Dear Caldwell,
Throughout this week, I will be posting readings and the such offered to help as we walk these seven days with Christ, seeking more of the Mind and Heart of Christ in order to be his Body. Today, I start with two items from yesterday’s rich and full worship service – the words to Zach’s song (and the youtube link of the kids singing) and Will Davis’ fine prayer for the people.
Keep in mind several prayer and worship opportunities this week:
– Tomorrow at noon in the Chapel at Presbyterian Hospital (contemplative prayer)
– Final Wednesday noon service of the Elizabeth Communities of Faith, noon at St. John’s, followed by soup lunch
– Maundy Thursday service at Caldwell at 7:30 pm followed by 24-hour prayer vigil
I will stay in touch. John
I’m A Palm Tree Proud and Tall
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mlsh5mh00LA&feature=youtu.be
CHORUS:
I’m a tree, yes-sir-ree, but not just any tree, I’m a palm tree proud and tall.
I’ll grow up soon enough, but you’ll remember me, Praising Jesus, the Lord of all.
1. You can climb right up and pick my coconuts, You can chop me down and build yourself a hut, But the thing I love to do the most of all, Is to wave and praise the Lord of all. CHORUS
2. My branches shade you when the son is hot, My fruit is sweet, so please don’t eat a lot, But the thing I love to do the most of all, Is to wave and praise the Lord of all. CHORUS
Palm Sunday Prayer for the People:
THE LONG JOURNEY THAT BEGAN IN GALILEE, WHEN JESUS SET HIS FACE TO GO TO JERUSALEM, HAS NOW REACHED ITS CLIMAX WITH HIS TRIUMPHAL ENTRY INTO THE CITY. AND, AS A COMMUNITY OF FAITH, OUR OWN LENTEN JOURNEY OF REMEMBRANCE AND PREPARATION FOR EASTER NOW REACHES IT’S MOST SOLEMN MOMENT AS THE CHEERS OF THE CROWD FADE AWAY AND WE ENTER HOLY WEEK KNOWING WHAT IS COME.
SO AS WE SEEK TOGETHER TO HAVE THE MIND AND HEART OF CHRIST, SO THAT WE MIGHT TRULY BE THE BODY OF CHRIST, LET US NOW PAUSE AND GO TO THE LORD WITH A PRAYER FOR THE PEOPLE OF GOD.
BY YOUR GRACE, O LORD, WE ARE SUSTAINED ALL THE DAYS OF OUR LIVES. AND SO WE GIVE YOU THANKS FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO LIFT UP OUR PETITIONS TO YOU IN JESUS’ NAME.
WE PRAY FOR YOUR HOLY CHURCH, THE CHURCH UNIVERSAL, THAT IT MIGHT FIND UNITY AND PURPOSE AS IT PROCLAIMS AND MANIFESTS YOUR PRESENCE IN THE WORLD.
WE PRAY FOR ALL WHO ARE IN AUTHORITY IN ALL NATIONS, THAT THEY MIGHT BE GIVEN THE WISDOM TO PUT ASIDE THE WEAPONS OF WAR AND PLACE THE NEEDS OF THE POOR, THE HUNGRY, THE IMMIGRANT, AND THE REFUGEE, AT THE TOP OF THEIR NATIONAL PRIORITY LISTS.
IN A WORLD WHERE MOST PEOPLE LIVE THEIR LIVES WITH NO CONSCIOUS REFERENCE TO THE REALITY OF YOUR PRESENCE, LORD, GIVE US THE STRENGTH TO HOLD ON TO OUR FAITH IN YOU. AND FOR THOSE WHO STILL SEEK YOU, LORD, BY YOUR HOLY SPIRIT, GIVE THEM INWARD ASSURANCE OF YOUR LOVE, AND THE KNOWLEDGE THAT YOU ALREADY KNOW THEM BY NAME.
COMPASSIONATE LORD, YOU ALSO KNOW THE NEEDS OF THIS PARTICULAR CHURCH. HEAL THOSE WHO ARE SICK IN BODY, MIND OR SPIRIT. WE ESPECIALLY LIFT UP TOM BOHR AND CHUCK ATWELL, AND THEIR FAMILIES, AS THEY CONTINUE TO RECOVER FROM SUDDEN AND SERIOUS ILLNESS…AND OTHERS WHOM WE NOW LIFT UP IN OUR HEARTS. BE THOSE AMONG US THIS DAY WHO ARE WEARY WITH HEAVY BURDENS. COMFORT THOSE WHO MOURN.
GIVE US YOUR GRACE THAT WE MIGHT SEEK TO EMPTY OURSELVES; BECOME HUMBLE AND OBEDIENT TO YOU; LOOKING NOT JUST TO OUR OWN INTERESTS BUT TO THE INTERESTS OF OTHERS.
THESE THINGS WE ASK, AS WE PRAY TOGETHER THE PRAYER THAT JESUS TAUGHT US, SAYING:
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, FOREVER. AMEN.