A Convergence Palm Sunday Service

This convergence Palm Sunday service will be compatible with congregations that are developing a worship style that draws on both traditional and contemporary worship forms.

Palm Sunday marks the beginning of the highest week of worship in the Christian church. While the main focus involves the services from Thursday through Easter Sunday, Palm Sunday provides the beginning point for seven days of intense prayer, Scripture reading, mediation, and spiritual preparation. Banners and palms play a major part in setting the mood of worship. The highway to Jerusalem was filled with pilgrims who were welcoming their new king—Jesus. Little did they know how profound their welcome was. So it is today. The sanctuary must become a place of coronation as we proclaim the King and kingdom of God. Red, symbolizing the blood of Christ, is the principle color, used for paraments, frontals, stoles, and chasubles. Crosses and other symbols may be covered by a veil for Palm Sunday and the rest of Holy Week. Usually no flowers are present, only palm branches. The front of the sanctuary may also have other symbols of his passion present: a crown of thorns, whip, sponge, spear, nails, hammer, a bag of coins, etc. These items should remain there all week. The actual worship on Palm Sunday will be the same as the standard convergence service, with the following changes or modifications. Only the differences will be noted. The Basic Pattern ACTS OF ENTRANCE Pre-processional Liturgy Processional Acts of Praise and Worship MINISTRY OF THE WORD Collect Readings Announcements MINISTRY OF THE TABLE Great Thanksgiving Prayer after Communion ACTS OF DISMISSAL Blessing and Benediction Distribution of Palms Commentary If weather and circumstances permit, the congregation may form a large processional outside the church sanctuary and proceed in together, carrying palm branches, shouting praises to God and singing to him. Should the congregation not process, the processional should be larger than normal, with a crucifer, banners, singers, dancers, ministers, etc. The children may serve as a part of this processional, carrying palm branches and shouting "Hosanna!" The processional would come in with upbeat, victorious hymns or songs of praise. When the processional has gathered, either outside the sanctuary or at the back entrance of the sanctuary if the congregation has already been seated, a pre-processional liturgy is offered by one of the ministers. Leader: The Lord be with you. People: And also with you. Leader: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. People: It is right to give him thanks and praise. Leader: It is right and a good thing to give you praise, O Heavenly Father, for you sent your Son as a gift into the world. You sent him to a stable to be born, to people to be light, and to a cross to be killed that we might live eternally. On this day he entered the holy city of Jerusalem, and was proclaimed as King by those who spread their garments and branches before him. May these branches here today serve as a symbol of his kingly rule and his victory over the prince of darkness. Grant that we, who bear them in his name may always hail him as our King and follow him in the way everlasting; for he is Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! People: Hosanna in the highest. Leader: Let us go forth in peace. People: In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. Commentary: In addition to the thematic treatment of hymns and worship songs, litanies and other forms of responsive readings may be used to focus our worship and attention upon Christ and his acts of love. In addition to the readings listed, dramatic presentations focusing on the Triumphal Entry or his passion may be used in this part of the service. Leader: Almighty God, who in your tender love for all mankind sent your Son our Savior Jesus Christ into the world and onto a cross: Help us stay true to the gospel, that we may never take his passion and death for granted, that we may, as Christ's own share in his sufferings and in his resurrection power; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. First Reading: Isaiah 45:21–25 or 52:13–53:12; Psalm 22:1–21 Second Reading: Philippians 2:5–11 Gospel Reading: Matthew 26:36–27:54 or Mark 14:32–15:39 or Luke 22:39–23:49 Commentary: Please note that in announcing the Gospel, the following words are used: The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to. At a designated time in the service, the minister should encourage the congregation to enter an intense time of prayer, fasting, reading, and meditation for the next seven days. He may even want to hand out special Scripture reading lists with a prayer and meditation theme for each day. Leader: Heavenly Father, we thank you for satisfying the hunger in our hearts through giving us the Bread of heaven. In sharing in this holy meal, may we remember his death which gives us salvation, his resurrection which gives us life, and his coming again which gives us hope. This we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Commentary: Communion should be sober to reflect the mood of entrance into Holy Week. During Communion, keep silence. If songs are sung they should have to do with Jesus' journey to the cross. Observe stations for the anointing of oil. Leader: May God the Father, who loved you enough to send his Son to the world, bless you and keep you. May he give us peace. May Jesus Christ, the Bread of heaven, feed you by his grace and mercy. May he give us life. May the Holy Spirit, who dwells in you, order and direct all your days to the glory of God. Amen. Thanks be to God! Commentary: As people leave the service, they are given palm leaves or palms in the shape of a cross to take with them as a reminder of this special day and the week that is to come.