Palm Sunday Without The Palms Series

Palm Sunday, March 30, 2020

Prayers for the world: Beloved Jesus, in this time of crisis, our churches sit empty. Not because we do not love you, but because you told us to love one another, and this is the best way we can do it. As the crowds gathered to celebrate your entry into Jerusalem, this morning we lift up songs of praise to all who are putting their lives on the line for others. We pray for the nurses, the doctors, the paramedics and ambulance drivers, the police, the National Guard, our neighbors, and ourselves. Be with us this Palm Sunday. You, who loved us enough to go freely to your death, so that we might have life, help us to stand fast in the coming days. Help us to walk through this time as your people. Amen

Call to Worship from Psalm 118

Oh, thank the Lord, for he’s so good! His loving-kindness is forever.

Let the congregation of Israel praise him with these same words: “His loving-kindness is forever.”

And let the priests of Aaron chant, “His loving-kindness is forever.”

Let the Gentile converts chant, “His loving-kindness is forever.”

In my distress I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me and rescued me. “He is for me! How can I be afraid? What can mere man do to me? 7 The Lord is on my side; he will help me. Let those who hate me beware.

It is better to trust the Lord than to put confidence in men.

It is better to take refuge in him than in the mightiest king!

Prayer of Confession

Beloved Savior, we confess that too often we have shut out our neighbor and failed to hear their cries for help. We have fallen short of all that you have called us to do. Our hearts are shattered now by the many who are hurting and in need. As we reach out to them, forgive us our past and help us to be the people that you called us to be. Amen.

Promise of Forgiveness

Hear the Word of the Lord from Psalm 118: Let those who fear the Lord say, “His steadfast love endures forever.” Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free. The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. Know that God’s forgiveness, like his love, is our salvation. You are forgiven, be at peace.

Luke 19:29-40 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

29 When he had come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples, 30 saying, “Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ just say this, ‘The Lord needs it.’” 32 So those who were sent departed and found it as he had told them. 33 As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?” 34 They said, “The Lord needs it.” 35 Then they brought it to Jesus; and after throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. 36 As he rode along, people kept spreading their cloaks on the road. 37 As he was now approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen, 38 saying,

“Blessed is the king

who comes in the name of the Lord!

Peace in heaven,

and glory in the highest heaven!”

39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, order your disciples to stop.” 40 He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.”

Message: The Stones Cry Out

Usually on Palm Sunday we open with the celebration of the crowds. Jesus has arrived in Jerusalem. Here on this Palm Sunday as we reach the end of our “Journey of Stones” we have this passage. If the people were silent, the stones would cry out. When I began this series, I had no concept that this passage would speak so deeply to all of us. The crowds have been scattered and there are no voices in the church to shout Hosanna. Perhaps, in our absence, the empty pews and pulpit are crying out.

But the service on Palm Sunday is two-fold. Jesus arrives in Jerusalem surrounded by crowds shouting his name. But our service ends on a somber note. Yes, Jesus has arrived in Jerusalem. But he has not come to overturn the Roman Government and lead a charge to free Jerusalem. He has come with a much more lasting purpose in mind, he has come to overturn death and lead the charge to free our souls from sin. And the only way he could do that was through his own painful death.