Prelude: All Glory, Laud, and Honor J. S. Bach
Welcome - The Rev. Holly Hoffmann
Liturgy of the Palms
Presider: Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord.
People: Peace in heaven and glory in the highest.
Presider: 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 Gospel Reading: John 12:12-16 read by Lee Garrett
The next day the great crowd that had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, shouting, "Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord— the King of Israel!" Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it; as it is written: "Do not be afraid, daughter of Zion. Look, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey's colt!" His disciples did not understand these things at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written of him and had been done to him.
Reader: The Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God
Blessing and distribution of the Palms
Presider: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Presider: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God
People: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Presider:
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.
Presider: Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord.
People: Hosanna in the Highest
The Procession into Jerusalem
Presider: Let us go forth in peace.
People: In the name of Christ. Amen.
Processional Hymn: 154 - All Glory, Laud and Honor
Refrain: All glory, laud, and honor to thee, Redeemer, King!
To whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring.
The Liturgy of the Word
Collect of the Day
Presider: The Lord be with you
People: And also with you.
Presider: 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 First Reading: Isaiah 50:4-9a - read by Mark Middleton
The Lord God has given me
the tongue of a teacher,
that I may know how to sustain
the weary with a word.
Morning by morning he wakens –
wakens my ear
to listen as those who are taught.
The Lord God has opened my ear,
and I was not rebellious,
I did not turn backward.
I gave my back to those who struck me,
and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard;
I did not hide my face
from insult and spitting.
The Lord God helps me;
therefore I have not been disgraced;
therefore I have set my face like flint,
and I know that I shall not be put to shame;
he who vindicates me is near.
Who will contend with me?
Let us stand up together.
Who are my adversaries?
Let them confront me.
It is the Lord God who helps me;
Who will declare me guilty?
Here ends the Reading.
Psalm: 31:9-16 - led by Daniel Pyle
9 Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am in trouble; *
my eye is consumed with sorrow,
and also my throat and my belly.
10 For my life is wasted with grief,
and my years with sighing; *
my strength fails me because of affliction,
and my bones are consumed.
11 I have become a reproach to all my enemies and
even to my neighbors,
a dismay to those of my acquaintance; *
when they see me in the street they avoid me.
12 I am forgotten like a dead man, out of mind; *
I am as useless as a broken pot.
13 For I have heard the whispering of the crowd;
fear is all a-round; *
they put their heads together against me;
they plot to take my life.
14 But as for me, I have trusted in you, O Lord. *
I have said, "You are my God.
15 My times are in your hand; *
rescue me from the hand of my enemies,
and from those who persecute me.
16 Make your face to shine upon your servant, *
and in your lovingkindness save me."
The Second Reading: Philippians 2:5-1 - read by Dick Salisbury
Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,
who, though he was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God
as something to be exploited,
but emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,
being born in human likeness.
And being found in human form,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to the point of death—
even death on a cross.
Therefore God also highly exalted him
and gave him the name
that is above every name,
so that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bend,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue should confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Here ends the epistle.
Gradual Hymn: 158 - Ah, Holy Jesus
The Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark
As soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. They bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate. Pilate asked him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" He answered him, "You say so." Then the chief priests accused him of many things. Pilate asked him again, "Have you no answer? See how many charges they bring against you." But Jesus made no further reply, so that Pilate was amazed.
Now at the festival he used to release a prisoner for them, anyone for whom they asked. Now a man called Barabbas was in prison with the rebels who had committed murder during the insurrection. So the crowd came and began to ask Pilate to do for them according to his custom. Then he answered them, "Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?" For he realized that it was out of jealousy that the chief priests had handed him over. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release Barabbas for them instead. Pilate spoke to them again, "Then what do you wish me to do with the man you call the King of the Jews?" They shouted back, "Crucify him!" Pilate asked them, "Why, what evil has he done?" But they shouted all the more, "Crucify him!" So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas for them; and after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified.
Then the soldiers led him into the courtyard of the palace (that is, the governor's headquarters); and they called together the whole cohort. And they clothed him in a purple cloak; and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on him. And they began saluting him, "Hail, King of the Jews!" They struck his head with a reed, spat upon him, and knelt down in homage to him. After mocking him, they stripped him of the purple cloak and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him.
They compelled a passer-by, who was coming in from the country, to carry his cross; it was Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus. Then they brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means the place of a skull). And they offered him wine mixed with myrrh; but he did not take it. And they crucified him, and divided his clothes among them, casting lots to decide what each should take.
It was nine o'clock in the morning when they crucified him. The inscription of the charge against him read, "The King of the Jews." And with him they crucified two bandits, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by derided him, shaking their heads and saying, "Aha! You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself, and come down from the cross!" In the same way the chief priests, along with the scribes, were also mocking him among themselves and saying, "He saved others; he cannot save himself. Let the Messiah, the King of Israel, come down from the cross now, so that we may see and believe." Those who were crucified with him also taunted him.
When it was noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. At three o'clock Jesus cried out with a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?" which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" When some of the bystanders heard it, they said, "Listen, he is calling for Elijah." And someone ran, filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink, saying, "Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down." Then Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. Now when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, "Truly this man was God's Son!"
[There were also women looking on from a distance; among them were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. These used to follow him and provided for him when he was in Galilee; and there were many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem.
When evening had come, and since it was the day of Preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate wondered if he were already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he had been dead for some time. When he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the body to Joseph. Then Joseph bought a linen cloth, and taking down the body, wrapped it in the linen cloth, and laid it in a tomb that had been hewn out of the rock. He then rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where the body was laid.]
