Passion Sunday
Worship
Lectionary Worship Workbook
Series IV, Cycle B
Liturgy of the Palms
Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29
Mark 11:1-11 or John 12:12-16
Liturgy of the Passion
Isaiah 50:4-9a
Philippians 2:5-11
Psalm 31:9-16
Mark 14:1--15:47 or Mark 15:1-39 (40-47)
Call To Worship
Palm -- Psalm 118:1
Leader:
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
People:
His love endures forever.
Leader:
Let the men of God say:
Men:
His love endures forever.
Leader:
Let the women of God say:
Women:
His love endures forever.
Leader:
Let the children and youth say:
Children:
His love endures forever.
Leader:
Let all who fear God say:
People:
His love endures forever.
Leader:
Give thanks to the Lord,
People:
For he is good.
Leader:
His love endures forever!
Palm -- Psalm 118:22-28
Leader:
The stone that the builders rejected
People:
Has become the cornerstone.
Leader:
Hallelujah!
People:
Hallelujah!
Leader:
This is the day that the Lord has made;
People:
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Leader:
Hallelujah!
People:
Hallelujah!
Leader:
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
People:
From the house of the Lord we bless you.
Leader:
Hallelujah!
People:
Hallelujah!
Leader:
The Lord is God, and he has made his light shine upon us.
People:
With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession.
Leader:
Hallelujah!
People:
Hallelujah!
Leader:
You are my God, and I will give you thanks;
People:
You are my God, and I will exalt you.
Leader:
Hallelujah!
People:
Hallelujah!
Palm
Leader:
Hosanna,
People:
Hosanna,
Leader:
Hosanna to the King of kings!
People:
Hosanna,
Leader:
Hosanna,
People:
Hosanna to the King of kings!
Leader:
We lift up your name,
People:
With hearts full of praise.
Leader:
Be exalted, O Lord our God,
People:
Hosanna to the King of kings!
Passion -- Philippians 2:8-11
Leader:
Being found in the appearance of man,
People:
Jesus humbled himself
Leader:
And became obedient to death,
People:
Even death on a cross.
Leader:
Because of his obedience, God exalted Christ Jesus to the highest place,
People:
And gave him the name that is above every name,
Leader:
That at the name of Jesus,
People:
Every knee should bow,
Leader:
And tongue confess
People:
That Jesus Christ is Lord,
Leader:
To the glory of God the Father.
People:
We bow down,
Leader:
And worship the King.
Passion -- Mark 14:3
Leader:
The flask is tipped and the costly perfume is poured out.
People:
It fills our nostrils with a sweet and wonderful fragrance.
Leader:
It is the fragrance of God's love poured out on us.
People:
And it is costly indeed
Leader:
For it was paid with Christ's blood.
People:
Praise the Father for his love!
Leader:
Praise the Son for his sacrifice!
People:
Let us praise God!
Prayer Of Confession
Can be used for either a Palm or a Passion emphasis.
Leader:
We sing hosanna.
People:
We proclaim our allegiance to you.
Leader:
Our lips are full of your praises,
People:
But our lives rarely reflect what our lips say.
Leader:
Help us, Lord, to be faithful to you
People:
When the crowds are shouting your praises,
Leader:
And when they are calling for your crucifixion.
People:
Amen.
This prayer will also work with either Palm Sunday or Passion Sunday emphasis.
Leader:
O Lord, we so much want the glory,
People:
We want the place of honor,
Leader:
We want power and influence,
People:
But when we look to you,
Leader:
We see you riding quietly and meekly on the back of a donkey.
People:
We see you seeking not glory,
Leader:
But death on a cross.
People:
Teach us to follow your way,
Leader:
That we may find the things of lasting value
People:
Rather than things that fade away.
Leader:
Amen.
This prayer is reflective of the Passion.
Leader:
A great love has been poured out for us,
People:
But we have refused it.
Leader:
We choose to drink from the fountains of
People:
Busyness and materialism and recognition
Leader:
Rather than the fountains of love and life.
