O Lord, Our loving, faithful Father, We open ourselves this day to Your care. May Your refreshment, Your renewal, Your forgiveness, Your strength, Your hope be with us today In Jesus' name. Amen.

SoF 482 Charles Wesley. CCLI 6672 REJOICE, THE LORD IS KING! Your Lord and King adore; Rejoice, give thanks, and sing, And triumph ever more:

Lift up your heart, lift up your voice; Rejoice! Again I say: rejoice!

Jesus the Saviour reigns, The God of truth and love; When He had purged our stains, He took His seat above:

Lift up your heart, lift up your voice; Rejoice! Again I say: rejoice!

His kingdom cannot fail, He rules o’er earth and heaven; The keys of death and hell Are to our Jesus given:

Lift up your heart, lift up your voice; Rejoice! Again I say: rejoice!

Rejoice in glorious hope; For Christ the Judge shall come, And take His servants up To their eternal home:

Lift up your heart, lift up your voice; Rejoice! Again I say: rejoice!

We start with a great song of worship – sing along on Youtube, or just go it alone! If you would normally enjoy playing our instruments, find a wooden spoon and a saucepan and join in! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFYMhF2GA4E

First a mystery picture - how quickly can you get it?

Any guesses yet?

Not a storm…

Any closer?…

This should give it away.

No excuse now!

It was the Tardis – why? Because we are going back in time to Lent 2017.

In 2017 we looked at life as a Christian pilgrimage – from taking those first steps in the Christian life,

Then leaving our burdens at the cross,

Finding our way in life using the bible as our guide,

Enjoying the high points when we feel close to God,

Enduring the low points knowing God never abandons us, and gives us people to support us,

Which brought us then, and brings us now, to Palm Sunday. The theme in our journeying today is based on a reading from Hebrews 12.

From Hebrews 12: We have lots of people to support us, so -

...and let’s run the race God has for us. We need to keep going, no matter what happens on our journey.

let's get rid of everything that holds us back and the sins that stop us being the people God made us to be...

Keep Going - Persevere Day after day

Week after week Year after year!

I’m gonna jump up and down Gonna spin right around Gonna praise Your name for ever. Gonna shout out loud Gonna deafen the crowd Gonna send my praise to Heaven.

I will run this race and I will never stop. I’ll follow Jesus ‘til the day I drop.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. When you’ve got such a lot, When you got not a lot, What? Be happy!

Doug Horley © Copyright 2001 Kingsway’s Thankyou Music.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WodvQf0Jo9s

Sing along on Youtube:

We all need different kinds of fuel. Match the things to their power supply:

How did you do?

What keeps us going in our journey with God?

Jesus said, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you”. (Acts 1 v 8)

God said if we asked, he would give us his Holy Spirit, who gives us the power to keep going, day in, day out no matter what life throws at us. So let's celebrate that as we sing:

812 David Fellingham. Copyright © 1994 Kingsway’s Thankyou Music. CCLI 6672

IN EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE of life You are with me, glorious Father. And I have put my trust in You, That I may know the glorious hope To which I’m called. And by the power that works in me, You’ve raised me up and set me free; And now in every circumstance I’ll prove Your love without a doubt, Your joy shall be my strength, Your joy shall be my strength.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uo8OBWlrsnw

Hebrews 12 that we looked at earlier goes on to say:

Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in.

On Palm Sunday, Jesus made a journey into Jerusalem on a donkey with crowds shouting “Hosanna!” and waving palms.

But Jesus knew where that journey would end…

…at the cross.

But because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way, including the shame of the cross. (Hebrews 12)

https://www.redtedart.com/diy-paper-spinner-toys/

Why not make something that ‘keeps going’ as a reminder to persevere? Follow the links for the instructions.

Put the picture on here Chris has these thoughts: Our journey through life has its ups and downs: glorious summer days and the harshness of winter; spring full of hope and life, and autumnal reflection both on past joys and on hard times yet to come. This Palm Sunday marks the lead up to an Easter that will be unlike any other we’ve experienced so far, with none of the usual rituals or traditions, no Holy Week processions, walks of witness or sharing of hot cross buns, and no joining together to celebrate the joy of Easter.

