Lectionary Readings
Liturgy of the Palms
Matthew 21:1–11
Jesus enters Jerusalem on a donkey; the people shout: Hosanna!
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.
Matthew 26:14—27:66
After the Passover meal, Jesus is betrayed, tried, and crucified.
or Matthew 27:11–54
[abbreviated reading] Jesus is tried and crucified.
— Gathering —
Opening Sentences
What will we lay down as Christ passes by?
We have no cloaks today,
but we will lay down
our hearts, our hopes, and our lives.
As the crowds in Jerusalem cried out long ago,
we echo,
Hosanna! Save us! Blessed is the One
who comes in the name of the Lord!
Prayer of the Day
God of all the ages,
make us real or make us nothing.
As we sing “Hosanna!”
bring us to the foot of the cross.
As we wave palms, show us your tomb.
On this day of praise and passion,
help us to hold the tension between life and death
and to learn the mystery that you are in both.
Teach us to turn our faces toward you
and help us to bear witness,
that we might testify always to your faithfulness. Amen.
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:
Christ comes to the center of our busy, conflicted lives.
He comes in triumph and humility.
He comes in glory and in mercy.
He comes knowing the best of who we are,
and he comes knowing our worst.
Trusting in God’s grace,
let us make our confession.
Christ our Redeemer,
try as we might,
we do not follow your example.
We do not empty ourselves,
we do not humble ourselves,
we are not obedient.
You simply ask us to care about
this world you created,
but we fail to do even that.
Forgive us.
You have given us the greatest,
clearest example of love.
Heal us, and help us to follow.
Lifting water from the font:
Even in the face of hatred and violence,
we know that Christ loves us.
Even when enduring death,
Christ cares for us;
Christ forgives us.
Thanks be to the God of mercy.
— 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 be 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
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
In Christ Jesus, we have a great high priest
who knows our weakness and suffering;
therefore, with boldness, let us seek God’s grace.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
With boldness, we pray for the church . . .
Let the mind of Christ Jesus be in us—
giving away the riches of heavenly glory,
taking the place of humble service on earth.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
With boldness, we pray for the earth . . .
Let the whole earth tremble this day—
not with the fear of destruction,
but with the hope of redemption.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
With boldness, we pray for all nations . . .
Let the nations see your suffering servant—
who vindicates victims of violence,
who sustains the weary with a word.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
With boldness, we pray for this community . . .
Let us stand with those who suffer—
the outcast, despised, and forsaken;
prisoners, and those condemned to death.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
With boldness, we pray for loved ones . . .
Let your face shine upon the weak—
those who spend their lives in sorrow,
those whose souls and bodies waste away.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
To you, O God, we entrust these prayers,
knowing that you alone can provide
grace to help in our time of need;
in the name of our great high priest
who has passed through the heavens,
Jesus Christ, our Sovereign and Savior. Amen.
Hebrews 4:14–16
— 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:
God of grace,
you have gifted us with life in Christ.
Today we bring the gifts of our work
and the gifts of our hearts.
May all that we bring and all that we are
be your means of grace in the world,
that all people may encounter your good news. Amen.
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
We give you thanks, Holy One,
for the body and blood of our Lord,
given with love for the world.
Send us out in your Spirit
to share the good news of salvation
and give ourselves for others;
in the name of Christ our Savior. Amen.
