April

2020

Morning Prayer, Palm Sunday

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Hosanna to the Son of David!
Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord!
Even the King of Israel!

MORNING PRAYER

The Lord’s Day

April 5, 2020

THE CALL TO WORSHIP

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! We bless you from the house of the Lord. The Lord is God, and he has made his light to shine upon us. Bind the festal sacrifice with cords, up to the horns of the altar! Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Let us worship God.

O praise the Father!
Praise the Son, the Lamb for sinners given!
and Holy Spirit, through whom alone our hearts are raised to heaven!

OPENING SENTENCES

Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord. Jesus says, I am the gate. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved.

This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous shall enter through it. I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation.

The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God; I will extol you.

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Hosanna in the highest!

Almighty and everlasting God, who in your tender love for us sent your Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon himself our nature, and to suffer death upon the cross, giving us the example of his great humility: Mercifully grant that we may die to ourselves and to the world and walk in the way of his suffering, and so come to share in his resurrection with all the saints in light. All glory, praise, and honor to you, most Holy and Undivided Trinity, for ever and ever. AMEN.

THE GLORIA PATRI

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. AMEN.

THE CALL TO CONFESSION

All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. (John 6:37)

THE PRAYERS OF CONFESSION

Almighty God, rich in mercy to all who call on you: Hear us as we come to you in the name of Jesus our Redeemer, humbly confessing our sins and transgressions, and imploring your mercy and forgiveness. We have broken your holy laws by our deeds and by our words and by the sinful affections of our hearts. We confess before you our disobedience and ingratitude, our pride and willfulness; and all our failures and shortcomings toward you and toward our neighbor. Have mercy on us, most merciful Father; and of your great goodness grant that we may from now on serve and please you in newness of life. Through the merit and mediation of Jesus Christ our Lord.

A time of Silent Confession

Lord, for your tender mercy’s sake, do not lay our sins to our charge; do not bring upon us what we deserve for our faults; do not let our foolishness destroy us. Rather, deal with us according to your steadfast love in Jesus Christ our Lord. Forgive and absolve all our sins and give us grace and strength to walk in the freedom that is ours in Christ Jesus our Head in the way of your commandments. We ask this in his name. AMEN.

Before the throne of God above,
I have a strong and perfect plea,
a great High Priest whose name is Love,
who ever lives and pleads for me.
My name is graven on his hands,
my name is written on his heart.
I know that while in heav’n he stands,
no tongue can bid me thence depart,
no tongue can bid me thence depart.

When Satan tempts me to despair
and tells me of the guilt within,
upward I look and see him there,
who made an end of all my sin.
Because the sinless Savior died,
my sinful soul is counted free;
for God, the just, is satisfied
to look on him and pardon me,
to look on him and pardon me.

Behold him there, the risen Lamb,
my perfect, spotless righteousness,
the great unchangeable I AM,
the King of glory and of grace!
One with himself I cannot die.
My soul is purchased by his blood!
My life is hid with Christ on high,
with Christ, my Savior and my God,
with Christ, my Savior and my God.

THE ASSURANCE OF PARDON

Jesus says, This is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. (John 6:40)

To as many as believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and are resting and receiving from him as Savior and Lord, I declare in his name: Your sins are forgiven. The grace and peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. AMEN.

THE MORNING PSALM

Psalm 72

Of Solomon

Give the king your justice, O God,

and your righteousness to the royal son!

May he judge your people with righteousness,

and your poor with justice!

Let the mountains bear prosperity for the people,

and the hills, in righteousness!

May he defend the cause of the poor of the people,

give deliverance to the children of the needy,

and crush the oppressor!

May they fear you while the sun endures,

and as long as the moon, throughout all generations!

May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass,

like showers that water the earth!

In his days may the righteous flourish,

and peace abound, till the moon be no more!

May he have dominion from sea to sea,

and from the River to the ends of the earth!

May desert tribes bow down before him,

and his enemies lick the dust!

May the kings of Tarshish and of the coastlands

render him tribute;

may the kings of Sheba and Seba

bring gifts!

May all kings fall down before him,

all nations serve him!

For he delivers the needy when he calls,

the poor and him who has no helper.

He has pity on the weak and the needy,

and saves the lives of the needy.

From oppression and violence he redeems their life,

and precious is their blood in his sight.

Long may he live;

may gold of Sheba be given to him!

May prayer be made for him continually,

and blessings invoked for him all the day!

May there be abundance of grain in the land;

on the tops of the mountains may it wave;

may its fruit be like Lebanon;

and may people blossom in the cities

like the grass of the field!

May his name endure forever,

his fame continue as long as the sun!

May people be blessed in him,

all nations call him blessed!

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,

who alone does wondrous things.

Blessed be his glorious name forever;

may the whole earth be filled with his glory!

Amen and Amen!

