St Lucy Parish Church
Diocese of Barbados
Nestfield, St. Lucy
THE SUNDAY OF THE PASSION: PALM SUNDAY 29th March 2026
Rector: The Rev’d Hugh Sandiford
Deacon: The Rev’d Sharon King
Seminarian:
Mr. Shaquan Thomas
Church Wardens: Justice Anthony Blackman
Mr. William Yearwood
Organist: Mr. Matthew Banfield
Sexton: Mr. Noverton Gibson
Our Vision: To
ORDER OF SERVICE
THE LITURGY OF THE PALMS (BCP Page 222)
Hosanna to the Son of David, the King of Israel. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
Dear friends in Christ, During Lent we have been preparing for the celebration of our Lord's paschal mystery.
On this day our Lord Jesus Christ entered the holy city of Jerusalem in triumph. The people welcomed Him with palms and shouts of praise, but the path before Him led to self-giving, suffering, and death. Today we greet Him as our King, although we know His crown is thorns and His throne a cross. We follow Him this week from the glory of the palms to the glory of the resurrection by way of the dark road of suffering and death. United with Him in His suffering on the cross, may we share His resurrection and new life.
Let Us pray
Assist us mercifully with your help, Lord God of our salvation, that we may enter with joy into the celebration of those mighty acts whereby you give us life and immortality; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
READER: The Lord be with you.
PEOPLE: And also with you.
READER: A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke.
PEOPLE: Glory to Christ our Saviour.
Luke 19:28-40
After telling a parable to the crowd at Jericho, Jesus went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. When he had come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples, saying, "Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, 'Why are you untying it?' just say this, 'The Lord needs it.'" So those who were sent departed and found it as he had told them. As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, "Why are you untying the colt?" They said, "The Lord needs it." Then they brought it to Jesus; and after throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. As he rode along, people kept spreading their cloaks on the road. As he was now approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen, saying, "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!" Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, order your disciples to stop." He answered, "I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out."
This is the Gospel of Christ.
PEOPLE:
Praise to Christ our Lord.
THE BLESSING OF THE PALMS
PRESIDENT:
The Lord be with you
PEOPLE: And also with you
PRESIDENT:
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God
PEOPLE:
It is right to give God thanks and praise.
(BCP Page 223-224)
The President continues 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 and Saviour who entered Jerusalem as Messiah to suffer and to die; Bless these palms and let them be for us signs of victory; and grant that we who bear them in His name may ever hail Him as our King, and follow Him in the way that leads to eternal life; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.
THE PROCESSION
PROCESSIONAL HYMNS: 134, 436, 133, 251, 193, 127
PRESIDENT:
Let us go forth in peace.
PEOPLE:
In the name of Christ. Amen.
Hymn: 134 - Lift high the cross
Refrain:
Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim till all the world adores, his sacred Name!
1 Come, Christians, follow where the Captain trod, the King victorious, Christ the Son of God.
Refrain
2 Each newborn soldier of the Crucified bears on the brow the seal of him who died. Refrain
3 This is the sign that Satan's armies fear and angels veil their faces to revere. Refrain
4 Saved by the Cross on which their Lord was slain, see Adam's children their lost home regain. Refrain
5
From north and south, from east and west they raise in growing unison their songs of praise.
Refrain
6 Let every race and every language tell of him who saves our souls from death and hell!
Refrain
7 O Lord, once lifted on the tree of pain, draw all the world to see you once again.
Refrain
8 Set up your throne, that earth's despair may cease beneath the shadow of its healing peace:
Refrain
HYMN: 436 - Onward Christian soldiers
1 Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war, with the cross of Jesus going on before. Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe; forward into battle see his banners go!
Refrain:
Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war, with the cross of Jesus going on before.
2 At the name of Jesus Satan's legions flee; on then, Christian soldiers, on to victory! Hell's foundations quiver at the shout of praise; brothers lift your voices, loud your anthems raise.
Refrain
3
4
Like a mighty army moves the church of God; brothers, we are treading where the saints have trod; we are not divided, all one body we, one in hope and calling, one in charity.
Refrain
Crowns and thrones may perish, kingdoms rise and wane, but the church of Jesus constant will remain. gates of hell can never ‘gainst that church prevail; we have Christ's own promise, and that cannot fail.
