know this man you are talking about.’   At that moment the cock crowed for the second time. Then Peter remembered that Jesus had said to him, ‘Before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.’ And he broke down and wept.

Reflection

This is one of those Biblical passages that always makes me pause. In many respects there is very little actually written there, and yet the depth of what it contains is challenging and demanding. It asks questions of us, and it demands a response from us as well.

For many of us, when we read this passage, we cannot but help putting ourselves into Peter’s place and wondering how we might have reacted, or responded, if we had been challenged and asked the questions that he was asked. We might, as we initially read the story, be horrified that Peter, of all of the disciples, might so easily turn his back on the one he has proclaimed as the Christ. And yet, as we reflect further, we might recognise just how easily we too turn our backs on our Saviour and, if we are honest with ourselves, we do so without the threats and provocation that Peter faced.

And the trouble is that we always realise what we have done after the fact. It is always something we view with hindsight. This was also the case for Peter, even though he had been given fair warning of what was going to happen. And it leads to one of the great understatements of the Bible.

Each of the Gospels deals with the aftermath of Peter’s denials with a brief sentence that can never fully encapsulate the pain and shame that he must have felt at that moment. And it is a pain and shame that we understand because we have acted in similar ways. Although we haven’t walked in Peter’s shoes, we have walked on similar paths and so we know those feelings of guilt that come when we have let someone down.

Yet despite these feelings, we must remember that there is always the possibility of reconciliation and forgiveness. Although Mark’s gospel may not provide us with the continuation of this particular story, we know from the gospel of John that following the resurrection, Jesus comes to Peter and restores him. This gives us the knowledge that we too can be restored.

Prayer

Loving God,
thank you for never letting us go.
Thank you that you are not like us,
and will never disown or deny knowing us.
Forgive us our faults and frailties and,
as you did with Peter, restore us,
so that we might be able to serve you
as we respond to your call on our lives. Amen.

 

St Mark 14: 53 – 65
They took Jesus to the high priest; and all the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes were assembled. Peter had followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest; and he was sitting with the guards, warming himself at the fire.  Now the chief priests and the whole council were looking for testimony against Jesus to put him to death; but they found none.  For many gave false testimony against him, and their testimony did not agree. Some stood up and gave false testimony against him, saying,  ‘We heard him say, “I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another, not made with hands.”’  But even on this point their testimony did not agree.  Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, ‘Have you no answer? What is it that they testify against you?’  But he was silent and did not answer. Again the high priest asked him, ‘Are you the Messiah,  the Son of the Blessed One?’  Jesus said, ‘I am; and

“you will see the Son of Man
seated at the right hand of the Power”,
and “coming with the clouds of heaven.”’

Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, ‘Why do we still need witnesses?  You have heard his blasphemy! What is your decision?’ All of them condemned him as deserving death.  Some began to spit on him, to blindfold him, and to strike him, saying to him, ‘Prophesy!’ The guards also took him over and beat him.

Reflection
What the Sanhedrin was doing that evening was beyond its usual remit. It had powers permitted by the ruling Roman authorities to regulate religious life, to rule on questions of religious law – even to try a Jewish king in exceptional circumstances!

But much to the frustration of the priests and their acolytes, they were not able to do the one thing they really wanted now – to get rid of the pesky preacher by having him executed publicly, something only the Roman rulers were empowered to do. One way or another, they had to “prove” that Jesus was breaking Roman law.

Frustrated, they set up what we might describe as a kangaroo court session, “a mock court in which the principles of law and justice are disregarded or perverted.” They took “evidence” so distorted and palpably false even they couldn’t bend it to their purposes. Then they probed and bullied until they finally extracted a response they could bend to show that Jesus was a threat to the Roman Empire. They said he claimed to be King of the Jews.

That wasn’t enough for these “men of God”, some of whom were so carried away that they began to mock and beat the helpless Jesus. There was no honour in their actions, and no justice.

If only we could claim now to live in a better world, but we can’t. The legal systems in countries across the globe are regularly perverted to ensure that powerful people, even leaders of great nations, can use or abuse them to silence dissent and rid themselves of potential opponents in blatantly fake trials.

Let us strive to ignore any temptation to become immune to such cruelty and injustice when we see or hear of it, remembering that Jesus is represented in each sufferer.

Prayer
O Lord, open my eyes that I may see the needs of others
Open my ears that I may hear their cries;
Open my heart so that they need not be without succour;
Let me not be afraid to defend the weak because of the anger of the strong,
Nor afraid to defend the poor because of the anger of the rich.
Show me where love and hope and faith are needed,
And use me to bring them to those places.

