The Triumphal Entry
Worship
Lectionary Worship Workbook
Series II, Cycle B
We Offer Ourselves In The Spirit Of The Living Christ
Note:
Incorporate as many of the Holy Week events into the total act of worship as possible, so people get the whole picture. We will not experience life until we first face death.
Pastoral Invitation
(Pastor walks to the floor of the sanctuary, near the congregation, and shouts) "Give me a J!" (Repeat until the people respond with enthusiasm.) Then, continue, "Give me an E! Give me an S! Give me a U! Give me an S! Now, all for Jesus stand up and holler!" (Of course, some will rebel!) Remind them that this represents the crowd on Palm Sunday; and we would have welcomed Jesus as it did. Welcome Jesus and each other to the celebration. "Great to have you here, Jesus; you're in for a terrific time!"
Response
"Hosanna, Hallelujah!" Richard Avery and Don Marsh, from The Avery and Marsh Songbook. (See Appendix I for address.)
Prayer of Praise
Ask the people to shout out sentence prayers of praise, welcoming Jesus to whatever city they live in.
Hymn of Praise
"All Glory, Laud, and Honor," Theodulph of Orleans, c. 820; trans. John Mason Neale, 1851; alt. 1859; Melchior Teschner, 1614; arr. William Henry Monk, 1861.
We Receive New Life
Introduction to the Act of Recognizing Our Humanity
On Sunday, the people cheered; the opposition surfaced quickly. To identify the contrast, use "Here He Comes," by Richard Avery and Don Marsh, from The Avery and Marsh Songbook. The song for Palm Sunday reveals the immediate crisis: the happy/joyous voices versus the opposition/hostility. Before the singing, ask the people in which group they would have found themselves then; and in which group they find themselves today. Ask, "Where is your primary loyalty today; that is, to what or whom do you give your primary allegiance, your time, money, energy?" Give them two minutes of silence to confess their sin.
Introduction to the Word of Acceptance and New Life (Pastor and Ministers)
We can complain about the fickleness of the crowd, the crowd which cheered one moment, and jeered the next. Or, we can examine ourselves. When we look within, we view our own fickleness; and we have no choice but to seek forgiveness and pardon. So, if you could live your life over, and change any aspect of your fickleness, what would you change? You cannot. You can, however, allow God's Spirit to forgive that fickleness, and to begin anew, beginning this moment. For those who want to begin anew, I invite you to give a huge, corporate sigh of relief. (WHEW!)
P: Our humanity is accepted.
M: We embrace it!
P: Christ has set us free.
M: We are free.
P: I invite us to find a new person, a new day, a new song.
M: We are ready for this dead Jesus, and the Risen Christ, now!
Response
"Let It Be" (chorus only), words and music by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, found in The Genesis Songbook. (See Appendix I for address.)
We Are Listening
Message with the Children of All Ages
Identify one of the events in the passion of Jesus to share with the children. First, define "passion." Perhaps you will want to talk about footwashing, and its history during Jesus' time. Find out if the children can remember the last time that someone washed their feet. Contrast the woman's response to Jesus with some of those standing by. She expressed her love; they chose to criticize. Find an example of that behavior in today's behavior.
Response
"Reach Out and Touch," words and music by Charles F. Brown, from Let the People Sing. (See Appendix I for address.)
Reading of the Gospel
Select the particular passage that you will use for the proclamation. Have your drama group enact it. Emphasize the horror of this week. Many pew-sitters want only the Good News; however, they cannot have the Good News until they integrate the bad news.
Proclamation of the Good News
Consider these ideas: (1) Rebecca Chopp points out in a Christian Century article (March 15, 1989) that "Palm Sunday is a seditious act, for it calls us to place our loyalty on the triumph of reordering the powers of this world rather than merely cooperating with them." (2) Kenneth Clarke, in Pulpit Magazine (March 1964), says that "Success, money, prestige, power, poise -- all the things which society prizes are the very things which Christ regarded as no value in and of themselves."
Response
"The Rebel," by Richard Avery and Don Marsh, from The Avery and Marsh Songbook. (See Appendix I for address). A powerful Lenten song; follow the directions they suggest for using it.
