Palm Sunday and Jesus' Passion
Worship
Lectionary Worship Workbook
Series II, Cycle A Gospel Texts
The Community Gathers
Invitation to the Celebration
In the name of the Christ who creates, liberates, sustains, energizes us, welcome to this Palm Sunday/Passion Sunday celebration. Here comes Jesus! Let's make him welcome! Enter into the Mardi Gras spirit! Laugh and dance and sing and rejoice! Our King is coming! Our King is here! (In advance, invite any in the congregation to bring their musical instruments; have palm leaves for the children to carry as they process to the chancel.)
Response
"Here He Comes" (Richard Avery and Don Marsh, from The Avery and Marsh Songbook, Hope Publishing Company. See Appendix I for address).
Prayer of Praise
Thanks for coming, Lord. We can hardly wait for you to fulfill the promises of the prophets. What a week this is going to be! We're ready. So be it!
Hymn of Praise
"Hosanna, Loud Hosanna" (Jenette Threfall, 1873).
The Community Takes Responsibility For Itself
The Act of Recognizing Our Humanity and Act of Receiving New Life Bidding Prayer
Often, in our prayers, which sound more like demands, we ask God to change others or situations (as the people hoped to do with Jesus); we begin by placing ourselves before the judgment and mercy of God. So, in the power, presence, and purpose of God,
1. Let us pray for one change to take place in our life which blocks us from others, perhaps the elimination of false pride, prejudice, laziness, indifference, hatred, jealousy. (Silence)
2. Let us ask God to remove one barrier from us which keeps us from a growing, maturing relationship with a specific neighbor; with a particular classmate or co-laborer; with a member of our immediate family, biological, or church family. (Silence)
3. Let us ask God's Spirit to invade the indifferent person, the casual participant, who seems not to care, or who seems untouched by the Word, knowing that we are sometimes that person; the hostile, angry person who has been "turned off" or hurt by fellow Christians, or who has misunderstood (sometimes deliberately, sometimes inadvertently) the church's intention, knowing that we are sometimes that person; and the cool, those who resist God's Spirit with a facade of sophistication and self-sufficiency, knowing that we, too, are that person on occasion.
For a few moments, think about this prayer in the light of how Jesus was treated the last week of his life. We can say that we would have acted differently if we had been there, but would we really? Would we have taken his side; or would we have given in to the pressure of the crowd? (One minute of silence.) Then, if it's true that prayer changes people, so that they can and will change events, situations, relationships, then I invite us to become answers to God's promise that "if anyone is in Christ Jesus, that person is new. Old things have passed away; behold, everything is new." And all the people said, "Yes! Yes!"
Response
"Jesus Christ, Whose Passion Claims Us" (Jane Parker Huber, 1982; Early American, found in Joy In Singing. See Appendix I for address).
The Community Responds To God's Truth
Message with the Children of All Ages and the Reading of the Newer Covenant
Select one of the many events to dramatize. We need to see how the people treated this Jesus who identified with us in all ways, and refused to behave as we would have. These conversations that Jesus had with those around him make for powerful drama.
Proclamation of the Good News
Consider this for the sermon thesis: "I Like You, Him, Her, Them so long as I agree. I don't like You, Him, Her, Them when I don't." "When I agree with you, I support you; when I disagree, I don't." We can apply that theme politically and religiously, as we see in the last week of Jesus' life, and as we see it in our own lives.
Stewardship Challenge
If Jesus were to ask you what kind of giving you give, what would you say? Does our giving represent Cross-bearing giving; that is, "Lord, what will you have me do?" Or, my kind of giving; that is, leftover giving, after we take care of everything else first?
Prayer after the Offering
Forgive us, Lord, for confusing our burdens with your Cross. Lead us, Lord, to learn from Your Spirit the difference between bearing the normal burdens of humanity and picking up your Cross in obedient love, not because we have to, but because we choose to, for your sake and the world's.
Charge to the Congregation
God calls, and has always called, the church, that is, you and me, personally and corporately, to give ourselves away. If we are willing to respond to God's invitation to give ourselves away, we will discover the abundant, eternal life. That's God's promise, not mine!
Response
I invite you to read today's Gospel lesson each day of Holy Week. Write down what insights you receive, in preparation for the Easter event.
