Sunday at CEC

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Sunday, April 13, 2025
Palm Sunday
9:00 & 11:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist Rite Two

Service from the Book of Common Prayer (BCP)  Congregational participation in bold

Prelude

Opening Prayer, all seated

Gathering Music, remain seated

“How deep the Father’s love for us” Stuart Townend*1

How deep the Father’s love for us, how vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son to make a wretch His treasure.
How great the pain of searing loss. The Father turns His face away
as wounds which mar the Chosen One bring many sons to glory.

Behold the man upon a cross, my sin upon his shoulders.
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice call out among the scoffers.
It was my sin that held him there until it was accomplished;
His dying breath has brought me life. I know that it is finished.

I will not boast in anything: No gifts, no power, no wisdom.
But I will boast in Jesus Christ: His death and resurrection.
Why should I gain from His reward? I cannot give an answer.
But this I know with all my heart: His wounds have paid my ransom.

All standing for the Blessing of the Palms

Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord.
Peace in heaven and glory in the highest.

Let us pray.

Assist us mercifully with your help, O Lord God of our salvation, that we may enter with joy upon the contemplation of those mighty acts, whereby you have given us life and immortality; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Liturgy of the Palms

The Gospel, all seated

Luke 19:28-40

Narrator: After telling a parable to the crowd at Jericho, Jesus went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. When he had come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples, saying,

Jesus: Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here.

Disciples: What do we say if someone asks why we are untying it?

Jesus: Just say this, “The Lord needs it.”

Narrator: Then they brought it to Jesus; and after throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. As he rode along, people kept spreading their cloaks on the road.

Choral Anthem: “Sing Hosanna!” Joseph M. Martin, Sanctuary Choir

Narrator: As he was now approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen, saying,

All Children: “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!”

Choral Anthem: “He Comes!” Michael Bedford, Children’s Choirs

Narrator: Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him,

Pharisees: Teacher, order your disciples to stop.

Jesus: I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.

All Children: The word of the Lord.

People: Thanks be to God.

The Celebrant then says the following blessing, all standing 

The Lord be with you.
And also with you.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give him thanks and praise.

It is right to praise you, Almighty God, for the acts of love by which you have redeemed us through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord.  On this day he entered the holy city of Jerusalem in triumph, and was proclaimed as King of kings by those who spread their garments and branches of palm along his way. Let these branches be for us signs of his victory, and grant that we who bear them in his name may ever hail him as our King, and follow him in the way that leads to eternal life; who lives and reigns in glory with you and the Holy Spirit, now and  for ever. Amen.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. 
Hosanna in the highest.

Let us go forth in peace. 
In the name of Christ. Amen.

Processional Hymn, all standing

“All glory, laud and honor”  Hymn 154:1-3, 5

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 Blessed One. 

The company of angels is praising thee on high;
and we with all creation in chorus make reply.

The people of the Hebrews with palms before thee went;
our praise and prayers and anthems before thee we present.

Thou didst accept their praises; accept the prayers we bring,
who in all good delightest, thou good and gracious King.

Collect of the Day BCP 213

The Lord be with you.  And also with you.  Let us pray. 

Almighty and everliving God, in your tender love for the human race you sent your Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon him our nature, and to suffer death upon the cross, giving us the example of his great humility: Mercifully grant that we may walk in the way of his suffering, and also share in his resurrection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Lessons BCP 357

Isaiah 50:4-9a

The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

The Passion, remain seated Luke 23:1-49, Adult Choir

“Were you there” Hymn 172: 1

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?

Narrator: The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to St Luke

The assembly of the elders of the people rose as a body and brought Jesus before Pilate. They began to accuse him, 

Elder: We found this man perverting our nation, forbidding us to pay taxes to the emperor, and saying that he himself is the Messiah, a king.

Narrator: Then Pilate asked him, 

Pilate: Are you the king of the Jews?

Jesus: You say so. 

