Costa del Sol Church of Scotland, Fuengirola

14/10/2020

I would firstly like to apologise for the absence of information but there have been no services since March 2020 due to Covid -19 lockdown. I am happy to tell you all that you can now watch services virtually by clicking on the following link

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCD__4AY3FqJWYa4bobRaBsw/

I hope you enjoy the services and keep in touch with friends by way of virtual viewing.

Look forward to reading your comments.

As always

Lillias Macfarlane
Treasurer

The Church of Scotland in Sanata Costa Fuengirola, Málaga, Spain WHO WE ARE We exist to know Christ and to make him known. We are a friendly, caring, welcomi...

10/05/2020

Church of Scotland 10th May email service 10.30am

Good morning to you all

Welcome

While we continue to be unable to meet as a Congregation, may we feel united in faith and receive spiritual sustenance from our email service today.

We will have our Lectionary gospel reading from John´s gospel, thoughts and prayers.

Alleluia. Christ is risen. He is risen indeed.

Alleluia words which begin our worship today during the Easter Season.

The Easter Season, as you probably know, lasts for fifty days and concludes with the celebration of Pentecost - this year on Sunday 31st May.

Call to worship

Let us worship God, who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit, reigning in glory over all things. - Jesus comforts his disciples in their distress and confusion, assuring them that he is the Way, the truth and the life and promising that they will be with him in union with his Father.

At these times it can be difficult to look forward in hope, to face the future, to trust that God is working for us.

But in this space, God is with us. Offering us a glimpse of heaven, a teaser of what is to come.

So, however difficult, however challenging, however uncomfortable,

put your trust in God and worship him.

God is good, let us join together, through modern technology and worship him.

Let us pray

Gracious loving God, we are your people, called out of darkness into light.

And so we praise You, Lord God, that You have risen from the dead to fulfil Your promise to all creation; we praise You that you have gifted us Your spirit as a companion and guide. We praise You that you have chosen us as Your people to build Your kingdom here on earth.

Heavenly Father, let us confess our sins and joyfully receive Gods promised mercy and forgiveness.

Loving Father, at this time there is a great need with the pandemic, for cr care, compassion for all, especially remembering the destitute families, the vulnerable and the homeless.

Our journey often takes us off the beaten track and into the difficult terrain of selfishness and anger. Our progress is often slowed by fear and anxiety.

When we choose to go our own way rather than following you, our compassionate Lord.

Yet You remain at our side, Lord, to comfort and provide, reminding us of Your promise that all is forgiven for all time. And so we praise You, Lord,

that you bless us anew each day with Your grace and goodness. That You open doors to fresh opportunities and that You lead us by the hand to a place we can call home.

Let us join together sharing with Christians world wide saying the prayer that Jesus taught us:

Our Father who art in heaven….

Amen https://youtu.be/Cc0QVWzCv9k

Hymn ‘How great thou art

Our Gospel reading John 14:1-14 14 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God[a]; believe also in me.

2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have toldyou that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.”

5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really know me, you will know[b] my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

8 Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”

9 Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?

10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.

11 Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves.

12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.

13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

This is the word of the Lord

Thanks be to God

you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.”

5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really know me, you will know[b] my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

8 Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”

9 Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?

10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.

11 Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves.

12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.

13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

This is the word of the Lord

Thanks be to God

May God the Holy Spirit fill you with joy and peace

And unite you in love with the Father and Son.

And the blessing of God almighty, Father Son and Holy Spirit

Be with you always.

Alleluia. Alleluia

Amen ---amen

How Great Thou Art with lyrics

03/05/2020

Good Morning & welcome to our time of Worship this Sunday morning. I am sure that for us living in Spain we are feeling a tinge of excitement to know that after 7 weeks of lockdown we are allowed to go out for a little walk! Isn’t it wonderful however that although isolation in our homes has prevented us from Social or Church gatherings we can through modern technology link together in this way? So may we be united today in heart and mind as we offer up our praise and thanksgiving to our Lord God.

Call to Worship

Let us pray: Dear Heavenly Father and Maker of heaven & earth we come humbly before you on this May morning to worship you. We want to recognise all that you have done to bring us into a real living relationship with you. We acknowledge what it cost you to send Your only beloved Son into a sin sick world and pay the price of sin on the cross of Calvary. Help us to open our hearts and minds that we might hear what you have to say to us this morning. Help us to see our lives a little more from Your perspective and move into a new week knowing that you are in control and that we have been touched afresh by your Holy Spirit. So may the Lord bless us our time together. In the name of our Lord & Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.