Meditation
"Many of us hate the cross because it means a salvation, not of our own choosing or making, but rather of God's grace and mercy. We hate the cross because it means a salvation which is unearned, undeserved, unmerited. We would much prefer God to punish us than to forgive us, because that would mean that God is dependent on us, and needed our obedience to be our God" (from Free in Obedience, William Stringfellow, Seabury Press).
Music Possibilities In Addition To Those Already Suggested
Passion Sunday
Music for Preparation: "Whither Am I To Flee," Zachau.
Choral Introit: "The Lord is in His Holy Temple," Edmundson.
Hymn of Praise: "All Praise Be Yours; for You, O, King Divine," F. Bland Tucker, 1938, 1972.
Response to the Reading of the Newer Covenant: Adult Choir to sing, "Bless the Lord, O My Soul," Ippolitov-Ivanov.
Offertory: "Andante," Tomlinson.
Hymn of Commitment: "Where Cross the Crowded Ways of Life," Frank Mason North (hymn for second half of Lent) or, "To God My Earnest Voice I Raise," The Psalter, 1912.
Music for Dismissal: Medley of Passion hymns, or "Be Glad, My Soul," Walther.
Palm Sunday
Music for Preparation: Medley of Palm Sunday hymns, or "Cortege and Litany," Dupré.
Choral Introit: One which captures the excitement of that Palm Sunday crowd.
Hymn of Praise: "All Glory, Laud, and Honor," Theodulph of Orleans, c.a. 820; John Mason Neale, trans. 1851; alt., 1859.
Response to the Act of Praise: (Children's or Youth Choir) "Hosanna, Hallelujah," Richard Avery and Don Marsh, from Let the People Sing, Hope Publishing Company. (See Appendix I for address.)
Response to the Prayer after the Proclamation: "Were You There?" (Consider leaving off the final stanza.)
Offertory: "O Sacred Head," Bach.
Hymn of Commitment: "In the Cross of Christ I Glory," John Bowring, 1825. Ask the people to read the words silently before singing it.
Response to the Benediction: "Lonesome Valley," Spiritual. As the people sing, invite them to walk slowly toward the cross. When they arrive, ask them to remain in silence for as long as they want, and then, to leave the sanctuary in silence.
Music for Dismissal: Medley of Passion hymns.
Invitation to the Celebration
In the name of the Christ who creates, liberates, sustains, energizes us, welcome to this Palm Sunday/Passion Sunday celebration. Here comes Jesus! Let's make him welcome! Enter into the Mardi Gras spirit! Laugh and dance and sing and rejoice! Our King is coming! Our King is here! (In advance, invite any in the congregation to bring their musical instruments; have palm leaves for the children to carry as they process to the chancel.)
Response
"Here He Comes" (Richard Avery and Don Marsh, from The Avery and Marsh Songbook, Hope Publishing Company. See Appendix I for address).
Prayer of Praise
Thanks for coming, Lord. We can hardly wait for you to fulfill the promises of the prophets. What a week this is going to be! We're ready. So be it!
Hymn of Praise
"Hosanna, Loud Hosanna" (Jenette Threfall, 1873).
The Community Takes Responsibility For Itself
The Act of Recognizing Our Humanity and Act of Receiving New Life Bidding Prayer
Often, in our prayers, which sound more like demands, we ask God to change others or situations (as the people hoped to do with Jesus); we begin by placing ourselves before the judgment and mercy of God. So, in the power, presence, and purpose of God,
1. Let us pray for one change to take place in our life which blocks us from others, perhaps the elimination of false pride, prejudice, laziness, indifference, hatred, jealousy. (Silence)
2. Let us ask God to remove one barrier from us which keeps us from a growing, maturing relationship with a specific neighbor; with a particular classmate or co-laborer; with a member of our immediate family, biological, or church family. (Silence)
3. Let us ask God's Spirit to invade the indifferent person, the casual participant, who seems not to care, or who seems untouched by the Word, knowing that we are sometimes that person; the hostile, angry person who has been "turned off" or hurt by fellow Christians, or who has misunderstood (sometimes deliberately, sometimes inadvertently) the church's intention, knowing that we are sometimes that person; and the cool, those who resist God's Spirit with a facade of sophistication and self-sufficiency, knowing that we, too, are that person on occasion.