Refrain:
5
Onward then, ye people, join our happy throng, blend with ours your voices in the triumph-song. glory, laud and honour unto Christ the King. This through countless ages men and angels sing.
Refrain:
133 - Jesus, keep me near the cross
1 Jesus, keep me near the cross, there's a precious fountain' free to all, a healing stream, flows from Calvary's mountain.
Refrain:
In the cross, in the cross, be my glory ever; till my raptured soul shall find rest beyond the river.
2 Near the cross, a trembling soul, love and mercy found me; there the bright and Morning star sheds its beams around me.
Refrain
3 Near the cross! O Lamb of God, bring its scenes before me; help me walk from day to day with its shadows o'er me.
Refrain
4 Near the cross I'll watch and wait, hoping, trusting ever, till I reach the golden strand just beyond the river.
Refrain
Hymn: 251 - Hail to the Lord’s anointed
1 Hail to the Lord's Anointed, great David's greater Son! Hail, in the time appointed, his reign on earth begun! He comes to break oppression, to set the captive free, to take away transgression, and rule in equity.
2 He comes with succour speedy to those who suffer wrong; to help the poor and needy, and bid the weak be strong;
to give them songs for sighing, their darkness turn to light, whose souls, condemned and dying, were precious in his sight.
3 He shall come down like showers upon the fruitful earth, And love, joy and hope, like flowers, Spring in His path to birth: Before Himon the mountains Shall peace, the herald, go; and righteousness in fountains from hill to valley flow.
4 Kings shall bow down before Him, And gold and incense bring; All nations shall adore Him, His praise all people sing; To Him shall prayer unceasing And daily vows ascend; His kingdom still increasing, A kingdom without end.
5 O'er every foe victorious, He on His throne shall rest; From age to age more glorious, All-blessing and all-blest: The tide of time shall never His covenant remove; His Name shall stand for ever, His changeless name of Love.
HYMN: 193 - Rejoice! The Lord is King!
1 Rejoice! The Lord is King, Your Lord and King adore; mortals, give thanks and sing,
and triumph evermore: lift up your heart, lift up your voice; rejoice, again I say, rejoice.
2 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.
3 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.
4 He sits at God's right hand till all his foes submit, and bow to his command, and fall beneath his feet: lift up your heart, lift up your voice; rejoice, again I say, rejoice.
Hymn: 127 - All glory, laud and honour Refrain All glory, laud, and honour, 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. (Refrain)
2
The company of angels are praising thee on high, and mortal men and all things created make reply.
(Refrain)
3 The people of the Hebrews with psalms before thee went; our praise and prayer and anthems before thee we present.
(Refrain)
4 To thee, before thy Passion, they sang their hymns of praise; to thee, now high exalted, our melody we raise.
(Refrain)
5 Thou didst accept their praises; accept the prayers we bring, who in all good delightest, thou good and gracious King.
(Refrain)
PRESIDENT (BCP page 225)
Almighty God whose Son was crucified yet entered into glory, may we, walking in the way of the cross, find it is for us the way of life, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
ALL: Amen.
INTROIT HYMN: 126 - Ride on! Ride on, in majesty
1 Ride on! Ride on, in majesty! Hark! All the tribes hosanna cry; O Saviour meek, pursue thy road, with palms and scattered garments strowed.
2
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.
3 Ride on! Ride on, in majesty! The angel armies of the sky look down with sad and wondering eyes to see the approaching sacrifice.
4 Ride on! Ride on, in majesty! The last and fiercest strife is nigh; the Father on his sapphire throne awaits his own anointed Son.
5 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 power and reign.
Hymn: 590 - Hosanna to the living Lord!
1 Hosanna to the living Lord! Hosanna to the Incarnate Word, to Christ, Creator, Saviour, King, let earth, let heaven hosanna sing, hosanna in the highest!
2 O Saviour, with protecting care abide in this thy house of prayer, where we thy parting promise claim, assembled in thy sacred name. Hosanna in the highest!
3 But, chiefest, in our cleansed breast, Eternal, bid thy Spirit rest; and make our secret soul to be a temple pure and worthy thee. Hosanna in the highest!
4
To God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit, Three in One, be honour, praise, and glory given by all on earth and all in heaven. Hosanna in the highest!
COLLECT
OF THE DAY
PRESIDENT: The Lord be with you!
ALL: And also with you!
PRESIDENT: Let us pray.
Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday (BCP Page 225)
Almighty and everlasting God in tender love for all our human race you sent your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ to take our flesh and suffer death upon a cruel cross. May we follow the example of his great humility, and share in the glory of his resurrection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
PRESIDENT: Kindly sit for the ministry of the word.
FIRST LESSON: Isaiah 50:4-9a [Mr. Norman Yearwood]
READER: A Reading from the Word of God, written in the book of the Prophet Isaiah, chapter fifty beginning at the fourth verse.
ILLUMINATION:
READER: 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?
READER: The word of the Lord.
ALL: Thanks be to God.
PSALM 22
1. My God, my God, look upon me; why hast thou forsaken me : and art so far from my health, and from the words of my complaint?
2. O my God, I cry in the day-time, but thou hearest not : and in the night-season also I take no rest.
3. And thou continuest holy : O thou worship of Israel.
4. Our fathers hoped in thee : they trusted in thee, and thou didst deliver them.
5. They called upon thee, and were holpen : they put their trust in thee, and were not confounded.
6. But as for me, I am a worm, and no man : a very scorn of men, and the outcast of the people.
7. All they that see me laugh me to scorn : they shoot our their lips, and shake their heads, saying,
8. He trusted in God, that he would deliver him : let him deliver him, if he will have him.
9. But thou art he that took me out of my mother's womb : thou wast my hope, when I hanged yet upon my mother's breasts.
10. I have been left unto thee ever since I was born : thou art my God, even from my mother's womb.
11. O go not from me, for trouble is hard at hand : and there is none to help me.
12. Many oxen are come about me : fat bulls of Basan close me in on every side.
13. They gape upon me with their mouths : as it were a ramping and a roaring lion.
14. I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint : my heart also in the midst of my body is even like melting wax.
15. My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue cleaveth to my gums : and thou shalt bring me into the dust of death.
16. For many dogs are come about me : and the council of the wicked layeth siege against me.
17. They pierced my hands and my feet; I may tell all my bones : they stand staring and looking upon me.
18. They part my garments among them : and casts lots upon my vesture.
19. But be not thou far from me, O Lord : thou art my succour, haste thee to help me.
20. Deliver my soul from the sword : my darling from the power of the dog.
21. Save me from the lion's mouth : thou hast heard me also from among the horns of the unicorns.
22. I will declare thy Name unto my brethren : in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.
23. O praise the Lord, ye that fear him : magnify him, all ye of the seed of Jacob, and fear him, all ye seed of Israel.
24. For he hath not despised, nor abhorred, the low estate of the poor : he hath not hid his face from him, but when he called unto him he heard him.
25. My praise is of thee in the great congregation : my vows will I perform in the sight of them that fear him.
26. The poor shall eat and be satisfied : they that seek after the Lord shall praise him; your heart shall live for ever.
27. All the ends of the world shall remember themselves, and be turned unto the Lord : and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before him.
28. For the kingdom is the Lord's : and he is the Governor among the people.
29. All such as be fat upon earth : have eaten and worshipped.
30. All they that go down into the dust shall kneel before him : and no man hath quickened his own soul.
31. My seed shall serve him : they shall be counted unto the Lord for a generation.
32. They shall come, and the heavens shall declare his righteousness : unto a people that shall be born, whom the Lord hath made.
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.
SECOND LESSON: Philippians 2:5-11 [Mr. Darren Goodridge]
READER: A reading from the word of God written in the book to the Philippians, chapter two, beginning at the fifth verse.
ILLUMINATION:
READER: 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.
READER: The word of the Lord.
ALL: Thanks be to God.
GRADUAL HYMN: 147 - When I survey the wondrous cross
1 When I survey the wondrous cross where the young Prince of Glory died, my richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride.
2 Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast, save in the cross of Christ, my God: all the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to his blood.
3 See, from his head, his hands, his feet, sorrow and love flow mingling down; did e'er such love and sorrow meet, or thorns compose so rich a crown?
4
Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were an offering far too small; love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.
THE PASSION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST: Matthew 26:14 - 27: 66
The congregation remaining seated, the Passion Gospel is read in parts, led by a narrator who begins by saying: The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew.
NARRATOR: One of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said,
JUDAS: "What will you give me if I betray Jesus to you?"
NARRATOR: They paid him thirty pieces of silver. And from that moment he began to look for an opportunity to betray him. On the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying,
DISCIPLES: "Where do you want us to make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?"
