Lectionary Readings
Liturgy of the Palms
Mark 11:1–11
Jesus enters Jerusalem on a donkey; the people shout: Hosanna!
or John 12:12–16
Waving palm branches, a great crowd greets Jesus in Jerusalem.
Psalm 118:1–2, 19–29
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.
Liturgy of the Passion
Isaiah 50:4–9a
The Lord God helps me; who will declare me guilty?
Psalm 31:9–16
Be gracious, Lord; my enemies assail me; my life is in your hand.
Philippians 2:5–11
Seek the mind of Christ, who was humble, but exalted by God.
Mark 14:1—15:47
After the Passover meal, Jesus is betrayed, tried, and crucified.
or Mark 15:1–39 (40–47) [abbreviated reading]
Jesus is tried and crucified.
— Gathering —
Call to Worship
Let us gather together, eager, obedient,
and humbled before God.
Hosanna, Lord, save us!
Let us gather together along the way of Christ.
Hosanna, Lord, save us!
Let us gather together in this week we call holy.
Prayer of the Day
Holy One,
we thank you for your promise to provide for us.
You clothe the lilies of the field and feed the sparrow.
We thank you that today hope rolls into town,
a response to all the times
we have looked around and found no answers.
Glory to you for hearing our cries and for saving us.
On this day, remind us that you always extend your grace to us.
May we wave our palm branches
with the assurance that you are with us,
even as you make your way to the cross. Amen.
Proclamation of the Entrance into Jerusalem
Procession into the Church
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Thanksgiving For Baptism
At the baptismal font:
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
O Lord our God, we give you thanks
for the mercy you so freely offer us
through the grace of our baptism—
safe passage through the sea,
justice rolling down like water,
deliverance from sin and death forever.
By the power of your Holy Spirit,
poured out upon us in baptism,
teach us to love and serve you faithfully
and reconcile us to you and to one another
as members of one, living body;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Confession and Pardon
At the baptismal font:
In the name of Christ, I urge you:
Be reconciled to God.
2 Corinthians 5:20
Trusting in God’s grace, let us confess our sin.
Hosanna, we pray. Save us, Lord.
Save us from ourselves,
when we trip over pride, doubt, or fear.
Save us from the systems that keep us bound,
when we cannot see the way out.
Save us from our sins,
when we feel their weight pressing on our hearts.
Remind us, O Lord, that crowds shouting “Hosanna”
will soon be screaming “Crucify him.”
Save us we pray, O Lord,
and do not let us be among them.
Lifting water from the font:
Listen, the time has come at last.
Look, now is the day of salvation!
2 Corinthians 6:2
In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!
Thanks be to God.
— Word —
Prayer for Illumination
At the lectern or pulpit:
Gracious God, our way in the wilderness,
guide us by your Word through these forty days,
and minister to us with your Holy Spirit,
so that we may reformed,
restored, and renewed;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Scripture
Before the readings:
O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will declare your praise.
Psalm 51:15
After the readings:
We proclaim Christ crucified—
the wisdom and power of God.
Thanks be to God.
1 Corinthians 1:23–25
Sermon
Ascription of Praise
After the sermon:
In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ
we bend our knees
and lift up our hearts,
giving glory to God forever. Amen.
Philippians 2:9–11
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Affirmation of Faith
Season of Lent, Palm/Passion Sunday, Good Friday
God’s reconciling act in Jesus Christ is a mystery
which the Scriptures describe in various ways.
It is called the sacrifice of a lamb,
a shepherd’s life given for his sheep,
atonement by a priest;
again it is ransom of a slave, payment of debt,
vicarious satisfaction of a legal penalty,
and victory over the powers of evil.
These are expressions of a truth
which remains beyond the reach of all theory
in the depths of God’s love for humankind.
They reveal the gravity, cost,
and sure achievement of God’s reconciling work.
Adapted from the Confession of 1967, 9.09
Prayers of Intercession
God of palm and passion,
welcomed and betrayed,
guide us as we pray.
We pray for justice in our land . . .
Cause judges to rule with courage and integrity.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for your church . . .
Humble us as we behold the cross of Christ.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for victims of violence . . .
Heal their wounds and lead them to safety.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for those who inflict violence on others . . .
Restrain them from evil
and restore them to their true humanity.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for ourselves as we recall
the ways we have betrayed our Lord . . .
Self-giving God, forgive us
and give us fresh courage
to take up our cross to follow Christ.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
God of palm and passion,
by the wonder of the cross
you embrace the world in love.
Hear us as we pray in the name of Jesus,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever. Amen.
— Eucharist —
Invitation to Offering
At the communion table:
Jesus says: Where your treasure is,
there your heart will be also.
Let us offer our lives to the Lord.
Matthew 6:21
Prayer of Dedication
At the communion table:
You have shown us, O God,
the sacrifice that you desire.
Now use these gifts—
and use our lives—
to liberate the oppressed,
to break the bonds of injustice,
to feed the hungry,
welcome the poor,
and unite the human family;
all in the name and for the sake
of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Isaiah 58:6–7
Great Thanksgiving
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Blessed are you, O Lord our God:
In our suffering and sorrow, we trust in your saving power,
for you are good and gracious; our lives are in your hands.
With you as our helper, we will not be put to shame.
Therefore we praise you, joining the song
of the universal church and the heavenly choir:
A Sanctus (“Holy, holy, holy”) is sung.
Blessed is Jesus Christ, our Savior:
Betrayed and denied by those whom he loved,
Jesus surrendered himself to death—death on a cross.
There he gave his life in love for the world.
The words of institution are included here.