For a few moments, think about this prayer in the light of how Jesus was treated the last week of his life. We can say that we would have acted differently if we had been there, but would we really? Would we have taken his side; or would we have given in to the pressure of the crowd? (One minute of silence.) Then, if it's true that prayer changes people, so that they can and will change events, situations, relationships, then I invite us to become answers to God's promise that "if anyone is in Christ Jesus, that person is new. Old things have passed away; behold, everything is new." And all the people said, "Yes! Yes!"
Response
"Jesus Christ, Whose Passion Claims Us" (Jane Parker Huber, 1982; Early American, found in Joy In Singing. See Appendix I for address).
The Community Responds To God's Truth
Message with the Children of All Ages and the Reading of the Newer Covenant
Select one of the many events to dramatize. We need to see how the people treated this Jesus who identified with us in all ways, and refused to behave as we would have. These conversations that Jesus had with those around him make for powerful drama.
Proclamation of the Good News
Consider this for the sermon thesis: "I Like You, Him, Her, Them so long as I agree. I don't like You, Him, Her, Them when I don't." "When I agree with you, I support you; when I disagree, I don't." We can apply that theme politically and religiously, as we see in the last week of Jesus' life, and as we see it in our own lives.
Stewardship Challenge
If Jesus were to ask you what kind of giving you give, what would you say? Does our giving represent Cross-bearing giving; that is, "Lord, what will you have me do?" Or, my kind of giving; that is, leftover giving, after we take care of everything else first?
Prayer after the Offering
Forgive us, Lord, for confusing our burdens with your Cross. Lead us, Lord, to learn from Your Spirit the difference between bearing the normal burdens of humanity and picking up your Cross in obedient love, not because we have to, but because we choose to, for your sake and the world's.
Charge to the Congregation
God calls, and has always called, the church, that is, you and me, personally and corporately, to give ourselves away. If we are willing to respond to God's invitation to give ourselves away, we will discover the abundant, eternal life. That's God's promise, not mine!
Response
I invite you to read today's Gospel lesson each day of Holy Week. Write down what insights you receive, in preparation for the Easter event.
Meditation
"Many of us hate the cross because it means a salvation, not of our own choosing or making, but rather of God's grace and mercy. We hate the cross because it means a salvation which is unearned, undeserved, unmerited. We would much prefer God to punish us than to forgive us, because that would mean that God is dependent on us, and needed our obedience to be our God" (from Free in Obedience, William Stringfellow, Seabury Press).
Music Possibilities In Addition To Those Already Suggested
Passion Sunday
Music for Preparation: "Whither Am I To Flee," Zachau.
Choral Introit: "The Lord is in His Holy Temple," Edmundson.
Hymn of Praise: "All Praise Be Yours; for You, O, King Divine," F. Bland Tucker, 1938, 1972.
Response to the Reading of the Newer Covenant: Adult Choir to sing, "Bless the Lord, O My Soul," Ippolitov-Ivanov.
Offertory: "Andante," Tomlinson.
Hymn of Commitment: "Where Cross the Crowded Ways of Life," Frank Mason North (hymn for second half of Lent) or, "To God My Earnest Voice I Raise," The Psalter, 1912.
Music for Dismissal: Medley of Passion hymns, or "Be Glad, My Soul," Walther.
Palm Sunday
Music for Preparation: Medley of Palm Sunday hymns, or "Cortege and Litany," Dupré.
Choral Introit: One which captures the excitement of that Palm Sunday crowd.
Hymn of Praise: "All Glory, Laud, and Honor," Theodulph of Orleans, c.a. 820; John Mason Neale, trans. 1851; alt., 1859.
Response to the Act of Praise: (Children's or Youth Choir) "Hosanna, Hallelujah," Richard Avery and Don Marsh, from Let the People Sing, Hope Publishing Company. (See Appendix I for address.)
Response to the Prayer after the Proclamation: "Were You There?" (Consider leaving off the final stanza.)
Offertory: "O Sacred Head," Bach.
Hymn of Commitment: "In the Cross of Christ I Glory," John Bowring, 1825. Ask the people to read the words silently before singing it.
Response to the Benediction: "Lonesome Valley," Spiritual. As the people sing, invite them to walk slowly toward the cross. When they arrive, ask them to remain in silence for as long as they want, and then, to leave the sanctuary in silence.
Music for Dismissal: Medley of Passion hymns.