Alan Paton

 
Today’s service is led by the Revd Walt Johnson

 
Welcome

Hello, and welcome to our Service of the Word on Sunday 24th March 2024. My name is Walt Johnson. I serve as a non-stipendiary Minister of Word and Sacraments in the Bolton and Salford Missional Partnership in the North-Western Synod of the URC.  Have you ever changed your opinion about somebody? You thought someone was awful, but they grew on you and now you like them?  Or you thought they were brilliant when you first met them, but now you don’t want anything to do with them. In both cases it was probably something the person said or did which changed your mind. On Palm Sunday, the people of Jerusalem welcomed Jesus into the city with joy, waving palm-branches and crying “Hosanna”. But five days later, they had changed their minds, and they were shouting “Crucify Him”. How people can change! We come together now as God’s people to worship our Lord, Jesus Christ: in the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Call to Worship

We come to worship as we are. Make way, make way!
For Jesus is the King of kings!

We bring to God our sadness and our joy. Make way, make way!
For Jesus is the King of kings!

We cry out to God against brokenness and injustice. Make way, make way!  
For Jesus is the King of kings!

We hunger for the Bread of Life and thirst for the Living Water. Make way, make way!  
For Jesus is the King of kings!

We call on God’s holy name in the power of the Holy Spirit. Make way, make way!  
For Jesus is the King of kings!

Hymn     At The Name of Jesus 
Caroline Noel, 1870 Public domain Sung at the Aber Conference, 2016, of the Evangelical Movement of Wales and used with their kind permission 

At the name of Jesus ev’ry knee shall bow,
ev’ry tongue confess him King of glory now;
’tis the Father’s pleasure we should call him Lord,
who from the beginning was the mighty Word.

Humbled for a season to receive a name
from the lips of sinners unto whom he came,
faithfully he bore it spotless to the last,
brought it back victorious when from death he passed;

Name him, Christians, name him with love strong as death,
but with awe and wonder, and with bated breath.
He is God the saviour, He is Christ the Lord
ever to be worshiped trusted and adored.

In your hearts enthrone him; there let him subdue
all that is not holy, all that is not true;
crown him as your captain in temptation’s hour;
let his will enfold you in its light and pow’r.
 
Christians, this Lord Jesus shall return again
with his Father’s glory, with his angel train;
for all wreaths of empire meet upon his brow,
and our hearts confess him King of glory now.

Prayer of Approach

Loving God, You, who are our Creator; 
You, who, in Jesus, are our Saviour;
You, who, in the Holy Spirit, are our Life-Giver;
we come to You and give You thanks and praise.
We praise You for the freedom which we enjoy to worship You;
we remember our Sisters and Brothers in Christ who must meet in secret.
For all that we are and all that we have, we praise You.
As we gather together for worship today,
may it be with a sense that Jesus is here, too: 
may our eyes be open to see Him, 
may our hearts be ready to be seen by Him, 
may our worship be worthy of His presence, 
may our ears be open to hear the Word:
may we see the world through His eyes, 
responding in service and love. 
Thanks be to God. Amen.

Prayer of Confession

There are times when we have all failed to love others, failed to love God, and we have even failed to love ourselves. We bring these now to God.  Listen for the Words of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew (11:28-30)
“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Short period of silence

O God, you know us well. We are quick to speak of faith, but slow to live it fully. We shout “hosanna” as Jesus approaches, as did the people of Jerusalem many years ago; but we do not want him to come too close – not close enough to really see…

Lord, have mercy… Christ, have mercy.

O God, you know us well. We are quick to claim faith in Jesus as our Lord and Saviour; but, like the throng who greeted his entry into Jerusalem, we are fickle, slow to live fully and everywhere as faithful disciples. We know where we fail…

Lord, have mercy… Christ, have mercy.

O God, you know us well. We are quick to want the blessings of faithfulness; but, like the Twelve who spent the last week with him, we are slow to accept the pain and suffering of authentic Christ-like living. Forgive our weakness and fear…

Lord, have mercy… Christ, have mercy.

Assurance of Pardon

Listen for the assurance of pardon as found these Words of Jesus: “Your sins are forgiven.” Jesus also says, “Come, follow Me.” Thanks be to God. Amen.

