Palm/Passion Sunday

This Sunday celebrates the triumphal entry of Jesus into the city of Jerusalem, when people waved palm branches and hailed him as a leader come from God. Yet it also commemorates Jesus' passion that occurred later in the week— betrayal and trials, condemnation and crucifixion. This Sunday holds in tension triumph and desolation, glory and rejection. Visuals include palm branches, banners, cloaks, a jar symbolizing the oil of anointing, the cross, purple paraments.

"PALM" SECTION OF SERVICE

1. Suggestion for Procession, Using the Gospel of Matthew (Lectionary Year A: 2008, 2011, 2014, 2017)

Processions have been an important part of religion throughout the ages. In the Hebrew Bible Abraham followed God's command to move, and Moses led the Israelites to the Promised Land. People followed Jesus around Galilee and into Jerusalem. Pilgrimages were an important part of Christianity in the early years and Middle Ages. Today, processions begin many of our worship services, demonstrating our willingness to follow God's call in our lives.

The celebration of Palm Sunday can be one of the most important processions of the church year. This is the culmination of Jesus' followers' celebration of his many healings and feedings, his teachings and care for them. From following Jesus around the small towns and villages of Galilee, people are now willing to follow him into the capital city of Jerusalem, ready to make him king and claim him as Messiah, God's anointed one.

Your Palm Sunday procession may take place within the sanctuary, beginning in the narthex and continuing in and around the sanctuary space. Another way is to gather up persons from Sunday school classes or fellowship time and process into the sanctuary together. Some congregations who are trying to connect with their neighborhood might take the procession out of the church building and into the neighborhood, and then come back to the sanctuary.

For a more formal procession on Palm Sunday, a cross would go first, followed by acolytes, clergy, and people. A less formal procession might begin with something representing the colt or donkey ridden by Jesus. Singing or chanting might be taught to a small group beforehand. At most, have a single half-sheet with words for persons who will participate; anything more is too much for moving and waving palm branches. Have palm branches ready to pass out to persons on the way. Children and youth (or avid sports fans) can be good persons to lead the procession enthusiastically.

Order of Service

Call to Worship (based on Psalm 118: 19, 29)

The procession may begin with a call to worship, by the person leading the procession, such as this: Methodist Hymnal

Open to us the gates of righteousness,

That we may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord.

O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; God's steadfast love endures forever!

Hymn Suggestions

As the procession gathers, you may sing a hymn for Palm Sunday, such as the following, or another song of praise.

• "All glory, laud and honor" by Theodulph of Orleans, translated John Mason Neale (Congregation on refrain, choir on verse) Methodist Hymnal

• "Blessing and praise/Benedictus qui venit" from Taizé

• "Blessed is he who comes in God's name" by John Thornburg

• "Blessed is the one" by Dan Damon (refrain is the Benedictus used in the Communion service) Methodist Hymnal

• "Filled with excitement/Mantos y palmas" by Rubén Ruiz Avila, translated Gertrude C. Suppe (Teach congregation the "Hosanna to the King" section and have choir or children sing the rest) Methodist Hymnal

• "Crown as your king the king who came crownless" by Thomas H. Troeger

• "He is exalted" by Twila Paris

• "Hosanna, loud hosanna" by Jeanette Threlfall

• "Hosanna! Hosanna!" by Cathy Townley

• "Jesu, Jesu, Hallelujah!" by Thomas H. Troeger

• "King of kings" by Sophie Conty and Naomi Batya

• "Pave the way" by Bret Hesla

• "Tell me the stories of Jesus" by William H. Parker (stanza 3 "Into the city, I'd follow") Methodist Hymnal

• "The rocks would shout if we kept still" by Thomas H. Troeger

Chanting

Chanting is also appropriate and sometimes easier than singing when on the move without instruments.

• Use words of Scripture, such as these from Matthew 21:9, arranged responsively:

Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!

Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!

Hosanna in the highest heaven!

• Or let the youth of the church write a brief rap that can involve the congregation with simple phrases of praise.

• Or use the first stanza/refrain of "The rocks would shout if we kept still" by Thomas H. Troeger

Entering the Sanctuary

As the procession grows, those at the front will not always be in sync singing or chanting with those in the back. That is the joy of processions, a multitude of persons, praising God, together in movement and aim, but all going at their own pace! Methodist Hymnal

When you enter the sanctuary, persons may take their places and either sing a hymn from the...