All: Lord Christ, we thank you for gathering us as your people. We call to remembrance the many times you have called us together in the past and we lament our distance now. Be present Lord Jesus as you were present with your first disciples, be our companion on the way. May your Holy Spirit sustain us and all your Church until we can gather together again. We ask this for the sake of your love. Amen.

Cantilène Op. 29, N° 2 G. Pierné (1863-1937)

Jesus said, “The Gentiles’ rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. But it will not be so among you. Whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be your slave; just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:26-28)

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 Lord be with you.
And also with you.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give God 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. Grant that we 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 the one who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest

Psalm 136

1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, *
for his mercy endures for ever.

2 Give thanks to the God of gods, *
for his mercy endures for ever.

3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords, *
for his mercy endures for ever.

4 Who only does great wonders, *
for his mercy endures for ever;

5 Who by wisdom made the heavens, *
for his mercy endures for ever;

6 Who spread out the earth upon the waters, *
for his mercy endures for ever;

7 Who created great lights, *
for his mercy endures for ever;

8 The sun to rule the day, *
for his mercy endures for ever;

9 The moon and the stars to govern the night, *
for his mercy endures for ever.

11 And brought out Israel from Egypt, *
for his mercy endures for ever;

12 With a mighty hand and a stretched-out arm, *
for his mercy endures for ever;

13 Who divided the Red Sea in two, *
for his mercy endures for ever;

14 And made Israel to pass through the midst of it, *
for his mercy endures for ever;

15 But swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea, *
for his mercy endures for ever;

16 Who led his people through the wilderness, *
for his mercy endures for ever.

17 Who struck down great kings, *
for his mercy endures for ever;

24 And delivered us from our enemies, *
for his mercy endures for ever;

25 Who gives food to all creatures, *
for his mercy endures for ever.

26 Give thanks to the God of heaven, *
for his mercy endures for ever.

First Lesson: Isaiah 50:4-9a

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?

Canticle
All: O Lord and Ruler of the hosts of heaven, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and of all their righteous offspring: You made the heavens and the earth, with all their vast array. All things quake with fear at your presence; they tremble because of your power.

But your merciful promise is beyond all measure; it surpasses all that our minds can fathom. O Lord, you are full of compassion, long-suffering, and abounding in mercy. You hold back your hand; you do not punish as we deserve. In your great goodness, Lord, you have promised forgiveness to sinners, that they may repent of their sin and be saved.

And now, O Lord, I bend the knee of my heart, and make my appeal, sure of your gracious goodness. I have sinned, O Lord, I have sinned, and I know my wickedness only too well. 

Therefore I make this prayer to you: Forgive me, Lord, forgive me. Do not let me perish in my sin, nor condemn me to the depths of the earth. For you, O Lord, are the God of those who repent, and in me you will show forth your goodness. Unworthy as I am, you will save me, in accordance with your great mercy, and I will praise you without ceasing all the days of my life.

For all the powers of heaven sing your praises, and yours is the glory to ages of ages. Amen.

Second Lesson: Philippians 2:5-11
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.

Gospel Hymn: 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.

1 Thou art the King of Israel
Thou David’s royal Son,
Who in the Lord’s name comest,
the King and Blessed One. 

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

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

4 To thee before thy passion
they sang their hymns of praise;
to thee, now high exalted,
our melody we raise. 

5 Thou didst accept their praises,
accept the prayers we bring,
Who in all good delightest,
thou good and gracious King!

Matthew 21:1-11
When Jesus and his disciples had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 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. If anyone says anything to you, just say this, `The Lord needs them.’ And he will send them immediately.” This took place to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet, saying,

    “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.”

The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; they brought the donkey and the colt, and put their cloaks on them, and he sat on them. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 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!”

When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, “Who is this?” The crowds were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.”

Reflection

Apostles’ Creed
All: I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven & earth. 

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only son, our Lord.  He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead.  On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. 

I believe in the Holy Spirit,  the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body,  & the life everlasting. Amen.

Lord’s Prayer
All: 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.

Prayers of the People
Leader: God of the present moment, God who in Jesus stills the storm and soothes the frantic heart; bring hope and courage to all who wait or work in uncertainty.

Bring hope that you will make them the equal of whatever lies ahead.

Bring them courage to endure what cannot be avoided, for your will is health and wholeness; you are God, and we need you.….
☩ Lord, hear our prayer

For the church throughout the world , for Shannon our bishop, for this holy gathering, and for the people of God in every place.….☩

For us in our daily life: open our eyes to the people within our reach; inspire generosity, courage, and compassion in our hearts…. ☩ 

For the leaders of this nation and all the nations; for all in authority…. ☩ 

For health care workers and public officials, for medical professionals and all who work in health care, caring for the sick while also caring for themselves and their loved ones….  ☩ 

For those facing economic uncertainty, hunger, and homelessness…. ☩

For all who are in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness, or any other adversity. For all who live in fear…. ☩ 

Give peace to those who have died, grant them eternal rest, and give comfort to those who mourn….☩

Now we offer prayers and thanksgivings, silently or aloud….

St. Martin’s prayer list 

Sierra O’Leary, Mrs. Gillies, Clyde Holt, Bob Martin, Steve Ward, Susan Korbet, Paul Dunn, Mak Yost, Robert Buhner, Richard Erb, Pat Ottina, Robert Hertzberg, Jaqueline Wren, Nancy Hanger, Sara Boardman, Bill Hamilton, Sandra Trowbridge, Joe Davis, Vera Mallary, Richard Erb (RIP), Susan Clark (RIP), Timothy Treadway

All: Almighty God, we entrust all who are dear to us to your never‑failing care and love, for this life and the life to come, knowing that you are doing for them better things than we can desire or pray for; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.   (BCP, p. 831)

Brandenburg Concerto, no. 2: Andante J.S. Bach (1685-1750)

The collect for Palm Sunday

All: 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.

Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

All: Glory to God whose power, working in us, can do more than we can ask or even imagine. Glory to God from generation to generation in the church, and forever in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.