2025-04-13 Palm Sunday

ABSA BANK, WELKOM

4052 0411 25

Cheque account

Bruce put the church account up on the overhead please

Candle Janet will light a candle on the communion table at 8:55 just before the elders enter with the bible

Welcome I offer you a the warm welcome! It's a joy to share this special day with you, celebrating faith and community. Whether it's the blessings of Palm Sunday or simply a moment to come together, there's always something profound to take away. Let’s embrace the peace, hope, and humility that this day brings! How’s the congregation feeling today?

Scripture Reading “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” – Luke 19:38

Chorus Shout to the Lord

Chorus King of Kings

Chorus Hosannah in the highest

General Confession said together.

 Almighty and most merciful Father, we have strayed from Your ways like lost sheep, we have left undone what we ought to have done,  and we have done what we ought not to have done. We have followed our own ways and our own desires and we have neglected and broken Your holy laws.

Have mercy on us Lord.

Restore those who repent and confess their sins  according to Your promises declare in Jesus Christ our Lord. Grant, merciful Father, for His sake, that hereafter  we may live a righteous and obedient life,  to the glory of Your Holy Name. Amen. 

 Assurance of forgiveness said by the minister standing.

 Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, does not desire the death of a sinner, but rather that he should turn from his wickedness and live.  He has given authority and commandment to His ministers to declare to His people that He pardons and forgives the sins of all who truly repent and believe His holy gospel. 

 Therefore, let us ask Him to grant us true repentance and His Holy Spirit, that we may please Him now, and that the rest of our life may be pure and holy so that at the last we may come to His eternal joy through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

The Lord’s Prayer said together. 

Our Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed by thy Name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, In earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; And forgive us our trespasses,  As we forgive them that trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, For ever and ever.  Amen. 

Hymn Ride on, ride on in majesty

The Ten Commandments

Minister:

Our Lord Jesus Christ said : “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it : Love your neighbour as yourself.  All the law and the prophets hang on these two commandments”. 

Congregation :

Lord have mercy on us, and write these commandments in our hearts and minds to keep them. 

Sun 13th** Readers, tea duty and snacks: Janet and Jenny Fourie

Janet will now read the Old Testament reading to us from the NIV pew bible.

She begins with “Hear the Word of God as it is written in Zechariah 9:9”

She ends with “This is the word of God”.

Congregation: “Thanks be to God”

Jenny

will now read the New Testament reading to us from the NIV pew bible.

She begins with “Hear the Word of God as it is written in Matthew 21:1-11”

She ends with “This is the word of God”.

Congregation: “Thanks be to God”.

Hymn All glory Laud and honour

Sermon

Palm Sunday is a profound occasion in Christian traditions, commemorating Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem. The sermon for this day often reflects on themes of humility, servanthood, and the fulfilment of prophecy.

Title: "The King of Peace: A Journey to the Cross"

Introduction:

The significance of Palm Sunday. - Palm Sunday holds deep significance in Christian tradition, as it marks the beginning of Holy Week—the final week of Lent leading up to Easter Sunday. It commemorates Jesus Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem, an event described in all four Gospels of the Bible.

On this day, people remember how Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, while crowds greeted Him with great joy. They laid palm branches and cloaks on the road as a sign of honor and shouted "Hosanna," which means "Save us!" The palm branches symbolize peace and victory, reflecting the hope and anticipation of Jesus as the Messiah.

Palm Sunday serves as a time for reflection on Jesus' humility and the love He showed by willingly entering into a journey that would lead to His crucifixion and ultimately His resurrection. Churches often distribute palm leaves to worshippers, who may weave them into crosses or keep them as reminders of the day.

Our reading this morning was Matthew 21:1-11, highlighting the crowd's joyful reception and shouts of "Hosanna."

The Fulfilment of Prophecy:

Discuss how Jesus' entry fulfilled Zechariah 9:9, symbolising a King who comes in peace.

Contrast this with worldly expectations of a conquering king.

Humility in Leadership:

Reflect on Jesus choosing a donkey, a symbol of humility, rather than a horse, which represented power and war.

Invite the congregation to consider humility as a core Christian value in their own lives.

The Mixed Reactions of the Crowd:

Explore how the same crowd that praised Jesus would later call for His crucifixion.

Highlight the human tendency to shift allegiances based on circumstance and challenge listeners to examine their faith.

A Journey to the Cross:

Emphasize that Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week and points to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus on Good Friday.

Call the congregation to a deeper understanding of love, sacrifice, and redemption.

Closing with Hope:

Reiterate the message of peace and salvation that Jesus brings.

Encourage the congregation to carry the spirit of Palm Sunday into their daily lives, spreading love and compassion.

Notices Session Clerk Mr. John Oberholzer

Cathy Bell’s birthday today

Peter Barrow’s birthday on Tuesday

Tenebrae Service at 6 pm on Thursday

Good Friday Service on Friday

Easter Service on next Sunday

Collection "Dear friends, as we gather in worship today, let us reflect on the many blessings we have received from our Heavenly Father. Giving is a beautiful act of faith, an opportunity to share those blessings and extend His love to others. With cheerful hearts and open hands, let us present our offerings as a sign of gratitude and trust in His divine provision."

Congregation Praise God from whom all blessing flow

Prayer: "Gracious God, we thank You for the gifts and offerings presented here today. May they be used wisely and faithfully for the work of Your kingdom, to bring hope, love, and transformation to those in need. Bless the hands that gave and the hearts that long to give. Teach us to be generous, just as You have been abundantly generous to us. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen."

Hymn Crown Him with many crowns

Benediction "May the Lord bless you and keep you; may His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May He lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace. As you go forth, may His Spirit guide you, His love surround you, and His grace sustain you in all that you do. Go in peace, to love and serve the Lord. Amen."

Doxology Now unto Him