St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Concord NH

A Sacred Meal for a Dispersed Community

Palm Sunday ~ 28 March 2021

Acknowledging that we are not in the same physical space in the same way that Jesus gathered in the Upper Room with his disciples on the night before he suffered, we come together nonetheless via online technology. We do so out of the spiritual yearning for closeness expressed by our Savior who said, “I have eagerly desired to share this Passover with you before I suffer.” (Luke 22:15)

Participants are invited to have ceremonial food and drink prepared and laid out on a table.

The Prelude Jerusalem by H. Parry Catharine Dornin

The Opening Response

Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord.

Peace in heaven and glory in the highest.

The Opening Hymn All Glory, Laud, and Honor Hymn 154

Refrain (don’t forget to wave you palm when singing the refrain!): All glory, laud, and honor to thee, Redeemer, King! to whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring.

1. Thou art the King of Israel, thou David's royal Son, who in the Lord's Name comest, the King and Blessed One. (Refrain)

3. The people of the Hebrews with palms before thee went; our praise and prayer and anthems before thee we present. (Refrain)

4. To thee before thy passion they sang their hymns of praise; to thee, now high exalted, our melody we raise. (Refrain)

5. Thou didst accept their praises; accept the prayers we bring, who in all good delightest, thou good and gracious King. (Refrain)

The Confession of Sin

Let us confess our sins to God.

We confess our sin, and the sins of our society,in the misuse of God's creation. Gracious God, we are sorry for the times when we have used your gifts carelessly, and acted ungratefully. We enjoy the fruits of the harvest,but sometimes forget that you have given them to us. We belong to a people who are full and satisfied, but ignore the cry of the hungry. We are thoughtless, and do not care enough for the world you have made. We store up goods for ourselves alone, as if there were no God and no heaven. Gracious God, in your mercy, forgive us and help us. Amen.

The Absolution

May the God of love and power forgive you and free you from your sins, heal and strengthen you by the Spirit, and raise you to new life in Christ our Lord.

Amen.

The Palm Sunday Prayer

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give God thanks and praise.

It is right to praise you, Almighty God,

for the acts of love by which you have redeemed us through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

On this day he entered the holy city of Jerusalem in triumph, and was proclaimed as King of kings

by those who spread their garments and branches of palm along his way.

Let the memory of his triumphal entry be for us a sign of his victory;

and grant that we may ever hail him as our King,

and follow him in the way that leads to eternal life;

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and forever.

Amen.

A Reading from the Book of Zechariah (9:9-12) Joanne Martin

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.

He will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the war-horse from Jerusalem; and the battle bow shall be cut off, and he shall command peace to the nations; his dominion shall be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth. As for you also, because of the blood of my covenant with you, I will set your prisoners free from the waterless pit. Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of hope; today I declare that I will restore to you double.

Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people. Thanks be to God.

Psalm 118: 19-29 Sarah Nyhan

19 Open for me the gates of righteousness; * I will enter them; I will offer thanks to the LORD.

20 “This is the gate of the LORD; * he who is righteous may enter.”

21 I will give thanks to you, for you answered me * and have become my salvation.

22 The same stone which the builders rejected * has become the chief cornerstone.

23 This is the LORD’S doing, * and it is marvelous in our eyes.

24 On this day the LORD has acted; * we will rejoice and be glad in it.

25 Hosannah, LORD, hosannah! * LORD, send us now success.

26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; * we bless you from the house of the LORD.

27 God is the LORD; he has shined upon us; * form a procession with branches up to the horns of the altar.

28 “You are my God, and I will thank you; * you are my God, and I will exalt you.”

29 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; * his mercy endures for ever.

A Reading from Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians (1:18-25) Tamar Roberts

For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written,

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.”

Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, God decided, through the foolishness of our proclamation, to save those who believe. For Jews

demand signs and Greeks desire wisdom, but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.

Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people. Thanks be to God.

The Gradual Anthem I am the Bread of Life by S. Toolan & .B Pulkingham The Quarantine Quire

The Gospel Reading The Rev. Steve Ekerberg

The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark (11:1-11) Glory to you, Lord Christ.

When they were approaching Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately as you enter it, you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden; untie it and bring it. 3 If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ just say this, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately.’” They went away and found a colt tied near a door, outside in the street. As they were untying it, some of the bystanders said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” They told them what Jesus had said; and they allowed them to take it. Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it; and he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields. Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting,

“Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David! Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

Then he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple; and when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.

The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Christ.