NARRATOR: He said,
JESUS: "Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, `The Teacher says, My time is near; I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.'"
NARRATOR: So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover meal. When it was evening, he took his place with the twelve; and while they were eating, he said,
JESUS: "Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me."
NARRATOR: And they became greatly distressed and began to say to him one after another,
DISCIPLES: "Surely not I, Lord?"
NARRATOR: He answered,
JESUS: "The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that one by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that one not to have been born."
NARRATOR: Judas, who betrayed him, said,
JUDAS: "Surely not I, Rabbi?"
NARRATOR: He replied,
JESUS: "You have said so."
NARRATOR: While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said,
JESUS: "Take, eat; this is my body."
NARRATOR: Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying,
JESUS: "Drink from it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will never again drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom."
NARRATOR: When they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Then Jesus said to them,
JESUS: "You will all become deserters because of me this night; for it is written, `I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.' But after I am raised up, I will go ahead of you to Galilee."
NARRATOR: Peter said to him,
PETER: "Though all become deserters because of you, I will never desert you."
NARRATOR: Jesus said to him,
JESUS: "Truly I tell you, this very night, before the cock crows, you will deny me three times."
NARRATOR: Peter said to him,
PETER: "Even though I must die with you, I will not deny you."
NARRATOR: And so said all the disciples. Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples,
JESUS: "Sit here while I go over there and pray."
NARRATOR: He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and agitated. Then he said to them,
JESUS: "I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and stay awake with me."
NARRATOR: And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed,
JESUS: "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want."
NARRATOR: Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter,
JESUS: "So, could you not stay awake with me one hour? Stay awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."
NARRATOR: Again he went away for the second time and prayed,
JESUS: "My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done."
NARRATOR: Again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. So leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words. Then he came to the disciples and said to them,
JESUS: "Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up, let us be going. See, my betrayer is at hand."
NARRATOR: While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived; with him was a large crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying,
JUDAS: "The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him."
NARRATOR: At once he came up to Jesus and said,
JUDAS: "Greetings, Rabbi!"
NARRATOR: and kissed him. Jesus said to him,
JESUS: "Friend, do what you are here to do."
NARRATOR: Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and arrested him. Suddenly, one of those with Jesus put his hand on his sword, drew it, and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear. Then Jesus said to him,
JESUS: "Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the scriptures be fulfilled, which say it must happen in this way?"
NARRATOR: At that hour Jesus said to the crowds,
JESUS: "Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as though I were a bandit? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not arrest me. But all this has taken place, so that the scriptures of the prophets may be fulfilled."
NARRATOR: Then all the disciples deserted him and fled. Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the high priest, in whose house the scribes and the elders had gathered. But Peter was following him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest; and going inside, he sat with the guards in order to see how this would end. Now the chief priests and the whole council were looking for false testimony against Jesus so that they might put him to death, but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward and said,
ACCUSERS: "This fellow said, `I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.'"
NARRATOR: The high priest stood up and said,
HIGH PRIEST: "Have you no answer? What is it that they testify against you?"
NARRATOR: But Jesus was silent. Then the high priest said to him,
HIGH PRIEST: "I put you under oath before the living God, tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God."
NARRATOR: Jesus said to him,
JESUS: "You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven."
NARRATOR: Then the high priest tore his clothes and said,
HIGH PRIEST: "He has blasphemed! Why do we still need witnesses? You have now heard his blasphemy. What is your verdict?"
NARRATOR: They answered,
CHIEF PRIESTS: "He deserves death."
NARRATOR: Then they spat in his face and struck him; and some slapped him, saying,
CHIEF PRIESTS: "Prophesy to us, you Messiah! Who is it that struck you?"
NARRATOR: Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant-girl came to him and said,
SERVANT GIRL: "You also were with Jesus the Galilean."
NARRATOR: But he denied it before all of them, saying,
PETER: "I do not know what you are talking about."
NARRATOR: When he went out to the porch, another servant-girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders,
SERVANT GIRL: This man was with Jesus of Nazareth."
NARRATOR: Again he denied it with an oath,
PETER: "I do not know the man."
NARRATOR: After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter,
BYSTANDER: Certainly you are also one of them, for your accent betrays you."
NARRATOR: Then he began to curse, and he swore an oath,
PETER: "I do not know the man!"