The Gospel of the Lord.
People: Praise to you, Lord, Christ.
Musical Meditation - offered by Claire Monfredo
The Prayers of the People - led by Roger and Pat Samuel
God of our wilderness, be with us in our struggles and fears, grant us courage to face every temptation, and hear us as we pray for all who are in need, as we respond "Save your people."
For the Church: that we may trust in God alone and proclaim new and abundant life to all;
God of mercy…. Save your people.
For people of other faiths; and all who seek the truth: that together we may witness to God's loving-kindness;
God of mercy…. Save your people.
For Michael, our Presiding Bishop; Thomas, our bishop; and for all who serve the Church, especially our sisters and brothers in the parishes of Mount Desert Island: that God will fill us with wisdom, humility, and love;
God of mercy…. Save your people.
For an end to war, violence, and terrorism throughout the world; and for wise and just political leadership in every land: that God will lead the human family to peace and goodwill;
God of mercy…. Save your people.
For those who must fast every day; for the hungry, the homeless, and the oppressed: that they may know justice on earth;
God of mercy…. Save your people.
For all who face prejudice and discrimination: that God will heal their wounds and strengthen our commitment to respect the dignity of all people;
God of mercy…. Save your people.
For those the Church has injured or offended; and for those we find it hardest to love: that God will forgive our wrongs and resentments;
God of mercy…. Save your people.
For those who are sick; especially those suffering from the coronavirus; for the safety of all health care workers;
and for all those waiting for a vaccine;
God of mercy…. Save your people.
I now invite you to offer your own prayers for those in any need or trouble……(silence)….
God of mercy…. Save your people.
For all who have died; and for all who weep and mourn; ……(silence)….
God of mercy…. Save your people.
Heavenly Father, your Son battled with the powers of darkness, and grew closer to you in the desert: Help us to use these days to grow in wisdom and prayer that we may witness to your saving love in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Peace
Presider: The Peace of the Lord be always with you.
People: And also with you.
The Holy Communion
Offertory Sentence
I appeal to you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present yourselves as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Romans 12:1
At the Presentation: The Doxology (sung by all) Hymn 380 vs. 3
The Great Thanksgiving:
Celebrant The Lord be with you.
People And also with you.
Celebrant Lift up your hearts.
People We lift them to the Lord.
Celebrant Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People It is right to give him thanks and praise.
The Celebrant proceeds
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. For our sins he was lifted high upon the cross, that he might draw the whole world to himself; and, by his suffering and death, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who put their trust in him.
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:
Sanctus: S-122 - plainsong, Mass 18
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
Holy and gracious Father: In your infinite love you made us for yourself, and, when we had fallen into sin and become subject to evil and death, you, in your mercy, sent Jesus Christ, your only and eternal Son, to share our human nature, to live and die as one of us, to reconcile us to you, the God and Father of all.
He stretched out his arms upon the cross, and offered himself, in obedience to your will, a perfect sacrifice for the whole world.
On the night he was handed over to suffering and death, 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 and 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:
Memorial Acclamation S-133
Celebrant and People
Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.
The Celebrant continues
We celebrate the memorial of our redemption, O Father, in this sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Recalling his death, resurrection, and ascension, we offer you these gifts.
Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body and Blood of your Son, the holy food and drink of new and unending life in him. Sanctify us also that we may faithfully receive this holy Sacrament, and serve you in unity, constancy, and peace; and at the last day bring us with all your saints into the joy of your eternal kingdom.
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,
People and Celebrant
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
Fraction Anthem: S-160
Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;
Therefore let us keep the feast.
The Gifts of God for the People of God.
The Celebrant continues
A Prayer at the time of Communion
Since we are now apart, let us pray: (said by all)
O Christ, I believe that you are truly present in the Holy Sacrament, and, since I cannot at this time receive communion, I pray you to come into my heart. I unite myself with you and embrace you with all my heart, my soul, and my mind. Let nothing separate me from you; let me serve you in this life until, by your grace, I come to your glorious kingdom and unending peace. Amen.
from Saint Augustine's Prayer Book (Forward Movement, 2014)
Post Communion Prayer (said by all)
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.
Lenten Prayer over the People
Presider: Let us humble ourselves before the Lord.
The people kneel or bow, and the Presider offers a solemn prayer.
Almighty God, we pray you graciously to behold this your family, for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed, and give himself into the hands of sinners, and to suffer death upon the cross; who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
Recessional Hymn: 458 My Song Is Love Unknown
The Dismissal
Postlude: Ah, Holy Jesus, How Has Thou Offended Helmut Walcha
The Distribution of Holy Communion
Those of you wishing to receive Holy Communion and palm branch or cross are invited to come to the church parking lot as you have on other Sundays. As you share the Body of Christ with others in your car, please use the words, "The Body of Christ, the Bread of Heaven," as we would at the altar rail at church.
The Rev. Holly Hoffmann will be at St. Saviour's 12-12:45 pm, at Church of Our Father from 1-1:45 pm, and at St. John's from 2:30-3:15 pm.
The Rev. Stephen Muncie and the Rev. Dr. William Hague will be at St. Mary's Chapel from 11 am – 12 noon.
Serving in this service
Celebrant The Rev. Holly Hoffmann
Music Director Dr. Daniel Pyle
Lectors: Mark Middleton, Dick Salisbury, Lee Garrett
Prayers of the People: Roger and Pat Samuel
Altar Guild: Jim Valette and Debbie Kiley
Gospel meditation prepared by Jim Vallette
Palms arranged by Sue Blaisdell
Video Editing by Jim Vallette
