Worship Resources for
the Center for Faith and Giving
Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week. In many congregations, this worship service begins with the festive delight of palm branches being waved as we sing “Hosanna!” We remember and re-play the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, when Luke tells how people put their cloaks on the road (while Matthew, Mark and John all refer to festal branches or palms) to greet Jesus.
Because we miss the major parts of Jesus’ betrayal, trial and crucifixion if we only gather for Palm Sunday and Easter, some congregations celebrate at the beginning of this Palm Sunday service, then move to a solemn focus on Jesus’ passion at the end. A suggested liturgical piece for this is included at the end of these resources.
Call to Worship (inspired by Psalm 118)
One: This is the day the Lord has made,
Many: let us rejoice and be glad in it!
One: Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.
Many: Together we lift our branches to celebrate Jesus!
One: Together we come to give thanks to God
Many: God’s steadfast love endures forever!
Opening Prayer
Holy God, Architect of grace: from your house we praise you.
Your love is never taken from us; your goodness is the constant in our lives.
We worship you.
Jesus Christ, Savior: you dared listen to God
instead of the cheers of the crowd
and the jeers of your enemies.
We’ve come to walk with you.
Holy Spirit, Glory of God: you give us light
so we might see the One who comes;
you open our ears so we might hear the whispers of hope;
you sustain the weary so we might journey through this week
as faithful followers.
God in Community, Holy in One, accept our praise,
continue to lead us through this week,
and wrap us close
in the joy, the fear and the pain. AMEN
(adapted from a prayer by Thom Shuman)
Moment for Stewardship
(In Disciple congregations, this is a suggested day to receive our Easter Special Day offering, which supports the General Church. Your gifts today will help equip college students for leadership, strengthen global mission partnerships, sustain health and social service ministries, support the formation of new congregations, and care for pastors and chaplains. The Easter Offering also supports the Center for Faith & Giving!)
As we celebrate this Palm Sunday, we bring our gifts, our tithes and our offerings to share. Just as Jesus’ disciples responded to his need for a donkey to ride into Jerusalem, we seek to respond to the needs of the Body of Christ in 2025.
Your gifts make the varied ministries of this congregation possible!
Prayer of Thanksgiving
As we offer our gifts this day, Gracious God, remind us
we are called not just to parades, but also to serving in the streets;
not just to waving palm leaves, but also offering our hands to those in need; not just to days of celebration, but to respond in love to those who suffer and cry out for help. Amen.
Invitation to Communion
When we come to this time of communion we’re invited to time travel. While we physically are in the sanctuary of ______________ Church, we also recognize we are at the table in an upper room in Jerusalem nearly 2000 years ago.
We’ve stepped into the presence of Jesus and his first disciples.
Jesus is our host.
There’s a sense of excitement along with an underlying sense of anxiety.
Familiar words accompany Jesus’ actions:
this bread, broken and shared,
this cup, poured out as a new covenant.
“Do this in remembrance of me.”
The feast is prepared, and all are welcome.
A quiet, powerful ending for the service
If you want to transition to the death of Jesus, once all have shared in bread and cup have the deacons strip the table, removing all the trays, chalices, candles, cross so the table is bare.
Have two or more elders or ministers simply drape a black cloth (a pall)
over the table.
If you have someone who can sing “Were You There?” a cappella,
let that begin as the worship leaders and then the congregation leave the
sanctuary in silence.