Introduction To Palm Sunday Worship

The Palm Sunday services rehearse the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. Contemporary renewalists draw on the drama and pageantry of the ancient customs as described below.

In contemporary worship, the ancient tradition of worship described by Egeria has been adapted to the use and style of the modern situation. Consequently some of the features described by Egeria such as meeting outside the church, the Gospel reading of the Triumphant Entry, the progession into the church, and the distribution of the palms have been retained. If possible the service begins outside of the church (or, in the basement or vestibule) to symbolize the entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem through the procession. In the preparation to worship, the people gather around the worship leaders and the choir. The service begins with an appropriate greeting followed by an anthem such as "Blessed Is the King Who Comes in the Name of the Lord" (or another appropriate anthem or song). The minister then offers a prayer that is followed by the reading of the Triumphant Entry. Another prayer, blessing God for the event celebrated this day, is offered. Then, another suitable anthem is sung, followed by the procession of the congregation into the sanctuary, singing such hymns as "All Glory, Laud and Honor." The mood of this part of the service, like that of the people who received Jesus into Jerusalem, is one of great joy and exuberance. This spirit of enthusiasm can be expressed through a procession in which the worship leaders and choir process around the entire sanctuary as the people sing. At the close of the procession a brief prayer concluding this part of the service is given. The people are then seated for the Service of the Word. Although it is customary to read both an Old Testament lesson and an Epistle, the Scripture emphasis is placed on the Gospel reading of the Passion in this service. The object is to assist the congregation in experiencing the reality of Jesus' reflection. As the original participants in this drama of redemption cried, "Hosanna, blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord," and later cried, "Crucify him!" so on Palm Sunday the congregation of worshipers will experience their own participation in receiving Jesus gladly and then turning their back on him. And it will be here, in the reading of the Passion, that the door into Holy Week will swing widely open. It is best to read the Passion Gospel using different roles, allowing the congregation to the crowd. It is customary to have the people seated during the reading of the Passion, standing at the mention of Golgotha (Matt. 27:33; Mark 15:22; Luke 23:33). Or, the people may stand for the reading and kneel at the mention of Golgotha. The service then proceeds with the sermon, the creed, the prayers, the kiss of peace, and the Eucharist.