Covenant Celebration

Download: Audio

Sermon Notes:

At the 12:30 mark the congregation was invited to give voice to their longing for a better world by naming the darkness in our present world. You will hear read a number of the things the congregation typed into the Zoom chat function. You are encouraged to pause the recording and give voice to your own longing at this time.

At the 20:45 mark the congregation was invited to give voice to the truth of the good news of God’s faithful presence in the darkness with us. You will hear some of what the congregation typed into the Zoom chat function. You are encouraged to once again pause the recording and give voice to your own thanks and praise at this time.

Scripture:  Mark 11:1-11

When they were approaching Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately as you enter it, you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden; untie it and bring it. Read more…

Looking to Sunday

by Elaine Poproski

When I came to Walmer there was a Palm Sunday tradition. At some point during the worship service, usually near the beginning, we’d sing the song, We Are Marching in the Light of God, waving palm branches and parading around the worship space. I don’t know if you remember this song. It’s a fun one, especially when accompanied by good African-inspired percussion. As lyrics go, there’s not much there. (And as someone who appreciates words and isn’t much of a dancer, even in the privacy of my own home, I often tired of this song before it was done.) But what was great about this song and the Palm Sunday tradition it was attached to, was that it invited us to get up and out of our chairs to join in with that celebratory parade that accompanied Jesus into Jerusalem on the very first Palm Sunday. We didn’t just listen to the story, we stepped (danced?) right into it.

This Sunday is Palm Sunday. While the reality of the cross – of Jesus’ crucifixion – hangs over us like an ugly, dark cloud, for a moment the sun peaks out and we’re invited to dance, to sing, and to celebrate Jesus. We celebrate Jesus because He is the embodiment of God’s covenant. In Him God’s promised rescue from sin and death, God’s promised kingdom, is realized.

As you prepare for Sunday perhaps figure out a way you will celebrate Jesus. Maybe take some time to dance in your living room. Maybe eat cake. Maybe blow up some balloons or order some helium filled balloons to float around your space. Maybe make a toast with a special beverage of your choice. There will be time ahead for mourning and crying as the sun dips behind the cloud of the crucifixion again, but for this Sunday – Palm Sunday – lets celebrate our covenant-keeping God; let’s celebrate Jesus.