Narrator: Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, 

Pilate: I find no basis for an accusation against this man. 

Narrator: But they were insistent and said, 

Crowd: He stirs up the people by teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee where he began even to this place.

Narrator: When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. And when he learned that he was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him off to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had been wanting to see him for a long time, because he had heard about him and was hoping to see him perform some sign. He questioned him at some length, but Jesus gave him no answer. The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. Even Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him; then he put an elegant robe on him, and sent him back to Pilate. That same day Herod and Pilate became friends with each other; before this they had been enemies.

Pilate then called together the chief priests, the leaders, and the people, and said to them, 

Pilate: You brought me this man as one who was perverting the people; and here I have examined him in your presence and have not found this man guilty of any of your charges against him. Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us. Indeed, he has done nothing to deserve death. I will therefore have him flogged and release him.

Narrator: Then they all shouted out together, 

ALL: Away with this fellow! Release Barabbas for us

Narrator: (This was a man who had been put in prison for an insurrection that had taken place in the city, and for murder.) Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them again; but they kept shouting,

ALL: Crucify, crucify him! 

Narrator: A third time he said to them, 

Pilate: Why, what evil has he done? I have found in him no ground for the sentence of death; I will therefore have him flogged and then release him. 

Narrator: But they kept urgently demanding with loud shouts that he should be crucified; and their voices prevailed. So Pilate gave his verdict that their demand should be granted. He released the man they asked for, the one who had been put in prison for insurrection and murder, and he handed Jesus over as they wished.

“Ah, holy Jesus” Hymn 158: 1-2

Ah, holy Jesus, how hast thou offended,
that man to judge thee hath in hate pretended?
By foes derided, by thine own rejected, O most afflicted.

Who was the guilty? Who brought this upon thee?
Alas, my treason, Jesus, hath undone thee.
’Twas I, Lord Jesus, I it was denied thee: I crucified thee.

Narrator: As they led him away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming from the country, and they laid the cross on him, and made him carry it behind Jesus. A great number of the people followed him, and among them were women who were beating their breasts and wailing for him. But Jesus turned to them and said, 

Jesus: Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For the days are surely coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed.’ Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us’; and to the hills, ‘Cover us.’ For if they do this when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?

Narrator: Two others also, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left.  Please stand

Then Jesus said, 

Jesus: Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing. 

“What wondrous love is this” Hymn 439: 1-2

What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss
to lay aside his crown for my soul, for my soul,
to lay aside his crown for my soul.

To God and to the Lamb, I will sing, I will sing,
to God and to the Lamb, I will sing.
To God and to the Lamb who is the great I AM,
while millions join the theme, I will sing, I will sing,
while millions join the theme I will sing.

Narrator: And they cast lots to divide his clothing. And the people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, 

Bystander: He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one! 

Narrator: The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, and saying, 

Soldier: If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself! 

Narrator: There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.”

One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, 

Criminal 1: Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us! 

Narrator: But the other rebuked him, saying, 

Criminal 2: Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong. Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. 

Jesus: Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.

Narrator: It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, while the sun’s light failed; and the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, 

Jesus: Father, into your hands I commend my spirit. 

Narrator: Having said this, he breathed his last. When the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God and said, 

Centurian: Certainly this man was innocent. 

Narrator: And when all the crowds who had gathered there for this spectacle saw what had taken place, they returned home, beating their breasts. But all his acquaintances, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.

A brief silence is kept for meditation on God’s Holy Word.

“O sacred head, sore wounded” Hymn 168: 1, 3

O sacred head, sore wounded, defiled and put to scorn;
O kingly head, surrounded with mocking crown of thorn:
what sorrow mars thy grandeur? Can death thy bloom deflower?
O countenance whose splendor the hosts of heaven adore!

In thy most bitter passion my heart to share doth cry,
with thee for my salvation upon the cross to die.
Ah, keep my heart thus moved to stand thy cross beneath,
to mourn thee, well-beloved, yet thank thee for thy death.

