Sunday service for 2 April 2023: Palm Sunday

Sunday 2 April 2023, NL1-36, Palm Sunday
Gourock St. John’s Church of Scotland
Service prepared by Rev. Teri Peterson
Manse: 632143 
Email: tpeterson (at) churchofscotland.org.uk

Prelude Music (praise band)

Welcome and Announcements

Call to Worship
Teri: God gathers all people into this house of prayer:
1: calling in the ones who aren’t always invited,
2: making space for those pushed to the margins,
3: welcoming young and old.
Teri: Look, God is with us!
1: Hosanna! The One who saves is with us!
2: Hosanna! Blessed is the One who shakes things up!
3: Hosanna! The kingdom of heaven is come near!
Teri: In humble triumph, God comes,
All: and we come to meet God here.

Sanctuary Hymn: Hosanna (Praise is Rising) (praise band)

Prayer
You entered our world and turned everything upside down,
You enter our cities and towns, our churches and homes,
putting the words we love to quote into actions we can’t ignore.
Hosanna — save us!
Save us from our desire to explain away your words and actions
so that we can maintain our own comfort.
Save us from thinking we can say a few prayers
without ever letting your Spirit transform our daily lives.
Save us from the status quo that has captured us and is so hard to escape.
Hosanna — save us!
Save us from our impulse to act as gatekeepers of your house.
Save us from thinking your word is safely confined to the book.
Save us from trying to firm up what you are shaking up.
Hosanna — save us!
We cheer in greeting and hope,
and we murmur in uncertainty too.
What does all this mean?
Today we wave our branches and shout Hosanna,
and pray you’ll show us how to join you in enacting your kingdom in days to come.

Online Hymn: Hosanna (Praise is Rising)

Children’s Time (Sanctuary only)

Reading: Matthew 21.1-17 (New Revised Standard Version)
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 fulfil 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 was in turmoil, asking, ‘Who is this?’ The crowds were saying, ‘This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.’
Then Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who were selling and buying in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold doves. He said to them, ‘It is written,
“My house shall be called a house of prayer”;
   but you are making it a den of robbers.’
The blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he cured them. But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the amazing things that he did, and heard the children crying out in the temple, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David’, they became angry and said to him, ‘Do you hear what these are saying?’ Jesus said to them, ‘Yes; have you never read,
“Out of the mouths of infants and nursing babies
   you have prepared praise for yourself”?’ 
He left them, went out of the city to Bethany, and spent the night there.

For the word of God in scripture,
for the word of God among us,
for the word of God within us,
thanks be to God.

Sermon: Passion Disrupts Patterns
We have arrived at the time of year when we talk about what is sometimes called Christ’s Passion. Passion is a word that comes from the Latin word meaning suffering, and the Passion refers explicitly to next weekend — from the last supper through to easter morning. But as happens so often, the English language has evolved so that we no longer use the word “passion” that way — which means we have an added layer to what we mean when we say that this coming week is about Christ’s passion. Now when we say passion we mean something we care about a lot, have deep feelings for, and are willing to put ourselves on the line for. When we are passionate about something, we pursue it with all our energy. When we are impassioned about something, we may speak strongly or be willing to stand up to situations we would in other circumstances just let slide by. When we say something like “my passion in life” we mean the thing that drives us, keeps us going, fuels our work or hobby or relationship, energises us to get up every day and move forward. And yes, sometimes it implies something we’re willing to suffer for, as we reach toward the goal.

Imagine thinking of Jesus’ passion this way — as if this coming week, in all its fullness, not only Friday but every day from today to next Sunday — the stories are all about revealing Christ’s passion. What does he do to show us what he is passionate about?

First he gets our attention, by acting out, almost like street theatre, a prophesy everyone would have known. Not in a subtle way, but in the most outrageous way, getting not just the one donkey Zechariah was talking about, but the two donkeys of poetic parallelism, so no one could possibly miss what he was saying. Not just cloaks to protect the king from getting dirty, but palm branches too, calling to mind victory parades and other festivals from throughout the jewish year. With crowds chanting and singing and praying, welcoming this band of pilgrims led by the chosen one who comes in God’s name, no one would misunderstand what Jesus was saying. It was the most attention-grabbing way to come into the city that he could think of, and he used it to his advantage as the beginning of his showcase of his passion.

Seonaid, can you tell me a story of a time when you acted on something you were passionate about, in a really public way?

Standing silently in protest at the entrance of the General Assembly…turning over the tables in the Temple to protest the idea that going to church now and then can counterbalance all the hurtful things done the rest of the week…Jesus’ protest reveals his passion, just as Seonaid’s did. And once Jesus’ protest was over, he was able to put that passion into action, by making God’s vision happen: drawing together all the people and creating a new community…he said this was meant to be a house of prayer — the rest of that quote from Jeremiah is that this is a house of prayer for all people — and then the very next people who turn up are the very people often excluded when we say “all.” The people whose bodies were different, the people who were ill or needed extra support, the children who say things that stir the pot with their un-filtered truth…they were all there in that holy place, and they could be seen and valued once Jesus disrupted the business-as-usual that may have been more about upholding the tradition than abut embodying God’s will for the world.

