Tena Kotou Katoa –
Greetings, greetings in the name of Christ.
NOTICES & BIRTHDAYS
CALL TO WORSHIP:
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest. (Ps 118:26)
Rejoice, rejoice, people of Zion.
Shout for joy, you people of Jerusalem!
Look, your King is coming to you! He comes triumphant and victorious, but humble and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey. (Zech 9:9)
HYMN: Ride on, ride on in Majesty (Tune: Winchester New)
Ride on! ride on in majesty! Hark all the tribes Hosanna cry
O Saviour meek, pursue thy 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
and conquered sin.
Ride on! ride on in majesty! The winged squadrons of the sky
look down with sad and wondering eyes to see the
approaching sacrifice.
Ride on! ride on in majesty! Your 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 your meek head to mortal pain, then take, O God,
thy power and reign. ©HH Milman (WOV264)
PRAYER:
PALM/PASSION SUNDAY~
Jesus’ journey toward the cross begins in triumph…
The triumphal entry drama and play reading based on Luke 19: 28-40
Who would be present? What would their reactions be? The crowd – supporters of Jesus, bystanders, the soldiers, the Pharisees, the disciples, Jesus.
HYMN: Hosanna, Loud Hosanna (Tune: Ellacombe)
Hosanna, loud hosanna, the little children sang;
through city street and temple their joyful anthem rang; they shouted out their praises to Christ the children’s friend,
who welcomes all with blessing, whose love will never end.
From Olivet they followed, a large exultant crowd,
the victor palm-branch waving, and singing clear and loud;
bright angels joined the chorus, beyond the cloudless sky,
`Hosanna in the highest! Glory to God on high!’
`Hosanna in the highest!’ That ancient song we sing,
for Christ is our Redeemer, earth, let your anthems ring.
Oh, may we ever praise him with heart and life and voice,
and in his humble presence eternally rejoice! J Threlfall (CH4 367)
BIBLE READING: Philippians 2: 5-11 Gwendoline Cleland
We are each on a journey – beginnings/endings; joy/sorrow; love/despair; challenge/risk; letting go/taking hold……………..
HYMN: The Journey of Life
The journey of life may be easy, may be hard,
there’ll be dangers on the way; with Christ at my side
I’ll take courage as I ride ‘gainst the foe that would lead me astray.
Will you ride, ride, ride with the King of kings,
will you follow my leader true; will you shout hosanna!
to the lowly Son of God, who died for me and you?
My burden is light and a song is in my heart, as I travel on life’s way, for Christ is my Lord, and he’s given me his word that by my side
he’ll stay. Will you…
I’ll follow my leader wherever he may go, for Jesus is my friend;
he’ll lead me on to the place where he has gone,
when I come to my journey’s end. Will you… ©V Collison (WOV 670)
OFFERING
PRAYER FOR OTHER PEOPLE & THE LORD’S PRAYER
HYMN: At the Name of Jesus (Tune: Camberwell WOV 170ii)
At the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, every 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, brothers, name him with love as 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 worshipped, trusted and adored.
©CM Noel
BENEDICTION:
Go now into God’s world remembering the passion of Jesus.
In our hearts we will remember.
Go now remembering how Jesus’ passion is replayed over and over again in our daily lives. In our hearts we will remember.
Go now knowing that the God of love is with you, that Jesus Christ has journeyed before you and the Spirit of God seeks to challenge and encourage you always. Amen.
BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK: Tue 22nd Audrey H; Wed 23rd Eian; Thu 24th Maurice, Karlene; Fri 25th
Oliver; Sat 26th Liam.
NOTICES
A very warm welcome to all who worship with us this morning. Please stay for morning tea following the service. Many thanks to Rev Lyndsey McKay for leading our worship this week.
HOLY WEEK & EASTER SERVICES please note times:
24th March 7pm Maundy Thursday Combined Service
25th March 10am Good Friday Combined Service
27th March 9am Easter Day Communion for St Martin’s
WEDNESDAY WALKERS 23rd March: Meet 9.30am by Domain opposite 37 William Brittan Ave, Halswell. Morning tea at Helen’s, 134 William Brittan Ave. Suggested koha $10 for Leprosy Mission. Janette & Cyril 332 1240.
