Go forth and continue to see him in the world! . written by John Paarlberg, retired minister of Word and sacrament. 2Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Here we are again. Father, Palm Sunday is a reminder of the unexpected, yet fully anticipated, King of Kings. And the Holy Spirit of God Who Inspired the Bibles Writers. Untie them and bring them to me. 6The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. Zechariah 9:9. Psalm 95:1-2, Other Introductions to Singing to Consider Using, 1We praise you, God, we praise you, for your Name is near; people tell of your wonderful deeds. Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Freely we have received, freely we give. Psalm 106:1b*, 1Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. Prayers and Acclamations of Praise to God, Assurances of Gods Pardon, Declarations of Gods Forgiveness, and Absolutions, Fellowship, Loving One Another, and Passing Gods Peace, Affirmations, Encouragements, and Promises of God. Stir up within us the gift of faith that we may not only praise him with our lips, but may follow him in the way of the cross. Zechariah 9:9 Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Encouraged by the steadfast love of God expressed in the scriptures, this is a Sunday to stand up together with Jesus even in the face of adversity. Nehemiah 9:17c*, We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved . B. Kevin Smalls, The Africana Worship Book for Year B, Discipleship Resources, 2007, p. 215. Hosanna to the Son of David! Philippians 3:13b-14 *, Humble yourselves, therefore, under Gods mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. The re:Worship survey on pandemic worship practices has been completed. Our worship is never wasteful. We honor you. Here are some opening sentences and prayers to choose from for your Palm Sunday call to worship. Leader: Your presence demands our participation. there is a greater power with us . We shall triumph over those who surround us and stand in confidence in the Lord, our God! But the gift is not like the trespass. With the Lord on our side, what can we fear? I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go. Romans 16:20b *, 23The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. You have given us the wisdom we need to live each day of our lives to the full purpose You have designed for us to live. On Palm Sunday, let us gather together in prayer to celebrate our Saviors kingdom and victory! This can be done in a variety of ways, but most churches employ Bible-based opening statements or prayers with a congregational response. The parade on Palm Sunday was unlike any other. God gave us our time. AMEN. We look to you, Father, to guide us out of our fear and remind us of our Savior. People began to believe that Jesus could be their King, a good one like David. Let there be full-fledged joy as we wave our palms and parade through the aisles maybe into the streets beyond. by the Rev. Now you have waved your palms at him. Psalm 36:5-6a *, Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb. Revelation 7:10 *, The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you. Lo, your king comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he, As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. 4For great is your love, higher than the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Even still, we worry and become anxious daily. As we gather here for worship todaymay it be with a sense that Jesushas walked in too and is looking around. All of the pain we experience on this earth is temporary, for those who embrace Him as Savior will be eternally with Him in heaven. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. Versions with closed . Moved by this I decided to try my hand at making a song/call to worship based on the triumphal entry. The way He entered the Holy City of Jerusalem on that day, riding a young donkey as a significant sign of Peace and fulfilment of prophecy, did not align with their expectations of a military conqueror. Palm Sunday is not just Palm Sunday; it is more properly Palm/Passion Sunday. To properly prepare the congregation for the glories of Easter, the worship leaders must help the congregation walk through the valley of shadows here in this service. The crowds ahead of him and those who followed shouted, Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven! When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, Who is this? The crowds answered, This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.. 1 Peter 5:5b-6*, 19I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first. Revelation 2:19, Other Prayers of Dedication and TheirIntroductions to Consider Using, 12Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. Below you will find a Great Thanksgiving for Palm/Passion Sunday that ties together the move from triumph to Table, connecting the Communion ritual we participate in throughout the year to the narrative flow of Holy Week. . Be strong and courageous. We prefer the popular point of view to a solitary witness for justice and truth. This is a bi-monthly email where youll receive the highest quality resources to support your disciple-making process. . We are defined by this sacrifice and by this gift of eternity. Discipleship Ministries is a work from home community. All Rights Reserved, Terms of Use Privacy Policy Cookie Policy. C: Our help comes from the Lord. However, we continue to have leadership offices, meeting rooms, and The Upper Room Chapel at 1908 Grand Avenue, in Nashville. . We will let ourselves be overtaken by Gods loveWe will pour it back out into the world. . The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. Fill us with your Holy Spirit that we may live as Jesus did., Lord, we thank you for sending your Son Jesus to earth to be our Savior and Lord. There are many ways to capture both themes on this day, not all of them in the liturgy or music. Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you have established your faithfulness in heaven itself. Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord! PRAYER OF INVOCATION (UNISON) Come, Lord Jesus, into our midst this day. 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In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. Christ reigns in the face of worldly revolution, while calling us to a revolution of our hearts. proclaiming your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night, Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. . [W]hoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave, just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Matthew 20:26b-28 *, [T]hose who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. Matthew 23:12 *. God sweeps into our human scene, redeeming all who turn from evil and do good. CALL TO WORSHIP for PALM SUNDAY By: Bishop Jeffrey N. Leath Based on Psalm 118 LEADER: "This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." RESPONSE: We give thanks for the goodness and love of God! . Acts 15:11b*, 15But the gift is not like the trespass. a story of hope and resurrection. For I am coming, and I will live among you, declares the LORD. Psalm 119:151*, 167I obey your statutes, for I love them greatly. There might be those who appear in worship only on Sunday, and we cant go from a parade to a party on Easter without walking through the valley of the shadow of death. Father, we need Peace to live life to the full, as Jesus died for us to live. Staff is centered in Nashville, Tennessee, but we also have staff at locations across the United States. 