The thing about passion is that it is often disruptive. Maintaining the status quo also means, by default, squashing passion, because it comes with hopeful determined energy, and there’s no room for that in the status quo. We have seen it over and over again in our institutions, in the culture, in scripture — how powerful simply maintaining the way we’ve always done it can be, and how demoralising it is to push against that only to have the wind taken from our sails by the power of inertia. No wonder the people cried Hosanna — save us! Jesus’ attention grabbing parade set the stage for his protest in the Temple, which was really about revealing God’s passion for gathering all people into the house of prayer — a passion the prophets had spoken, too, and the elites then and now didn’t want to hear.

God’s passion revealed in Jesus disrupted a system that worked for the people in charge, but it wasn’t working very well for the rest, and only when some space was opened up could others join in the holy community God was calling together. I wonder, if Jesus staged a protest in the Church, what space would open up? What aspects of our life together would he say are keeping people out, even though they make us comfortable? Who would be angry, and why? How are we serving ourselves and the status quo, rather than pursuing God’s passion? And how would we feel if our traditions were disrupted and a space made for a different kind of community to form?

Sometimes it can be scary to let passion disrupt our patterns. We don’t know where it will lead, whether some might be alienated, and whether there’ll be any one who comes in to the new space that opens up. Or if the people God wants to call together might be the young people whose truth is scary to hear, and the people whose bodies or minds look or work differently, people of different ages or backgrounds who don’t know or value our traditions, people who long for spiritual community but have never been in one before…or perhaps people who’ve been in church plenty but found it wasn’t about spiritual community at all.

We cannot decide what we ought to do until we know of which story we are a part. What story are we living, what story are we telling, with our lives? And do we want to be part of a story that is mainly about the status quo, a story of holding on to what we know because it makes us comfortable… even though it means that there’s no room for new people to enter and encounter God and community for themselves…which also means an inevitable decline? Or do we want to be part of a story where God’s passion disrupts our patterns, making space for abundant life we couldn’t have imagined for ourselves? And I do mean couldn’t have imagined — do you think the people in Jerusalem on that first Palm Sunday, whether they were shouting Hosanna or Crucify, could imagine the following Sunday, let alone the months and years after? When Jesus disrupts our story with his story and invites us into a new life, some will be like those elites for whom the old ways worked, and they’ll want to put a stop to it all. And some will be like those who needed healing or who had never been welcomed before, and find their way into the . And all of us will find ourselves on a journey we don’t get to control but will lead us toward the kingdom of God.

As we enter Holy Week, our services each evening will look through the eyes of the disciples, inviting us to imagine ourselves as part of the story of Jesus’ passion — his passion for a new holy community, becoming the Body of Christ, reflecting God’s love for the world.

May we be passionate about Christ’s passion, even when it disrupts our patterns. Amen.

Online Hymn 536: May the Mind of Christ My Saviour
Sanctuary Hymn: Hosanna / The Church of Christ (tune: Ellacombe)
(Hymn 367 v. 1 & 3, with 2 inserted verses from The Church of Christ Cannot Be Sold by David Bjorlin)

Offering (Sanctuary only)
We believe that God is calling us to be a blessing to our community — the whole community, not only those who fit in, or can afford it, or already know what we do. One way Jesus disrupts our patterns is by challenging how we use our resources: are they only for our comfort, or also for making space to serve and love our neighbour? As we have heard his call today, and as we have experienced his love and his vision, we are also invited to join in his passion, giving of ourselves so that others might experience the same love and welcome we have known. All the ministry we do here is because of your generosity, which is a reflection of God’s generosity to you and to us together. Your morning offering will now be received.

Sanctuary Offering Response 680 v. 4 (tune: Picardy)
May the One whose love is broader
than the measure of all space
give us words to sing the story,
move among us in this place.
Christ be known in all our living,
filling all with gifts of love.

Prayer and Lord’s Prayer
Blessed are you, O Lord our God, ruler of the universe,
for you bring the Word to life, in the flesh.
You call our attention to things we had hidden away,
and invite us to see with fresh eyes.
You disrupt our patterns
and in the space we were afraid to open, you create anew.
In gratitude and praise we lift our voices and hearts,
in wonder and faith we join your story,
lived in real time, by real people, in the real world.
We bring with us today our hopes and prayers for this world —
for those who live under oppression and war,
and those who work for peace;
for those who stand up to injustice with creative courage,
and those who give what they have to serve.
May all your people live in peace.
We bring with us today our hopes and prayers for your Church —
for those who have gotten caught in the trap of respectability and efficiency,
and those who have been marginalised or left out;
for those who long to hear your voice for themselves
and those who help us to see your word in action.
May your Church reflect your kingdom on earth.
We bring with us today our hopes and prayers for ourselves and our neighbours —
for those who hunger and thirst,
and those whose bodies no longer respond the way they once did;
for those who live with illness or treatment,
and those who care for others with compassion.
May your healing grace surround them with comfort and love.
Through Christ, in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
we offer these and all our prayers,
joining our voices with your family as you taught us to pray together:
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come,
your will be done on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins,
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.

