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SERVICE OF LIGHT

Greeting/Invocation

 We light the Evening Candle and say or sing:

Light and Peace in Jesus Christ our Lord!

~Thanks be to God!

 

Blessed is the One who comes in the Name of Adonai;

~Hosanna in the highest!.  

 

HYMN FOR PALM SUNDAY

A cheering, chanting dizzy crowd had stripped the green trees bare,

And hailing Christ as king aloud, Waved branches in the air.

 

They laid their garments in the road And spread his path with palms

And vows of lasting love bestowed With royal hymns and psalms.

 

When day dimmed down to deep’ning dark The crowd began to fade

Till only trampled leaves and bark Were left from the parade.

 

Lest we be fooled because our hearts Have surged with passing praise,

Remind us, God, as this week starts Where Christ has fixed his gaze.

 

Instead of palms a winding sheet Will have to be unrolled,

A carpet much more fit to greet This King a cross will hold.

Text: Thomas Troeger (b. 1945); Tune:  BANGOR, CM

SERVICE OF THE WORD

Evening Psalm

Antiphon

In Jesus we have a great high priest who has pierced the heavens,

he shares full in our weakness, except that he never sinned.

 

Psalm 146/147

How good to sing God praise!

Sing to the One who is loving!

We cannot help but shout this praise!

 

Adonai rebuilds Jerusalem

and gathers  the exiles of Israel;

healing the broken-hearted,

and binding up all of their wounds.

 

God fixes the number of the stars

and calls each one by its name.

 Adonai is great and almighty;

wise beyond all telling:

For the Holy One raises the lowly and the poor,

while the wicked are humbled to the dust.

 

O sing to Adonai, giving thanks,

Sound the harp with psalms for our God,

Who stretches the heavens with clouds,

preparing rain for the Earth,

making mountains green with grass

and plants to serve everyone’s needs.

 

Adonai provides food for our cattle

and for young ravens when they call.

They are not impressed by the power of horses

nor by the  strength and speed of a warrior.

For Adonai takes delight in the reverent;

and those who trust God’s compassion.

 

Glory to the ONE and to the WORD

And to the BREATH of Love;

as always before,

so now and evermore. Amen.

 

In Jesus we have a great high priest who has pierced the heavens,

he shares full in our weakness, except that he never sinned.

  

READING          isaiah 63: 1-9

Who is this that comes from Edom, in crimsoned garments, from Bozrah?

Who is this, glorious in his apparel, striding in the greatness of his strength?

“It is I, I who announce vindication, mighty to save. Why is your apparel red,

and your garments like one who treads the wine press?

“The wine press I have trodden alone, and from the peoples no one was with me.

I looked about, but there was no one to help,

I was appalled that there was no one to lend support;

So my own arm brought me victory and my own strength lent me support.

The loving deeds of Adonai  I will recall, the glorious acts of Adonai ,

Because of all Adonai has done for us, the immense goodness to the house of Israel, Which he has granted according to his mercy and his many loving deeds.

Adonai said: “They are indeed my people, children who are not disloyal.”

So God  became their savior in their every affliction.

It was not an envoy or a messenger, but God’s own presence that saved them.

Out of love and compassion Adonai redeemed them.

 

 Responsory

R. Tell the people of Israel *I AM has sent me to you.  V. I, I am Adonai, and besides me there is no  savior; I AM has sent me to you.  V.  Glory to the Abba and the Word and the Holy Breath of Love.  

New Testament Canticle

Who is this coming from Edom in garments all red and crimson?

It is I who speak of integrity and am all powerful to save.

I have trodden the wine press alone; of the men of my people not one was with me.

 Refrain

Lord Jesus

Canticle from Philippians 2: 6-11 

 Though he was in the form of God

Jesus did not  snatch at equality with God.

 

He emptied himself, taking the form of  a servant,

being born in the likeness of human beings.

 

And being found in human form, he humbled himself,

and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross.

 

Therefore God has highly exalted him

and bestowed on him the name that is above every name.

 

That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow

in heaven and on earth and under the earth.

 

And every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, t

o the glory of God our Abba.

 

Acclamation

Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Abba!

 

Glory to the Abba and the Word

And the Holy Breath of Love

As always before

So now and evermore. Amen

Who is this coming from Edom in garments all red and crimson?

It is I who speak of integrity and am all powerful to save.

I have trodden the wine press alone; of the men of my people not one was with me.

     

SERVICE OF PRAYER

Litany of Intercession

 

While imperial forces entered cities displaying military might and dominating power and were welcomed by the rich and powerful, you entered Jerusalem on a beast of  burden, greeted only by the powerless and the poor; help us to recognize the greater powers of genuine humility and love; ~Hosanna in the highest.

 

Like the prophets of old, you were given a well-trained tongue to speak to the weary a word to rouse them; teach us to speak the truth in love and call us today to follow you on the way that leads to fullness of life;

~Hosanna in the highest.

 

Your compassion led you to live and work in solidarity with all those who suffer from injustice, oppression, and evil; may our compassion move us to accompany those who experience suffering where God’s compassion is most needed in our world today. ~Hosanna in the highest.

 

Like those who cannot clothe themselves in the privilege of wealth, gender, race or power, you were condemned to death, stripped, and executed for the sake of maintaining religious and political power; awaken in us a deep sense of equality and solidarity with all humanity and all Earthkind so that we can join you building your reign on Earth as it is in heaven . ~Hosanna in the highest.

 

In naked  vulnerability you stretched out your arms in all-inclusive, unconditional love and breathed forth your indomitable Spirit into a world gasping for  life; fill us with your Holy Spirit to live and love this world into freedom and the fullness of life; ~Hosanna in the highest.

Prayer of Jesus

Our Father…  

Closing Prayer

Gracious God of all Compassion, you sent Jesus as an example of unselfish love whose way of life would free us from sin and whose way of dying would destroy the power of death.  May our celebration of this Holy Week enable us to enter more deeply into the Mystery of his suffering, death, and resting in the tomb so that we may more fully experience the new life and joy of his resurrection, both here on earth and in heaven where you live and love, One God, forever and ever.  Amen

Blessing

May the God of Compassion + bless and guide us as we follow Jesus on the way of the cross.  ~Amen.

 

Let us bless Adonai.    ~And give thanks to God.

 

 

Those who wish may end evening prayer with the Marian Antiphon for this season.

Ave Regina caelorum, Ave Domina Angelorum.

Salve radix, salve porta, Ex qua mundo lux est orta:

Gaude Virgo gloriosa, Super omnes speciosa:

Vale, O valde decora, Et pro nobis Christum exora.

 

Pray for us O gracious Queen of the Universe,

~ that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

 

Let us pray, O Gracious God grant to your people lasting health of mind and body.

Send us your assistance in  times of temptation.

May we who celebrate the memory of the holy Mother of God,

rise from our sins by the help of her intercession.

We ask this through Christ our Life.  Amen.