Palm Sunday
Prelude and Processional Gospel
We praise you, O God, for redeeming the world through our Savior Jesus Christ. Today he entered the holy city in triumph and was proclaimed messiah and king by those who spread garments and branches along his way. Bless these branches and those who carry them. Grant us grace to follow our Lord in the way of the cross, so that, joined to his death and resurrection, we enter into life with you; through the same Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God, the keeper of the covenant, the source of steadfast love, our rock and our redeemer. Amen.
God hears us when we cry and draws us close in Jesus Christ. Let us return to the one who is full of compassion.
Silence is kept for reflection.
Fountain of living water, pour out your mercy over us. Our sin is heavy, and we long to be free. Rebuild what we have ruined and mend what we have torn. Wash us in your cleansing flood. Make us alive in the Spirit to follow in the way of Jesus, as healers and restorers of the world you so love. Amen.
Beloved, God’s word never fails. The promise rests on grace: by the saving love of Jesus Christ, the wisdom and power of God, your sins are ☩ forgiven, and God remembers them no more. Journey in the way of Jesus. Amen.
All Glory, Laud, and Honor
Played by Pat Berger
ELW Hymn 344
Refrain
All glory, laud, and honor
to you, redeemer, king,
to whom the lips of children
made sweet hosannas ring.
You are the king of Israel
and David’s royal Son,
now in the Lord’s name coming,
our King and Blessed One. Refrain
The multitude of pilgrims
with palms before you went;
our praise and prayer and anthems
before you we present. Refrain
To you, before your passion,
they sang their hymns of praise.
To you, now high exalted,
our melody we raise. Refrain
Prayer of the Day:
Everlasting God, in your endless love for the human race you sent our Lord Jesus Christ to take on our nature and to suffer death on the cross. In your mercy enable us to share in his obedience to your will and in the glorious victory of his resurrection, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Lessons & Gospel
| Today’s Readings | (click each to read in Bible) |
|---|---|
| 1st Lesson | Isaiah 50:4-9a |
| Psalm | Psalm 31:9-16 |
| 2nd Lesson | Philippians 2:5-11 |
| Gospel | Mark 14:1 — 15:47 |
A reading from Isaiah by Sharon E
A Gospel reading from Mark by Pastor Steve Kimpel
Gospel Acclamation:
Christ humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above ev’ry name.
(Phil. 2:8-9)
Crown Him with Many Crowns
Performed by Cornerstone
Sermon
Isaiah 50:4-9a
Pastor Steve Kimpel
O Sacred Head, Now Wounded
Played by Pat Berger
ELW Hymn 351
O sacred head, now wounded,
with grief and shame weighed down,
now scornfully surrounded
with thorns, thine only crown;
O sacred head, what glory,
what bliss till now was thine!
Yet, though despised and gory,
I joy to call thee mine.
How pale thou art with anguish,
with sore abuse and scorn;
how does thy face now languish,
which once was bright as morn!
Thy grief and bitter passion
were all for sinners’ gain;
mine, mine was the transgression,
but thine the deadly pain.
What language shall I borrow
to thank thee, dearest friend,
for this thy dying sorrow,
thy pity without end?
Oh, make me thine forever,
and should I fainting be,
Lord, let me never, never
outlive my love to thee.
How Great Thou Art
Performed by Cornerstone
Prayers
Prayers of the People
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those
who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
forever and ever. Amen.
Communion
Optional – See below the video for information on picking up blessed elements from Zion.
Go to Dark Gethsemane
Played by Pat Berger
ELW Hymn 347
Go to dark Gethsemane,
all who feel the tempter’s pow’r;
your Redeemer’s conflict see.
Watch with him one bitter hour;
turn not from his griefs away;
learn from Jesus Christ to pray.
Follow to the judgment hall,
view the Lord of life arraigned;
oh, the wormwood and the gall!
Oh, the pangs his soul sustained!
Shun not suff’ring, shame, or loss;
learn from him to bear the cross.
Calv’ry’s mournful mountain climb;
there, adoring at his feet,
mark that miracle of time,
God’s own sacrifice complete.
“It is finished!” hear him cry;
learn from Jesus Christ to die.
The Benediction
Go in peace. Share the good news.
Thanks be to God.
