Palm Sunday Worship

PALM SUNDAY
April 5, 2020

PAUL’S LUTHERAN CHURCH, FALLS CHURCH, VA

DIVINE SERVICE THREE, WITHOUT HOLY COMMUNION

✠ ✠ ✠

THE ENTRANCE RITE
(Gathered in the Narthex)

WELCOME

INVOCATION

In the name of the Father and of the ✠ Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE

Today is one of my favorite Sundays. It’s called “Palm Sunday.”
On this day we all get a palm branch and wave it – because that’s what the people once did for Jesus.
The people were happy that day. Jesus was coming into their city.
They cried out “hosanna” – which means “save us.” They believed Jesus could save them. So do we.
Today we ask Jesus to save us from things that are scary – like the coronavirus.
And we ask him to save us from things like boredom, frustration and getting on each other’s nerves.
And we remember, too, that Jesus has already saved us from our sins. We’re very grateful for that!
On this day, we usually take our palms and march down this hallway together into the church.
Sometimes we even start outside. It’s like a parade! Led by the children.
Today we can’t do that. At least not here. Maybe you can have a little parade around your house.
Maybe you can make some palms.
On Sunday, I’ll put these palms outside the church’s front doors. Maybe you can come get some.
Things are a little different right now. But one thing’s not different at all:
God loves you. Very much! And he’s given you Jesus to be your Savior.
How about we rehearse one of our Bible verses? “For God so loved the world that he gave his only
Son, that whoever believes in him may not perish but have everlasting life.”
May that message be with you always. Go in his peace! Amen.

CALL TO WORSHIP from Psalm 118

This is the day the Lord has made.
Let us rejoice and be glad in it!

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good,
His steadfast love endures forever!

BLESSING OF THE PALMS

Let us pray. We praise and thank you, O God for the great 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 acclaimed Son of David and King of Kings by those who scattered their garments and branches of palm in his path. We ask that you bless these branches and those who bear them, and grant that we may ever hail him as our Lord and King and follow him with perfect confidence; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

PALM SUNDAY GOSPEL Matthew 21:1-11

The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, the 21st chapter:
Glory to you, O Lord.

Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them at once.” This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying,

“Say to the daughter of Zion,
‘Behold, your king is coming to you,
humble, and mounted on a donkey,
and on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’”

The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them. Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.” (ESV)

This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.

ENTRANCE HYMN #442 All Glory, Laud and Honor

      Refrain
      All glory, laud, and honor to You, Redeemer, King,
      To whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring.

1 You are the King of Israel And David’s royal Son,
Now in the Lord’s name coming, Our King and Blessed One.

2 The company of angels is praising You on high,
And we with all creation in chorus make reply.

3 The multitude of pilgrims with palms before You went;
Our praise and prayer and anthems before You we present.

4 To You before Your passion they sang their hymns of praise;
To You, now high exalted, our melody we raise.

5 As You received their praises, accept the prayers we bring,
O Source of ev’ry blessing, our good and gracious King.

Public Domain

CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION

Beloved in the Lord! Let us draw near with a true heart and confess our sins unto God our Father, beseeching Him in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to grant us forgiveness.

Our help is in the name of the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.

I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord,
and You forgave the iniquity of my sin.

Almighty God, our maker and redeemer, we poor sinners confess unto You that we are by nature sinful and unclean and that we have sinned against You by thought, word and deed. Wherefore we flee for refuge to Your infinite mercy, seeking and imploring Your grace for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ.

O most merciful God, who has given your only-begotten Son to die for us, have mercy upon us and for His sake grant us remission of all our sins; and by Your Holy Spirit increase in us true knowledge of You and of Your will and true obedience to Your Word, to the end that by Your grace we may come to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Almighty God, our heavenly Father has had mercy upon us and has given His only Son to die for us and for His sake forgives us all our sins. To those who believe on His name He gives power to become the children of God and has promised them His Holy Spirit. He that believes and is baptized shall be saved. Grant this, Lord, unto us all. Amen.

INTROIT from Ps. 24:7–10; Psalm 118

GLORIA PATRI

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

KYRIE

            Lord, have mercy upon us.
            Christ, have mercy upon us.
            Lord, have mercy upon us.

HYMN OF PRAISE (omitted during Lent)

THE PRAYER OF THE DAY

The Lord be with you.
And also with you.