People:
O Lord, raise our heads from these futile fountains,
Leader:
That we might see the refreshing waters of life
People:
That flow from your fountains of love. Amen.
Based on the Philippians passage.
Leader:
I am right. I know it.
People:
Everyone should do it this way.
Leader:
What does she know?
People:
That's the dumbest thing I ever heard.
Leader:
These are the things we say and think,
People:
Not thinking how arrogant they are.
Leader:
God's word says, "In humility, consider others better than yourselves."
People:
Though Jesus was in very nature God,
Leader:
He made himself nothing.
People:
Our attitude should be as that of Christ Jesus.
Leader:
Lord, forgive us for lacking the humility to listen to each other.
People:
Forgive us the conceit that leads us to think that we alone know what is right and true,
Leader:
And forgive us for so often forgetting that your truth and your ways are higher and greater than ours.
People:
Father, forgive us the prideful self-centeredness that leads to all our sin.
Leader:
Amen.
Assurance Of Pardon
Leader:
And let us never forget that his faithfulness is not like ours.
People:
We praise God for that.
Leader:
For when we are faithful he is faithful,
People:
And when we are not faithful?
Leader:
He is faithful still, for faithfulness is his nature.
People:
Lord, we are humbled by your steadfast love.
Leader:
Praise the Lord.
People:
Praise the Lord.
Invitation To The Offering
Based on Mark 14 -- The Woman And The Perfume
People say there is too much emphasis on money in the church. Those folks miss the point. They are like the Pharisee who criticized the woman who anointed the head of Jesus with expensive perfume. She who "wasted" the perfume on Jesus truly gave an offering, a gift of gratitude from the heart for all he had given and forgiven her. The Pharisee never gave an offering. His was not from the heart. All he did was pay his dues, his temple taxes. The offering is for those who know just how amazing God's grace is and who can do nothing but give of their blessings and themselves. Save your temple taxes. Let us present our offerings.
Prayer Of Dedication
From the Psalm 31 passage.
Though you were broken and beaten, mocked and betrayed, Jesus, you trusted yourself completely in your Father's hands. No matter where we are or what we are going through, may we, too, be able to say from our hearts, "I trust in you, O Lord. You are my God. My times are in your hands." Father, we bring everything to you, trusting completely in your unfailing love and saving grace. Amen.
Prayer For Illumination
As the crowds waved their palms and shouted, "Hosanna," they assumed that Jesus would do what they wanted him to do. They were looking for a king who would lead them against the Romans. They failed to see that Jesus had come to accomplish something deeper. He had come to battle an unseen foe. Lord, as we open your Word this morning help us to see with the eyes of faith and to understand that the real battles in life are fought in the arena of the spirit. Amen.
Benediction
Mark 15:31
They said of him as he hung on the cross, "He saved others, but he cannot save himself." Let us rejoice at the truth of these words. He saved others indeed. He saved us! Go in peace.
Hymns
Palm Sunday emphasis
All Glory, Laud, And Honor
Glory To His Name
Hosanna, Loud Hosanna
Praise Him! Praise Him!
Passion Sunday emphasis
Are You Washed In The Blood
Behold The Lamb
Jesus, Thy Blood And Righteousness
O Sacred Head, Now Wounded
Rock Of Ages
Unveiled Christ, The
Were You There
Worthy Is The Lamb
Contemporary Choruses
Palm Sunday emphasis
Celebrate Jesus, Gary Oliver
Come Into His Presence, Lynn Baird
He Is Exalted, Twila Paris
Passion Sunday emphasis
Alleluia, He Is Coming, unknown author
Knowing You, Graham Kendrick
Worthy, You Are Worthy, Doan Moen
Other Music
Crucified With Christ, Phillips, Craig, and Dean
To be truly Christian means to be crucified with Christ. This song is included as an option for several of the Sundays of Lent.
Hammer, The, Bebo Norman
Excellent Passion song. Could be used for Good Friday as well. Very poignant.