THE PSALM PRAYER

Heavenly Father, fountain of all our blessedness and happiness: Because we shall have our Lord Jesus Christ as our most just Judge, it is right that we should always fear and honor him. We believe and know that you have given him all authority in heaven and on earth, and that he is watching carefully to see that the righteous gain in strength and proclaim his Gospel and spread his worship to the ends of the earth. Therefore, we ask you, heavenly Father, that we may be redeemed from our sins. Having been reborn in him by his Spirit, grant that we may about in good works so that we may not be condemned for evil-doing. Give us a strong and steadfast faith, and we shall count ourselves truly blessed and lastingly happy, and we shall exalt your Name and proclaim your praises, so that, if it is possible, the whole earth may be filled with the knowledge of you. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN

THE OLD TESTAMENT LESSON

A reading from Isaiah, chapter 50:4-11

The Sovereign Lord has given me

the tongue of those who are taught,

that I may know how to sustain with a word

him who is weary.

Morning by morning he awakens;

he awakens my ear

to hear as those who are taught.

The Sovereign Lord has opened my ear,

and I was not rebellious;

I turned not backward.

I gave my back to those who strike,

and my cheeks to those who pull out the beard;

I hid not my face

from disgrace and spitting.

But the Sovereign Lord helps me;

therefore I have not been disgraced;

therefore I have set my face like a 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 is my adversary?

Let him come near to me.

Behold, the Sovereign Lord helps me;

who will declare me guilty?

Behold, all of them will wear out like a garment;

the moth will eat them up.

Who among you fears the Lord

and obeys the voice of his servant?

Let him who walks in darkness

and has no light

trust in the name of the Lord

and rely on his God.

Behold, all you who kindle a fire,

who equip yourselves with burning torches!

Walk by the light of your fire,

and by the torches that you have kindled!

This you have from my hand:

you shall lie down in torment.

A SONG OF THE SON OF DAVID

Hosanna to the Son of David!

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!

Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem!

Behold, your king is coming to you;

righteous and having salvation is he,

humble and mounted on a donkey,

on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

In your majesty ride out victoriously

for the cause of truth and meekness and righteousness!

Your throne, O God, is forever and ever.

The scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of uprightness;

you have loved righteousness and hated wickedness.

Therefore God, your God, has anointed you

with the oil of gladness above your fellows.

Hosanna to the Son of David!

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!

Hosanna in the highest! (Matthew 21:9; Zechariah 9:9; Psalm 45 4, 6, 7)

Ride on, ride on in majesty!
Hark! all the tribes hosanna cry;
O Savior meek, pursue Thy road
with palms and scattered garments strowed.

Ride on, ride on in majesty!
In lowly pomp ride on to die:
O Christ, Thy triumphs now begin
o’er captive death and conquered sin.

Ride on, ride on in majesty!
The angel armies of the sky
look down with sad and wond’ring eyes
to see th’approaching sacrifice.

Ride on, ride on in majesty!
Thy last and fiercest strife is nigh;
the Father on his sapphire throne
awaits his own anointed Son.

Ride on, ride on in majesty!
In lowly pomp ride on to die:
bow thy meek head to mortal pain,
then take, O God, thy pow’r and reign.

THE EPISTLE LESSON

A reading from Philippians 2:1-11

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

THE PRAYER FOR GRACE

Open Thou mine eyes, and I shall see;
incline my heart, and I shall desire;
order my steps, and I shall walk
in the ways of Thy commandments.

O Lord God, be Thou to me a God,
and beside Thee, let there be none else,
no other, naught else with Thee.

Vouchsafe to me to worship thee and serve thee
according to thy commandments:
in truth of spirit,
in rev’rence of body,
in blessing of lips,
in private and in public.

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, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. AMEN.

THE GOSPEL LESSON

A reading from John, chapter 12:12-50

The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written,

“Fear not, daughter of Zion;

behold, 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 about him and had been done to him. The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to bear witness. The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign. So the Pharisees said to one another, “You see that you are gaining nothing. Look, the world has gone after him.”

Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.

“Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” The crowd that stood there and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not mine. Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die. So the crowd answered him, “We have heard from the Law that the Christ remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?” So Jesus said to them, “The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.”

When Jesus had said these things, he departed and hid himself from them. Though he had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in him, so that the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:

“Lord, who has believed what he heard from us,

and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”

Therefore they could not believe. For again Isaiah said,

“He has blinded their eyes

and hardened their heart,

lest they see with their eyes,

and understand with their heart, and turn,

and I would heal them.”

Isaiah said these things because he saw his glory and spoke of him. Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.

And Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. And whoever sees me sees him who sent me. I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak. And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me.”

THE PRAYER FOR HOLINESS

O Lord Jesus Christ, who has shared our lot, endured our hardships, and obeyed the law for your people in doing the will of the Father: Give your servants such power of endurance, of self-control and self-denial, that our flesh being subdued by the Spirit, we may obey your holy example of faith and hope and love. AMEN.

THE MORNING PRAYERS

Heavenly Father, we give you everlasting thanks and praise that we, your burdened children, can approach your Mercy Seat in the most holy place, your Throne of Grace, through Jesus our Great High Priest and Advocate who even now is interceding for us. In his name alone we lift up our hearts to you and bless you and give you thanks for your infinite power; your unsearchable wisdom; your everlasting glory; your faithfulness throughout all generations; your steadfast love, which endures forever; your tender mercies, which are new every morning.

