A Traditional Palm Sunday Service

The following service is a creative adaptation of the traditional pattern and texts for worship on Palm Sunday. It will be of particular help for those who plan more formal worship. For those in nonliturgical churches, the commentary included with this service will provide a guide to thoughtful planning for Palm Sunday.

SERVICE OF ENTRANCE Commentary: The Sunday that begins Holy Week has functioned two ways in the history of the church. First, it has been an occasion for the remembrance and celebration of Christ's entry into Jerusalem, that is, Palm Sunday. It is also an occasion for looking ahead to the long and lonely events of Christ's suffering and death. The following service incorporates both aspects, pointing to the grand irony of a narrative that features one who is hailed as king on Sunday but is crucified on Friday. This irony should be reflected visually in the banners, paraments, bulletin covers, and Communion ware that are used on Palm Sunday. On the one hand, the triumph and celebration of the day may be reflected with the use of palm branches and with the use of bright hues of the color red—perhaps in the vestments. On the other, Christ's suffering may be reflected by the symbols of Holy Week—the cross, thorns, a whip—and the traditional colors of Holy Week, purple and black. As the service moves from one focus to another, the colors may be changed, perhaps prior to the reading of the Passion account, if that option is chosen (see the Service of the Word below.) Gathering of the Congregation (with Instrumental Prelude) Commentary: The congregation may gather for worship outside the worship space. At this time, palm branches and other greens may be distributed to the congregation in preparation for a congregational procession. Pre-service music may be then played by various instruments, perhaps based on the melody of the processional hymn. Proclamation of Christ's Entry into Jerusalem Leader: (reads Matthew 21:1–11; Mark 11:1–10; or Luke 19:28–40) Commentary: The opening of this service is filled with drama. The service begins with the announcement of the Christ's entry, read from the Gospel lesson for the day. This should be read with fervor, like a town-crier proclaiming good news to townspeople. Then the congregation joins the celebration, in response to the following call to worship. Call to Worship Pastor: People of God, gathered in Jesus' name, on this day we recall the festive entry of our Lord into Jerusalem. Like the Hebrews of old, we join now in bringing our praise to our Lord. Reader 1: (Zechariah 9:9) Reader 2: (Psalm 118:26) Commentary: These Old Testament verses should be read and possibly repeated with great excitement. The processional hymn should then begin without pause. If the congregation has gathered outside, the hymn may be lead by the choir. The procession into the sanctuary can be lead by appointed ushers or by children in the congregation. If the congregation has gathered in the worship space, the procession with palms may include not only choirs and worship leaders, but also children and representatives of each age group within the congregation. Processional: "All Glory, Laud, and Honor" Commentary: During the processional hymn, the congregation, led by the choir, the children, and/or the worship leaders processes into the worship space. The singing should continue, perhaps repeating the hymn or singing another appropriate Palm Sunday hymn such as "Hosanna, Loud Hosanna," or "Ride On, Ride On in Majesty." Greeting Leader: (reads Revelation 1:4–5) People: Hosanna in the highest. Ascriptions of Praise Commentary: The greeting can appropriately be followed by an extend time of praise to God. This time may include choral or solo anthems and hymns of praise. Each text that is sung should focus on the person and work of Jesus Christ, emphasizing his lordship over all creation. Hymns that relate to his passion should be left for later portions of the service. SERVICE OF THE WORD Prayer for Illumination Leader: Gracious God, teach us by your Word, we pray, that we may bring right worship to the King of the Jews, that we may learn the lessons of his kingdom, and that we may offer our service to him, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. or Lord Jesus, with the echoes of our praise to you ringing in our ears, we come to hear your Word. Help us to avoid the near-sightedness of the people of old, who worshiped you as king on Sunday and chanted insults to you on Good Friday. Rather, strengthen us now by the hearing of your passion, that we may remember your sacrifice and be reconciled anew to the message of your kingdom. Amen. Commentary: The first option is desirable if the Palm Sunday readings are chosen; the second if Passion Sunday readings are chosen. Scripture Readings Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 50:4–9a Psalm: Psalm 31:9–16 Commentary: The Psalm may be sung by the choir or congregation. Musical resources for singing the Psalms are included in the commentary with the Pentecost service in this series. New Testament Reading: Philippians 2:5–11 and/or Gospel Reading: Matthew 26:14–27:66; Mark 14:1-15:47–15:47; Luke 22:14–23:56 Commentary: The first set of readings are traditional for Palm Sunday, amplifying the themes announced in the reading of the Gospel lesson at the beginning of the service. The second option presents accounts of the Passion narrative. The choice of Scripture lessons will depend upon the focus of the sermon. The Passion narrative can very effectively be portrayed in a dramatic reading or chancel or church drama. This can be produced by reading these extended accounts of Christ's passion with several people, each one taking the part of one character in the scriptural text, with the exception of one reader who read all of the narrative or connective material in the text. Several fine dramatic adaptations of these chapters are also available, such as later in this chapter or in Handbook for the Christian Year (Nashville: Abingdon, 1986), 135–51. Sermon Statement of Faith: The Apostles' Creed Commentary: The New Testament reading from Philippians 1:5 may be used as a statement of faith following the sermon. Sermon Hymn: "Christ, the Life of All the Living" Commentary: The hymn should be chosen as an appropriate response to the call of the sermon. The given hymn is a hymn of thanksgiving for Christ's sacrifice. SERVICE OF RECONCILIATION This portion of the service may also take place after the Service of Entrance and before the Service of the Word. It is appropriate after a sermon that ends with a call for renewal and penitence in light of Christ's entry and passion. Invitation to Confession Leader: People of God, having heard the proclamation of his Word, let us examine ourselves and approach our Lord with humility and penitence. Prayer of Confession [silence] People: Gracious God, having heard your Word, we thankfully remember the life of our Lord Jesus Christ on this earth. Yet we also acknowledge our failure to respond earnestly and faithfully to his witness. We often mistake Jesus for a mere earthly king, friendly companion, or problem-solver, failing to see him as the ruler of all creation. We do not appreciate the depth of his passion and sacrifice on the cross, failing to acknowledge him as our way of salvation. Even in this Lenten season, we have not walked faithfully in the way of Jesus Christ. Forgive us, we pray, and bring us ever more fully into the joy of union with Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. Declaration of Pardon Leader: Hear the good news of the gospel: (reads Rom. 8:34; 6:8, 11). In Jesus Christ, our sins are pardoned and we are reconciled to God. People: Thanks be to God! Passing of the Peace Leader: Since in Christ we are reconciled to God, so also we are reconciled to each other, the members of his body, the church. May God's peace extend throughout this congregation. People: [to each other] God's peace be with you. Prayers of the People Leader: As the united people of God, we offer our prayers to him. (Prayers for the church. Prayers for the nation. Prayers for specific needs within the congregation. Prayers for the congregation's observance of Holy Week.) Commentary: These prayers may be spoken by several members of the congregation or by one elder, deacon, or pastor. Special care should be given to relate the prayer to other elements in the service and in the congregation's observance of Holy Week. Other helpful forms for the prayers of the people may be found in the other services in this series. Offertory Leader: (reads 2 Corinthians 8:9.) Let us bring our gifts to God. People: We bring our gifts in joy. (The gifts are received.) People: (sing doxology.) Commentary: An alternate doxology for use on Palm/Passion Sunday is the final verse of the hymn "O Love, How Deep, How Broad, How High." At this point, the elements for Communion and the gifts which have been received may be brought forward. SERVICE OF HOLY COMMUNION Approach to the Table Invitation to the Table Leader: Friends in Christ, the table of the Lord is spread for us. "Come, taste and see that the Lord is good! Happy are those who find refuge in God." (Ps. 34:8) Prayer of Thanksgiving Leader: Lift up your heart. People: Lift them up to the Lord. Leader: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. People: It is right of us to give thanks, it is our joy and our peace, at all times and in all places to give thanks to you, holy Father, almighty and everlasting God, through Christ, our Lord. Leader: We praise you for creating this world and all who live in it. We praise you for redeeming this world and your people, when we followed false gods and ignored your will. Truly, your ways are higher than our ways and your thoughts are higher than our