Palm Sunday Liturgy, Songs, and Prayers
March 28, 2026 - Eve of Palm Sunday
ho·san·na
Origin
Old English osanna, via late Latin from Greek hōsanna, from Rabbinical Hebrew hōša‘nā, abbreviation of biblical hōšī‘ā-nnā meaning: ‘save, we pray’
THE LITURGY OF THE PALMS
The church gathers in the downstairs area of the church, waiting to welcome Jesus into their midst. Palms will be distributed to the people and blessed.
celebrant:
Hosanna to the Son of David, the King of Israel.
Blessed is he who comes in the Name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
GREETING
Dear brothers and sisters, from the beginning of Lent until now we have been preparing our hearts by repentance and self-sacrifice. Today, with the whole Church, we herald the beginning of the celebration of the Paschal Mystery. On this day our Lord Jesus Christ entered Jerusalem and was welcomed as King with palms and shouts of praise. Today we greet him as our King, though we know his crown was a crown of thorns, and his throne a Cross.
Therefore, I invite you to follow our Lord this Holy Week, from his triumphal entry, through his suffering and death, to the glory of his resurrection.
THE COLLECT
The Lord be with you.
And with your spirit.
Let us pray.
Assist us mercifully with your help, O Lord God of our salvation, that we may enter with joy upon the contemplation of those mighty acts, whereby you have given us life and immortality; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
THE TRIUMPHAL ENTRY GOSPEL
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark (Mark 11:1-11).
Glory to you, Lord Christ.
When they were approaching Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples and said to them, ‘Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately as you enter it, you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden; untie it and bring it. If anyone says to you, “Why are you doing this?” just say this, “The Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately.”’ They went away and found a colt tied near a door, outside in the street. As they were untying it, some of the bystanders said to them, ‘What are you doing, untying the colt?’ They told them what Jesus had said; and they allowed them to take it. Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it; and he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields. Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting,
‘Hosanna!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David!
Hosanna in the highest heaven!’
Then he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple; and when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Christ.
THE BLESSING OF THE PALMS
Let us pray.
We praise you, Almighty God, for the acts of love by which you have redeemed us through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. On this day he entered the holy city of Jerusalem in triumph, and was hailed as King by those who spread their garments and branches of palm along his way. Sanctify these branches with your blessing, we humbly pray, that they may be for us signs of his victory. Grant that we who bear them in his Name may ever hail him as our King, and follow him in the way that leads to eternal life; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
THE PROCESSION
celebrant: while asperging the people and the palms:
Hosanna to the Son of David, the King of Israel.
Blessed is he who comes in the Name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
Sung Worship:Process while singing/worshiping together into the chapel.
Blessed Be the Name – Hosanna
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
Hosanna, hosanna
You are the God Who saves us, worthy of all our praises
Hosanna, hosanna
Come have Your way among us
We welcome You here, Lord Jesus
Together we process into the chapel.
Once inside the chapel-Trinity Kids and littles will go for their time of gathering together.
celebrant:
Let’s continue in worship.
THE COLLECT OF THE DAY (standing together)
The Lord be with you.
And with your spirit.
Let us pray.
Almighty and everlasting God, in your tender love for us you sent your Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon himself our nature, and to suffer death upon the Cross, giving us the example of his great humility: Mercifully grant that we may walk in the way of his suffering, and come to share in his resurrection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER (please be seated)
Silence is kept
THE PASSION GOSPEL (please be seated)
The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark
(Mark 14: 32-72, 15: 1-47)
They went to a place called Gethsemane; and Jesus said to his disciples,
JESUS: ’Sit here while I pray.’
He took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be distressed and agitated.
JESUS:’I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and keep awake.’
And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.
JESUS: ’Abba, Father, for you all things are possible; remove this cup from me; yet, not what I want, but what you want.’
He came and found them sleeping;
JESUS: ‘Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep awake one hour? Keep awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.’
And again he went away and prayed, saying the same words. And once more he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy; and they did not know what to say to him. He came a third time
JESUS: ‘Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? Enough! The hour has come; the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up, let us be going. See, my betrayer is at hand.’
Immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived; and with him there was a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying,
JUDAS: ’The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.’
So when he came, he went up to him at once
JUDAS: ‘Rabbi!’
and Judas kissed him. Then they laid hands on Jesus and arrested him.
But one of those who stood near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.
JESUS: ’Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as though I were a bandit? Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not arrest me. But let the scriptures be fulfilled.’
