Weekly Sunday Service
April 2, 2023
Welcome
The Triumphal Entry
Mark 11:1-11 [NRSVUE]
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. If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ just say this: ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately.’ ” They went away and found a colt tied near a door, outside in the street. As they were untying it, some of the bystanders said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” They told them what Jesus had said, and they allowed them to take it. Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it, and he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields. Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting,
“Hosanna!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David!
Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
Then he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple, and when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.
Institution of the Holy Supper
Luke 22:14-20 [NRSVUE]
When the hour came, he took his place at the table, and the apostles with him. He said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer, for I tell you, I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves, for I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.”
Emanuel Swedenborg on the Holy Supper
The Lord Himself and His redemption are fully present in the Holy Supper… Where the Lord is fully present, his redemption is also fully present…. Where he is fully present, no part of redemption can be absent. Therefore, all who approach the Holy Supper worthily become his redeemed.
All have an endless capacity for receiving wisdom from the Lord, that is, for increasing the number of truths that constitute their wisdom. They also have a similarly endless capacity for receiving love, that is, of bearing more fruit in the form of good feelings and actions that constitute their love. This perpetual bearing of more good fruit and therefore of love, and this perpetual increase of truths and therefore of wisdom, is something that is experienced by angels, and also by people who are becoming angels. The Lord is love itself and wisdom itself. Therefore, we are endowed with an endless capacity for uniting ourselves to the Lord and the Lord to ourselves. [from True Christianity, nn, 716, 717]
Sermon
Offertory Response
To Jesus Christ be glory given,
By all on earth and all in heaven,
May his dominion wide extend,
His glorious kingdom have no end. Amen.
Prayers of the People
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 kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
Closing of the Holy Word
Benediction
Shalom To You
Shalom to you now, shalom, my friends.
May God’s full mercies bless you, my friends.
In all your living and through your loving,
Christ be your shalom, Christ be your shalom.
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WAYFARERS CHAPEL
The simplicity of architecture, glass walls, redwood trees arching overhead form a natural cathedral-like sanctuary. Tree-lined walks, lush gardens and lawns, and exquisite views of Catalina Island and the Pacific Ocean celebrate the presence of God. Sponsored by The Swedenborgian Church and designed by Lloyd Wright, Wayfarers Chapel is dedicated to the glory of God and is a national memorial to Emanuel Swedenborg, 18th Century scientist, philosopher and theologian.
Respecting different expressions of the religious life, Wayfarers Chapel welcomes people of all faiths to Sunday Worship Service at 10 a.m., Prayer Service on Wednesdays at Noon, and to special worship celebrations and events throughout the year. The Chapel is open daily for prayer and meditation.
The natural beauty of the Chapel provides an inspirational setting for a variety of services. Wayfarers Chapel provides a ministry for couples celebrating marriages. Adults and children come for the sacrament of Christian baptism. In light of the Swedenborgian conviction that life continues after death, families ask that memorial services be held in the Chapel for loved ones.