CRAFTY CRAFTERS: Thursdays 10am-12 noon in the Lounge. $3.
FIRESIDE meets this month on Tuesday 29th March 7.30pm at Joan Mac’s. All women are welcome.
PARISH OFFICE: Wednesday & Thursday 9am – 12 noon, Fridays 9-11am Ph 332 6192. Email:stmartpresch@xtra.co.nz. Website:www.stmartins.org.nz. Please make sure Anna has any notices by 9am Wednesday this week.
***THE OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED ON GOOD FRIDAY 25th March***
WALTHAM COTTAGE INVITES YOU TO JOIN IN:
Steady As You Go – falls prevention and general fitness class.
Starts Wednesday 20th April 9.30 – 10.30am. Free.
Organised by Age Concern Canterbury. Ph 366 0903 to register.
Community Lunch at the Cottage every Wednesday 12 –1 pm.
All Welcome. No charge.
Compassionate Communication Class – learn how to communicate in a way that avoids conflict and encourages clarity. Ph Jillie 942 2173.
ALPINE PRESBYTERY newsletter is on the noticeboard in the Lounge.
ANZAC DAY SERVICE: Monday 25th April 10am at St Anne’s Anglican Church. All are welcome.
VOLUNTEERS REQUIRED ~ ARE YOU ABLE TO HELP?
Shortly the Christchurch Community Response Volunteers team (CCR) will be doorknocking in the St Martins area at the request of the Spreydon Heathcote Community Board. Our purpose is to connect with the people of St Martins to ensure they are not isolated and are connected to events going on in the community. We will also be asking them if they have any outstanding earthquake related issues.
To date this team of volunteers have visited over 63,000 homes around the city since the 2011 earthquakes. We are based out of St Christopher’s Anglican Church in Avonhead and are currently funded by NZ Red Cross.
The dates we will be in the area are Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday 5-7th April and 12-14th April, between 9.30am – 1.00pm.
The more people we have the better as we don’t want to wear people out. Everyone will be teamed up with a person from St Christopher’s and you will be provided with all the questions etc to ask those that are called on.
It’s a really worthwhile mission project to be involved in and the more people we have on board (alongside everyone else in the area that is helping) the sooner it is completed.
Please see Irene TODAY if you would like to be involved.
THE TRIUMPHAL ENTRY INTO JERUSALEM:
CROWD: He’s coming! He’s coming! Jesus is coming!
Hosanna in the highest, blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
BYSTANDERS: Such a crowd! Such a noise! Who is this man Jesus?
CROWD: Jesus! Jesus! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna! Hosanna! Let’s honour him, by throwing our cloaks and palm branches before our King. Our King is here!
SOLDIERS: This crowd is causing a bit of a riot, all this shouting and throwing their cloaks about as if a King is coming.
We’ve got to put a stop to this. And at the time of the feast of the Passover too! If it’s not busy enough with all the people descending on the temple here in Jerusalem.
CROWD: Jesus! Jesus! God bless the King. You come in God’s name.
PHARISEES: Please stop all this noise. Remember the Passover. This is the man who broke Sabbath laws. You call him a king and here he comes riding on a donkey? He is abusing our power! What will happen next?
CROWD: Ah! The word of scriptures. The Messiah would enter the city on a donkey!
BYSTANDERS: This man seems to be a creating a stir. Seems strange the crowd call him their king and yet he rides on a humble little donkey! They say it’s mentioned in scriptures!
PHARISEES: Everyone seems to be following him – what can we do?
SOLDIERS: This man seems to have upset the Pharisees, this could become out of control, even inciting a riot. We must disperse the crowd.
CROWD: Jesus we follow you – you are the greatest who comes in the name of the Lord. Jesus! Jesus!
DISCIPLES: The crowd seems to welcome Jesus. They recognize him as their King, but there is an undercurrent. It’s such a risk at this time of the Passover.
PHARISEES: There is only one thing for it but to charge this Jesus for inciting a riot, for breaking the Sabbath laws. A crucifixion will put an end to him. Let’s treat him like a common thief. We can turn the crowd around! Let’s take him before Pilate now!
CROWD: Crucify! No! You are the greatest! Jesus!
PHARISEES: Five days… you’ll all be tested!