All of them deserted him and fled.
A certain young man was following him, wearing nothing but a linen cloth. They caught hold of him, but he left the linen cloth and ran off naked.
They took Jesus to the high priest; and all the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes were assembled. Peter had followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest; and he was sitting with the guards, warming himself at the fire.
Now the chief priests and the whole council were looking for testimony against Jesus to put him to death; but they found none. For many gave false testimony against him, and their testimony did not agree. Some stood up and gave false testimony against him, saying, ‘We heard him say, “I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another, not made with hands.”’ But even on this point their testimony did not agree.
Then the high priest stood up before them
HIGH PRIEST: ‘Have you no answer? What is it that they testify against you?’
But he was silent and did not answer.
HIGH PRIEST, ‘Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?’
JESUS: ’I am; and “you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power”, and “coming with the clouds of heaven.”’
Then the high priest tore his clothes
HIGH PRIEST: ’Why do we still need witnesses? You have heard his blasphemy! What is your decision?’
All of them condemned him as deserving death.
Some began to spit on him, to blindfold him, and to strike him,
GUARD: ’Prophesy!’
The guards also took him over and beat him.
*Silence is Kept
While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant-girls of the high priest came by. When she saw Peter warming himself, she stared at him and said, ‘You also were with Jesus, the man from Nazareth.’
PETER: ‘I do not know or understand what you are talking about.’
And he went out into the forecourt. Then the cock crowed.
And the servant-girl, on seeing him, began again to say to the bystanders, ‘This man is one of them.’
But again he denied it. Then after a little while the bystanders again said to Peter, ‘Certainly you are one of them; for you are a Galilean.’
But he began to curse, and he swore an oath,
PETER: ’I do not know this man you are talking about.’
At that moment the cock crowed for the second time.
Then Peter remembered that Jesus had said to him,
‘Before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.’
And he broke down and wept.
*Silence is kept.
As soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. They bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate.
PILATE: ’Are you the King of the Jews?’
JESUS: ‘You say so.’
Then the chief priests accused him of many things.
PILATE: ’Have you no answer? See how many charges they bring against you.’
But Jesus made no further reply, so that Pilate was amazed.
The People Stand Together.
Now at the festival he used to release a prisoner for them, anyone for whom they asked. Now a man called Barabbas was in prison with the rebels who had committed murder during the insurrection. So the crowd came and began to ask Pilate to do for them according to his custom.
PILATE: ‘Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?’
For he realized that it was out of jealousy that the chief priests had handed him over.
But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release Barabbas for them instead.
PILATE: ’Then what do you wish me to do with the man you call the King of the Jews?’
THE PEOPLE:‘Crucify him!’
PILATE: ’Why, what evil has he done?’
THE PEOPLE (all the louder): ‘Crucify him!’
So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas for them; and after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified.
Then the soldiers led him into the courtyard of the palace (that is, the governor’s headquarters); and they called together the whole cohort. And they clothed him in a purple cloak; and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on him. And they began saluting him,
GUARD: ’Hail, King of the Jews!’
They struck his head with a reed, spat upon him, and knelt down in homage to him. After mocking him, they stripped him of the purple cloak and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him.
They compelled a passer-by, who was coming in from the country, to carry his cross; it was Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus. Then they brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means the place of a skull). And they offered him wine mixed with myrrh; but he did not take it. And they crucified him, and divided his clothes among them, casting lots to decide what each should take.
Silence is kept.
It was nine o’clock in the morning when they crucified him. The inscription of the charge against him read, ‘The King of the Jews.’
And with him they crucified two bandits, one on his right and one on his left.
Those who passed by derided him, shaking their heads and saying,
(LEFT side of the room) ’Aha! You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself, and come down from the cross!’
In the same way the chief priests, along with the scribes, were also mocking him among themselves and saying,
(RIGHT side of the room)‘He saved others; he cannot save himself. Let the Messiah, the King of Israel, come down from the cross now, so that we may see and believe.’
Those who were crucified with him also taunted him.
When it was noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon.
*Silence is kept.
At three o’clock Jesus cried out with a loud voice,
JESUS: ’Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?’ - ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’
When some of the bystanders heard it, they said, ‘Listen, he is calling for Elijah.’ And someone ran, filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink, saying, ‘Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down.’
Then Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.
Now when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last,
GUARD: ’Truly this man was God’s Son!’