Hymn     Ride On, Ride On In Majesty 
Henry Milman, 1827 Public domain Sung by the choir of St Michael and All Angels, Bassett, for Palm Sunday, 2021

Ride on, ride on in majesty!
Hear all the tribes hosanna cry;
O Saviour meek, pursue Your road
with palms and scattered garments strowed.

Ride on, ride on in majesty!
In lowly pomp ride on to die.
O Christ, Your triumphs now begin
o’er captive death & conquered sin.

Ride on, ride on in majesty!
The wingéd squadrons of the sky
look down with sad and wond’ring eyes
to see th’approaching Sacrifice.

Ride on, ride on in majesty!
The last and fiercest strife is nigh.
The Father on His sapphire throne
awaits His own anointed Son.

Ride on, ride on in majesty!
in lowly pomp ride on to die,
bow Thy meek head to mortal pain,
then take, O God, Your pow’r & reign.

Introduction 

Before we hear our first reading, let us consider for a moment how we travel. What is the best way to travel? Well, that probably depends on the journey we are making. No matter the journey, there are always preparations before we set off. Shoes – check. Keys – check. Wallet or purse – check. Is the house secure – check. Oh and, mobile phone – check. Off we go!

How would you normally get to church? On foot; by bus, tram or train; by car; by bike? I doubt if anyone these days rides an animal to church!
What does our chosen mode of transportation say about us?  As today is Palm Sunday, we are – of course – going to mention the donkey.

Think back to the Coronation of King Charles III in May: his golden carriage was pulled by the finest horses. On the way back to the Palace, Princess Anne rode her horse. And on Palm Sunday, Jesus – the King of kings – is riding a donkey, or the “humble beast” as we have just sung in our last hymn. The point is probably that important and powerful people do not ride donkeys.
If Jesus’ Incarnation were to have happened in 2023, how might he have travelled instead? An upcycled-bicycle? An e-scooter, perhaps. Waited long for an infrequent bus?

All four Gospels give an account of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. I have chosen readings from Luke’s version. In Chapter 19, Jesus has just been speaking to the rich tax collector called Zaccheus and told the parable of the talents.

Reading     St Luke 19:28-34

Listen for the Word of God, as found in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 19, verses 28 to 34.

After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.
When he had come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples, saying, ‘Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, “Why are you untying it?” just say this: “The Lord needs it.”’ So those who were sent departed and found it as he had told them. As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, ‘Why are you untying the colt?’ They said, ‘The Lord needs it.’

Talk 

Every church congregation has its traditions when it comes to the big festivals like Christmas, Holy Week, Easter and so on. On Palm Sunday, many of us are used to receiving a new palm cross each year.

Some churches have the tradition of beginning the Palm Sunday outside and processing into the building. There are even some churches with a very brave minister who gets a local farmer to bring a donkey along, hoping that the church carpet doesn’t get too messy!

All four Gospels give an account of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem riding on a donkey. Matthew’s and John’s gospels point to the fulfilment of an Old Testament prophecy (Zechariah 9:9) “Rejoice greatly, O daughter Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter Jerusalem! Lo, your king comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” 

From our own experience of royalty in the UK, we would expect a king or queen to ride on a magnificent horse or in a golden carriage. Think also about how government ministers are chauffeured around under police escort – no traffic jams for them! Even the mayors of our towns have their own official car and driver.

The journey from the Mount of Olives to Jerusalem is about 3km, which would take about an hour on foot, though the crowds will have slowed that down somewhat. Matthew, Mark and Luke’s gospels all hint at Jesus’ foreknowledge of what was to going to happen: He sends ahead two of His disciples to fetch the donkey. As the events of Holy Week unfold, we see more occasions when Jesus’ said in advance what would happen. So, on such a short journey, why the need for a donkey?
Throughout Jesus’ ministry, often when Jesus had performed a big miracle (like the feeding of the 5000), the crowds wanted to seize Him and proclaim Him king, but John’s Gospel tells us that Jesus slipped away, not letting that happen. So why the change? Once He is sat on the donkey and begins the ride into Jerusalem, Jesus is fulfilling the prophecy, riding as King into Jerusalem!

And what about the young donkey? We are told that no-one had ever ridden it. How did the colt react to the first rider on its back? Did it panic at first and try to throw off its divine rider? How did it cope being led through a very noisy crowd waving palm-branches? So many new and overwhelming experiences! 
We may be reading the Bible through a rose-tinted lens, if we imagine the young, never-ridden-on-before donkey to have been meek and mild, content to be led through the noisy streets. Was it afraid? Surrounded by people, there was no place to run and escape to. Or maybe it refused to move and needed some ‘persuasion’? Maybe it peed or pooped out of fright on the cloaks strewn on the road! 