NARRATOR: At that moment the cock crowed. Then Peter remembered what Jesus had said:
JESUS: "Before the cock crows, you will deny me three times."
NARRATOR: And he went out and wept bitterly. When morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people conferred together against Jesus in order to bring about his death. They bound him, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate the governor. When Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he repented and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. He said,
JUDAS: "I have sinned by betraying innocent blood."
NARRATOR: But they said,
CHIEF PRIESTS: "What is that to us? See to it yourself."
NARRATOR: Throwing down the pieces of silver in the temple, he departed; and he went and hanged himself. But the chief priests, taking the pieces of silver, said,
CHIEF PRIESTS: "It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, since they are blood money."
NARRATOR: After conferring together, they used them to buy the potter's field as a place to bury foreigners. For this reason that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day. Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah, "And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of the one on whom a price had been set, on whom some of the people of Israel had set a price, and they gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord commanded me." Now Jesus stood before the governor; and the governor asked him,
PILATE: "Are you the King of the Jews?"
NARRATOR: Jesus said,
JESUS: "You say so."
NARRATOR: But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he did not answer. Then Pilate said to him,
PILATE: "Do you not hear how many accusations they make against you?"
NARRATOR: But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed. Now at the festival the governor was accustomed to release a prisoner for the crowd, anyone whom they wanted. At that time they had a notorious prisoner, called Jesus Barabbas. So after they had gathered, Pilate said to them,
PILATE: "Whom do you want me to release for you, Jesus Barabbas or Jesus who is called the Messiah?"
NARRATOR: For he realized that it was out of jealousy that they had handed him over. While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him,
PILATE’S WIFE: "Have nothing to do with that innocent man, for today I have suffered a great deal because of a dream about him."
NARRATOR: Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus killed. The governor again said to them,
PILATE: "Which of the two do you want me to release for you?"
NARRATOR: And they said,
CONGREGATION: "Barabbas."
NARRATOR: Pilate said to them,
PILATE: "Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?"
NARRATOR: All of them said,
CONGREGATION: "Let him be crucified!"
NARRATOR: Then he asked,
PILATE: "Why, what evil has he done?"
NARRATOR: But they shouted all the more,
CONGREGATION: "Let him be crucified!"
NARRATOR: So when Pilate saw that he could do nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took some water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying,
PILATE: "I am innocent of this man's blood; see to it yourselves."
NARRATOR: Then the people as a whole answered,
CONGREGATION: "His blood be on us and on our children!"
NARRATOR: So he released Barabbas for them; and after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified. Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor's headquarters, and they gathered the whole cohort around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on his head. They put a reed in his right hand and knelt before him and mocked him, saying,
SOLDIERS: "Hail, King of the Jews!"
NARRATOR: They spat on him, and took the reed and struck him on the head. After mocking him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.
(At the mention of Golgotha, the congregation should stand and remain standing for the remainder of the reading.)
NARRATOR: As they went out, they came upon a man from Cyrene named Simon; they compelled this man to carry his cross. And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull), they offered him wine to drink, mixed with gall; but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. And when they had crucified him, they divided his clothes among themselves by casting lots; then they sat down there and kept watch over him. Over his head they put the charge against him, which read, "This is Jesus, the King of the Jews." Then two bandits were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by derided him, shaking their heads and saying,
BYSTANDERS: "You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross."
NARRATOR: In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes and elders, were mocking him, saying,
CHIEF PRIESTS: "He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he wants to; for he said, `I am God's Son.'"
NARRATOR: The bandits who were crucified with him also taunted him in the same way. From noon on, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. And about three o'clock Jesus cried with a loud voice,
JESUS: "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?"
NARRATOR: that is,
JESUS: "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
NARRATOR: When some of the bystanders heard it, they said,
BYSTANDERS: "This man is calling for Elijah."
NARRATOR: At once one of them ran and got a sponge, filled it with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink. But the others said,
BYSTANDERS: "Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him."
NARRATOR: Then Jesus cried again with a loud voice and breathed his last. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, and the rocks were split. The tombs also were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised. After his resurrection they came out of the tombs and entered the holy city and appeared to many. Now when the centurion and those with him, who were keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were terrified and said,
CENTURION: "Truly this man was God's Son!