*Silence is kept- please be seated or kneeling as you’re able
There were also women looking on from a distance; among them were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. These used to follow him and provided for him when he was in Galilee; and there were many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem.
When evening had come, and since it was the day of Preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate wondered if he were already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he had been dead for some time. When he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the body to Joseph. Then Joseph bought a linen cloth, and taking down the body, wrapped it in the linen cloth, and laid it in a tomb that had been hewn out of the rock. He then rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where the body was laid.
*Silence is kept - seated or kneeling as you’re able
Christ’s Descent from the Cross
CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER
silence is kept
THE CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION OF SIN (kneeling or seated as you’re able)
This prayer was written by St. Augustine, a bishop who lived in North Africa from 354-430 AD.
Celebrant: let us now open our hearts to him and be unburdened of those things that trouble our conscience and prevent our being filled with love for God and our neighbors.
My soul is like a house
small for you to enter
but I pray you would enlarge it.
It is in ruins
but I pray you would remake it.
It contains much that you will not be pleased to see;
this I know and do not hide.
Amen.
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who in his great mercy has promised forgiveness of sins to all those who sincerely repent and with true faith turn to him, † have mercy upon you, pardon and deliver you from all your sins, confirm and strengthen you in all goodness, and bring you to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
THE PEACE (standing together)
The Peace of the Lord be always with you.
And with your spirit.
(Let’s greet one another with a sign of peace)
Crucifixion, by Ukrainian Artist Ivanka Demchuk
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Holy Week Schedule
In these special services, together we recall the Passion and Resurrection of Jesus
Maundy Thursday - 7 pm, we remember the last supper, foot washing and the stripping of the altar.
Good Friday Kids/Family - 5:30 pm
Good Friday Main - 7 pm
Beginning outside, we walk together the journey of Christ from his arrest to his death on the cross. A special adoration of the cross.
Easter Sunday - 10 am
We celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus and His victory over death.
We are grateful to be together for Holy Week and Easter Sunday this year in the Crowell Chapel.
3 Rosedale Ave, Manchester by the Sea
Sung Worship/Offering:
we worship together with our hearts in song and in giving
the opportunity to worship through giving is available online here.
There is also a giving area near the welcome table. Look for the box shaped like a church building on the table near the lawn entry.
Down at Your Feet
Verse
With all of my heart, all of my mind
All of my soul and all of my strength; Jesus I love You
With all of my heart, all of my mind
All of my soul and all of my strength; Jesus I love You
All of my life down at Your feet, pouring it out for You
All that You are and all that You've done
Yeah I will worship You
Jesus I love You Jesus I love You
Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise Him all creatures here below
Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost
Amen.
THE PRESENTATION OF THE GIFTS
All things come from you, O Lord,
And of your own have we given you.
THE SURSUM CORDA (standing together)
The Lord be with you.
And with your spirit.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give him thanks and praise.
It is right, our duty and our joy, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. For our sins he was lifted high upon the Cross, that he might draw the whole world to himself; and by his suffering and death he became the author of eternal salvation for all who put their trust in him. Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who for ever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:
THE SANCTUS
Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the Name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
THE PRAYER OF CONSECRATION
(kneeling as you’re able or sitting)
Holy and gracious Father: In your infinite love you made us for yourself; and when we had sinned against you and become subject to evil and death, you, in your mercy, sent your only Son Jesus Christ into the world for our salvation. By the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary he became flesh and dwelt among us. In obedience to your will, he stretched out his arms upon the Cross and offered himself once for all, that by his suffering and death we might be saved. By his resurrection he broke the bonds of death, trampling Hell and Satan under his feet. As our great high priest, he ascended to your right hand in glory, that we might come with confidence before the throne of grace.
On the night that he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take, eat; this is my Body, which is given for you: Do this in remembrance of me.”
Likewise, after supper, Jesus took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink this, all of you; for this is my Blood of the New Covenant, which is shed for you, and for many, for the forgiveness of sins: Whenever you drink it, do this in remembrance of me.”
Celebrant: Therefore, we proclaim the mystery of faith:
Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.
We celebrate the memorial of our redemption, O Father, in this sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, and we offer you these gifts. Sanctify them by your Word and Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body and Blood of your Son Jesus Christ. Sanctify us also, that we may worthily receive this holy Sacrament, and be made one body with him, that he may dwell in us and we in him. In the fullness of time, put all things in subjection under your Christ, and bring us with all your saints into the joy of your heavenly kingdom, where we shall see our Lord face to face.
