Printed Service – Sunday 13th April 2025
Prepared by Rev. Paulson Devasahayam
Lay Down the Cloak
Call to worship
Come and give thanks to the Lord who is good: his love lasts for ever!
Give praise to the Lord who welcomes us: his love lasts for ever!
This is the day the Lord has made: let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord: his love lasts for ever!
Hymn, Hosanna in the highest (StF 263)
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Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest,
Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest,
Lord, we lift up your name, with our hearts full of praise,
Be exalted, O Lord, my God,
Hosanna in the highest!
Glory, glory, glory to the King of kings!
Glory, glory, glory to the King of kings!
Lord, we lift up your name, with our hearts full of praise,
Be exalted, O Lord our God,
Glory to the King of kings !
A Psalm
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. Let Israel say: “His love endures forever.”
The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; The LORD has done this, and it is marvellous in our eyes.
This is the day the LORD has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD. From the house of the LORD we bless you
The LORD is God and he has made his light shine upon us.
With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession up to the altar.
You are my God, and I will give you thanks you are my God, and I will exalt you.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.
(words from Psalm 118)
Confession : Jesus rode into Jerusalem not as a conquering king but in humility, the Servant King, ready to complete the task for which he had walked this world. Forgive us those times when we think too highly of ourselves and remind us always that you ask from us lives dedicated to service, to you and to our neighbours, wherever and whoever they might be. Enable us to take off our cloaks of self-righteousness and lay them down at your feet. Amen
Hymn StF 262: All Glory Laud and Honour
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All glory, laud, and honour,
to thee, Redeemer, King,
to whom the lips of children
made sweet hosannas ring.
Thou art the King of Israel,
thou David’s royal Son,
who in the Lord’s name comest,
the King and Blessed One.
The company of angels
are praising thee on high,
and we with all creation
in chorus make reply.
The people of the Hebrews
with psalms before thee went;
our prayer and praise and anthems
before thee we present.
To thee, before thy passion,
they sang their hymns of praise;
to thee, now high exalted,
our melody we raise.
Thou didst accept their praises;
accept the prayers we bring,
who in all good delightest,
thou good and gracious King.
All glory, laud, and honour,
to thee, Redeemer, King,
to whom the lips of children
made sweet hosannas ring.
Reading; Luke 19:28-40
After he had said this, he 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.’
Hymn Speak, O Lord. Lyric video (StF 161)
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Speak, O Lord, as we come to you
to receive the food of your holy word.
Take your truth, plant it deep in us;
shape and fashion us in your likeness,
that the light of Christ might be seen today
in our acts of love and our deeds of faith.
Speak, O Lord, and fulfil in us
all your purposes, for your glory.
Teach us, Lord, full obedience,
holy reverence, true humility.
Test our thoughts and our attitudes
in the radiance of your purity.
Cause our faith to rise, cause our eyes to see
your majestic love and authority.
Words of power that can never fail;
let their truth prevail over unbelief.
Speak, O Lord, and renew our minds;
help us grasp the heights of your plans for us.
Truths unchanged from the dawn of time
that will echo down through eternity.
And by grace we’ll stand on your promises,
and by faith we’ll walk as you walk with us.
Speak, O Lord, till your Church is built
and the earth is filled with your glory.
Reflection – Lay Down the Cloak
The triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem is rich with symbolism. All four Gospels record this important event, emphasising its significance in Jesus’ journey toward the cross. Gospel writer Luke draws our attention to two striking symbols: the cloaks and the colt.
Today, I invite you to reflect on the cloaks. Luke says in verses 35 and 36 that when the disciples placed their cloaks on the colt, while the crowd spread theirs on the ground before Jesus. The action happening there is very clear: the laying of cloaks. Let us journey into this passage together and listen for what God is saying to us today.
What we put on our bodies goes beyond fabric. People around the world dress to express themselves, and traditional clothing can represent their histories, cultures, and identities. Various cultures have treated clothing as a form of self-expression.
The most important piece of clothing in Jesus’ time was the mantle or cloak. This was an outer coat worn over other clothes. More than any other garment, the cloak showed the identity of the person wearing it. It was usually a single piece of fabric with a hole in the middle for the neck. Made from thick fabric, it was often decorated or dyed in different colours. At night, people would take off their cloaks and use them as blankets to stay warm while they slept.
Firstly, I would like to call the act of laying down cloaks as a form of identification. In biblical times, the outer cloak was more than just a piece of clothing. It was a symbol of a person’s identity and character. It revealed who they were in their society, their ability to work and provide for themselves, and it reflected their moral values. A person’s cloak encapsulated their entire being, their worth, and their place in the world.
When the people laid their cloaks down for Jesus, they were engaging in an act of identification with Him. They were not losing their identity; they were enhancing it. By associating with Jesus, they were recognising and affirming his purpose, and in doing so, they were elevating their own sense of purpose and belonging.
This act of identification goes beyond just a physical gesture It is a powerful expression of belonging and connection. Identification is about the sense of belonging within a community, culture, or cause. It is about being part of something bigger than yourself, an extension of self by association with others who share similar values. This connection lends credibility, affirmation, and recognition, allowing us to feel that we belong to a community of like-minded people.