The Homily The Rev. Peggy Schnack

The Apostles Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth; I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

The Prayers of the People for Palm Sunday

We pray for the coming of God’s kingdom, saying: Father, by your Spirit:

bring in your kingdom.

You came in human form to bring good news to the poor, sight to the blind, freedom to the captives, and salvation to your people: anoint us with your Spirit; inspire us to work in your name. Father, by your Spirit: bring in your kingdom.

Inspire us to bring help to those who are poor and freedom to those who are oppressed Father, by your Spirit: bring in your kingdom.

Inspire us to tell the world the good news of your healing love. We pray for those who are suffering in any way, remembering especially today… Father, by your Spirit: bring in your kingdom.

Inspire us to reach out those who mourn, to bring gladness instead of grief. We pray for those who have died, remembering especially today… Father, by your Spirit: bring in your kingdom.

As we pray through our parish list, we lift the following people to you, giving thanks for each of them and asking for your blessing on their lives:

Ryan & Veronica Hupper; Pat & David Immen; Russ & Sheryl Ingraham; Sam Ingraham & Liz Preysner; Terry & Cynthia Irwin; Art & Sandy Jackson; James Jackson;

Tom, Tammy, Angus, Luke, Katherine & Lydia Jameson; Beverly Jewell; David & Julie Johnson

Father, by your Spirit: bring in your kingdom.

Inspire us to proclaim that the time is here for you to save your people. Father, by your Spirit: bring in your kingdom. Amen.

Collect for Hope and Renewal

God of all power and love, we give thanks for your unfailing presence and the hope you provide in times of uncertainty and loss. Send your Holy Spirit to enkindle in us your holy fire. Revive us to live as Christ’s body in the world: A people who pray, worship, learn, break bread, share life, heal neighbors, bear good news, seek justice, rest and grow in the Spirit. Wherever and however we gather, unite us in common prayer and send us in common mission, that we and the whole creation might be restored and renewed, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,

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, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Peace

The peace of the Lord be always with ypu. And also with you.

The Announcements

The Agape Meal

When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.” After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”

Luke 22:14-20

Blessed are you, O Lord our God, Creator of the universe. You bring forth bread from the earth; you have fed us with the bread of life in the Body of your Son. Feed us now with your presence among us and your presence in your Word. As grain scattered upon the earth is gathered into one loaf, so gather your Church in every place into the kingdom of your Son. To you be glory and power for ever and ever.

Amen.

Blessed are you, O Lord our God, Creator of the universe. You create the fruit of the vine; and you refresh us with the cup of salvation in the Blood of Jesus Christ, crucified yet risen. May the time come quickly when we can share that cup again, even as you are with us now in our very thirst for you. Glory to you for ever and ever.

Amen.

The Closing Prayer

Generous God, we have shared together this sacred meal. Kindle us with the fire of your Spirit that when Christ comes again, we may shine like lights before his face; who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Amen.

The Palm Sunday Blessing

As we begin our journey though this Holy Week, from palms now to passion, we are accompanied by Jesus – who, even in his own suffering, showed compassion and love to those in need.

May our own eyes be opened, to see those who need our care. May we be inspired by Jesus’ love for us, to show love for others, and to be a source of light wherever there is darkness.

And may God who looks upon us with such love, such joy, and such favor, and who fills us with abundant grace; may our God, Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier, bless us today and always.

Amen.

The Closing Hymn Lift high the Cross Hymn 473

Refrain: Lift High the cross, the love of Christ proclaim till all the world adore his sacred Name.

1. Led on their way by this triumphant sign, the hosts of God in conquering ranks combine. (Refrain)

3 O Lord, once lifted on the glorious tree, as thou hast promised, draw the world to thee. (Refrain)

4 So shall our song of triumph ever be: praise to the Crucified for victory. (Refrain)

The Dismissal.

The Postlude Fantasia on O God our Help in Ages Past Traditional Heather Maconaghy

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We are all (including you!) called to be ministers to one another and to those around us by participating in God’s work in the world.

Ministers participating in this service Clergy The Rev. Kate Atkinson

The Rev. Peggy Schnack The Rev. Steve Ekerberg

Director of Music Ministries Heather Maconaghy

Musicians Catharine Dornin, Larry Maconaghy The Quarantine Quire

Lectors Joanne Martin, Sarah Nyhan, Tamar Roberts

Intercessor Bob Samson

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church 21 Centre Street, Concord, NH 03301 (603) 224-2523,

office@stpaulsconcord.org, www.stpaulsconcord.org

A place to belong ~ Whoever you are ~ Just as you are