Find some time today to meditate on today’s scripture readings, here are a few musical tracks that link with the readings for this week.

• Christopher Grundy – I will Sing Of Your Love, Love, Love
• Teshuva – Salvation (Psalm 118)
• Robbie Seay Band – Psalm 118 (Your Steadfast Love)
• Common Hymnal – You Are good (Your Mercy Endures)
• Chris Tomlin – Forever 
• Page CXVI –  Hosanna
• Porter’s Gate Project – Father, Let Your Kingdom Come
• Hillsong – Hosanna 
• Paul Baloche – Praise Is Rising
• Andy Park – Blessed Be The Name
• Little Praise Party – Hosanna Rock The singing group were planning on singing this together this Sunday at GUC, unfortunately we can’t perform this little ear worm, but you can still hear it.

It was a triumphal entry:
the whole city was in turmoil.
There was a donkey.
And a colt.
There were crowds, cheering;
that would soon change.
Cloaks were spread on the road.
Blood would be spilt later.
There were branches from trees.
He was travelling toward a wooden cross. 

The crowd cried out: “Son of David!”
Later, they’s cry: “Barabbas!”
“Who was this man?” some asked.
“Jesus, from Nazareth, in Galilee,” said others. 

Amid memories of cloaks and branches, 
below the fading noise,
some still ask, then turn away;
some see him and think they know.
Hope and expectation soars
but who are we really seeking?

Our King comes humbly,
upsetting the usual protocols of power.
It is always a triumphal entry,
and always causes turmoil.

By Craig Mitchell, 2020

We hope for a leader
who will make our world right-
no simple solutions,
no spin statements
no branch stacking,
no secret donors,

but a voice
that offers wisdom, not slogans

a vision
that offers hope, not handouts

a character
which embodies integrity,
not inconsistency –

a purpose
that serves humanity,
not hubris.

Jesus breaks the hope
of those who want easy answers.

He denies the dreams
of those who build empires

He abandons the vision .
of those who would win by force.

No victory procession,
rather, one who advances slowly
to his own requiem.

Hosanna!

Blessed is the one

who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna!

Creative Prayer Ideas:

Palm Sunday is usually a day where we all pray for peace, it’s also a day where millions of people from all parts of the world gather to pray and march for peace.

Mould Your Prayers:

This week find some time to draw, write, mould, sculpt or paint your prayers for peace, take a photo of your prayer, email it to minister@gungahlinuniting.org and we will share our prayers together on Facebook and on our website.

OzPalmSunday:

The #OzPalmSunday campaign is inviting everyone to use some chalk, draw palm branches and write prayers of peace on your driveway, or on the footpath around your neighbourhood. If you do consider sharing your prayers for peace on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram with the hashtags #OzPalmSunday and #PalmSundayUnity2020

Creative Bible Ideas:

Lego Bible:

A creative activity for Palm Sunday. Can you create the scene of the entry into Jerusalem with Lego? Who do you think was celebrating Jesus’ arrival? Can you build a donkey? Can you build a path towards Jerusalem? How do you imagine this story taking place? 

If you don’t have Lego, can you paint or draw the scene? What grabs your attention? What mood does this story have, what colours do you want to use and why?

Whats All That Noise?!

A family activity for Palm Sunday. This activity is taken from Spill The Beans Issue 34.

Everyone is invited to practice making the sound of a donkey. Once you’ve warmed up your voices, hold a competition to see who makes the loudest noise, the best noise, the funniest noise! 

There would have been lots of noise that day in Jerusalem some cheering and others jeering. We all know how stubborn donkeys can be so you can imagine the donkey must have been making a lot of noise too.