Remembering your goodness and grace,
we offer ourselves to you with gratitude
as we share this joyful feast.
A Memorial Acclamation (e.g., “Christ has died”) is sung.
Pour out your Holy Spirit upon us
and upon this bread and cup;
make us one in the body and blood
of Jesus Christ our Lord.
By your Spirit, let us share the mind of Christ,
who emptied himself, suffering shame and death,
so that all might know the fullness of your glory.
Through the Lord Jesus Christ,
in the unity of the Spirit,
we bless you, God of glory,
now and forever.
An Amen is sung.
Lord’s Prayer
Breaking the Bread
Communion of the People
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Prayer after Communion
At the communion table:
Holy God, we give you thanks
that you have claimed us as your own
and nourished us in this meal
as members of Christ’s body.
By the work of your Spirit within us
give us the grace to glorify you
as one, living body in the world;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
1 Corinthians 6:15–20
— Sending —
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Blessing and Charge
At the doors of the church:
May the steadfast love of God,
the abundant grace of Jesus Christ,
and the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit
be with you this day and always. Amen.
Psalm 51:1, 11
Remember the words of the Lord Jesus:
If any wish to be my disciples
let them take up the cross
and follow me. Amen.
Mark 8:34
Agony in the Garden
William Blake, 1800
Additional Materials
Congregational Song
GATHERING
- All Glory, Laud, and Honor (VALET WILL ICH DER GEBEN) GTG 196 (G)
- Hosanna, Loud Hosanna (ELLACOMBE) GTG 197 (G)
- Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates (TRURO) GTG 93 (G)
WORD
- A Cheering, Chanting, Dizzy Crowd (CHRISTIAN LOVE) GTG 200 (OEG)
- Filled with Excitement / Mantos y Palmas (HOSANNA) GTG 199 (G)
- Since Our Great High Priest, Christ Jesus (ALL SAINTS) GTG 262 (E)
EUCHARIST
- I Come with Joy (DOVE OF PEACE) GTG 515 (EG)
- To My Precious Lord (TO MY PRECIOUS LORD) GTG 704 (G)
- Bless the Lord (BLESS THE LORD (Taizé)) GTG 544 (OEG)
SENDING
- O Sacred Head, Now Wounded (PASSION CHORALE) GTG 221 (O)
- Will You Let Me Be Your Servant (THE SERVANT SONG) GTG 727 (E)
- At the Name of Jesus (KING’S WESTON) GTG 264 (E)
- Ride On! Ride On in Majesty (ST. DROSTANE) GTG 198 (G)
Psalms and Canticles
Liturgy of the Palms: Psalm 118:1–2, 19–29
Metrical
- This Is the Day the Lord Hath Made [NUN DANKET ALL’ UND BRINGET EHR’] GTG 681
- Open Now Thy Gates of Beauty [UNSER HERRSCHER] RIL 502
Responsorial
- This Is the Day the Lord Has Made PAS 118G
- Blessed, Yes, Blessed Is the One PP 226
Liturgy of the Passion: Psalm 31:9–16
Metrical
- You Are My Refuge, Faithful God [MORNING SONG/CONSOLATION] GTG 214
- Be Gracious to Me, O My Lord [CMD] SGP 49, setting 2
- Be Gracious, Lord, for I, in Anguish [WAYFARING STRANGER] PP 58 (with refrain), PFCW 31b (as 9.8.9.8)
Responsorial
- I Give My Spirit PAS 31A
- Into Your Hands, O Lord SGP 17
- Father, into Your Hands LP 29
- Haz resplandecer / Make Your Face to Shine upon Your Servant [GLÁUCIA] GTG 811, PAS 31D, SSS 514/5
- My Times Are in Your Hands [MARGARET] PAS 31C, LUYH 458
Organ Music
- “All Glory, Laud and Honour,” ST. THEODULPH, Twenty-Five Hymn Preludes, Malcolm Archer, KM (M)
- “Hosannah!” Theodore Dubois, IMSLP (MA)
- “All Glory, Laud, and Honor,” VALET WILL ICH DIR GEBEN, Augsburg Organ Library: Lent, Melchior Teschner, arr. Emma Lou Diemer, AF (MA)
- “O Lamm Gottes, unschuldig,” BWV 656, 18 Leipzig Chorales, J. S. Bach, IMSLP (A)
Anthems for Adult Choirs
- “Ride On!” Taylor Davis, CGA, SATB, pno (E)
- “Ride On, King Jesus,” arr. Moses Hogan, HAL, SSAATTBB, acap (A)
- “Lift Up Your Heads,” William Mathias, OUP, SATB, org (M)
- “Every Time I Think About Jesus,” arr. L. L. Fleming, AF, SATB, acap (M)
- “Hosanna to the Son of David,” Orlando Gibbons, CPDL, SATB, acap (A)
- “Hosanna,” Daniel Barta, SM, 2 pt, pno (E)
Art
Liturgy of the Palms
- Breaking of a Palm Leaf for the Entry into Jerusalem, Giotto di Bondone, 1305 (VDL)
- Painting To Be Stepped On, Yoko Ono, 1960 (WA)
- Hallelujah, Mike Moyers, 2013 (VDL)
- (Ivory) Plaque with Jesus’ Entry into Jerusalem, Ottonian, 900–925 (MET)
Liturgy of the Passion
- I Exist, Harmonia Rosales, 2017 (WA)
- Golgotha, Romare Bearden, 1945 (WA)
- Christ Crowned with Thorns, Horace Pippin, 1938 (PD) (WA)
- Bible Quilt, Harriet Powers, 1895–98 (VDL)
