An order of worship ~ from Palm Sunday to Good Friday

This order of worship was prepared by colleagues at the World Alliance of Reformed Churches and Rev. Dr Setri Nyomi in particular.
The service takes place on the Monday of Holy Week and the biblical readings chosen link Palm Sunday and Good Friday.
In the week preceeding this service the ecumenical centre learnt of the death of eminent theologian and ecumenist Lukas Vischer and of Chiara Lubich, founder and leader of the Focolare movement

Ecumenical Centre Morning Prayer Monday, March 16, 2008

Praying for Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam in the ecumenical prayer cycle this week


Opening Sentences

Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Hosanna in the highest heaven!

Blessed is the coming reign of God.
Hosanna in the highest heaven!

Blessed is the one who came so that we may have life in fullness.
Hosanna in the Highest Heaven!

Blessed is the one who came for the healing of the nations.
Hosanna in the highest heaven!

Blessed is the one who came to transform the world.
Hosanna in the highest heaven!

Blessed is the one who prays for the unity of God’s people.
Hosanna in the highest heaven!

Prayer
O Lord God, We thank you for this week as we reflect on your passion, death and resurrection.
You entered Jerusalem as King, but not as a dominating power.
You entered on a donkey, not on an elegant horse.
While the powerful of the day could only see in you a threat to their power, the ordinary people see in you the one who ushers in the reign of God.
Be with us O Lord as we offer ourselves to you this week. Help us to have the hearts of those ordinary people who recognize you as the One who comes in the name of the Lord.
Be present with us at this time of reflection and prayer.
In Jesus’ name.
Amen.

Hymn – “All Glory laud and Honour to Thee Redeemer King”
Words: Theodulph of Orleans circa 820, translated from Latin to English by John M. Neal, 1851.
Refrain:
All glory, laud and honor,
To Thee, Redeemer, King,
To Whom the lips of children
Made sweet hosannas ring.

Thou art the King of Israel,
Thou David’s royal Son,
Who in the Lord’s Name comest,
The King and Blessèd One.

Refrain

The people of the Hebrews
With palms before Thee went;
Our prayer and praise and anthems
Before Thee we present.

Refrain

To Thee, before Thy passion,
They sang their hymns of praise;
To Thee, now high exalted,
Our melody we raise.

Refrain

Matthew 21: 8 - 11 (Read in Spanish)
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.”

Matthew 27: 20 - 25 (Read in French)
Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus killed. The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” Pilate said to them, “Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” All of them said, “Let him be crucified!” Then he asked, “Why, what evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!” So when Pilate saw that he could do nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took some water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.” Then the people as a whole answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!”

Hymn “Were you there when they crucified my Lord?”
Words & Music: African American spiritual

Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?

Were you there when they nailed Him to the tree?
Were you there when they nailed Him to the tree?
Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they nailed Him to the tree?

Were you there when they laid Him in the tomb?
Were you there when they laid Him in the tomb?
Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they laid Him in the tomb?

Reflection ~ Rev. Setri Nyomi

Hymn – Thuma Mina 253 – “Jesus Christ is waiting”

Prayers of intercession
For the churches and peoples of Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam

Dear Lord, we pray this week for Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam, countries which have experienced for many years the horror of wars and the challenge of revolutions. We pray for the welfare of their people. We pray that the wounds of war may be healed. We pray that in these countries, where Christian Churches are a minority, they may be a reconciling force within society, and that they may contribute towards the peace and progress of the region and in international organizations. We pray that their governments may be wise, and resolute in the cause of justice. In the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, we pray.

…Lord hear our prayers
And let our cries come to you

In gratitude for the lives of Lukas Vischer and Chiara Lubich praying for their families ...

…Lord hear our prayers
And let our cries come to you

For ourselves as we reflect on this week – remembering the passion, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ...

…Lord hear our prayers
And let our cries come to you

The Lord’s prayer – each in our own language

Sending forth and benediction

Closing Hymn: Thuma Mina 107 – “Siya hamba”