Revd Ian played the piano and preached. There were good hymns: Ride on, ride on in Majesty; My song is Love Unknown; To be a Pilgrim.
Four people enacted the scene of getting the donkey for Jesus. This was where Jesus, in fulfilment of prophecy, rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, symbolising peace and trust. There was confusion between the disciples and the donkey owner until Andrew said, 'The Master needs them.'
Revd Ian spoke about people spontaneously gathering for events such as a great cruise ship coming to dock at Southampton and people going to meet Jesus. There were the crowds, but Jesus was alone as he rode, knowing where the journey led. Jesus had made his choice to follow his Father's will. Our decision to follow Jesus is also a choice. Ian recalled the college where he trained. There, he encountered people following Jesus who thought they were right, whether in high church or chapel. This experience taught him about the diversity of worship, the acceptance of each other's choices, and the importance of making a personal choice to follow Jesus. Two churches, even with the same name and denomination, are never the same. No two people in the churches are the same. But all can be following Jesus.
Last Monday, the Evergreen group, a group of people in their seventies and over who meet every month, chose and sang songs of praise for their meeting, with Ian on piano. Somebody chose To be a pilgrim, and it fits as we follow Jesus in the next week as the crucifixion and resurrection are revisited and relived.