18If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your well-being like the waves of the sea. Isaiah 48:17-18*, 6With what shall I come before the LORD and bow down before the exalted God? Matthew 21:1-11. God of all times and places, we confess that we would rather join the crowds than stand alone. P: Hosanna! [F]or the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. 8The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. James 1:12, Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. Palm Sunday, also known as Passion Sunday, begins Holy Week celebrating the glory of Jesus Christ, yet by Friday, he is hanging on the cross. A Call to Worship for Palm/Passion Sunday. Amen. You have seen Jesus for yourself. Jesus did not look like the Messiah Your people hoped for. Remind us, minute by minute, as we navigate difficult days and trying times. Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Our hearts are filled with expectation We can walk through the trouble, trial, and pain because our Savior sustains us. Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord." Those who refer to the day as "Passion Sunday" tend to focus on Jesus' suffering. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Psalm 57:9-11, 1We praise you, God, we praise you, for your Name is near; people tell of your wonderful deeds. March 28, 2021. . 15Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, LORD. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Deuteronomy 31:6, 8*, 10Shout and be glad . The Best Calls to Worship for Palm Sunday 1 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. We salute you: Christ our Lord. P: Hosanna! Save us and help us with your right hand, that those you love may be delivered. humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. Philippians 4:23, 28The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. 1 Thessalonians 5:28, 18The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive Gods abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ! They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. 2Give thanks to the God of gods. Here are some indexes that might be helpful. The maximum number of scriptures that are usually listed fora way to use them in a worship service are about 10. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Then pour out your forgiveness in such a way that we are forever transformed. 6Save us and help us with your right hand, that those you love may be delivered. Amid the powers of this world, Christ comes humbly, riding on a donkey. one who is Savior, not only of us, but of all the earth. Through the incarnation of the Holy Spirit in every believer, made possible by Jesus death on the cross, our Triune God remains with us! John 12:12-19 The next day, the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. Pray these with one leader, as a call and response, or as a congregation. Empires can squash rebellions and crucify leaders, but God can raise the dead. Let us apply this incredible truth to our lives. They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. In the same sacrificial way, let us be willing to take up our crosses daily, and lay down our lives for the people You have placed in them. Much of our daily lives dont align with our expectations, Father. Psalm 75:1, 9*, These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word. Isaiah 66:2b*, To this day they have not humbled themselves or shown reverence, nor have they followed my law and the decrees I set before you and your ancestors. Jeremiah 44:10, Jesus replied, No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God. Luke 9:62, Other Confessions of Sin and Their Introductions, Many claim to have unfailing love, but a faithful person who can find? It will be of particular help for those who plan more formal worship. Psalm 16:8, 3I will praise you, LORD, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples. John 12:1-2, I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart. Psalm 40:8, Other Introductions to Scripture Readings, Your statutes are wonderful; therefore I obey them. It is not within the purview of this service to duplicate a full Good Friday service. Jesus, You are closer than we could ever possibly understand. P: Let us rejoice and be glad in it! Theyve heard Jesus speak about God and His love for others. . This is a vision of the way it can be, the way it should beShouts of welcome, a joyful procession,a community celebrating together.The same vision is offered to us today:We can welcome Christ into our lives;We can celebrate his transforming power.How swiftly things changed back then,How swiftly we, too, can be distracted.May we hold fast to his vision of goodnessPeace from the practice of justice,equality from the practice of respect.As this week unfolds,We will let ourselves be overtaken by Gods loveWe will pour it back out into the world. A Prayer of Confession for Passion/Palm Sunday. Introductions to Consider Using, 7What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the LORD our God is near us whenever we pray to him? And what does the, God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. Hosanna to God, Hosanna in the highest! Written by Thom Shuman and posted on his Lectionary Liturgies blog, http://lectionaryliturgies.blogspot.com/. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did Gods grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! Honor and praise. "The Lord needs it and will send it back.". Well sing hosanna when everyone else is doing so but not when the hostile Good Friday forces may hear us. Worshipers enter the sanctuary in joyous procession praising Jesus as Lord. , because he has come to his people and redeemed them. O give thanks to the Lord, for God is good! . No pain, no suffering, no sickness, no death. Gracious God, in my heart, I thank you for sending your Son Jesus into the world so that I may know forgiveness and eternal life. Jesus His Son, Who Is the Truth of God and the Word of God Fourth Sunday of Easter, Year A - Lectionary Planning Notes, A Living Hope Jesus was not the military victor that the people of God had hoped for. Hosanna to God, Hosanna in the highest! 13They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the king of Israel! John 12:12-13, 9You who bring good news to Zion, go up on a high mountain. 2 Corinthians 9:15, May the Lord direct your hearts into Gods love and Christs perseverance. . you are giving majesty Discipleship Ministries is an agency of The United Methodist Church 2023 Discipleship Ministries. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Mark 10:43b-45 *, [A]ll those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. Luke 14:11 *, [A]ll those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. Luke 18:14b *, [S]tand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.