28 March 2010

Welcome to  St Alban’s Anglican Church  

Today's Scripture: S. Luke 19: 28-40;   Isa 50: 4–9a,  Phil 2: 5–11,  S. Luke 22:14 – 23.end

Today: 8.35 a.m. Matins; 9.00 a.m. Church School; 9.30 a.m. Holy Eucharist with Liturgy of Palms; 6.00 p.m. EP.

Holy Week: Mon-Wed 5.00 p.m. Holy Communion; Maundy Thurs 7.30 p.m. HC; Good Friday 12 noon One Hour Devotions; Easter Eve (Holy Saturday) 7.30 p.m. Easter Vigil

Next Sunday: 9.00a.m. Matins; 9.30 a.m. EASTER EUCHARIST and Baptismal Recollection ; 6.00 p.m. EP

Sunday Next Before Easter (Palm Sunday)

Almighty and everlasting God, who, of thy tender love towards mankind, hast sent thy Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, to take upon him our flesh, and to suffer death upon the cross, that all mankind should follow the example of his great humility; Mercifully grant, that we may both follow the example of his patience, and also be made partakers of his resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

FAITH IN FOCUS: GOING WITH THE FLOW?

When the word “crowd” is used in the gospels it’s almost as if it is some sort of audience. The crowd follows Jesus here and there. Jesus says it’s like sheep without a shepherd. And most of all it’s fickle. It can change allegiance as quickly as the wind can change direction.

So on Palm Sunday we see the crowd gathering to watch its hero as he approaches Jerusalem. The people even spread their coats on the floor in front of him and cheer him, even though he is unarmed and riding on donkey. But by Friday the mood changes. Offered the chance of releasing a prisoner they choose Barabbas, a well-known criminal. Never trust a cheering crowd…. Let’s admit that we’re just the same. We have our moments of great faith and devotion and then the next minute we behave in ways that are far from the gospel.

During this Holy Week we are inevitably going to be in the crowd, but we are offered the opportunity of standing out from it, of not simply going with the flow. On Maundy Thursday we are given the chance of pledging ourselves once more to service of each other, symbolised by the Washing of the Feet, a service that culminates in eucharist. On Good Friday we praise God for the victory of the cross and offer ourselves to be taken, broken and used in whatever way God chooses to use us. And on Holy Saturday, as the Easter event becomes clear, we celebrate the core of our faith that Jesus has conquered all evil and that he invites us to share life to the full.

So let’s take our place in the crowd. But let’s not simply go with the flow.

WORD OF GOD

The crowd cried out: Blessings on the King who comes in the name of the Lord! (Luke 19:38)

 

PRACTICALLY EVERYONE has known the taste of Palm Sunday, the sweetness of success and popularity, and nearly all of us have tasted the bitterness of Good Friday, of failure and rejection. What saves us is trust in God’s love to bring about Easter morning, - knowing that the meaning of life is to be found in the knowledge and love of God, - and in sharing that knowledge and love with those who accompany us on the way.

(Richard J. Fairchild)

 

EVERYONE who lined the streets had a different reason for waving those palms. Jesus was the only one in the parade who knew why he was going to Jerusalem - to die. He had a mission, while everyone else had an agenda. (Bill Hybels)

 

THIS WEEK’S BIBLE READINGS

Mon: Isa 42: 1–9, Heb 9: 11–15, John 12: 1-11

Tues: Isa 49: 1–7, 1 Cor 1: 18 –31, John 12: 20–36

Wed: Isa 50:4-9a, Heb 12: 1–3, John 13: 21-32

MAUNDY THURSDAY: Exod 12: 1–10, 11-14,  1 Cor 11: 23-26, John 13: 1-17, 31b-35

GOOD FRIDAY : Isaiah 52:13 – 53.end, Hebrews 10: 16-25, John 18:1 – 19.end

Easter Eve: Hosea 6: 1-6, John 2: 18-22, 1 John 5: 5-12

NEXT SUNDAY (EASTER DAY) : S. Luke 19: 28-40;   Isaiah 50: 4–9a,  Philippians 2: 5–11,  S. Luke 22:14 – 23.end