Palm
Sunday Liturgy
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According to the Gospels, before entering Jerusalem, Jesus was staying
at Bethany and Bethphage, and the Gospel of John adds that he had
dinner with Lazarus, and his sisters Mary and Martha. While there,
Jesus sent two disciples to the village over against them, in order
to retrieve a donkey that had been tied up but never been ridden,
and to say, if questioned, that the donkey was needed by the Lord
but would be returned. Jesus then rode the donkey into Jerusalem,
with the Synoptics adding that the disciples had first put their
cloaks on it, so as to make it more comfortable. The Gospels go
on to recount how Jesus rode into Jerusalem, and how the people
there lay down their cloaks in front of him, and also lay down small
branches of trees. The people sang part of Psalm 118 - ...Blessed
is He who comes in the name of the Lord. Blessed is the coming kingdom
of our father, David. ... (Psalms 118:25-26).
It is customary in many churches for the worshippers
to receive fresh palm leaves on Palm Sunday. In parts of the world
where this has historically been impractical substitute traditions
have arisen.
A Liturgy for Palm Sunday
(Use all or part, add hymns, readings etc as you see fit)
Opening Prayer
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, daughter of Jerusalem!
See, your king comes to you; righteous and having salvation, gentle
and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
(Zechariah 9:9)
As the people spread their coats palm branches on the ground to
welcome Jesus into Jerusalem, so we welcome him into our lives this
morning. King of Glory, King of Peace, Servant King, reign in our
hearts and lives this day and all days, that we might praise your
holy name.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord
ALL: Hosanna in the highest
A Psalm
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.
ALL: Let Israel say: "His love endures forever."
The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone;
ALL: The LORD has done this, and it is marvelous in our
eyes.
This is the day the LORD has made;
ALL: let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD.
ALL: From the house of the LORD we bless you
The LORD is God and he has made his light shine upon us.
ALL: With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession
up to the altar.
You are my God, and I will give you thanks you are my God, and I
will exalt you.
ALL: Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love
endures forever.
(words from Psalm 118)
Confession and Forgiveness
Jesus rode into Jerusalem not as a conquering king but in humility,
the Servant King, ready to complete the task for which he had walked
this world. Forgive us those times when we think too highly of ourselves
and remind us always that you ask from us lives dedicated to service,
to you and to our neighbours, wherever and whoever they might be.
Enable us to take off our cloaks of self-righteousness and lay them
down at your feet.
‘Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my
iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the
Lord” – and you forgave the guilt of my sin.’
Psalm 32:5
The Lord’s Prayer
We say together the words of the Lord's Prayer.
All: Our Father…
Reading -
Luke 19:28-40 - The Triumphal Entry
Christ Jesus, you came that we might have life, and have it abundantly
ALL: Precious Jesus, we offer you our praise and thanks.
You poured living water into lives that were parched and thirsty
ALL: Precious Jesus, we offer you our praise and thanks.
You fed souls that were hungry with the bread of life
ALL: Precious Jesus, we offer you our praise and thanks.
You brought healing through a touch that knew no prejudice or barrier
ALL: Precious Jesus, we offer you our praise and thanks.
You brought Salvation through the cross,
ALL: Precious Jesus, we offer you our praise and thanks.
Affirmation
What a strange paradox; the King is coming, the people rejoice,
singing ‘Hosanna in the highest!’ yet fail to understand
that the King they welcome is the Servant King, the King who washes
his disciples’ feet, the King who came not with an army but
a weapon so powerful that not even death could resist, the sacrificial
love of God laid out upon a Cross.
Lord God, as we sing our ‘Hosannas’ today may we remember
also that which you were riding toward; the suffering and rejection,
pain and humiliation, the cruel Cross. And let us look forward to
the joy of Easter Day when you rose from death to reign forever.
Help us, as we daily lay our lives before you, to live the resurrection
life that acknowledges Jesus as Lord and King over our lives.
See Lent Resource - Bible
Study based upon Isaac Watt's hymn 'When I survey the wondrous Cross' [ Lent Prayers][Easter
Prayers][Lent Bible Study]
[ Last Supper sermon
]
[ Easter Prayers ][Ash
Wednesday Liturgy] [Lent
intercessions]
[Liturgy for Lent 1][Lent
2][Lent 3][Lent
4][Lent 5][Palm
Sunday][Easter Day]
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