In comparison, sometimes our lives are a bit like the donkey’s when new things happen to us: going to school, starting a new school, getting a first job, a first relationship, a first home, a first child, retiring, being widowed. At such times, we are glad that there are others there with us to support us. All the more scary, when we have to face things seemingly alone.
And, if we are honest, we are all afraid sometimes. Sometimes, those fears can threaten to overwhelm us: loss of family or partner, unemployment, the gas bill, illness, old-age…

At Christmas, we speak of God as Immanuel, which means “God with us”. When we read the Gospels, we read about hundreds of occasions when Jesus met real people in their very real circumstances: He was with them.
Through the power and presence of the Holy Spirit, Jesus promises us God’s enduring presence always, even in the scary moments of life, often through others.

On Palm Sunday, Jesus was the King of Kings who entered the city for everybody, but He did so in simplicity.

Let us hear now how the story continues…
 
Reading     St Luke 19:35-40

Listen for the Word of God, as found in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 19, verses 35 to 40:

Then they brought it to Jesus; and after throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. As he rode along, people kept spreading their cloaks on the road. As he was now approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen, saying,

‘Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!
Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!’

Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, ‘Teacher, order your disciples to stop.’ He answered, ‘I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.’

Talk 2 

So, the young donkey makes its way down the Mount of Olives. If you have been to Israel, you may have seen or even walked that road – it’s very steep indeed! I am relieved for the young donkey’s sake that it didn’t have to carry Jesus up the hill! 

The people were shouting. What were they shouting? All four Gospels agree that they were shouting “Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Psalm 118:26) Luke and John’s gospels add that the crowd proclaimed Jesus as King.

I deliberately chose Luke’s account as our reading, because it is the one which does not include the word “Hosanna”. It is a word used only in religious circles: it means little or nothing to others. In the context, it is from the previous verse in Psalm 118:25. The Hebrew “ho-shi-‘ah-na” means “save now”.

Every family, company, club, organisation etc. has its own jargon. While this language is often a shortcut, it also gives a sense of belonging; but, at the same time, it can be a barrier to others. If we were to go outside now and ask the first person we met what “Hosanna” means, do you think they could answer?

While the crowds were cheering Jesus, we read that not everyone was happy. Unique to Luke’s Gospel is a brief exchange between Jesus and the Pharisees. Read carefully, it says “some Pharisees”. But why did “some Pharisees” want Jesus to silence the crowd? Maybe their motivation was out of concern for the people to avoid a brutal reprisal by the occupying Roman forces. Maybe their motivation was theological: they disagreed that Jesus was seemingly taking on the fulfilment of prophecy to be the promised Saviour. Maybe it was their selfish fear that their hold on power seemed lost. 

If you know the Rice & Lloyd-Webber musical ‘Jesus Christ, Superstar!’, in the song ‘Hosanna’, there is paraphrase of Jesus’ reply to these Pharisees:

“Why waste your breath moaning at the crowd? 
Nothing can be done to stop the shouting.
If every tongue were stilled
The noise would still continue.
The rocks and stones themselves would start to sing!”

Jesus may have been saying this to the Pharisees: there is nothing you can do to do stop God’s plan, something which the Pharisee Gamaliel also said to the rest of the Sanhedrin. You can read about that exchange in the book of Acts, chapter 5.

As churches, we have maybe over-relied on the rocks and stones which make up our church buildings. During the Covid-Lockdowns, many churches were able to do new and innovative things to make church digital. This very service is an enduring example of that! Now that the Lockdowns have long-since ended, the challenges vary: for some churches, their future is uncertain; others have grown as the existing and digital congregations have continued. The wider world never ceases to change, and for the church to try to stay the same or to regress is folly.
Luke’s Gospel tells us that the people were cheering Jesus because of “all the deeds of power that they had seen”. 

The people were fickle then, just as there are fickle in 2023. This year’s sporting hero is next year’s scandal. Politicians voted in with huge majorities voted out at the next election.

2000 years ago, the crowds were shouting “Blessed in the King!”, and just five days later, they were shouting “Crucify Him!” 

And here is also a great mystery: the people cheered to be saved, but for them to be saved, they also had to change and cry “Crucify” and Jesus had to die.

As we go through Holy Week, we revisit the saddest and most joyful story of our faith, a journey which both ends and begins – when Mary, torn apart in grief at losing her beloved master, Jesus, goes to His tomb, only to find it empty. She hears a man speaking her name, whom she recognises as Our Risen Lord. 

