Palm Sunday

Welcome  on this final Sunday of Lent called Palm  Sunday,

the Sunday  that begins the most special week  in the Christian

year, Holy Week. For every Christian  this is a week of great

importance. Just as Lent is a time set aside for greater

spiritual devotion, Holy Week is when we make every effort to

spiritually walk with Christ the way of the cross and at Easter

to rise with him. So let us each commit ourselves to this path

of spiritual growth.

        

“Hosanna to the Son of David!

Blessed is the one who come in the name of the Lord!

Hosanna in the highest heaven”  Matthew 12

                    

Hymn:   215  Hosanna!

 

The Blessing and Distribution of Palms.

 

 

Gospel : Matthew 21: 1-11

Text Box: When they had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, "Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, just say this, 'The Lord needs them.' And he will send them immediately." This took place to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet, saying, "Tell the daughter of Zion, Look, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey." The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; they brought the donkey and the colt, and put their cloaks on them, and he sat on them. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting, "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!" When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city went wild with excitement asking, "Who is this?" The crowds were shouting, "This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee."

 

Hymn: 435  Ride On,  Ride On

 

Psalm 24: 7-10

      Lift up your heads, O you gates;
       be lifted up, you ancient doors,
       that the King of glory may come in.

     Who is this King of glory?
       The LORD strong and mighty,
       the LORD mighty in battle.

    Lift up your heads, O you gates;
       lift them up, you ancient doors,
       that the King of glory may come in.

     Who is he, this King of glory?
        The LORD Almighty—
         he is the King of glory.

 

Epistle:  Philippians 2: 5-11   

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

 

Offertory Hymn: 465 Take Up Thy Cross

 

Communion / Eucharistic Prayer:
             Sung responses can be found on page 8
      If you would like to receive blessing at the altar rail you are very welcome,
      and if you would like a special  prayer or a prayer for healing  please
     indicate that to the priest when he comes to you.

   

Communion Hymn:    346  My Song is Love Unknown

                            

Prayer

    True and humble King, hailed by the crowd as Messiah: grant us the faith to know you, and the wisdom to love you, that we may be found beside you on the way of the cross, which is the path of glory. Amen

 

 Recessional Hymn:   11 All Glory Lord and Honour omit verse 2

 

Please take your pew sheet home with you and leave your hymn book  and service book in your seat. Please do stay for refreshments in the side aisle.

 

Holy Week and Easter here at St. John’s
 
 


Passover Supper Thursday 9th April 18.00

 On Maundy Thursday, to mark the Last Supper that Jesus

 ate with his disciples, you are invited to come to his table to

share together in the Passover Lamb. This is a spiritual occasion with prayers and readings, and we will finish the evening by going into the “Garden of Gethsemene” to pray with our Lord. Please sign up at the back of the church today. Volunteers are needed to cook a leg of lamb, please speak to Anne
 
 


Good Friday 10th April

11.00-12.00 One hour meditation around the cross

 

Easter Day   12th April
 
10.30 Celebration Easter Holy Communion

           ‘Alleluia Christ is Risen’

 

 

Easter Sunday Lunch  12th April

As Easter is on the second Sunday of the month, exceptionally we will have just one Sunday Lunch in April, on Easter Day so that we can all celebrate this joyous festival day together. Numbers and weather permitting this will be in Ben and Anne’s garden. Please sign up to bring either a delicious salad, or a scrumptious  dessert. Salmon, wine and bread will be provided, and a charge made to cover the costs of these items. When planning what to bring please don’t bring shop bought apple tarts or pasta salads, many thanks.

The Annual General Meeting of the church will be held on Sunday 26th April straight after the morning service and will only last a very short time. Please do plan to come as we do need a quorum. Please speak to either Rob or Peter if you need an electoral roll form or a nomination form.

St. John’s Church             The Reverend Canon Ben Eaton

                                                 Avenue Paul Doumer

                                                 St Raphael                               04 94 40 48 61

                                                  www.sjevar.com                     beneaton@orange.fr