Stripping away all that’s “normal” encourages us to reflect on what’s actually most important. So this Palm Sunday we can perhaps reflect back on what the first Palm Sunday was about, without having to worry about whether or not we can fold a palm cross. We know the story: Jesus enters Jerusalem on a borrowed donkey, amidst crowds waving palms and crying, “Hosanna”. We suspect they’re not really sure of what they are cheering for or what kind of salvation Jesus brings, but then we know the ending of the story and have the benefit of hindsight, which was not available to the people at the time.

And of course the religious leaders want it all to calm down, to regain control and to maintain their expertise on all things spiritual. Jesus’ response? “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” (Luke 19:40 NIV) The idea that even if Jesus’ followers were mute, creation itself—inanimate stones—would cry out his glory, at the beginning of Holy Week, seems to have a number of lessons and challenges for us.

Firstly, we can’t hide who Jesus is, even if we want to. There will always be another part of creation proclaiming his name—as Hebrews 12:1 puts it, we are “surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses”. We don’t need Sunday services to do this, or organised activities. We don’t need denominations, churches together or special groups—good though these things might be. When all of this is silenced, the very fabric of our ordinary life should still be proclaiming Jesus’ name.

Secondly, the focus of this story. It’s not actually about Jesus coming in glory, it’s not about authority over oppressive regimes, and it’s not about the crowds around him. But it is absolutely about Jesus, and who he really is: the “Lord” who makes himself nothing, having to borrow a donkey, but who brings salvation and forgiveness. The writer to the Hebrews encourages us to fix our eyes on him, the “the pioneer and perfecter of faith” (12:2). We can do that whether we are isolated at home, or going about our business in a normal week—but we can equally well be distracted, whatever our circumstances.

And finally there is a message about resolute determination, to press on whatever the cost and whatever might lay before us. Jesus knew where this journey was going to end: at the cross. But he didn’t flinch, instead choosing to endure the pain and shame of crucifixion, in view of the joy set before him. Again, the writer to the Hebrews encourages us: “Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” (12:3). We may feel downhearted when we can’t meet with our fellow Christians for prayer and worship, but need to retain a sense of perspective rather than feeling drained.

Prayers Back in 2017 we made prayer cards with transport stickers on – maybe you still have yours? Take time to reflect on the message of each one as you move through the pages.

Prayers

Prayers

Prayers

Prayers

Prayers

Prayers

Please pray:

• For those from our churches who don’t have access to all the prayer and worship material on the internet – that they would know God’s presence in a special way.

• For all who care for us and keep communities going in any way, and especially the work of The Lighthouse team in our own church and for those still working in schools, shops and the caring professions.

• For those who are sick, frightened and in need, wherever in the world they are.

• For our leaders to make wise decisions. • That as we persevere in our faith, we might share God’s love

and compassion with all we interact with. AMEN

The Lord’s Prayer Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your Kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours. Now and for ever. Amen.

We’re not able to have our collection plate in church as usual, but of course we still have bills to pay to ensure that we keep going and are ready to serve when the lockdown is over. If you are able to give money on-line, then the church bank details are:

Louth Methodist Church Sort Code: 40-30-26 Account No: 40545341

BLESS THE LORD, O MY SOUL; O MY SOUL Worship His holy name. Sing like never before, O my soul. I’ll worship Your holy name.

The sun comes up, it’s a new day dawning; It’s time to sing Your song again. Whatever may pass and whatever lies before me, Let me be singing when the evening comes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSxocnIaN0A

Whatever the future holds, we know God will be with us – let’s praise Him!

Bless the Lord, O my soul; O my soul, Worship His holy name. Sing like never before, O my soul. I’ll worship Your holy name.

You’re rich in love and You’re slow to anger, Your name is great and Your heart is kind. For all Your goodness, I will keep on singing; Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find.

Bless the Lord, O my soul; O my soul, Worship His holy name. Sing like never before, O my soul. I’ll worship Your holy name.

And on that day when my strength is failing, The end draws near and my time has come, Still my soul will sing Your praise unending: Ten thousand years and then forever more!

Bless the Lord, O my soul; O my soul, Worship His holy name. Sing like never before, O my soul. I’ll worship Your holy name, Yes I’ll worship your holy name.

Dear Lord, May we, like Jesus, keep going on the path you lay before us, so that we, like him, can reach our journey’s end in you. Amen