This is our third Online service together in the time of church closure and isolation due to Coronavirus. Thank you to Tricia Rees-Jones for the music and singing, Will Rees-Jones who has put all our contributions together and Adrian Moore for his wonderful voice and additional technical advice and experience.
Welcome to all our listeners, in the United Parish and those elsewhere who are joining us.
Today is Palm Sunday, which marks the day that Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey through the same rejoicing crowds who would shortly call for his crucifixion. It marks the end of the ‘waiting and preparing’ period of Lent as the action starts to roll inexorably towards his suffering and death – his ‘Passion’ as it is known, in a word that used to mean ‘Suffering’ - on behalf of the world.
We recall it today as we and all in our nation stand at a similar watershed moment. The period of waiting and girding of loins in preparation is almost over, and like Jesus in Gethsemane we pray that, if possible, the cup may be taken from us, but also that we may be given the strength and courage to do whatever God calls us to do.
If you have a Palm cross saved from a previous year, you might like to have it close during this service. Otherwise, why not make a simple cross by tearing paper or pick a leafy twig to recall the palms.
There will be no sermon in today’s service. The Passion Reading speaks for itself.
Next week is Holy Week, and God willing, there will be a simple online reflective service published each day.