NARRATOR: Many women were also there, looking on from a distance; they had followed Jesus from Galilee and had provided for him. Among them were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee. When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who was also a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus; then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. So Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn in the rock. He then rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb and went away. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb. The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said,
CHIEF PRIESTS: "Sir, we remember what that impostor said while he was still alive, `After three days I will rise again.' Therefore command the tomb to be made secure until the third day; otherwise his disciples may go and steal him away, and tell the people, `He has been raised from the dead,' and the last deception would be worse than the first."
NARRATOR: Pilate said to them,
PILATE: "You have a guard of soldiers; go, make it as secure as you can."
NARRATOR: So they went with the guard and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone.
THE GREETING OF PEACE
(BCP Page 226)
PRESIDENT: Christ is our peace He has reconciled us to God In one body by the cross, we meet in His name and share in his peace.
PRESIDENT: The peace of the Lord be always with you.
ALL: And also with you.
PRESIDENT: Let us share that peace.
OFFERTORY HYMNS: 141, 669
HYMN: 141 - My song is love unknown
1 My song is love unknown, my Saviour's love to me, love to the loveless shown that they might lovely be. O who am I that for my sake my Lord should take frail flesh and die?
2 He came from his blest throne salvation to bestow, but men made strange, and none the longed-for Christ would know. But O my Friend, my Friend indeed, who at my need, his life did spend!
3 Sometimes they strew his way, and his sweet praises sing, resounding all the day hosannas to their King. Then "Crucify!" is all their breath, and for his death they thirst and cry.
4 Why, what hath my Lord done? What makes this rage and spite? He made the lame to run, he gave the blind their sight. Sweet injuries!
Yet they at these themselves displease, and 'gainst him rise.
5 They rise, and needs will have My dear Lord made away; a murderer they save, the Prince of Life they slay. Yet cheerful he to suffering goes, that he his foes from thence might free.
6 In life, no house, no home
My Lord on earth might have; in death, no friendly tomb but what a stranger gave. What may I say? Heaven was his home; but mine the tomb wherein he lay.
7 Here might I stay and sing, no story so divine: never was love, dear King, never was grief like thine! This is my friend, in whose sweet praise I all my days could gladly spend
HYMN: 669 – There is a green hill far away
1 There is a green hill far away, without a city wall, where the dear Lord was crucified, who died to save us all.
2 We may not know, we cannot tell what pains he had to bear, but we believe it was for us he hung and suffered there.
3 He died that we might be forgiven, he died to make us good, that we might go at last to heaven, saved by his precious blood.
4 There was no other good enough to pay the price of sin, he only could unlock the gate of heaven, and let us in.
5
Oh, dearly, dearly has he loved, and we must love him too, and trust in his redeeming blood, and try his works to do.
THE PRESENTATION OF OFFERING - FORM B (BCP Page 126)
PRESIDENT AND PEOPLE
Father, we offer to you these gifts which you have given us; this bread, this wine, this money. With them we offer ourselves, our lives, and our work, to become through your Holy Spirit a reasonable, holy, and lively sacrifice. As this bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ, so may we and all your people become channels of your love; through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE EUCHARISTIC PRAYERS
SURSUM CORDA
PRESIDENT: The Lord be with you.
ALL: And also with you.
PRESIDENT: Lift up your hearts.
ALL: We lift them up to the Lord.
PRESIDENT: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
ALL: It is right to give God thanks and praise.
PRESIDENT: It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give you thanks, Father Almighty, everlasting God:
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. For our sins he was lifted high upon the cross, that He might draw the whole world to Himself; and, by His suffering and death, He became the source of eternal salvation for all who put their trust in Him.
Therefore, we praise you; joining our voices with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven, who forever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:
ALL:
Holy, holy, holy, Lord, God of power and might; heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
EUCHARISTIC PRAYER E (BCP Page 142)
PRESIDENT: Sovereign Lord and Father, To you be glory and praise for ever In your boundless wisdom you brought creation into being; In your great love you fashioned us in your image; In your tender compassion you sent your Son, Jesus Christ, Our Saviour, to share our human nature; In the power of the Holy Spirit; He overcame the power of sin and death and brought your people to new birth as first fruits of your new creation.
On the night that He was betrayed He took bread, and when He had given thanks to you, He broke it and gave it to his disciples and said, “Take this, and eat it: This is my Body which is given for you, Do this for the remembrance of me”
And after supper He took the cup of wine: and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them and said: “Drink this, all of you: This is my blood of the New Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.”