The Lord’s Prayer
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 debts, as we forgive our debtors,and lead us
not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.For thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and ever.

Amen.

Hymn Be Still for the Presence of the Lord . (see link above)

Bible Reading Luke 12 verses 16 –21

Jesus told this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.” ’ 20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be taken from you.

Sermon

I am going to share with you something that has been challenging me over the past few weeks! It has all to do with “TIME”. Sometimes I wish I were a cat or a dog!! They live for the moment! Whether they are curled up on your best sofa in the house or stretched outside in the sun they are not thinking about what they should be doing next! They are perfectly relaxed and happy with no feelings of guilt about a list of chores waiting to be done. Not worrying about a backlog of emails or letters or shopping, cooking or cleaning the house! As human beings we cannot of course live like that. We have to plan our days and take responsibility for our actions and how we spend our time.

Time is a gift from God. Not one of us know how much is allotted to us. Hence my choice of Bible Reading about the Rich Farmer. Has the coronovavirus awakened us to become acutely aware of how suddenly our lives can change and of the brevity of life itself? Over the past year we may have spent time making plans for holidays, get togethers with family or friends, house or job moves , perhaps even a wedding celebration. Incredibly nearly all our plans have amounted to nothing. Everything we have planned has been brought to an abrupt halt! How could we possibly have anticipated anything like this! And all because of a microscopic virus , one of the smallest forms of life, one which is a 100 times smaller than bacteria. Isn’t it incredible that something so tiny could cause such havoc all across the world! So what is God saying to us in the midst of this upheaval?

For the majority of us it is almost as if God has pressed a “Pause Button” on our lives. Has God permitted this in order to allow us time to reflect upon how we manage our lives and to take stock?

The bible speaks of “Redeeming the time because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5 verse 15. King James version.) Modern translation will read something like this “ Be careful how you live – make the most of every opportunity ; Don’t waste your time in useless pursuits ; watch your step ; use your head; don’t live carelessly ! ”

We often sing, “Speak Lord in the stillness ,as we wait on Thee ; Hush my heart to listen in expectancy. Is it time to stop and listen to what God is saying to each of us as individuals. Have we stopped? Are we listening? We pray regularly the “Lord’s Prayer” Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven” How much do we mean that? How does “His will on earth” apply to us in practical terms of every day living? Do we realise the implications of doing His will on earth?

When my father was in Burma & Malaysia at the end of world war 2 after the Japanese surrender he was taken to Shangi Jail in Singapore where many British people had been held prisoner. They were so brutally treated that as you are probably aware most of them died. My Dad never forgot, however, seeing scratched out on one of the cell walls the couplet “Only one life twill soon be past; only what’s done for Christ will last.” These words spoke very powerfully to him. They are words which should speak powerfully to us today. The Apostle Paul writes to the Corinthians implying that as Christians we are God’s House with Christ as the foundation. He says this in verses 11 – 15 “ No one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid , which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw , his work will be shown for what it is because the Day of God’s Judgement will bring it to light . It will be revealed by fire and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward . If it is burned up he will suffer loss. In other words , the wood, hay and stubble in our lives will be burnt up. Only things of eternal value in our lives will last.

And so let us reflect on what is important and consider what is likely to have eternal value. Scripture makes it crystal clear that our salvation in not of works so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2 verses 8 & 9)Our eternal Salvation is by grace alone , through faith alone in the shed blood and sacrificial death of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary. But Paul writes to the church at Philippi “continue to work out your salvation in fear and trembling!” (Philippians 2 v12) We are all different. Each of us given different gifts from God which He expects us to use to the best of our ability and opportunities which should be grasped. I love the word’s of Amy Carmichael who said, “Opportunity passes by on very quiet feet, never to return or pass our way again” I am sure we can all identify with that! I doubt if any of us have gone through life without regrets for some of our actions and opportunities that we have missed. But God is gracious and patient with us. As the hymn says : “Wonderful grace that gives me the time to change”

I believe the only way we can come near to knowing and doing God’s will and therefore making the best use of our time is when we quite simply learn to put God first, others next and self last. I say LEARN because it does not come naturally.

