"palm sunday" Tagged Sermons
Shout Hosanna!
Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! In the base camp of our church community, near and far, we shout Hosanna as we celebrate the arrival of Jesus. We will keep the gift of Sabbath, learn sacred stories, sing, pray, reflect, refuel, and revive our sense of reverence! SCRIPTURE: Matthew 21:1-17 (NLT) As Jesus and the disciples approached Jerusalem, they came to the town of Bethphage on the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent two…
Let the Streets Preach
Once in the midst of an act of civil disobedience – we now think of as Palm Sunday – certain authorities challenged Jesus. “Your people are too loud; disruptive. Tell your people to hush!” they said. They did this in the name of keeping peace. Jesus was wiser and in this for the long run. He knew peace is the offspring of justice. He said something like, “I could do that. But if the people shut their mouths, if they swallow their shouts, if they defer the truth that is on their tongues….if that, then the streets themselves will shout, demand; cry out.” Now, the streets of our city are speaking volumes. It is time to listen.
Palm Sunday: An Expression of Deepening Devotion
It is Palm Sunday! We open the gates wide and enter Holy Week. We may think of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem as a measured walk down the sanctuary aisle adorned with palm branches and orderly singing. BUT in reality the procession undoubtedly looked more like a pack of sports fans jostling for position to get through the gates and into the stadium for the main event. Palm branches waving? Of course! There were palm trees everywhere.
This service follows a pattern of scripture, characters, candle lighting and sung response in this service of deepening devotion.
1. A scripture passage introduces one of six characters close to Jesus.
2. A short, first-person reflection – in the words of that character – follows.
3. We pause to light a candle, in love, hope and faith.
4. Then, we sing, and move on.
We often remember Holy Week with a Tenebrae service of descending darkness. This year we choose to create a service of ascending devotion.