PRESIDENT: Therefore, Father, according to the command of your dearly beloved Son
ALL: We remember His death; We proclaim His resurrection; We await His coming in glory
PRESIDENT: And we offer you, Father, our sacrifice of thanks and praise. Send your Holy Spirit on these gifts of bread and wine that they may become the Body and Blood of your Son, Jesus, our Lord, and Redeemer. As we partake of this holy food of new and unending life, may your Holy Spirit establish us as a royal priesthood with the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Lucy and all your sons and daughters who share
in your eternal inheritance; through Jesus Christ our Lord. With Him and in Him and through Him, by the power of the Holy Spirit, we worship you, Father Almighty, with all who stand before you in earth and heaven, in songs of everlasting praise.
ALL: Blessing and honour and glory and power
Be yours for ever and ever. Amen
THE LORD’S PRAYER (BCP Page 144)
PRESIDENT: As our Saviour has taught us, so we pray:
ALL: 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. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.
THE BREAKING OF BREAD (BCP Page 145)
PRESIDENT: We break this bread to share in the body of Christ.
ALL: Though we are many, we are one body, because we all share in one bread.
THE AGNUS DEI (BCP Page 147)
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world: grant us peace.
The INVITATION (BCP Page 145-146)
FORM B
PRESIDENT: The Gifts of God for the People of God.
ALL: Our souls will feast and be satisfied, and we will sing glad songs of praise to Him.
THE COMMUNION
COMMUNION HYMNS: 140, 139, 131
HYMN: 140 - My Lord, my Master, at thy feet adoring
1 My Lord, my Master, at thy feet adoring, I see thee bowed beneath thy load of woe; for me, a sinner, is thy life-blood pouring; for thee, my Saviour, scarce my tears will flow.
2 Thine own disciple to the Jews has sold thee, with friendship's kiss and loyal word he came; how oft of faithful love my lips have told thee, while thou hast seen my falsehood and my shame.
3 With taunts and scoffs they mock what seems thy weakness, with blows and outrage adding pain to pain; thou art unmoved and steadfast in thy meekness; when I am wronged how quickly I complain!
4 My Lord, my Saviour, when I see thee wearing upon thy bleeding brow the crown of thorn, shall I for pleasure live, or shrink from bearing whate'er my lot may be of pain or scorn?
5 O victim of thy love, O pangs most healing! O saving death! O wounds that I adore! O shame most glorious! Christ, before thee kneeling, I pray thee keep me thine for evermore.
HYMN: 139 - Sweet the moments, rich in blessing
1 Sweet the moments, rich in blessing, which before the cross I spend, life, and health, and peace possessing from the sinner's dying friend.
2 Here I rest, for ever viewing mercy poured in streams of blood; precious drops, my soul bedewing, plead and claim my peace with God.
3 Truly blessed is the station, low before his cross to lie, while I see divine compassion beaming in his languid eye.
4 Lord, in ceaseless contemplation fix my thankful heart on thee, till I taste thy full salvation, and thine unveiled glory see.
HYMN: 131 – Glory be to Jesus
1 Glory be to Jesus, who, in bitter pains poured for me the life-blood from His sacred veins.
2 Grace and life eternal In that blood I find; blest be his compassion, infinitely kind!
3 Blest through endless ages be the precious stream, which from endless torments did the world redeem.
4
Abel's blood for vengeance pleaded to the skies; but the blood of Jesus for our pardon cries.
5 Oft as it is sprinkled, on our guilty hearts, Satan in confusion terror struck departs.
6 Oft as earth exulting wafts its praise on high, angel-hosts rejoicing make their glad reply.
7 Lift ye then your voices, swell the mighty flood, louder still and louder praise the precious blood.
HYMNS FOR THE BLESSING:
HYMN: 129 - Hosanna, loud hosanna
1 Hosanna, loud hosanna, the little children sang, through pillared court and temple the lovely anthem rang. to Jesus, who had blessed them close folded to his breast, the children sang their praises, the simplest and the best.
2 From Olivet they followed midst an exultant crowd, waving the victor palm branch, and shouting clear and loud.
Bright angels joined the chorus, Beyond the cloudless sky: hosanna in the highest, glory to God on high!
