TUESDAY HOLY WEEK

OPENING SENTENCES: From the rising of the sun to its setting let the name of the Lord be praised.

PSALM READING Psalm 71:1-14

OLD TESTAMENT READING Isaiah 49:1-7

EPISTLE READING 1 Corinthians 1:18-31

GOSPEL READING JOHN 12:20-36

20 Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, ‘Sir, we wish to see Jesus.’ 22 Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23 Jesus answered them, ‘The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honour.

27 ‘Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say—“Father, save me from this hour”? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name.’ Then a voice came from heaven, ‘I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.’ 29 The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, ‘An angel has spoken to him.’ 30 Jesus answered, ‘This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. 31 Now is the judgement of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people[a] to myself.’ 33 He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die. 34 The crowd answered him, ‘We have heard from the law that the Messiah[b] remains for ever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?’ 35 Jesus said to them, ‘The light is with you for a little longer. Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness may not overtake you. If you walk in the darkness, you do not know where you are going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of light.’After Jesus had said this, he departed and hid from them.

THANKSGIVING AND INTERCESSION:  I will call upon God, and the Lord will answer me.Evening, morning, and at noon I offer my prayers, and the Lord will hear my voice.

(Prayers of thanksgiving and intercession are offered)

God of love, as you have given your life to us, so may we live according to your holy will revealed in Jesus Christ. Make us bold to share your life, and show your love, in the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

LORD’S PRAYER

BLESSING

The grace of God be with us all, now and always! Amen.Bless the Lord.The Lord’s name be praised.

Dear Church Family:
We have been away from each other for a couple of weeks now. Even though we have not been worshiping together in our sanctuary, we are still the church and able to do the work and mission of the church. Our preschool is still functioning while following the guidelines of Heath and Senior Services of the State of Missouri. I know many of you are keeping track of one another and trying to maintain contact. The session, deacons, and trustees continue to carry out the responsibilities of their offices. We are blessed to have dedicated leadership who are flexible and creative.
There are several ways in which we are trying to maintain worship and spiritual nurture during this season. Every Sunday I am uploading a sermon/reflection based on our lectionary passages. I am also posting daily readings for reflection and prayer. the country to worship on Easter together.
Several of you have asked about Communion. Until recently, the General Assembly has asked congregations to forego having any kind of “virtual” sacraments. Communion is about the body of Christ gathering to worship, pray, and commune together in the same physical space. The Office of the General Assembly has since loosened their guidelines and is now allowing us to share in the Lord’s Supper over the internet. As we face a time of physical separation, we must be able to adapt to these extraordinary circumstances, and the OGA is allowing sessions to determine how they will do this. Our session has approved virtual Communion to be served on Maundy Thursday, April 9 at 6:30 pm. I will post the video on YouTube so we may all share in the sacrament together. You may have your own bread and wine/juice in your home. Whatever you have available is fine. Let’s just be available to mark this Holy Thursday together.
On Easter Sunday, instead of posting my usual reflection, there will be a special video worship provided by our national leadership. Many Presbyterians will be joining together to worship as the body of Christ. The video will be available Sunday morning at our regular worship time.
If you have any concerns during this time, please do not hesitate to call me at 912-230-5398 or email me at revhartley1000@gmail.com. Watch for emails or check Facebook or our website for information concerning the posts.
I pray you are all well and safely sheltering in place. May peace, hope, and love abound in your lives.
Love,
Pastor Lou Ellen

Everything that happens during this week points to the crucifixion. We see Jesus move with his disciples through this week as he prepares the for his leaving. We witness his interactions, hear him make commands, offer encouragement as well as warning.
Below are the daily readings for this week along with some prayers provided by the Book of Daily prayer. I invite you to set aside some time for prayer and reflection this week as we move together toward the cross. If you have friends or family together, perhaps this would be good to do together. The gospel reading is written in separate voices so you can hear the exchange like the conversation it was. However you chose to engage these prayers and scriptures, I pray they offer you insight and wisdom as you move with Jesus to the cross.

Monday of Holy Week

OPENING SENTENCES
From the rising of the sun to its setting let the name of the Lord be praised.

PSALM READING Psalm 36:5-11
OLD TESTAMENT Isaiah 42:1-9
EPISTLE READING Hebrews 9:11-15
GOSPEL READING John 12:1-11
Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 2 There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. 3 Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, 5 ‘Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?’ 6 (He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.) 7 Jesus said, ‘Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. 8 You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.’
The Plot to Kill Lazarus
9 When the great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there, they came not only because of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 So the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death as well, 11 since it was on account of him that many of the Jews were deserting and were believing in Jesus.