Death is defeated. Eternal life is ours. In mercy, in grace, we are reconciled to our loving creator God.  Thanks be to God. Amen.

Hymn     We Have A King Who Rides A Donkey
Fred Kaan © 1968, Hope Publishing Company 
Sung by Andrea Maxson and Grimsby Minster’s Organist and Director of Music, Steven Maxson Printed and podcast in accordance to the terms of OneLicence  # A-734713  
 
We have a king who rides a donkey, (x3)
and his name is Jesus:
Jesus the king is risen (x3)
early in the morning.

Trees are waving a royal welcome (x3)
for the king called Jesus:
Jesus the king is risen (x3)
early in the morning.

We have a king who cares for people, (x3)
and his name is Jesus:
Jesus the king is risen (x3)
early in the morning.

A loaf and a cup upon the table, (x3)
bread-and-wine is Jesus:
Jesus the king is risen (x3)
early in the morning.

We have a king with a bowl and towel, (x3)
servant-king is Jesus:
Jesus the king is risen (x3)
early in the morning.

What shall we do with our life this morning? (x3)
Give it up in service!
Jesus the king is risen (x3)
early in the morning.
 
Affirmation of Faith

Let us affirm our faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, using the words of Paul in his letter to the church in Philippi:

Let the same mind be in us that was in Christ Jesus,
who, though He was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God
as something to be exploited,
but emptied Himself,
taking the form of a slave,
being born in human likeness.
And being found in human form,
He humbled himself
and became obedient to the point of death—
even death on a cross.
Therefore, God also highly exalted Him
and gave Him the name
that is above every name,
so that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bend,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue should confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Prayers of Concern & The Lord’s Prayer

Empty, broken, here we stand: touch us with Your healing hand.
Take our arrogance and pride: wash us in Your mercy’s tide.

Loving God, we pray for the brokenness in our world: especially we pray for those whose lives are torn apart by violence, war and disaster. We pray for leaders of governments and business that they might turn from narrow self-interest to global concern.

O Lord, hear our prayer… And let our cry go unto You.

When our faith has all but gone: give us the strength to carry on.
When our dreams have turned to dust, in you, O Lord, we put our trust.
Loving God, we pray for those whose strength is failing. We pray for those who are unwell, in body, mind or spirit. We pray for all those who work and serve in health and social care. In the silence of our hearts, we name those known to us in need:

O Lord, hear our prayer… And let our cry go unto You.

When our hearts are cold as ice: Your love speaks of sacrifice.
Love that sets the captives free: pour compassion down on us.
Loving God, we pray for those who find themselves in desperate situations, not knowing where to turn. We pray for refugees and seekers of asylum. We pray for those in our own communities whose lives are in turmoil. We pray for those who provide support – practically, emotionally and financially.

O Lord, hear our prayer… And let our cry go unto You.

You are the voice that calms our fears: You are the laughter that dries our tears. You are our music, our refrain: help us sing Your song again.
Loving God, we pray for those who are bereaved, and for those for whom anniversaries occur at this time. We give thanks for Your eternal promise that You will be with us always, even to the end of the age.
We praise You thanks for the beauty of creation, the joy which the diverse creativity in many forms enriches our lives, 
and for the times our souls rejoice!

O Lord, hear our prayer… And let our cry go unto You.

Humble heart of holiness: kiss us with Your tenderness.
Jesus, faithful friend and true: all we are, we give to You.
Loving God, we pray for the church throughout the world, and the church families of which we are apart. We pray for our United Reformed Church: we pray for the unity of the Body of Christ. We give thanks for Your faithfulness which never ends, and especially we pray for those who are taking the first steps in faith.

O Lord, hear our prayer… And let our cry go unto You.

We bring all our prayers together, as we say the prayer Jesus taught to us say…

Lord’s prayer:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come; thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.

Hymn     You Shall Go Out With Joy
Stuart Dauermann  Text and music © 1975, Lillenas Publishing Co. One Licence # A-734713   Sung by St Francis United Church, St Francis Bay, South Africa

You shall go out with joy
And be led forth in peace,
And the mountains and the hills shall
Break forth before you.
There’ll be shouts of joy,
And all the trees of the field 
Shall clap, shall clap their hands.

And the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
And the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
And the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
While you go out with joy!