— 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
“Peter’s Denial”
Simon Bening, ca. 1525–1530
Additional Materials
Congregational Song
GATHERING
-
All Glory, Laud, and Honor (G) VALET WILL ICH DIR GEBEN GTG 196
-
Hosanna, Loud Hosanna (G) ELLACOMBE GTG 197
-
All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name! (E) CORONATION GTG 263
WORD
-
Filled with Excitement / Mantos y Palmas (G) HOSANNA GTG 199
-
What Wondrous Love Is This (E) WONDROUS LOVE GTG 215
-
They Crucified My Lord (G) CRUCIFIXION GTG 219
-
Goodness Is Stronger Than Evil (O) GOODNESS IS STRONGER GTG 750
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Ah, Holy Jesus (G) HERZLIEBSTER JESU GTG 218
-
There in God’s Garden (G) SHADES MOUNTAIN GTG 226
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The First Time That Death Came for Jesus (G) BORREVIK At the Weaving of Creation, Benjamin Brody, GIA, 153
EUCHARIST
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Mothering God, You Gave Me Birth (G) NORWICH GTG 7
-
An Upper Room Did Our Lord Prepare (G) O WALY WALY GTG 202
-
Bread of the World in Mercy Broken (G) RENDEZ À DIEU GTG 499
-
Feed Us, Lord (G) FEED US GTG 501
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Soul, Adorn Yourself with Gladness (E) SCHMÜCKE DICH GTG 514
SENDING
-
Ride On! Ride On in Majesty! (G) ST. DROSTANE GTG 198
-
A Cheering, Chanting, Dizzy Crowd (G) CHRISTIAN LOVE GTG 200
-
Beneath the Cross of Jesus (G) ST. CHRISTOPHER GTG 216
-
Since Our Great High Priest, Christ Jesus (E) ALL SAINTS GTG 262
-
God of Our Life (O) SANDON GTG 686
Psalms and Canticles
Liturgy of the Palms: Psalm 118:1–2, 19–29
Metrical
- Give Thanks to God for All His Goodness [RENDEZ À DIEU/GENEVAN 98/118]; PAS 118H
- This Is the Day [ESTA ES EL DÍA]; GTG 391
Responsorial
- Come and Fill Our Hearts [CONFITEMINI DOMINO]; GTG 466
- Blessed Is the One Who Comes In the Name of the Lord; UMH 839
- This Is the Day the Lord Has Made; PAS 118G
Liturgy of the Passion: Psalm 31:9–16
Metrical
- You Are My Refuge, Faithful God [MORNING SONG]; GTG 214
- Make Your Face to Shine [GLÁUCIA]; GTG 811
- Thou Hidden Love of God [VATER UNSER]; UMH 414
Responsorial
- In You, O Lord, in You I Have I Taken Refuge; PSA 28
- Lord, You Are My Refuge; in You Alone I Trust; PP 58
Organ Music
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“All Glory, Laud, and Honor,” ST. THEODULPH, Wondrous Love, Craig Phillips, FB (M)
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“Hosanna, Loud Hosanna,” ELLACOMBE, Augsburg Organ Library: Lent, J. Wayne Kerr, AF (M)
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“Prelude: Winchester New,” The Oxford Book of Lent and Easter Organ Music, Alan Bullard, OUP (M)
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“My Song Is Love Unknown,” RHOSYMEDRE, Augsburg Organ Library: Lent, Ralph Vaughan Williams, AF (MA)
Piano Music
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“Sonata in D-flat Major, R. 88,” Selected Piano Sonatas, P. Antonio Soler, HEN (MA)
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“Romance,” Piano Pieces for Children and Romance, Toru Takemitsu, Schott (A)
Anthems for Adult Choirs
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“My Song Is Love Unknown,” Carolyn Jennings, CGA, uni, pno (E)
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“Hosanna,” Love Unknown, Michael Burkhardt, MSM, SATB, opt children’s voices, org, brass, hb (ME)
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“Ah, Holy Jesus,” John Ferguson, MSM, SATB div, viola (M)
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“Festival Sanctus,” John Leavitt, ALF, SATB, pno or orch (M)
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“Ride On, King Jesus,” Moses Hogan, HAL, SATB, solo, pno (MA)
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“Christus Factus Est,” Anton Brukner, OUP, SATB, acap (A)
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“Crucifixus,” Mass in B Minor, Johann Sebastian Bach, DP, SATB, org or orch (A)
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
- Christ Crowned with Thorns, Horace Pippin, 1938 (WA) (PD)
- Peter’s Denial, Simon Bening, 1530 (VDL)
- Christ Crucified, John Petts, 1964 (VDL)
- I Exist, Harmonia Rosales, 2017 (WA)
- Golgotha, Romare Bearden, 1945 (WA)