THANKSGIVING AND INTERCESSION
I will call upon God, and the Lord will answer me.
Evening, morning, and at noon I offer my prayers, and the Lord will hear my voice.
(Prayers of thanksgiving and intercession are offered)
Blessed Savior, at this hour you hung upon the cross, stretching out your loving arms.
Grant that all the peoples of the earth may be drawn to your redeeming love; for your kingdom’s sake. Amen.

LORD’S PRAYER

BLESSING
May we continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
Amen. Bless the Lord. The Lord’s name be praised.

Gospel Reading to Lead Us into Holy Week on Sunday April 5 – Palm Sunday

Matthew 21:1-11
21:1 When they had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples,

21:2 saying to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me.

21:3 If anyone says anything to you, just say this, ‘The Lord needs them.’ And he will send them immediately.”

21:4 This took place to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet, saying,

21:5 “Tell the daughter of Zion, Look, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”

21:6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them;

21:7 they brought the donkey and the colt, and put their cloaks on them, and he sat on them.

21:8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.

21:9 The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

21:10 When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, “Who is this?”

21:11 The crowds were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.”

Prayer:

As we make our way through this life, we pray you guide our steps and watch over our work and leisure.  Bless those who are poor in spirit and comfort those who mourn. Uphold the persecuted and embolden the fearful. This we ask for the glory or our Lord. Amen.

Psalm 5 (The Voice Translation)

Prayer:

Give us your peace, oh God, that we will know your loving care.  Help us be aware of your love which surrounds us and keeps us whole

Today we pray for our loved ones who are in need of your strength and healing…

We pray for our neighbors who may be lonely, ill, or grieving…..

We pray for healthcare workers who are pushed beyond exhaustion and who are giving their all in the pandemic….

We pray for our leaders, locally and nationally and internationally, that cool heads prevail, that they make informed decisions for the good of us all, that your gift of science and medical understanding may lead the way to spare the lives of those who are threatened….

We pray for those who are without: without support, without food and shelter, without hope, without love.  May we, your church, do as you have called us to do and demonstrate grace through our actions.
In Christ’s name we pray, Amen

Psalm 34

Of David, when he feigned madness before Abimelech, so that he drove him out, and he went away.
¹ I will bless the Lord at all times;
his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
² My soul makes its boast in the Lord;
let the humble hear and be glad.
³ O magnify the Lord with me,
and let us exalt his name together.

⁴ I sought the Lord, and he answered me,
and delivered me from all my fears.
⁵ Look to him, and be radiant;
so your faces shall never be ashamed.
⁶ This poor soul cried, and was heard by the Lord,
and was saved from every trouble.
⁷ The angel of the Lord encamps
around those who fear him, and delivers them.
⁸ O taste and see that the Lord is good;
happy are those who take refuge in him.
⁹ O fear the Lord, you his holy ones,
for those who fear him have no want.
¹⁰ The young lions suffer want and hunger,
but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.

¹¹ Come, O children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
¹² Which of you desires life,
and covets many days to enjoy good?
¹³ Keep your tongue from evil,
and your lips from speaking deceit.
¹⁴ Depart from evil, and do good;
seek peace, and pursue it.

¹⁵ The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
and his ears are open to their cry.
¹⁶ The face of the Lord is against evildoers,
to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.
¹⁷ When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears,
and rescues them from all their troubles.
¹⁸ The Lord is near to the broken-hearted,
and saves the crushed in spirit.

¹⁹ Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
but the Lord rescues them from them all.
²⁰ He keeps all their bones;
not one of them will be broken.
²¹ Evil brings death to the wicked,
and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
²² The Lord redeems the life of his servants;
none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned

Prayer of the Day

By your spirit, O God,  give us hearts to love you, minds to know you, souls to bless you, and strength to serve you.   Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
 

Today’s psalm is actually our lectionary psalm for Sunday, Palm Sunday. It may sound familiar, with festal shouts and great praise.  As we make our way to Palm Sunday in this season of disruption, for what do you praise God?  If we were shouting to Christ with our palms, what would be our prayer?  How do praise God in the midst of our joys and our concerns?

118:1 O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever!

118:2 Let Israel say, “His steadfast love endures forever.”

118:19 Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the LORD.

118:20 This is the gate of the LORD; the righteous shall enter through it.

118:21 I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation.

118:22 The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.

118:23 This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.

118:24 This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

118:25 Save us, we beseech you, O LORD! O LORD, we beseech you, give us success!

118:26 Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the LORD. We bless you from the house of the LORD.

118:27 The LORD is God, and he has given us light. Bind the festal procession with branches, up to the horns of the altar.

118:28 You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God, I will extol you.

118:29 O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.

Prayer of the Day:

Great God, You are one God, and you bring together what is scattered, and mend what is broken. Unite us with the scattered peoples of the earth that we may be one family of your united children. Bind up all our wounds and heal us in spirit that we may  be renewed. In Christ we pray, Amen.