Remember what the Apostle Paul said “I fail do the good I want to do, but the wrong I do not want to do , this I keep on doing!” ( Romans 7 verse 19) I think most of us can identify with that!

Giving God first place in our lives is something we have to strive for. Something that requires self discipline. God knows we need balance in our lives – we need time for leisure, time to rest , time for family and friends - time to smell the roses . But only as we learn to “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness” will other aspects of our lives find their rightful place and our “house” be built with lasting materials. Jesus said “I am come to give you life in ALL it’s fullness” so we needn’t think that He is going to short change us in some way! The psalmist said “Lead me Lord, lead me in Your righteousness (Psalm 5 v 8) So TIME for God has to be our first priority. Then we can place our faith and trust in Him knowing that He will lead us through all the complexities and uncertainties of life until the “trumpet sounds and TIME will be no more.”

“When as a child I laughed and wept time crept. When as a youth , I waxed more bold time strolled. When I became a man time ran. When older I grew time flew. Soon I shall find,in passing on, time gone!”

Psalm 90 v1 says Teach us to number our days that we might gain a heart of wisdom. It has been said of all mathematical disciplines (i.e to number our days) that this is the hardest! It is all too easy to lose track of time. Especially during Lockdown! Some days my husband & I don’t know if it is Monday or Tuesday!

If we don’t heed the warnings of our fuel gauge in the car telling us it is TIME to fill up we are in big trouble and we come to an abrupt halt in the middle of nowhere or worse still in the midst of heavy traffic! Here a few verses reminding us and warning us of the importance of TIME and how we use it.

(1) Seek the Lord while He may be found ; call upon Him while He is near(Isaiah 55 v6)

(2) At an acceptable time I listened to you, and in the day of salvation I helped you. See! NOW is the acceptable time ; NOW is the day of salvation.2 Corinthians 6 v 2 (American Standard version)

(3) Don’t waste your time on useless work ( Ephesians 5 v16)

(4) Walk in wisdom , making the best use of your time (Colossians 4: v5)

(5) Seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added unto you. Matthew 6 verse 33

(6) Psalm 144 verses 3 & 4 LORD, what are human beings that you care for them, mere mortals that you think of them?

They are like a breath; their days are like a fleeting shadow.



James 4 verse 14.You do not know what will happen tomorrow . What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while then vanishes! (NIV)

Maybe in the past we have not given much thought to some of the verses I have quoted but as we have listened every day on the news of people losing their lives due to Coronavirus we are confronted with the reality of life. Young , old , healthy, rich & poor . No respecter of rank or station. So sudden. So unexpected. What has been our reaction? Should we be called from this world today or tomorrow are we prepared to stand in His Presence? Are we building our lives with that which is of lasting value? Can we say “ On Christ the solid rock I stand . All other ground is sinking sand.”

Finding time with God can be an elusive goal! It needs discipline to read His word and pray when so many other things are seeking our attention.

Redeeming the time involves sacrifice . CT Studd wrote “If Jesus Christ be God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him.”

Going back to the parable of the “Rich Farmer” and we learn a lesson which is not about working to build up a good business or making plans for the future but about leaving God out of them. Teach me Thy way O Lord. Teach me Thy way. May God help us to get our priorities right as we go forward into a new week. May the Lord help us to seek Him & His Kingdom first and so teach us to use our time wisely for our eternal good and His glory.



Hymn : Teach me Thy way O Lord (see link above)



Prayer of Thanksgiving & intercession:

Loving God and Heavenly Father, We thank you that not a sparrow falls to the ground of which you are unaware. We thank you that in Jesus we have a mediator, a high Priest who intercedes for us and suffers every pain and emotion we ever experience. We continue to pray for the families that are distraught because of bereavement. The deaths from the coronavirus of so many young and old people have staggered and shocked us. We thank You for strength and determination given to the Medical staff and care workers. We thank you for the sacrifices they are making along with all the other frontline workers who are striving in different ways to bring the virus under control. For those working in laboratories to find a vaccine. Not least of all do we give thank for those who keep the food chain going. We pray for all those in Government who are compelled to make many difficult and unpopular decisions. We thank you, however, to hear of a little easing up on restrictive measures. We pray for families cooped up in small flats with children & teenagers who are showing frustration at their loss of freedom and especially those with abusive partners. We remember also the elderly who are living on their own and feeling very cut off from the world. Lord we also lift up to you this morning our friends within the Church Family. You know better than we do the problems & needs of each one. We especially remember Elisabeth & Allan & Gareth & Hilde. We give you thanks for these people and ask that you will bless them with Your presence in a very special way . You never promised your children an easy road but you have promised “Strength for the day” We give thanks for those times when you have proved your faithfulness to us and given us strength when we have been weary . We thank you that your mercies are new every morning and your compassion never fails. Great is Your faithfulness! And so we ask that your Presence will be with all who are meanwhile travelling a rough & steep road that they might feel encompassed by your love and compassion.