We Respond In Faithful Obedience
Stewardship Challenge
In the light of this great event of Crucifixion and Resurrection, what do you consider your stewardship of right proportions? That is, what do you want that you don't have? Of that list, what do you not need? In Christ, we have received the greatest gift of all; in life, we share that gift with the world, the world of nature, animals, people.
Response
"Let All That You Do," based on 1 Corinthians 16:14; words and music by Gary Hasson, found in Folk Encounter. (See Appendix I for address.)
Charge to the Congregation
I invite you to read the Gospel texts for today throughout Holy Week. Write down the ways that you "cheer for Jesus," and the ways that you "jeer at him." Identify the "cheer faces" and the "jeer faces." And, spend some time looking in the mirror.
Meditation
Because we receive communion on Maundy Thursday, consider this statement by Harry Wallingford, printed in The Presbyterian Outlook some years ago: "Unless the church is going to get out in front on behalf of righteousness and justice, our celebration of the Lord's Supper is meaningless."
Music Possibilities In Addition To Those Already Suggested
Music for Preparation: Medley of Palm Sunday hymns; or "Cortege and Litany," by Dupr ; or, "Hosanna, Loud Hosanna," Jennette Threfall, 1873.
Response to the Prayer of Praise: "Alleluia!" source unknown, from Folk Encounter. (See Appendix I for address.)
Hymn of Praise: "All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name," stanzas 1, 2, Edward Perronet, 1779; 1780; alt.; stanzas 3, 4, John Rippon, 1787.
Response to the Word of Acceptance and New Life: "Jesus Christ Whose Passion Claims Us," Jane Parker Huber, 1982; or, "O Lamb of God," words and music by David Yantis.
Response to the Scripture: "O Sacred Head, Now Wounded," based on Medieval Latin poem; Paul Gerhardt, 1656; trans. by James W. Alexander, 1830.
Hymn of Commitment: "In the Cross of Christ I Glory," John Bowring, 1825; Ithamar Conkey, 1849; or, "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross," Isaac Watts, 1707, 1709 (two tunes).
Response to the Benediction: "Lonesome Valley," American spiritual. (If you use this, invite the people to walk toward the cross before they leave the sanctuary.)
Music for Dismissal: Medley of Passion hymns.
Note:
Incorporate as many of the Holy Week events into the total act of worship as possible, so people get the whole picture. We will not experience life until we first face death.
Pastoral Invitation
(Pastor walks to the floor of the sanctuary, near the congregation, and shouts) "Give me a J!" (Repeat until the people respond with enthusiasm.) Then, continue, "Give me an E! Give me an S! Give me a U! Give me an S! Now, all for Jesus stand up and holler!" (Of course, some will rebel!) Remind them that this represents the crowd on Palm Sunday; and we would have welcomed Jesus as it did. Welcome Jesus and each other to the celebration. "Great to have you here, Jesus; you're in for a terrific time!"
Response
"Hosanna, Hallelujah!" Richard Avery and Don Marsh, from The Avery and Marsh Songbook. (See Appendix I for address.)
Prayer of Praise
Ask the people to shout out sentence prayers of praise, welcoming Jesus to whatever city they live in.
Hymn of Praise
"All Glory, Laud, and Honor," Theodulph of Orleans, c. 820; trans. John Mason Neale, 1851; alt. 1859; Melchior Teschner, 1614; arr. William Henry Monk, 1861.
We Receive New Life
Introduction to the Act of Recognizing Our Humanity
On Sunday, the people cheered; the opposition surfaced quickly. To identify the contrast, use "Here He Comes," by Richard Avery and Don Marsh, from The Avery and Marsh Songbook. The song for Palm Sunday reveals the immediate crisis: the happy/joyous voices versus the opposition/hostility. Before the singing, ask the people in which group they would have found themselves then; and in which group they find themselves today. Ask, "Where is your primary loyalty today; that is, to what or whom do you give your primary allegiance, your time, money, energy?" Give them two minutes of silence to confess their sin.
Introduction to the Word of Acceptance and New Life (Pastor and Ministers)
We can complain about the fickleness of the crowd, the crowd which cheered one moment, and jeered the next. Or, we can examine ourselves. When we look within, we view our own fickleness; and we have no choice but to seek forgiveness and pardon. So, if you could live your life over, and change any aspect of your fickleness, what would you change? You cannot. You can, however, allow God's Spirit to forgive that fickleness, and to begin anew, beginning this moment. For those who want to begin anew, I invite you to give a huge, corporate sigh of relief. (WHEW!)