You shall go out with joy
And be led forth in peace,
And the mountains and the hills shall
Break forth before you.
There’ll be shouts of joy,
And all the trees of the field 
Shall clap, shall clap their hands.

And the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
And the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
And the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
While you go out with joy!

And the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
And the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
And the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
While you go out with joy!
(repeat x 3)

Blessing

Thank you for joining in with our worship today. 
We close with some verses from Scripture.
Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.”
May the Lord bless you and keep you.
May the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you.
May the Lord turn His smile towards you and give you peace. Amen.

inspiration in your inbox  Saturday 23 March 2024 St Mark 14: 32 – 42 They went to a place called Gethsemane; and Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Sit here while I pray.’  He took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be distressed and agitated.  And he said to them, ‘I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and keep awake.’  And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.  He said, ‘Abba, Father, for you all things are possible; remove this cup from me; yet, not what I want, but what you want.’  He came and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, ‘Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep awake one hour?  Keep awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.’  And again he went away and prayed, saying the same words.  And once more he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy; and they did not know what to say to him.  He came a third time and said to them, ‘Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? Enough! The hour has come; the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.  Get up, let us be going. See, my betrayer is at hand.’ Reflection Never underestimate the power of ‘withness’ – of knowing someone is with you, staying with you as you endure what you must.  Even if not physically present, signs of being actively held in another’s thoughts and prayers (such as cards, messages, phone calls) defend us against feeling abandoned by God and people in our time of need and keep us connected to love by however slender a thread. I memorably spent a night watching over a young man on a residential youth event who we had suspected of drinking alcohol and then realised was having a hypoglycemic episode.  The on-call doctor treated him and told the team to watch him overnight – and as I was not driving a minibus home the next day, I volunteered to sit with him all night whilst he slept.  As I kept watch and prayed I realised it was in fact Maundy Thursday.  The next day he was much recovered and very touched that someone had stayed at his bedside – as no one ever had before. Jesus, in his time of trial, wants to protect his friends from their own trials.  Jesus powerfully names his feelings and his need of their presence and prayers.  His own prayer echoes the prayer he taught his followers: Abba father, not my will but yours be done (here on earth as in heaven).   His willing spirit and weak flesh will be tested along with those of his friends that very night. Who are we being asked to stay with, to watch and pray? What situation needs our attention and prayerful intention? Which times of trial are we being called to enter in loving empathy? Can we manage even an hour today, this Holy Week? Could we keep vigil on Maundy Thursday and accompany Christ through this dark night? Prayer Stay with me, remain here with me, watch and pray, watch and pray. Stay With Me (Taizé) [with lyrics for congregations] – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-OHPoVhwgnM Stay with me (Bleibet hier). Prayerful video with lyrics – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WNY7vKiMjY

Today’s writer Sam Richards, serving as Head of Children’s and Youth Work, Messy Church Team, Chalgrove   New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright © 1989, 1995 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

St Mark 14: 26 – 31
When they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. And Jesus said to them, ‘You will all become deserters; for it is written,

“I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.”

But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.’ Peter said to him, ‘Even though all become deserters, I will not.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Truly I tell you, this day, this very night, before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.’ But he said vehemently, ‘Even though I must die with you, I will not deny you.’ And all of them said the same.

Reflection
If the denial of Jesus by those closest to him feels shocking today, it would be even more so to Christians in the very early Church in the decades immediately following Jesus’ earthly life. These first Christians scattered around Asia Minor and particularly those in Rome, regarded Peter and the other apostles as huge role models and fearless witnesses for Christ.  So, for these heroic saints of the fledgling Church to be seen as disavowing Jesus must have been difficult to take on board. 

Perhaps they came to an understanding of this by appreciating two linked messages implied in this passage. First, that this was as had been foretold in scripture, that after the shepherd was struck “the sheep will be scattered;” and second, that this was a panic scattering following the horror of their Lord being brutally taken away from them. In other words, it was to be seen as a “weakness of the flesh” rather than a deliberate betrayal. It must have been of some comfort to members of the early Church when they wavered in their faith, to appreciate that even the apostles at times faltered.

Nevertheless, the language used in this passage is pretty stark and uncompromising. Jesus doesn’t spare them with accusations of merely wobbling, but says they will become “deserters.” When Peter fervently protests, Jesus does not relent or soften his message but doubles down in his blunt prediction of Peter’s threefold denial.

So, alongside those Christians of the early Church, we also may despairingly ask: if even such paragons of faith as the apostles are found so wanting, what hope is there for us?