We ask these things in Jesus name. Amen.



Benediction: May the Lord bless you and keep you; May the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; May the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. Amen

12/04/2020

To our many followers in this very unusual time of lockdown I wish every one of you a Happy Easter. Here is the Easter Sermon for today 12th April 2020
Church of Scotland Easter Sunday 12th April 2020 10:30


Good morning to you all



While we are unable to meet as a congregation for an indefinite period of time, may we all feel united in faith with our weekly email services.



I will be offering a reading, thoughts and prayers with two You tube hymns.



Today is Easter Day, a great day of Celebration in our Christian faith.



Call to worship



May the power of the resurrection, work through our bodies and souls as we read this service together during our period of Isolation.

May we witness to all, when the State of Alarm is lifted to the reality of Christ’s presence in our thoughts, prayers and lives.



(1) Jesus Christ is risen today



Heavenly Father, prompted by the Prophets and emboldened by our belief in the risen Lord, we bring before God our sins, praying for forgiveness through Christ’s Holy name.

For all the time when our thoughts and actions have failed to give hope to those who are lost, lonely, outcast especially at this difficult time.



For the times when we have felt unable to accept responsibilities that faith in you brings faith to our lives

And for the times when our doubts or failings have caused us to turn away from the truth of the resurrection.



Forgive us Lord.



Loving God, we do not understand how you raised Jesus from the dead,

How He repeatedly appeared from nowhere to stand among his followers.

But what we do understand that he changed the lives of all who met him,

Their sorrow into celebration,

Their despair turned into hope, their doubt into faith

And that he is with us now through his life –giving Spirit.

Remaking our lives in turn,

Giving us joy, peace, and a sense of purpose.



Lord we do not understand, but we believe,

when the events of life confuse and trouble us, our minds in turmoil,

Help us to know that you are with us all at these times.



May we now join together with Christians worldwide saying the prayer that Christ taught us..

Our Father who art in heaven …. Amen.



Reading Mathew 28: 1-10 The Resurrection



1. After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.

2. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it.

3. His appearance was like lighting, and his clothes were as white as snow.

4. The guards were so afraid of him and they shook and became like dead men.

5. The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid , for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.

6. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.

7. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ´He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him´. Now I have told you”

8. So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples.

9. Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshipped him.

10. Then Jesus said to the, “Do not ve afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

This is the word of the Lord

Thanks be to God.





Sermon

May I speak in the the name of the living God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit



We have all lived through the final week of Jesus’s life on earth, which was celebrated from Palm Sunday to Easter Eve, it has not been easy for any of us in Lockdown.



But today is a wonderful Celebration for ‘Jesus Christ has risen. Alleluia’



Reflecting on our gospel reading together from Mathew….



Let’s turn our thoughts to what happened on the first Easter morning.

It’s hard to know what Mary Magdalene and Mary were thinking…

when they headed down the road that day..…towards the tomb.



Who knows what memories were going through Mary Magdalene’s head, as she tried to make sense of what had happened over the last few days.

Everyone had had great hope that Jesus was the one the Messiah

who would free them from their oppression.

He was certainly his own man.

and no one ever quite knew what to expect from him,

they certainly didn’t realise that he was destined for death on a cross,

as a rabble rouser and blasphemer.

And now all their hope was gone.



When Mary arrived at the tomb

she realised that things weren’t quite how she expected them to be.

She had expected the tomb to be closed as any proper tomb should be.

But instead

it was open….wide open!

An Angel from heaven had rolled back the stone.

He knew they were afraid…. Understandably so.

Reassuring them he told them

“He has risen from the dead and going ahead of you into Galilee” verse 7



Telling them to go quickly and to tell his disciples

they hurried from the tomb, filled with joy and fear

Suddenly Jesus met them



“GREETINGS” verse 9



Mathew tells us clearly they they clasped his feet and worshipped him”

Those feet that the women hold onto are the feet that they had washed and cleansed many times after a day tramping dusty Palestine roads!