Especially this morning we praise you and thank you for the unimaginable gift of Jesus Christ your Son, who for our sakes came down from highest heaven and took to himself our flesh to bear our sins and sorrows. O Lord Jesus Christ, on this day when we remember your entrance into the rebellious Jerusalem, we bless you and thank you that you set your face like a flint, willingly to fulfill all that the Father had given you to do. Blessed are you, O Lord of life and glory, that you have condescended to come, meek and lowly, to your throne in our hearts.

Almighty God, you have committed unto your people the ministry of intercession: Hear us as we pray for all sorts of people, and grant that our hearts may be filled with all peace and love. Save us from being self-centered in our prayers. Grant that we may be so bound up in love with those for whom we pray that we may feel their needs as acutely as our own and intercede for them with sensitivity, with understanding, and with imagination. We ask this in Christ’s name.

The Prayers for Grace

Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal, have mercy on us.

Father, we pray for those who do not know you, but stumble through this life in the miserable captivity of sin. In your grace and tender mercy, bring the lost to the pure understanding of your heavenly truth, that we all, with one consent and unity of mind may know and worship you, the only true God and Savior and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent to give his life as a ransom for many. Grant that all your ministers—your whole Church—may both in their life and doctrine be found faithful. Grant that we all may be faithful ambassadors of reconciliation through the proclamation of the Gospel, so that your poor sheep who wander and stray may be gathered and brought home to your fold.

Lord, we know that the reins of government are in your hands, even as the hearts of all the leaders are water in your hands. We beseech you to direct and bless all who are in lawful authority, especially your servants, Donald our president and Kay our governor, and all others whom you have called to public service, together with the whole body of the state and nation. Give them, and those who advise them, the wisdom needed in this strange and difficult time. Let your fatherly favor preserve them, and your Holy Spirit govern their hearts. We ask this for Jesus’ sake.

Father, your truth endures from age to age: Direct in these times, we pray, those who speak where many listen and write what many read; that they may speak your truth to make the heart of this people wise, its mind discerning, and its will righteous; to the honor of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Remember your Church, O Lord. Cleanse and sanctify this Temple of the Holy Spirit, that she may truly be a House of Prayer for all nations, until at last all the kingdoms of the earth, which are so many and so divided against one another, may become in one under the headship of the Royal Son of David, Jesus.

Almighty and merciful Father, restore the souls of your people everywhere in Jesus Christ, so that we may be merciful and kind, even as you are merciful and kind. Let your forgiveness of our many sins and failures make us willing to forgive all the wrongs that we suffer, and to ask forgiveness for every wrong that we have done. Renew within us, each and all, the heart of him who became flesh and dwelt among us in such humility, and was meek and lowly of heart. Let the same mind be in us which was also in him. Let our love and good-will to others be as abundant as our joy, that our hearts may be tender to the needs of others, and our hands give freely for his sake. And grant that, being rooted and grounded in the mystery of the Word made flesh, we may receive power to overcome the world, even as we wait in patent hope for the renewal of all things. Though Jesus Christ our Lord.

God of all comfort, we commend to your mercy all those suffering under any cross or tribulation. Have mercy on the nations that are afflicted with famine or war, and especially this present pestilence. Remember your children, our brothers and sisters, who are suffering persecution for the sake of Christ. Protect those who are in danger by air or sea or land and care for those who are oppressed with poverty or any infirmity of body, Comfort those who mourn. We pray especially for those who are sick, whatever the cause; show them your fatherly kindness, chasten them for their good, and turn their hearts to you, that they may receive your perfect consolation, and deliverance from all their troubles, for Christ’s sake.

Almighty God, you are a very present help in time of trouble: Do not let the heart of your people fail when fear strikes, but rather sustain and comfort them until these present troubles are past. And since you alone know the cause and reason why this present pestilence has fallen upon the world, we pray that you will bless the means which are used to stay the spread of sickness, heal the hurt and wounded, console the bereaved and afflicted, protect the innocent and helpless, and deliver any who are still in peril, for your great mercy's sake. And to all who are beyond healing in this present life, grant your heavenly consolation and your saving grace, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Personal Thanksgivings and Intercessions

Hear us now, Father, as in the name of Christ, we offer our own thanksgivings and intercessions for those in sickness, grief, persecution, bondage, fear, or loneliness…

Feel free to pause the service for your personal prayers and thanksgivings for yourself, the Church, your officers, and others.

Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. And binding all our prayers in to one, hear us as together in faith we pray as our Savior taught us:

The Lord’s Prayer

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 debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: for Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. AMEN.

THE CONFESSION OF OUR FAITH

I believe in God the Father
                      Almighty,
                      Maker of heaven and earth;
And in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord:
                      Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost;
                      Born of the Virgin Mary;
                      Suffered under Pontius Pilate;
                      Was crucified, dead, and buried;
                      He descended into hell;
                      The third day he rose again from the dead;
                      He ascended into heaven;
                      And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty;
                      From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost;
                      The holy catholic Church;
                                              The communion of saints;
                      The forgiveness of sins;
                      The resurrection of the body;
And the life everlasting.
AMEN.