Sanctuary Hymn 370: Ride On, Ride On, the Time Is Right (tune: Rockingham)

Benediction
May the disruptive grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the re-creating love of God, and the community-building fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you as you go from this place to embody the kingdom of heaven on earth.

And as you go, may the Spirit of God go above you to watch over you. May the Spirit of God go beside you to be your companion. May the Spirit of God go before you to show you the way, and behind you to push you into places you might not go alone. And may the Spirit of God go within you, to remind you that you are loved more deeply than you can possibly imagine. May the fire of God’s love burn brightly in you, and through you into the world. Go in peace. Amen.

Sung Benediction Response (John L Bell, tune Gourock St John’s)
Now may the Lord of all be blessed,
Now may Christ’s gospel be confessed,
Now may the Spirit when we meet
Bless sanctuary and street.

Sanctuary Postlude Music 

Announcements

* We worship in the sanctuary on Sundays at 11am, and all Sunday worship is also online (or on the phone at 01475 270037, or in print). If you are able, please enter by the front door in Bath street, and only those who need step-free access should use the back door. If you feel unwell, please worship online, to protect both yourself and others in our community.

* Holy Week and Easter services:
Monday 3 April, 7:30pm: St John’s
Tuesday 4 April, 7pm: Old Gourock & Ashton
Wednesday 5 April, 7pm: CONNECT Taize service in Westburn
Thursday 6 April, 7:30pm: St John’s, with communion
Friday 7 April, 10:30am: Good Friday cross-walk, leaving from St. Bart’s
Friday 7 April, 7pm: Old Gourock & Ashton
Saturday 8 April, 8:30pm: Easter Eve at St John’s
Sunday 9 April, 7am: Tower Hill, followed by breakfast communion at St John’s
Sunday 9 April, 11am: St John’s 

* The choir rehearses in the sanctuary immediately after the service, and finishes before 1pm. All who enjoy singing are welcome!

* We are looking for a new Property Convenor — the role mainly involves keeping track of contracts (ie utilities/works) and contacting and following up with contractors to get works done in accordance with the Kirk Session’s instructions, plans, and budget. The administrative/reporting duties have thus far been done entirely using Microsoft Word, so no particular technological skills required. If you might be interested in volunteering for this role, please speak to Cameron, Donald (the current convenor), or Teri to learn more. 

* Did you know that the ministry we do at St John’s costs about £2700 per week? Everything we do is funded by your generous giving — all our support for young people, older people, bereavement care, community outreach, worship, study, spiritual growth, and community work is because of your offering. If you would like to set up a standing order in order to facilitate your spiritual discipline of giving, or if you would like to make an extra gift to support the ministry St. John’s does in our parish, you can give online by clicking here. If you would like to set up a standing order, please contact Peter Bennett, our treasurer, or Teri and she can give you his details. You can also send your envelopes to the church or the manse by post and we will ensure they are received. 

* Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Youtube, and to sign up for our email devotions! Midweek you can watch Wine and the Word on Youtube, pray with video devotions on Facebook, and consider a new angle on something with a devotional email. Feel free to share with your friends, too!

* Wednesday Evening Bible Study normally meets in the manse at 7:30pm. All are welcome as we continue reading through the Bible in about a year and a half! We are now reading John’s gospel. No Bible Study this week, as we’ll be at the CONNECT Taize service at Westburn. 

* Young Adult Bible Study meets in the manse on the 2nd and 4th Sundays at 7pm for a meal and discussion of the gospel according to John. Everyone in their 20s is welcome! Due to Easter falling on the 2nd Sunday, our next gathering will be Sunday 23 April.

* 2023 marks the 125th anniversary of the 2nd Gourock Boys’ Brigade. Our anniversary Grand Charity Ball will be Saturday 9th September 6.00 for 6.30pm in Greenock Town Hall. Tickets priced £50 or £500 for a table of 10 will be available soon. The benefitting Charities have been selected and will be announced shortly. We are delighted to announce that every penny raised from ticket sales and our charity auction on the evening will go directly to our chosen charities. This event is open to all so please spread the word, book your table, put the date in your diary and look forward to what we are sure will be a Second To None evening of enjoyment and celebration.
Free period products are available in the church toilets for anyone who might need them, thanks to Hey Girls and Inverclyde Council.

* The next Bowl & Blether in St John’s is also a coffee morning for the Ardgowan Hospice! Join us on tomorrow, Monday 3 April: doors will open at 1030am for coffee and cake, and soup will be served from noon onwards as usual. All are welcome — invite a friend or neighbour!
The next Bowl & Blether in St Margaret’s will be on Saturday 8 April from 11:30 – 1:30.