Passing of the Peace, all standing
The peace of the Lord be always with you. And also with you.

Welcome & Announcements. all seated

Choral Anthem,  all seated

“When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” arr. Gilbert Martin

Presentation of gifts, all standing Old 100th

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
praise him, all creatures here below;
praise him above, ye heavenly host:
praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. 

The Great Thanksgiving BCP 361

The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give him thanks and praise.

It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord; who was tempted in every way as we are, yet did not sin. By his grace we are able to triumph over every evil, and to live no longer for ourselves alone, but for him who died for us and rose again.

Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who for ever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:

“Holy, holy, holy” S-129

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.

The Celebrant continues 

We give thanks to you, O God, for the goodness and love which you have made known to us in creation; in the calling of Israel to be your people; in your Word spoken through the prophets; and above all in the Word made flesh, Jesus, your Son. For in these last days you sent him to be incarnate from the Virgin Mary, to be the Savior and Redeemer of the world. In him, you have delivered us from evil, and made us worthy to stand before you. In him, you have brought us out of error into truth, out of sin into righteousness, out of death into life.

On the night before he died for us, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, “Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.”

After supper he took the cup of wine; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and said, “Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you nd for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.”

Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith:
Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.

The Celebrant continues….

All this we ask through your Son Jesus Christ: By him, and with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and for ever. AMEN.

And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,
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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Breaking of the Bread BCP 337

“Jesus, Lamb of God” Hymn S-164

Jesus, Lamb of God: have mercy on us.
Jesus, bearer of our sins: have mercy on us.
Jesus, redeemer, redeemer of the world:
give us your peace, give us your peace.

We do not presume to come to this thy Table, O merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in thy manifold and great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under thy Table. But thou art the same Lord whose property is always to have mercy. Grant us therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of thy dear Son Jesus Christ, and to drink his blood, that we may evermore dwell in him, and he in us. Amen.

Communion Music

“Come with us, O blessed Jesus” Hymn 336

Come with us, O blessed Jesus, with us evermore to be;
and through leaving now thine altar, let us nevermore leave thee.
Be thou one with us for ever, in our life thy love divine
our own flesh and blood has taken, and to us thou givest thine.

Come with us, O mighty Savior, God from God, and Light from Light;
thou art God, thy glory veiling, so that we may bear the sight.
Now we go to seek and serve thee, through our work as through our prayer;
grant us light to see and know thee, in thy people everywhere.

Come with us, O King of glory, by angelic voices praised;
in our hearts as in thy heaven, be enraptured anthems raised.
Let the mighty chorus ever sing its glad exultant songs;
let its hymns be heard for ever––peace for which creation longs.

After Communion, the Celebrant says
Let us pray.

Closing prayers BCP 365

Eternal God, heavenly Father, you have graciously accepted us as living members of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, and you have fed us with spiritual food in the Sacrament of his Body and Blood. Send us now into the world in peace, and grant us strength and courage to love and serve you with gladness and singleness of heart; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Solemn Prayer for Holy Week is prayed

Almighty God, we pray you graciously to behold this your family, for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed, and given into the hands of sinners, and to suffer death upon the cross; And the blessing God Almighty, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit be upon you and remain with you forever and ever. Amen. 

Closing Hymn

“Lift high the cross” Hymn 473: 1, 3-4

Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim 
till all the world adore his sacred Name.

Led on their way by this triumphant sign, 
the hosts of God in conquering ranks combine.

O lord, once lifted on the glorious tree,
as thou hast promised, draw the world to thee.

So shall our song of triumph ever be:
praise to the Crucified for victory.

Let us bless the Lord.  Thanks be to God.

Hymns from Hymnal 1982, Lift Every Voice and Sing (LEVAS) II and Wonder, Love and Praise (WLP) are reprinted under OneLicense.net. A-709130. 1 © 1995 Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)  2 ©2001 Thankyou Music. CCLI Song #3350395.