Ngā Karakia Sunday 13th of April 2025

6th Sunday in Lent: Palm Sunday/Te Rātapu Tuaono o Rēneti: te Rātapu Nikau

Taken from/inspired by Luke 19:28-40, Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29, and Philippians 2:5-11.

Bidding: Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
Response: His love endures forever.

When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:
“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
[Luke 19: 37-38]

Lord Jesus, as we prepare for Holy Week,
we pray for our communities.
May we welcome You with joy
and be drawn together in Your love.  

Silence.

Bidding: Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
Response: His love endures forever.

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
 Who, being in very nature…God,
    did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
 rather, he made himself nothing
    by taking the very nature of a servant,
    being made in human likeness.
 And being found in appearance as a man,
    he humbled himself
    by becoming obedient to death—
        even death on a cross!

[Philippians 2:5-8]

We pray for the church.
May we reflect Your humility;
teach us servitude and obedience.

Silence.

Bidding: Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
Response: His love endures forever.

“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!”
“I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”
[Luke 19:38-40]

 We join Creation’s chorus, Lord;
may your kingdom come on earth
and your people know peace.

Silence.

Bidding: Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
Response: His love endures forever.

Jesus, when you rode into Jerusalem the people waved palms with shouts of acclamation.
Grant that when the shouting dies we may still walk beside you even to a cross; for the glory of your holy name.
 Amen.