Sometimes Love, Chris Rice
Key lyric -- "Sometimes love has to drive a nail into its own hand."
Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29
Mark 11:1-11 or John 12:12-16
Liturgy of the Passion
Isaiah 50:4-9a
Philippians 2:5-11
Psalm 31:9-16
Mark 14:1--15:47 or Mark 15:1-39 (40-47)
Call To Worship
Palm -- Psalm 118:1
Leader:
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
People:
His love endures forever.
Leader:
Let the men of God say:
Men:
His love endures forever.
Leader:
Let the women of God say:
Women:
His love endures forever.
Leader:
Let the children and youth say:
Children:
His love endures forever.
Leader:
Let all who fear God say:
People:
His love endures forever.
Leader:
Give thanks to the Lord,
People:
For he is good.
Leader:
His love endures forever!
Palm -- Psalm 118:22-28
Leader:
The stone that the builders rejected
People:
Has become the cornerstone.
Leader:
Hallelujah!
People:
Hallelujah!
Leader:
This is the day that the Lord has made;
People:
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Leader:
Hallelujah!
People:
Hallelujah!
Leader:
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
People:
From the house of the Lord we bless you.
Leader:
Hallelujah!
People:
Hallelujah!
Leader:
The Lord is God, and he has made his light shine upon us.
People:
With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession.
Leader:
Hallelujah!
People:
Hallelujah!
Leader:
You are my God, and I will give you thanks;
People:
You are my God, and I will exalt you.
Leader:
Hallelujah!
People:
Hallelujah!
Palm
Leader:
Hosanna,
People:
Hosanna,
Leader:
Hosanna to the King of kings!
People:
Hosanna,
Leader:
Hosanna,
People:
Hosanna to the King of kings!
Leader:
We lift up your name,
People:
With hearts full of praise.
Leader:
Be exalted, O Lord our God,
People:
Hosanna to the King of kings!
Passion -- Philippians 2:8-11
Leader:
Being found in the appearance of man,
People:
Jesus humbled himself
Leader:
And became obedient to death,
People:
Even death on a cross.
Leader:
Because of his obedience, God exalted Christ Jesus to the highest place,
People:
And gave him the name that is above every name,
Leader:
That at the name of Jesus,
People:
Every knee should bow,
Leader:
And tongue confess
People:
That Jesus Christ is Lord,
Leader:
To the glory of God the Father.
People:
We bow down,
Leader:
And worship the King.
Passion -- Mark 14:3
Leader:
The flask is tipped and the costly perfume is poured out.
People:
It fills our nostrils with a sweet and wonderful fragrance.
Leader:
It is the fragrance of God's love poured out on us.
People:
And it is costly indeed
Leader:
For it was paid with Christ's blood.
People:
Praise the Father for his love!
Leader:
Praise the Son for his sacrifice!
People:
Let us praise God!
Prayer Of Confession
Can be used for either a Palm or a Passion emphasis.
Leader:
We sing hosanna.
People:
We proclaim our allegiance to you.
Leader:
Our lips are full of your praises,
People:
But our lives rarely reflect what our lips say.
Leader:
Help us, Lord, to be faithful to you
People:
When the crowds are shouting your praises,
Leader:
And when they are calling for your crucifixion.
People:
Amen.
This prayer will also work with either Palm Sunday or Passion Sunday emphasis.
Leader:
O Lord, we so much want the glory,
People:
We want the place of honor,
Leader:
We want power and influence,
People:
But when we look to you,
Leader:
We see you riding quietly and meekly on the back of a donkey.
People:
We see you seeking not glory,
Leader:
But death on a cross.
People:
Teach us to follow your way,
Leader:
That we may find the things of lasting value
People:
Rather than things that fade away.
Leader:
Amen.
This prayer is reflective of the Passion.
Leader:
A great love has been poured out for us,
People:
But we have refused it.
Leader:
We choose to drink from the fountains of
People:
Busyness and materialism and recognition
Leader:
Rather than the fountains of love and life.