All this we ask through your Son Jesus Christ: by him, and with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and for ever.
Amen.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to pray:
Our Father in heaven,
your Name be hallowed,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
as in heaven, also on earth.
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 yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.
(Matthew 6:9–13)
THE FRACTION
Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.
Therefore let us keep the feast.
THE MINISTRATION OF COMMUNION
The gifts of God for the people of God. Take them in remembrance that Christ died for you and feed on him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving.
A PRAYER FOR SPIRITUAL COMMUNION
(for those with us online)
Lord Jesus, truly present in the Holy Sacrament: come spiritually into my heart and give me yourself, for I love you above all else, and I desire to be united with you within my soul.
Amen.
Reminder Communion Instructions: Prayer and Blessing Opportunities are available from a member of the prayer team at the back of the chapel as you return to your seat after receiving the bread and wine. Personal and Confidential Prayer is available following the service.
Were You There
Were you there when they crucified my Lord
Were you there when they crucified my Lord
Oh sometimes it causes me to tremble tremble tremble
Were you there when they crucified my Lord
Were you there when they nailed Him to the tree
Were you there when they nailed Him to the tree
Oh sometimes it causes me to tremble tremble tremble
Were you there when they nailed Him to the tree
Were you there when they laid Him in the tomb
Were you there when they laid Him in the tomb
Oh sometimes it causes me to tremble tremble tremble
Were you there when they laid Him in the tomb
THE POST COMMUNION PRAYER (standing together)
Lord Jesus Christ, you humbled yourself in taking the form of a servant, and in obedience died on the cross for our salvation: give us the mind to follow you and to proclaim you as Lord and King, to the glory of God the Father.
Amen.
Faithful God,
may we who share this banquet
glory in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ,
our salvation, life and hope,
who reigns as Lord now and for ever.
Amen.
THE FINAL BLESSING
May the Father, who so loved the world that he gave his only Son, bring you by faith to his eternal life.
Amen.
May Christ, who accepted the cup of sacrifice in obedience to the Father’s will, keep you steadfast as you walk with him the way of his cross.
Amen.
May the Spirit, who strengthens us to suffer with Christ that we may share his glory, set your minds on life and peace.
Amen.
And the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always.
Amen.
THE DISMISSAL
Let us go forth to love and serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
SUNG WORSHIP
Were you there when they crucified my Lord
Were you there when they crucified my Lord
Oh sometimes it causes me to tremble tremble tremble
Were you there when they crucified my Lord
May the Peace of God be with you today
*Personal and Confidential Prayer is available in back of the chapel near the center of the room. Look for the team with the “Prayer” badges.
Cn Timothy Clayton, lead pastor
Mtr Wendy Dixon, clergy
Mtr Jen Keifer, clergy
Michael Pritzl, sung worship leader
Ian Clayton, production, guitar
Jennifer Mahnke, vocals
Juniper Mahnke, vocals
Beatrice Mahnke, vocals
sung worship:
Blessed be the Name of the Lord, written by Matt Redman
Hosanna, written by Paul Baloche
Down at Your Feet, written by Ryan Delmore
Were You There, African American spiritual, likely written by slaves during the 19th century
Doxology, written by Thomas Ken in 1674
Today’s liturgy is based on the Book of Common Prayer, 2019, the Renewed Ancient Eucharistic Rite, p. 123-138, with additions from the Church of England’s Times and Seasons liturgical supplement for Lent, and an excerpt of a Litany from Celtic Fire (Robert Van de Weber).
”Trinity” and “The Crucifixion” artwork by Ukrainian Icon Artist, Ivanka Demchuk
“Descent from the Cross” artwork by Rembrandt Van Rijn
TS Eliot, Ash Wednesday in his own words…
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We all live on Indigenous land. We would like to acknowledge the Massachusett Tribe: the tribe of Indigenous peoples from whom the Colony, Province, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts have taken their name. We would like to pay our respect to the ancestral bloodline of the Massachusett Tribe and their descendants who still inhabit historical Massachusett Tribe territories to this day.
We are grateful to Thomas Green, VP of the Massachusett Tribe, for providing this paragraph. https://massachusetttribe.org/the-tribe
be·gin·ning
/bəˈɡiniNG/
noun: the point in time or space at which something starts.
mer·cy
/ˈmərsē/
noun: compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm.