thoughts. Therefore, we join with your people of all ages and sing with joy: People: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. Commentary: Most hymnals include a setting of this traditional canticle. For a list of service music found in a representative group of hymnals, consult the commentary to the Communion liturgy of the Advent service in this series. Leader 1: We acknowledge you, Christ Jesus, to be our Lord. We join our voices with the people of old in declaring, "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord." We remember the triumphant spirit of your entry into Jerusalem and how, though the crowds had deserted you, you were lifted up high upon the cross and ultimately established your powerful kingdom by your resurrection on Easter and your ascension into heaven. Leader 2: We also praise you, Christ Jesus, for being our Savior. We thank you for enduring the depths of your passion, the torture of death by execution, the pathos of abandonment by God. We celebrate the gift of salvation which you offer to us and cling to the promise of your continued love. Amen. Commentary: These two paragraphs, which form the Christocentric portion of the prayer of thanksgiving, each focus on of the two aspects held in tension during worship on Palm Sunday, the acclamation of Christ as Lord and the remembrance of his passion. If a choice is made to focus on one of these themes on Palm Sunday, worship leaders may wish to include only the paragraph appropriate to that choice. Institution Leader: For the Lord Jesus, on the night when he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me." In the same way, he took the cup, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me." For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. Memorial People: We shall do as our Lord commands. We eat this bread and drink this cup, proclaiming his death. We do this now and until he comes again. COMMUNION Prayer of Consecration Pastor: Gracious God, send your Holy Spirit upon us, we pray. Unite us, by this bread and wine, with our Lord Jesus Christ and with each other, the members of his body. Strengthen us for service in his kingdom, that we may live in the power of his lordship until that day when we shall feast with him in heaven. People: Amen. Breaking of the Bread and Pouring of the Cup Pastor: When we break the bread, is it not a sharing in the body of Christ? Pastor: When we give thanks over the cup, is it not a sharing in the blood of Christ? Hymn Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, grant us your peace. Commentary: See the note to this hymn in the commentary to the Maundy Thursday service in this series. Invitation Pastor: Friends in Christ, the Lord has prepared his table for his church. All who love him and trust in him alone for their salvation are now invited to come to the table of the Lord. People: We come with gladness. Thanks be to God! Pastor: The gifts of God for the people of God. Sacrament Pastor: (as the people take the bread) Take eat, remember and believe that the body of the Lord Jesus Christ was given for the complete remission of all our sins. Pastor: (as the people take the cup) Take, drink, remember and believe that the precious blood of our Lord Jesus Christ was shed for the complete forgiveness of all our sins. Commentary: During the sacrament, appropriate instrumental, choral, solo music may be played or sung, or the congregation may sing a series of Communion hymns. Preference should be given to texts that focus on either the lordship of Christ and our appropriate homage to him, or the passion of Christ and our appropriate response of penitence, depending on the focus of the service. RESPONSE Hymn: "What Wondrous Love is This?" Commentary: An alternate response would consist of the reading of Psalm 103. Prayer Leader: Ever-living God, we bring you thanks and praise for nourishing us at this table. Now may we live by the power of your Spirit as a continuing offering of thanksgiving to you. People: Amen. Service of Dispersal Charge to the People Leader: Go now into the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Never fail to wonder at the depth of his passion. Never fail to offer thanksgiving for the unsurpassable gift of reconciliation to God which he has give. Never fail to live as his servants, trusting in the power of his reign. People: Amen. Commentary: The text may be revised in light of the specific call of the sermon. Hymn of Dedication (Recessional) Benediction Leader: (reads Philippians 4:7) or Leader: Almighty God, look with favor on your family, we pray, the ones for whom Christ suffered and died. May the love of Christ be upon you all. Amen. People: Amen. Dispersal of the Congregation (with Organ, Piano, or Instrumental Postlude) Commentary: Post-service music on Palm Sunday should anticipate the mood of the remainder of Holy Week, favoring meditative Passion hymns and the like.