Let us pray. Almighty and everlasting God,

You sent Your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, to take upon Himself our flesh and to suffer death upon the cross. Mercifully grant that we may follow the example of His great humility and patience and be made partakers of His resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

✠ ✠ ✠

THE LITURGY OF THE WORD

FIRST LESSON Isaiah 50:4–9a

The Lord GOD has given me
the tongue of those who are taught,
that I may know how to sustain with a word him who is weary.
Morning by morning he awakens;
he awakens my ear to hear as those who are taught.
The Lord GOD has opened my ear,
and I was not rebellious;
I turned not backward.
I gave my back to those who strike,
and my cheeks to those who pull out the beard;
I hid not my face from disgrace and spitting.

But the Lord GOD helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced;
therefore I have set my face like a flint,
and I know that I shall not be put to shame.
He who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me?
Let us stand up together. Who is my adversary?
Let him come near to me.

Behold, the Lord GOD helps me;
who will declare me guilty? (ESV)

This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

SECOND LESSON Philippians 2:5–11

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (ESV)

This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

GOSPEL VERSE “On My Heart Imprint Your Image”

On my heart imprint your image, Blessed Jesus, King of grace,
            That life’s riches, cares, and pleasures Never may Your work erase;
      Let the clear inscription be: Jesus, crucified for me,
            Is my life, my hope’s foundation, And my glory and salvation!

Text (st. 1) and Music: Public domain

SERMON

Grace, mercy and peace be to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus. Amen. Dear friends in Christ:

“Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey.” These words from the prophet Zechariah where recalled by St. Matthew when telling the story of Jesus’ final entrance into Jerusalem. Matthew tells us that these words of the prophet were in fact fulfilled by Jesus’ entrance that day.

In this sermon we will explore these words of the prophet and their connection to Jesus in greater detail.

But first, I’d like to share something the words made me think of as I was preparing for this sermon. I heard the words like this: “Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted… on a YouTube video.”

Yes, Jesus is coming to us today through a common and humble video – posted on YouTube – right next to kid’s dance recitals, tips on how to change your oil and amateur presentations of just about any topic you can think of.

And as if the medium itself isn’t humble enough, there’s also the production. We’re not exactly Hollywood here. Not even close. One camera angle – no zooming in and out. Poor lighting. Poor sound. Grainy picture. No text. It’s as simple as a video can get.

Then again, there’s something about this format that seems very appropriate today. Today’s story about Jesus is all about common and simple. Jesus rode into town on a donkey—a beast of burden, not a glorious creature meant to impress. And Jesus’ parade showed no more glamour and glitz than the hurried picking of some palm branches and the easy decoration of coats thrown on the road.

Even those who welcomed Jesus into town were not the high and mighty. They weren’t the leaders. They weren’t the scholars – at least not those who belonged to the elite institutions. Those who welcomed Jesus on that day were the common, everyday people. Matthew calls them “children” when he speaks of them a few verses later.

But those people were excited. As they should have been. Because Jesus was coming to them.

And he comes to you too. Today. Even in this way.

I remind you that Jesus often comes in common and humble ways – like the water of Baptism, the bread and wine of Holy Communion, and the spoken words of those who echo his teachings.

And by the way, just mentioning Holy Communion is hard for us right now, since we can’t partake. But someday we’ll be able to commune again. And what a joyful feast that will be.

Jesus may come in humble ways, but we know that he always accomplishes great things when he arrives.

Here’s a question that some people have been pondering as of late: has Jesus somehow come to us in the pandemic? Or to say it another way: is Jesus giving us a message by allowing this Covid 19 threat we’re now facing to happen?

Let me just say right up front: we don’t know. Who can know the mind of the Lord or the mystery of his ways? God gives us messages in his Holy Word. That’s what we can know. We can’t discern messages in the events of the world.

But those events can make us think. And they should.

The Scriptures tell us that it is not in God’s nature to want his people to suffer. Suffering has come about because of our collective human sin, not God’s anger at any one group or individual.

Jesus, in fact, warned us against assigning blame. Remember the scripture reading two Sundays ago? “Who sinned,” the disciples asked Jesus, “this man or his parents – that he was born blind?” “Neither,” Jesus replied.

That being said, the Scriptures tell us that God did sometimes allow suffering for the sake of his call to faithfulness. Think of the time of the Judges. Think about the Babylonian captivity. Bad things happened when the people turned away from God.

God wants us to put away our false gods and turn to him instead. He wants us to live in ways that are pleasing to him and helpful to our neighbor.

God’s way of promoting these goods is the humble preaching of this will by his servants.