Well, ironically, as I read Peter’s hurt-filled words “Even though all become deserters, I will not” what struck me was, in fact these words capture the fundamental promise and assurance that Christ makes to each of us. No matter how far short we fall, however much we fail as Christians and to live as we should, and, indeed, however much we desert Christ … he will not desert us!

In all our lives there are times when our faith falters, doubts overwhelm. and we do not believe, but we have the assurance that Christ will always believe in us.

Prayer
Lord,
There are many times
When life becomes so difficult
When crisis overwhelms us,
panic sets in, and we doubt.
There are times when
we fail to believe:
and we desert you
and the path you lead.
When we cease to believe in you
Thank you for continuing to believe in us.
Amen

St Mark 14: 22 – 25
While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to them, and said, ‘Take; this is my body.’  Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, and all of them drank from it.  He said to them, ‘This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. Truly I tell you, I will never again drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.’

Reflection
My mother was a third generation lay preacher, steeped in the traditions of independent church life.    A lifelong advocate of lay presidency, she was greatly sought after to lead communion. She would often turn up at worship with bread already cut into neat squares, with trimmed crusts, and wrapped in a white napkin.  She would never have described herself as a theologian but was widely read and kept up with Church business with great interest and commitment.  Joan Elphick was as far from high church practice as could be achieved. She would not have known nor much cared about the Anamnesis or Epiclesis and always referred to the sacrament as the “Lord’s supper” at the “Lord’s table” (capitals and the lack of them deliberate). 

But …and it’s a very big but… after the service was over, she would gather those squares of bread back into the napkin, tie it carefully so nothing could escape, and take it back home.  Once home, whatever the weather, she would take the napkin into the garden and cast the bread on the back lawn for the birds to eat. She would never have thrown it in the bin nor turned it into breadcrumbs for use in the kitchen – which she did with every other piece of leftover loaf we ever had.  

Why?  Whatever our answer is to that question is at the core of our knowledge of, and our thirst for, the sacrament of Holy Communion.  That answer is the basis of so many dreadful differences between, and within, denominations across the years.  That answer is integral to our understanding of God’s presence with us in the world, in all people, and in simple bread and wine.  That answer will be different for each one of us as God speaks to us through the basic things of life. Jesus took a loaf of bread and he took a cup, and they all drank from it.  Not for nothing is it called a Sacred Mystery. 

Prayer
When at this table, I receive a blessing, 
the broken bread, the wine of life for me, 
then let me share the peace with you, my neighbour, 
and let the Spirit set our spirits free.

What faith I have, I bring to join this table, 
what hope I hold, in Christ is taught and true; 
with brothers, sisters, I will share the blessing, 
the feast, where God is making all things new.

Shirley Erena Murray. (1931-2020) 

St Mark 14: 12 – 21

On the first day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb is sacrificed, his disciples said to him, ‘Where do you want us to go and make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?’ So he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, ‘Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you; follow him, and wherever he enters, say to the owner of the house, “The Teacher asks, Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?” He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.’ So the disciples set out and went to the city, and found everything as he had told them; and they prepared the Passover meal.  When it was evening, he came with the twelve.  And when they had taken their places and were eating, Jesus said, ‘Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.’  They began to be distressed and to say to him one after another, ‘Surely, not I?’  He said to them, ‘It is one of the twelve, one who is dipping bread into the bowl with me.  For the Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that one by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that one not to have been born.’

Reflection

There’s so much going on here. We might notice the extent to which this demonstrates all sorts of planning quietly put in place by and for Jesus and his followers. We are seeing the outcome of careful choreography. Jesus expects their opening question. The man in the city with the water jar (presumably less usual than a woman with a water jar?) needs to be in a given place at a given time – Jerusalem isn’t exactly tiny or quiet! Their words are a little like some secret password in a spy story. The upstairs room is ready and waiting, furnished and good to go. As we move closer and closer to the crucifixion we are being shown that there is a plan at work, a drama unfolding. Jesus is no accidental victim of stray and random Roman brutality. God’s story of redemption is unfolding and the Spirit is at work in human affairs, even down to laying the table.

Then there’s the dramatic shift as they eat together. Jesus remains in command of events, and disciples continue to have parts to play. But what a part one of them will have! One who shares the meal for Passover, the great Jewish meal that remembers God setting slaves free to become a holy nation, will betray the Messiah. We can hear the anguished chorus, “not I?” And we feel the story’s ambiguity, perhaps. Without the betrayer, would there be a crucifixion? The Spirit is at work, and not everything is easy to comprehend. Mysteries linger.