They knew each unique bump, scar, mark and wrinkle! No impersonation here.

Jesus is alive. What joy… what wonderful joy



What made Jesus entrust initial knowledge of the resurrection to them,

Maybe he knew they would “get it” quicker than the men.

Counter culturally, is it possible that Jesus views women as the more reliable witnesses!

Christ putting his trust in these women, subverting traditional hierarchies.!



WE know from John´s gospel of the resurrection… the men ran off after they had seen the empty tomb.

But Mary was now in the presence of the living Christ, who was telling her to go and tell his brothers that they would see him in Galilee

In that moment Marys hope came back to life….

Her expectations were rekindled.

Hope

Why then sometimes do we bother when hope seems gone?

How many of us I wonder…like Mary

have discovered that when we have looked despair in the face

we have discovered that love breaks through
.because we know Christ has risen.





What is more important is that when we encounter the risen Christ

when when we meet him

and hear him….see him

we find our tears turning to laughter

our sorrows turning to joy and our despair transformed into hope.



May I end by saying as we try to live as Easter people, perhaps our starting point should be, like the women at the tomb, simple, tangible acts of caring and communication that sing with the HOPE, joy and challenge of resurrection.



Amen



Intercessions



Lord Jesus Christ, we thank you for the message of Easter, for the assurance it brings of your triumph over death, the proof it offers that love will always have the last word.



Through the miracle of Easter, Christ reconciled the whole of creation to God.

We pray that the transformative powers of the resurrection may be experienced

in the furthest reaches of the world.



Heavenly Father, we pray that Christians might triumph over their fears, both internal and external, private and political, which inhibit them from living as Easter people.

In a world scarred by greed, inequality and conflict, may the light of Christ illuminate all people and nations with generosity, justice and peace.



Your resurrection Lord changed life for the disciples’, calling them to let go of the past and embrace the future, their role to lead, to go out in your risen power and proclaim the good news, we know that life must change for us too.



Loving Father, we pray especially for all those worldwide suffering with the Coronavirus Covid-19, give them strength and comfort at this time and their families.

This virus is proving difficult to cure and more difficult to keep under control.



Father we bring before you the people and friends uppermost in our minds at this time:

Remembering the Alan and Elizabeth, and Hilde from our Congregation.



Gracious loving God, teach us to live each day as your Easter people, to the glory of your name.



Amen



(2) Thine be the glory



Blessing



Holy immortal, eternal God,

By whose
Holy immortal, eternal God,

By whose glory Christ burst forth from the tomb,

A seed sown in darkness

Branching heavenward as one true light,

Break through our fears and frailties

So that we may willingly be witnesses

To your Son our Saviours risen life.

And the blessing of God almighty,

Father Son and Holy Spirit.

Amen.. Amen



Allelulia, Christ has risen.

04/04/2020

Sunday 5th April 2020 Palm Sunday and because of the conditions we all find ourselves in i.e. Lock Down please join us in the service which was prepared by Rev Maureen Duncan who should have been with us for the month of April. May you all be safe and well and follow us on Facebook. Blessings to all.

Dear Friends,
We, the elders will be sending you an email service for each Sunday of April.
Rev. Maureen Duncan who was to have been with us for the month, has very kindly sent us all her services for this month. For this we are extremely grateful and truly blessed. It has meant that we now have excellent material to work with ...

Hoping that you are all keeping safe and well.
God Bless and best wishes from the elders’


SERVICE FOR PALM SUNDAY – 05.04.2020

Prayer of Approach



Lord Jesus Christ….how easy it would have been for you...on entering Jerusalem to have taken the easy way.

With the shouts of welcome still ringing in your ears…the hosannas of the crowd still fresh in your memory…

It must have been so tempting…to give them what they wanted.

But you stayed true to your calling...despite the inevitable consequences.



When you came to Jerusalem Lord…you were greeted by shouts of joy and welcomed as God’s promised deliverer..



But when the nature of your kingdom became clear…the sort of freedom you offered fully apparent, the response changed.

The shouts of ‘Hosanna’ turned to cries of ‘Crucify!’



You come into our lives and we welcome you with gladness.

We have accepted you as our Saviour…the one who sets us free.



On this day Lord, we are reminded of how easy it is to welcome you as King of kings, but how hard to follow in the way of the cross.

Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on us, for in your name we ask it.



Amen



HYMN : Make way, make way .. You Tube link: https://youtu.be/alCQ7fb0hEA



Reading: Matthew 21 : 1 - 11



1 And when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Beth'phage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples,

2 saying to them, "Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find an ass tied, and a c**t with her; untie them and bring them to me.
3 If any one says anything to you, you shall say, 'The Lord has need of them,' and he will send them immediately."
4 This took place to fulfil what was spoken by the prophet, saying,
5 "Tell the daughter of Zion, Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on an ass, and on a c**t, the foal of an ass."
6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them;
7 they brought the ass and the c**t, and put their garments on them, and he sat thereon.
8 Most of the crowd spread their garments on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.
9 And the crowds that went before him and that followed him shouted, "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!"
10 And when he entered Jerusalem, all the city was stirred, saying, "Who is this?"
11 And the crowds said, "This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth of Galilee”.


SERMON

Today is Palm Sunday....the beginning of Holy Week, the day that we turn our thoughts to Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem...

The euphoria of any parade can and does cover a multitude of hidden agendas.. that first Palm Sunday parade was no exception.



First of all....we have Jesus’ friends who were at his side when the going was good…

But these were the same followers abandoned him in his hour of need once the cheers had turned to jeers.



The cries of ‘Hosanna’ covered the scheming of the religious leaders and who subsequently plotted his death…

And the cruelty of the soldiers…albeit under orders, carried out his ex*****on…



We need to be reminded of these things because they are an important part of our faith…

Unfortunately what we often forget is that these same people and the many others involved throughout that first Holy Week were ordinary people, leading ordinary lives people like us.



What showed up the strengths and the weaknesses in their characters, led to the fateful events that began on that first Palm Sunday ultimately leading to the trial and the ex*****on of Jesus.



It was the people who put Jesus to death….they weren’t a uniquely evil bunch of people, acting from the worst possible motives.

They were ordinary folk.

They belonged to the same human family as we do.



In each of them, if we’re honest enough to admit it, we glimpse something of ourselves and our failings and the same need of grace that we have.

History shows that such people are capable of the most appalling evil, the atrocities of guerrilla warfare and the torture of innocent people…



The Pharisees, Paul’s persecution of the Jews, Caiaphas and Pilate, even Judas, all played their part in condemning Jesus.



But in the midst of all that was bad we see some good.

We see the courage of Simon of Cyrene pulled out of the crowd to carry Jesus’ cross.

We see the sympathy of the women who wept for him…
And we see his loyal and faithful friends including his mother and John who stayed with him up until the end.

Jesus shows us that the only way to overcome evil is by good.

He forgave those who killed him, from the depths of his own pain he reached out to others, sympathizing with the women at the foot of the cross, making sure that his mother would be looked after by a trusted friend.



Holy week provides us with the opportunity to take a good hard look at ourselves and our lives – taking time to reflect on that.

Amen





Hymn: At the name of Jesus .. Link : https://youtu.be/78iCdVc5LVM




INTERCESSIONS

Let us follow Jesus in his example, by praying to God through his Son:

As Jesus was smitten for us, strengthen us when we bear scorn and opposition for His sake...

Heavenly Father, for those who are guiding our nation at this time, shaping national policies – may they make wise decisions, especially at this time of sickness and sorrow.

We think of your church throughout the world Lord Jesus, may we be united in one as we bring you praise, honour and glory to your name on this triumphant day.

We remember the sick, the vulnerable and the fearful, the gravely ill and the dying – the sick at home and in our hospitals, for all those affected by Coronavirus, those in isolation or suffering anxiety, that they may find relief and recovery. We pray Lord Jesus for our friends, Elisabeth and Alan and Hilde and all those in our hearts who need our prayers.

We pray for doctors, nurses and medical researchers, that through their skills and insight many will be restored to health.

Casting all our cares at the feet of Jesus, may we follow Him in faith ... Amen



Our Father ....



Holy, holy, holy Lord

God of power and might

Heaven and earth are full of your glory

Hosanna in the highest



Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord

Hosanna in the highest.



And may the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ...
..the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit...
..be with you all....now and forever



Amen

Make Way Make Way Written by Graham Kendrick Copyright © 1986 Thankyou Music CCLI Number: 121074 Get the song charts here https://www.weareworship.com Subscr...