P: Our humanity is accepted.
M: We embrace it!
P: Christ has set us free.
M: We are free.
P: I invite us to find a new person, a new day, a new song.
M: We are ready for this dead Jesus, and the Risen Christ, now!
Response
"Let It Be" (chorus only), words and music by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, found in The Genesis Songbook. (See Appendix I for address.)
We Are Listening
Message with the Children of All Ages
Identify one of the events in the passion of Jesus to share with the children. First, define "passion." Perhaps you will want to talk about footwashing, and its history during Jesus' time. Find out if the children can remember the last time that someone washed their feet. Contrast the woman's response to Jesus with some of those standing by. She expressed her love; they chose to criticize. Find an example of that behavior in today's behavior.
Response
"Reach Out and Touch," words and music by Charles F. Brown, from Let the People Sing. (See Appendix I for address.)
Reading of the Gospel
Select the particular passage that you will use for the proclamation. Have your drama group enact it. Emphasize the horror of this week. Many pew-sitters want only the Good News; however, they cannot have the Good News until they integrate the bad news.
Proclamation of the Good News
Consider these ideas: (1) Rebecca Chopp points out in a Christian Century article (March 15, 1989) that "Palm Sunday is a seditious act, for it calls us to place our loyalty on the triumph of reordering the powers of this world rather than merely cooperating with them." (2) Kenneth Clarke, in Pulpit Magazine (March 1964), says that "Success, money, prestige, power, poise -- all the things which society prizes are the very things which Christ regarded as no value in and of themselves."
Response
"The Rebel," by Richard Avery and Don Marsh, from The Avery and Marsh Songbook. (See Appendix I for address). A powerful Lenten song; follow the directions they suggest for using it.
We Respond In Faithful Obedience
Stewardship Challenge
In the light of this great event of Crucifixion and Resurrection, what do you consider your stewardship of right proportions? That is, what do you want that you don't have? Of that list, what do you not need? In Christ, we have received the greatest gift of all; in life, we share that gift with the world, the world of nature, animals, people.
Response
"Let All That You Do," based on 1 Corinthians 16:14; words and music by Gary Hasson, found in Folk Encounter. (See Appendix I for address.)
Charge to the Congregation
I invite you to read the Gospel texts for today throughout Holy Week. Write down the ways that you "cheer for Jesus," and the ways that you "jeer at him." Identify the "cheer faces" and the "jeer faces." And, spend some time looking in the mirror.
Meditation
Because we receive communion on Maundy Thursday, consider this statement by Harry Wallingford, printed in The Presbyterian Outlook some years ago: "Unless the church is going to get out in front on behalf of righteousness and justice, our celebration of the Lord's Supper is meaningless."
Music Possibilities In Addition To Those Already Suggested
Music for Preparation: Medley of Palm Sunday hymns; or "Cortege and Litany," by Dupr ; or, "Hosanna, Loud Hosanna," Jennette Threfall, 1873.
Response to the Prayer of Praise: "Alleluia!" source unknown, from Folk Encounter. (See Appendix I for address.)
Hymn of Praise: "All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name," stanzas 1, 2, Edward Perronet, 1779; 1780; alt.; stanzas 3, 4, John Rippon, 1787.
Response to the Word of Acceptance and New Life: "Jesus Christ Whose Passion Claims Us," Jane Parker Huber, 1982; or, "O Lamb of God," words and music by David Yantis.
Response to the Scripture: "O Sacred Head, Now Wounded," based on Medieval Latin poem; Paul Gerhardt, 1656; trans. by James W. Alexander, 1830.
Hymn of Commitment: "In the Cross of Christ I Glory," John Bowring, 1825; Ithamar Conkey, 1849; or, "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross," Isaac Watts, 1707, 1709 (two tunes).
Response to the Benediction: "Lonesome Valley," American spiritual. (If you use this, invite the people to walk toward the cross before they leave the sanctuary.)
Music for Dismissal: Medley of Passion hymns.