We can’t ever say for certain why God protects us from some evils and allows us to endure others. What we can say is that the curse of death reigns in the world, and we will all succumb to its power at some point. There is no doubt about this reality. Things like plagues just bring it home to us in a very frightening way.

However, this is not all we can say. We also remember that God has shared with us another reality… a reality of promise. Today we hear it this way: “Behold, your king is coming to you, humble and mounted on a donkey.”

When the prophet Zechariah first uttered these words, it was to a people who were being oppressed by their neighbors. Zechariah relayed God’s promise that he would act to end that oppression. He would do it through a humble king. This king would be “righteous and having salvation.” He would “cut off the chariot and the war horse and speak peace to the nations.”

The prophet’s words no doubt brought hope and consolation to its hearers. But the words also raised questions. Who was this king? What kind of salvation did he offer? When would this peace come about?

Some concluded that Zechariah’s words would come true when a leader would arise from the people and rally them to achieve military victories and establish a new kingdom. Others concluded that this salvation and peace would only come when God would end the world and usher in a new age.

Life went on for those hearers of the prophet. Over the years, some of the people’s enemies would be vanquished, but others would remain. And sometimes there would be days of peace, but then there would also be days of war.

And then one day there arose among the people a man talking about a different kind of kingdom. This man was a man of peace. He was humble. He was righteous. He went about healing people’s illness and disease. He preached forgiveness.

But he also preached words that could cut. He preached repentance. He preached change.

This man was Jesus of Nazareth – the outsider from Galilee, the carpenter’s son. People could feel his power. They sensed that he came from God. But what would he ultimately do?

Today we remember how he came into Jerusalem humbly but also with great acclaim – showing that something big was going to happen. What would it be?

The big event… was his death. On a cross. Next to a couple of criminals.

It must have seemed so disappointing. A tragic end to a time of hope.

But it wasn’t a tragedy. It wasn’t a tragedy, because Jesus delivered his message and people took note. Even more, it wasn’t a tragedy because Jesus rose from the dead. After three days. Just like he said he would.

Jesus overcame death. And because he did this, he brought salvation. His death was payment for our sins. His death means life for us. Jesus did not just overcome death… he defeated it.

The joyful expressions of Palm Sunday – the waving of palms, the cries of the people… the ones we remember today – were not tragic instances of misplaced hope or pitiful moments of fleeting emotion. Rather, they were a foreshadowing of a great victory to come. And they were a spot-on example of what trust in Jesus brings. And they were a sign for the faith that we still carry today.

When Jesus came into Jerusalem, the people shouted “Hosanna!” This is Hebrew for “save us.” This cry appears in v. 25 of Psalm 118 – one of the Psalms the people would traditionally recite during that festival time. The people were hungering for salvation. And it appeared.

Jesus does indeed come to bring salvation. He saves us from our sin.

Today it is also good for us to remember that he saves us from despair.

“Behold, your king is coming to you.” Today. As you hear him. Jesus comes to shore up your faith. And encourage you.

These are difficult times. I don’t know about your past few weeks, but mine have been very stressful – filled with constant decisions on how to negotiate an ever-changing landscape. These high holy days for Christians are stressful enough for church workers and volunteers, but in the midst of the pandemic, where the situation changes daily, I’ve been pretty overwhelmed. I’ve had great help, and everyone’s been very understanding. But it’s been hard.

Many of you, I’m sure, have had similar situations. And all of us have had a great increase in fear. We may be staying strong on the outside, but inside us is a fear that just simply comes from the unknown. We are concerned about our health. We are concerned about our finances. We are concerned about our community and its social order.

And we hear so many different messages. And some of them get quite personal. Even threatening.

I read an article the other day in a prominent newspaper where the claim was made that Christianity contributes to the problem of the virus spread by its stubborn insistence on faith over science. Simple as that. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised by such an article. The same theme gets played when addressing all kinds of concerns. But it still hurts to see it. Especially in a time when we’d like people to be pulling together.

In the midst of these trying time, hear again these words: “Behold, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, humble and mounted on a donkey – a beast of burden.” And know this: our king may be humble, but he has the greatest of all powers for moving us and our world toward that which is healthy and good.

Today, we in the church are beginning the celebration of Holy Week. It will be a very different kind of Holy Week for sure. Empty churches. Isolated people, sheltering in place. Internet connections that may or may not do the job. But it will still be holy. For God’s Word will still be proclaimed… and heard… and considered… and celebrated.

