Church Unusual: Sunday 5 April 2020
My dear Franciscans
This Sunday Lent draws to a close as Palm Sunday does the great work of transitioning us into Holy Week – Jesus enters Jerusalem where, as he has been telling his disciples as they walked from Galilee to Jerusalem, he will be tried, scourged and crucified.
But thoughts of arrest and death are far from the minds of his followers and the people who line the road into Jerusalem shouting:
“Hosanna to the Son of David, the King of Israel
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord
Hosanna in the highest.”
For so many this is a triumphal entry of a king who they expect to restore the Kingdom of Israel to its glory days under King David.
On Palm Sunday we too shout Hosannas and wave palm leaves and crosses in a procession before entering the church. As we enter the church our focus turns to the Passion as we read the Gospel for Palm Sunday, which rehearses all the events that occur in Jerusalem ending with Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion.
In this way the Palm Sunday Service is a transition from the entry into Jerusalem to a focus on the Passion (Suffering/Death) of our Lord.
I pray that as we join together in Church Unusual at 8:30 on Sunday, that as this drama plays out in an unusual way, we would none-the-less experience this transition into Holy Week.
Please remember to be ready to hold up your crosses at the appropriate time as I bless them.
Please take pics of you doing this for the Easter Edition of The Franciscan (send them to me on WhatsApp) (See Diana’s suggestions for crosses which is attached.)
Please find attached the following:
- The Pew Leaflet for Sunday
- The Service Sheet for Sundays service (the same as last week’s)
- Diana’s suggestions about Palm Crosses.
- A notice about Bishop Steve’s Holy Week Services
Walk with Jesus as he enters Jerusalem. Walk with him through Holy Week. Died with him on Good Friday. Rise with him on Easter Sunday.
with love
Paul