Think about it this way: “Tell me about your friends, and I can tell you who you are.” Our identity is often shaped by the people to whom we are connected, where we belong, and how we place ourselves in the world. Our connections, our affiliations, and our associations shape who we are.
In laying down their cloaks, the people were not just acknowledging Jesus, but they were declaring their belonging to him, identifying with his mission, and recognising who he was and what he represented. Therefore, when we find ourselves doubting the question, “Is God with us?” I encourage you to ask instead, “Are we with God?” Perhaps this Lenten season is an opportunity for us to examine our lives and reflect on how we identify with Jesus. It is a time to reflect on how our actions, beliefs, and connections reveal our relationship with Him.
Secondly, I would like to call the act of laying down cloaks as a covenantal pledge. In Jewish tradition, the outer cloak was not just clothing. It was the most important possession a person owned. It provided protection from the weather and served as a blanket at night. Because of its value, the cloak was often used as a pledge or promise, especially when securing a loan. If a person had no other way to repay, giving up their cloak was a sign of trust and a binding promise to repay.
However, the law also ensured justice and mercy. if the debtor couldn’t repay by sundown, the lender was required to return the cloak, thereby protecting the person’s dignity. It was not just about money; it was about care, respect, and God’s covenant with His people.
Now, think of the people laying their cloaks before Jesus as he entered Jerusalem. They were not just making a path for a king. They were surrendering their most valuable possession. By laying down their cloaks, they were making a covenantal pledge of faith and trust in Jesus as their King. There is a challenge for us: Are we willing to follow Jesus with everything we have? It’s easy to follow Jesus while holding on to certain areas of our lives where we are still self-reliant. But true discipleship means submitting everything to him.
The scripture says the people laid down their cloaks “as he went.” This shows that the act of submission was not a one-time thing. It was ongoing. They kept picking up their cloaks and laying them down again.
Dear friends, what are the “cloaks” in our lives that we are ready to lay down to identify with the crucified Christ and the vulnerable? What are the things we hold onto that we need to surrender today? Let us reflect on what we can lay down before Him as an act of trust and submission. Amen
Hymn StF 265: Ride on, Ride on in Majesty
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Ride on, ride on in majesty!
Hark! all the tribes hosanna cry;
Your humble beast pursues its road
with palms and scattered garments strowed.
Ride on, ride on in majesty!
In lowly pomp ride on to die:
O Christ, your triumphs now begin
o’er captive death and conquered sin.
Ride on, ride on in majesty!
The winged squadrons of the sky
look down with sad and wondering eyes
to see the approaching sacrifice.
Ride on, ride on in majesty!
Your last and fiercest strife is nigh;
the Father on his sapphire throne
expects his own anointed Son.
Ride on, ride on in majesty!
In lowly pomp ride on to die;
bow your meek head to mortal pain,
then take, O God, your power and reign.
Prayers of Recognition
We bring to God our ‘cloaks’, all our layers of protection, the ways we keep others at a distance, and we lay them down.
(Silence) Wait for the Lord. Keep watch, take heart.
We bring to God our impatience and our expectations, our frustrations and our unhappiness, and we lay them down.
(Silence) Wait for the Lord. Keep watch, take heart.
We bring to God all that we are hoping for, longing for, all that we are waiting for, and we hold it all in the stream of God’s grace.
(Silence) Wait for the Lord. Keep watch, take heart.
We bring to God all that we could be, the hidden potential, the possibilities in our lives
and we hold it all in the stream of God’s grace.
(Silence) Wait for the Lord. Keep watch, take heart.
Holy Spirit of God, we wait for you. Speak to us with your still small voice.
Quieten our fears, hold us when we are anxious, comfort us when we are distressed. Renew our strength, restore our faith, refresh our vision. Help us to wait with you through these days of Holy Week, to make space in our lives, to receive you. Amen.
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 trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, Forever and ever. Amen.
Hymn StF 76 Give me joy in my heart
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Give me joy in my heart, keep me praising,
Give me joy in my heart, I pray,
Give me joy in my heart, keep me praising,
Keep me praising ’till the break of day.
(Refrain)
Sing hosanna, sing hosanna,
Sing hosanna to the King of kings!
Sing hosanna, sing hosanna,
Sing hosanna to the King.
Give me peace in my heart, keep me resting,
Give me peace in my heart, I pray,
Give me peace in my heart, keep me resting,
Keep me resting ’till the end of day.
(Refrain)
Give me love in my heart, keep me serving,
Give me love in my heart, I pray.
Give me love in my heart, keep me serving,
Keep me serving ’till the end of day.
(Refrain)
Sending out Prayer : Send us out, O God, clothed in humility, wrapped in love, and walking the path of Christ, who laid down his life for us all. In his holy name we pray, Amen.
Acknowledgement: Prayer of Confession – John Birch, faithandworship.com Prayer of Recognition – Chris Thorpe, Apprentices and Eyewitnesses, Canterbury Press, 2019