As God’s people, with faith encouraged and promises known, let us do our best this week and in the difficult weeks ahead to share the spirit of Holy Week with one another and with our neighbor. Let’s keep calm in the midst of rising fears. Let’s show the proper love and concern for all. Let’s endure the frustrations of some and accusations of others. Let’s continue our repentance. Let’s be humble.

Behold, your king comes to you. He is strong to save. And he will bring us peace. As promised.

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

HYMN OF THE DAY # 443 Hosanna, Loud Hosanna

Hosanna, loud hosanna, the little children sang;
Through pillared court and temple the lovely anthem rang.
To Jesus, who had blessed them, close folded to His breast,
The children sang their praises, the simplest and the best.

From Olivet they followed mid an exultant crowd,
The victor palm branch waving and chanting clear and loud.
The Lord of earth and heaven rode on in lowly state
Nor scorned that little children should on His bidding wait.

“Hosanna in the highest!” that ancient song we sing;
For Christ is our Redeemer, the Lord of heav’n our King.
Oh, may we ever praise Him with heart and life and voice
And in His blissful presence eternally rejoice!

Public Domain

NICENE CREED

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven; by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen

OFFERING “Ride On, Ride On in Majesty” Setting: Jan Bender

PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH

Let us pray for the Church and the world, that the Lord would defend us against all enemies and bless us in this time of necessary separation.

Gracious Lord, watch over Your Church that she may endure the assaults of the evil one and remain faithful to her Gospel mission; in these anxious times renew in us a hunger for Your word and prayer. Keep us as the apple of Your eye. Lord in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Almighty God, You have granted Your people particular vocations within the Church, home, nation and community by which we serve You and our neighbor. Bless us in these hard days and especially watch over those whose vocations are dangerous but who keep us safe. Lord in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Almighty Father, look with special mercy upon those preparing for baptism and confirmation. And while we can not gather to celebrate these great milestones, help us hold each new believer in our prayers and compassion. Let them see the bright smile of Your face. Lord in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Mighty Lord, guide our president; the members of Congress; the governor of this commonwealth; and all who make, administer and judge our laws. Be especially with police, fire and EMS workers, with doctors and nurses and with those who make critical supplies that save lives. Stir up in each of us deep care for the good of the other, especially the weakest ones. Lord in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Merciful Lord, the hope of those who fear, the healer of the ill, the fullness of those disabled, and the peace of all who are distressed: Hear us on behalf of the family of your servant Carol, who now rests with you, with all our shut-in members, those at greater risk, and all whom we name in our hearts, that they may be well supplied by Your grace. Lord in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Blessed Lord, You give food to the hungry and provide for all our needs in this mortal life. Grant to us a grateful heart and knowledge to use wisely and well all that You have entrusted to our care; as we hunger and thirst for the bread of life, not only hasten the day when we can feast together, but hasten the day when we shall see you face to face and forever. Lord in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Holy Lord, as once Your Son was welcomed with palms and hosannas, help us to welcome Him who comes to us this day in fulfillment of His promise. Help us to sing our hosannas with joy as we wait for His coming again; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

      Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name,
           Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done on earth
                  as it is in heaven;
           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 thine is the kingdom
and the power and the glory
            forever and ever. Amen.

BENEDICTION

SENDING HYMN #121 Ride On, Ride On in Majesty

Ride on, ride on in majesty!
Hear all the tribes hosanna cry;
O Savior meek, your road pursue,
With palms and scattered garments strewed.

Ride on, ride on in majesty!
In lowly pomp ride on to die.
O Christ, your triumphs now begin
O’er captive death and conquered sin.

Ride on, ride on in majesty!
The winged squadrons of the sky
Look down with sad and wond’ring eyes
To see the approaching sacrifice.

Ride on, ride on in majesty!
Your last and fiercest strife is nigh.
The Father on his sapphire throne
Awaits his own anointed Son.

Ride on, ride on in majesty!
In lowly pomp ride on to die,
Bow your meek head to mortal pain,
Then take, O Christ, your pow’r and reign!

Public Domain

ANNOUNCEMENTS

DISMISSAL

Go in peace. Serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

POSTLUDE Trumpet Tune by Francesco Manfredini

Acknowledgments
Divine Service, Setting Three from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House. Reprinted with permission.
Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Used by permission: LSB Hymn License .NET, number 100012246.
Created by Lutheran Service Builder © 2006 Concordia Publishing House.

Organ Offering: Chorale Prelude on the Tune “The King’s Majesty” by Jan Bender © 2005 The HW Gray and Company. All rights controlled and administered by Alfred Publishing Co, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

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