Sunday next before Easter (Palm Sunday) marks the beginning of Holy Week, the week that the Church calendar marked out for us to remember the death and resurrection of Jesus.
Thomas Cranmer’s Prayer Book directed us to read each of the Gospel accounts of the death of Jesus during the course of the daily readings of this week.
The Collect for this Sunday directs our prayer toward following Jesus’ example of suffering and ultimately sharing in his resurrection. Cranmer knew that we can never deserve anything but are saved only by grace. No religious performance could ever make us acceptable to God. We do not enter into the Easter experience by re-enacting the events but by accepting with gratitude and faith the benefits that he has won for us.
Below are some resources that could be used in Sunday Services, Sunday School, Youth or Children’s Ministry over this coming weekend.
Videos
God’s Story: Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday Music Video
Palm Sunday: Jesus and human expectations
Collects and Readings
Almighty and everlasting God, in tender love towards mankind you sent your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, to become man and to suffer death on the cross, that all mankind should follow the example of his great humility: grant that we may follow the example of his suffering, and also be made partakers of his resurrection; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.
Philippians 2:5-11
Matthew 27:1-54
Prayers
| Almighty God, we praise you for your creation, and all you richly provide. Enable us to live in such a way that your majesty and mercy are seen by all. Father hear our prayer, through Jesus Christ our Lord.All governments rule under your authority. May they work for the good of those they rule, seeking your justice and peace in every law and action. Father hear our prayer, through Jesus Christ our Lord.Enable those who are engaged in industry and commerce, the media and education, sport and the arts, to fulfil their responsibilities with integrity and an attitude of service. Father hear our prayer, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Comfort and strengthen those who are gripped by poverty, Inspire your church here on earth to proclaim the gospel of your love Help your people to display your compassion to all those in need. |
Calls to Worship
Call to Worship I (based on Psalm 118:19-24)
One: The Lord be with you!
All: And also with you!
One: Open to me the gates of righteousness,
that I may enter, and give thanks to the Lord.
All: We will give You thanks, for You have answered us;
You have become our salvation.
One: The stone that the builders rejected
has become the chief cornerstone.
All: This is the Lord’s doing,
and it is marvelous in our eyes.
One: This is the day that the Lord has made;
All: We will rejoice and be glad in it.
Call to Worship 2 (based on Revelation 7:9-12)
One: And I looked,
and there was a great crowd that no one could number.
They were from every nation, tribe, people and language.
They were standing before the throne and before the Lamb,
wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands.
And they cried out with a loud voice:
All: “Victory belongs to our God who sits on the throne,
and to the Lamb!”
One: And the angels fell facedown before the throne
and worshipped God, saying:
All: “Amen!
Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving
and honour and power and might
be to our God forever and ever. Amen!”
Call to Worship 3 (based on Zechariah 9:9 and Psalm 118:26, 28-29)
One: Rejoice greatly, O people of Zion!
Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem!
Look, your king is coming to you.
He is righteous and victorious,
yet he is humble, riding on a donkey—
even on a donkey’s colt.
All: Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
One: You are our God, and we will praise You!
All: You are our God, and we will exalt You!
One: O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.
All: His faithful love endures forever!