3 Fair leaves of silvery olive they strewed upon the ground, whilst Salem's circling mountains echoed the joyful sound. The Lord of men and angels rode on in lowly state, nor scorned that little children should on his bidding wait.
4 Hosanna in the highest!
That ancient song we sing, for Christ is our Redeemer, the Lord of heaven our King: O may we ever praise him with heart and life and voice, and in his blissful presence eternally rejoice.
HYMN: 128 – Children of Jerusalem
1 Children of Jerusalem sang the praise of Jesus' name: children, too, of modern days join to sing the Saviour's praise.
Refrain Hark, hark, hark! While children's voices sing, hark, hark, hark! While children's voices sing loud hosannas, loud hosannas, loud hosannas to our King.
2 We are taught to love the Lord, we are taught to read his word;
we are taught the way to heaven: praise for all to God be given.
Refrain
3 Parents, teachers, old and young, all unite to swell the song; higher and yet higher rise, till hosannas reach the skies.
Refrain
THE DISMISSAL
POST COMMUNION PRAYER (BCP Page 148)
ALL: Eternal God and Heavenly Father, we thank you for feeding us with the Body and Blood of your Son Jesus Christ. Send us now into the world in peace, and grant us strength and courage to love and serve you, and all persons in you, with gladness and singleness of heart, through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
BLESSING:
PRESIDENT: Christ crucified draw you to Himself, to find in Him a sure ground for faith, a firm support for hope, and the assurance of sins forgiven; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit be among you and remain with you always.
ALL: Amen.
PRESIDENT: Kindly be seated for the Notices
NOTICES & HIGHLIGHTS
RECESSIONAL HYMN: 143 - Praise to the Holiest in the height
1 Praise to the Holiest in the height, and in the depth be praise; in all his words most wonderful, most sure in all his ways!
2
O loving wisdom of our God! When all was sin and shame, a second Adam to the fight and to the rescue came.
3 O wisest love! That flesh and blood, which did in Adam fail, should strive afresh against the foe, should strive and should prevail.
4 And that a higher gift than grace should flesh and blood refine, God's presence and his very self, and essence all-divine.
5 O generous love! That he who smote in Man for man the foe, the double agony in Man for man should undergo.
6 And in the garden secretly, and on the cross on high, should teach his brethren, and inspire to suffer and to die.
7 Praise to the Holiest in the height, and in the depth be praise; in all his words most wonderful, most sure in all his ways!
CLOSING PRAYERS
PRESIDENT: Go in peace and serve the Lord. ALL: In the name of Christ. Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICES
Greetings and Welcome
We greet you warmly today to our Eucharistic worship. We now invite or visitors to share your name and church community with us.
Thank you for worshipping with us today.
Events in our Parish
1. The Calendar of Events for the year is attached.
Looking Ahead
• April 2nd Maundy Thursday
7:30 p.m. - Liturgy and Washing of Feet
• April 3rd Good Friday
9:00 a.m. - Family Service
12:00 p.m. - Good Friday Liturgy
• April 5th Easter Sunday
8:00 a.m. - Procession, Sung Eucharist & Sermon
Events of our Lives Birthdays
Congratulations to all those persons celebrating birthdays this week.
1. Earlene Corbin - March 29th
2. Dorken Greaves - March 31st
3. John Best - April 2nd
4. Henderson Bowen - April 3rd
5. Nigel Broome - April 4th
As their days increase, God’s richest blessing on them.
Anniversaries
Congratulations to all persons celebrating anniversaries this week.
Bereavement
We extend condolences to the families of those persons who have died. May they rest in peace and rise in glory.
Sick & Shut-Ins/Prayer Request
Stella Atwell
Joyce Grant Doriel King
Carmen Bowen Erma Griffith Marlene King
Douglas Brome
Marva Brome
Enid Broome
Michael Broomes
Thesby Evans
Anthony Grant
Gilbert Griffith Dinese Lashley
Waple Griffith Elsie Maxwell
Audrey Headley John Maxwell
Roy Hinds Horace Nicholls
Theomonda Husbands Eupharene Walkes
Marva Jordan
Thelma Jordan
Joan Yearwood
Please remember the sick or injured in our parish and the wider community.
Events
St. Peter Deanery Lenten Services 2026
The Augmented Choir of the Church of St. Mary – Stainer’s Crucifixion
Church
St Albans Anglican Church air”