What might this passage give into our day? 

Perhaps we are encouraged to wonder what part God has for us today. Whether we have major work to do or little of note planned, how might we embrace today so that we are utterly available to the Spirit to serve as God directs us?

Prayer

Living God, 
I give you today, 
and myself, 
and all the things this day will bring. 
Help me pay attention so that I respond when you are prompting me, 
whether you invite me to stop, 
be still, 
rest, 
wait, 
listen 
or to act and speak with boldness. 
Show me a way to be a disciple once more today. 
Amen.

St Mark 14: 3 – 10

While he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at the table, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very costly ointment of nard, and she broke open the jar and poured the ointment on his head.  But some were there who said to one another in anger, ‘Why was the ointment wasted in this way?  For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii,  and the money given to the poor.’ And they scolded her.  But Jesus said, ‘Let her alone; why do you trouble her? She has performed a good service for me.  For you always have the poor with you, and you can show kindness to them whenever you wish; but you will not always have me. She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for its burial.  Truly I tell you, wherever the good news  is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her.’ Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went to the chief priests in order to betray him to them. When they heard it, they were greatly pleased, and promised to give him money. So he began to look for an opportunity to betray him.

Reflection

This story is easy to read as one character is pitted against the other.  Judas says the wrong thing.  As he later does the wrong thing, we aren’t surprised.  Perhaps to the surprise of the community, the unnamed woman does the right thing.  Jesus clearly says we need to follow her example.

When we read the story as either/or, I wonder if we are missing something?  I wonder whether they both have something to teach us about how we are meant to follow Jesus?  

The unnamed woman is an example of extravagance.  Anointing him is a recognition of who he really is—a leader and king.  The nard is a way of showing she truly sees him and wants to honour him.  She cares for Jesus the King.  When challenged by Judas about the seemingly in appropriate use of the money, Jesus commends her for her actions.  Perhaps he felt seen by her.

In his own way Judas is also showing deep care.  His question and later actions indicate he doesn’t really understand who Jesus is—which kind of king he is—but he does care about the hungry and the lost.  His challenge about the use of money indicates he does understand Jesus’ care for the vulnerable.  

As Jesus’ disciples, perhaps we need to listen to Judas and the unnamed woman.  Judas cares and challenges the use of money.  The unnamed woman acts extravagantly.  Together they call us to act extravagantly to ensure everyone has ‘enough’.

We are called to care extravagantly for everyone—for the people near us who are working so diligently and modelling their lives on the life of Jesus; for those who come into our circle whose needs—for food, clothing, work, care—are great.  Extravagant care means there is enough for all.

Prayer

Living Lord, give us courage to challenge structures of society.  Help us offer our gifts extravagantly.  Guide us to offer our care for all—whether the need is to be fed or to be recognized and loved.  Amen.

St Mark 14: 1 – 3

It was two days before the Passover and the festival of Unleavened Bread. The chief priests and the scribes were looking for a way to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him;  for they said, ‘Not during the festival, or there may be a riot among the people.’

Reflection

As they think about when to arrest and kill Jesus, it seems that the chief priests and scribes are not concerned for the purity or success of ‘the festival’ itself, but rather that the people would riot.

Clearly there would be more people about; from various regions and countries, with different theological, cultural, and political views – so tensions might be high anyway. Why add a spark to the kindling?

Might I also be right in assuming that they are not concerned about ‘the people’ who might be hurt in a riot – but are more worried for their own political and religious authority – why open themselves to criticism in an already delicate balance of power? They themselves are under threat from Roman rule.

But let’s take a step back.

They are planning to arrest and kill Jesus.

A human, created in the image of God – ‘Emmanuel’ God-with-us – is such a danger to the powers of this world that his life is at risk.
In the machinations and intrigue of power – Jesus is seen as a threat and is at threat.

In these verses, the casual terror of privilege and authority discusses the ending of a life.

There is a human – God-with-us, at the centre of this story.

As we read the papers and watch the news this day (and those to come), may we take a moment to see the God-created human in the story: to see the eyes of Christ looking back at us.

Prayer

Living God,
as we live in this world with each other and with you,
may we use the senses and minds you have given us, 
to discern where power is unfettered and free to abuse
and to see your image in our siblings, 
so often forgotten or casually dehumanised.
As you were with Jesus in his hour of need, 
be with us we pray, 
and may your Spirit strengthen us 
to stand with all at threat or abused by the powerful. Amen