People:
O Lord, raise our heads from these futile fountains,
Leader:
That we might see the refreshing waters of life
People:
That flow from your fountains of love. Amen.
Based on the Philippians passage.
Leader:
I am right. I know it.
People:
Everyone should do it this way.
Leader:
What does she know?
People:
That's the dumbest thing I ever heard.
Leader:
These are the things we say and think,
People:
Not thinking how arrogant they are.
Leader:
God's word says, "In humility, consider others better than yourselves."
People:
Though Jesus was in very nature God,
Leader:
He made himself nothing.
People:
Our attitude should be as that of Christ Jesus.
Leader:
Lord, forgive us for lacking the humility to listen to each other.
People:
Forgive us the conceit that leads us to think that we alone know what is right and true,
Leader:
And forgive us for so often forgetting that your truth and your ways are higher and greater than ours.
People:
Father, forgive us the prideful self-centeredness that leads to all our sin.
Leader:
Amen.
Assurance Of Pardon
Leader:
And let us never forget that his faithfulness is not like ours.
People:
We praise God for that.
Leader:
For when we are faithful he is faithful,
People:
And when we are not faithful?
Leader:
He is faithful still, for faithfulness is his nature.
People:
Lord, we are humbled by your steadfast love.
Leader:
Praise the Lord.
People:
Praise the Lord.
Invitation To The Offering
Based on Mark 14 -- The Woman And The Perfume
People say there is too much emphasis on money in the church. Those folks miss the point. They are like the Pharisee who criticized the woman who anointed the head of Jesus with expensive perfume. She who "wasted" the perfume on Jesus truly gave an offering, a gift of gratitude from the heart for all he had given and forgiven her. The Pharisee never gave an offering. His was not from the heart. All he did was pay his dues, his temple taxes. The offering is for those who know just how amazing God's grace is and who can do nothing but give of their blessings and themselves. Save your temple taxes. Let us present our offerings.
Prayer Of Dedication
From the Psalm 31 passage.
Though you were broken and beaten, mocked and betrayed, Jesus, you trusted yourself completely in your Father's hands. No matter where we are or what we are going through, may we, too, be able to say from our hearts, "I trust in you, O Lord. You are my God. My times are in your hands." Father, we bring everything to you, trusting completely in your unfailing love and saving grace. Amen.
Prayer For Illumination
As the crowds waved their palms and shouted, "Hosanna," they assumed that Jesus would do what they wanted him to do. They were looking for a king who would lead them against the Romans. They failed to see that Jesus had come to accomplish something deeper. He had come to battle an unseen foe. Lord, as we open your Word this morning help us to see with the eyes of faith and to understand that the real battles in life are fought in the arena of the spirit. Amen.
Benediction
Mark 15:31
They said of him as he hung on the cross, "He saved others, but he cannot save himself." Let us rejoice at the truth of these words. He saved others indeed. He saved us! Go in peace.
Hymns
Palm Sunday emphasis
All Glory, Laud, And Honor
Glory To His Name
Hosanna, Loud Hosanna
Praise Him! Praise Him!
Passion Sunday emphasis
Are You Washed In The Blood
Behold The Lamb
Jesus, Thy Blood And Righteousness
O Sacred Head, Now Wounded
Rock Of Ages
Unveiled Christ, The
Were You There
Worthy Is The Lamb
Contemporary Choruses
Palm Sunday emphasis
Celebrate Jesus, Gary Oliver
Come Into His Presence, Lynn Baird
He Is Exalted, Twila Paris
Passion Sunday emphasis
Alleluia, He Is Coming, unknown author
Knowing You, Graham Kendrick
Worthy, You Are Worthy, Doan Moen
Other Music
Crucified With Christ, Phillips, Craig, and Dean
To be truly Christian means to be crucified with Christ. This song is included as an option for several of the Sundays of Lent.
Hammer, The, Bebo Norman
Excellent Passion song. Could be used for Good Friday as well. Very poignant.
Sometimes Love, Chris Rice
Key lyric -- "Sometimes love has to drive a nail into its own hand."
