The Sunday of the Passion --- Palm Sunday
Share These Prayers
Invite someone to scan this QR code to pray with you.
according to the Book of Common Prayer (p. 270)
5 April 2020
Click here to see just the lessons for this liturgy.
Preparing for the Liturgy
Palms or other greens may be gathered to carry in procession. Choose a Celebrant and a reader. Light a candle.
The Liturgy of the Palms
The People stand.
Officiant:
Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord.
People:
Peace in heaven and glory in the highest.
Officiant:
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. Amen.
Officiant:
A Reading from Matthew’s Gospel.
When they had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, ‘Go into the village ahead 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, just say this, “The Lord needs them.” And he will send them immediately.’ This took place to fulfil what had been spoken through the prophet, saying,
Tell the daughter of Zion,
Look, your king is coming to you,
humble, and mounted on a donkey,
and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; they brought the donkey and the colt, and put their cloaks on them, and he sat on them. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting,
Hosanna to the Son of David!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Hosanna in the highest heaven!When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, ‘Who is this?’ The crowds were saying, ‘This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.’ (Matthew 21.1–11 NRSV)
Officiant:
The Word of the Lord.
People:
Thanks be to God.
The Blessing of the Palms
Officiant:
The Lord be with you.
People:
And also with you.
Officiant:
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People:
It is right to give him thanks and praise.
Officiant:
It is right to 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 proclaimed as King of kings by those who spread their garments and branches of palm along his way. Let these branches be for us signs of his victory, and 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 in glory with you and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.
Officiant:
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
People:
Hosanna in the highest.
The Procession
Officiant:
Let us go forth in peace.
People:
In the name of Christ. Amen.
Hymn 154: All glory, laud, and honor
Hear this hymn played
While singing, take your palms and, if possible, process out and around your residence. If it is better to stay inside, process around your living spaces, bringing Jesus into every space. Upon reaching the point furthest from the worship space, stop and pray the following Collect:
People:
Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
On the return of the procession, we say aloud:
Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 — Confitemini Domino
1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; *
his mercy endures for ever.2 Let Israel now proclaim, *
“His mercy endures for ever.”19 Open for me the gates of righteousness; *
I will enter them; I will offer thanks to the Lord.Antiphon: Hosanna in the highest.
20 “This is the gate of the Lord; *
he who is righteous may enter.”21 I will give thanks to you, for you answered me *
and have become my salvation.Antiphon: Hosanna in the highest.
22 The same stone which the builders rejected *
has become the chief cornerstone.23 This is the Lord’s doing, *
and it is marvelous in our eyes.Antiphon: Hosanna in the highest.
24 On this day the Lord has acted; *
we will rejoice and be glad in it.25 Hosannah, Lord, hosannah! *
Lord, send us now success.Antiphon: Hosanna in the highest.
26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; *
we bless you from the house of the Lord.27 God is the Lord; he has shined upon us; *
form a procession with branches up to the horns of the altar.Antiphon: Hosanna in the highest.
28 “You are my God, and I will thank you; *
you are my God, and I will exalt you.”29 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; *
his mercy endures for ever.Antiphon: Hosanna in the highest.
The people find their seats and remain standing.
The Liturgy of the Word
The People stand.
Salutation
Presider:
The Lord be with you.
People:
And also with you.
Presider:
Let us pray.
The Collect Proper to the Day
Presider:
Almighty and everliving God, in your tender love for the human race you sent your Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon him 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 also 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.
The People are seated.
We Hear God’s Word
The First Lesson — Isaiah 50:4–9 NRSV
Reader:
A Reading from the book of Isaiah.
The Lord God has given me
the tongue of a teacher,
that I may know how to sustain
the weary with a word.
Morning by morning he wakens—
wakens my ear
to listen as those who are taught.
The Lord God has opened my ear,
and I was not rebellious,
I did not turn backwards.
I gave my back to those who struck me,
and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard;
I did not hide my face
from insult and spitting.
The Lord God helps me;
therefore I have not been disgraced;
therefore I have set my face like 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 are my adversaries?
Let them confront me.
It is the Lord God who helps me;
who will declare me guilty?
All of them will wear out like a garment;
the moth will eat them up.
Reader:
The Word of the Lord.
People:
Thanks be to God.
Psalm 31.9–16 — In te, Domine, speravi — (BCP 623)
9 Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am in trouble; *
my eye is consumed with sorrow,
and also my throat and my belly.10 For my life is wasted with grief, and my years with sighing; *
my strength fails me because of affliction,
and my bones are consumed.11 I have become a reproach to all my enemies
and even to my neighbors,
a dismay to those of my acquaintance; *
when they see me in the street they avoid me.12 I am forgotten like a dead man, out of mind; *
I am as useless as a broken pot.13 For I have heard the whispering of the crowd; fear is all around; *
they put their heads together against me;
they plot to take my life.14 But as for me, I have trusted in you, O Lord. *
I have said, “You are my God.15 My times are in your hand; *
rescue me from the hand of my enemies,
and from those who persecute me.16 Make your face to shine upon your servant, *
and in your loving-kindness save me."
The Second Lesson — Philippians 2:5–11
Reader:
A reading from the letter to the Philippians.
Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,
who, though he was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God
as something to be exploited,
but emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,
being born in human likeness.And being found in human form,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to the point of death—
even death on a cross.Therefore God also highly exalted him
and gave him the name
that is above every name,
so that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bend,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue should confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Reader:
The Word of the Lord.
People:
Thanks be to God.
The Passion
Separate Passion reading booklets are provided here. The congregation may be seated for the first part of the Passion. At the verse which mentions the arrival at Golgotha all stand.
The Passion of our Lord according to MATTHEW – Matthew 26:14–27:66 (RCL Year A)
Dramatis personæ: People, Judas, Narrator, Jesus, Peter, High Priest, Witness/Servant/Pilate’s Wife, Pilate
Narrator: The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew.
Narrator: One of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said,
Judas: What will you give me if I betray him to you?
Narrator: They paid him thirty pieces of silver. And from that moment he began to look for an opportunity to betray him.
On the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying,
People: Where do you want us to make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?
Narrator: Jesus said,
Jesus: Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, “The Teacher says, My time is near; I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.”
Narrator: So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover meal.
When it was evening, he took his place with the twelve; and while they were eating, he said,
Jesus: Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.
Narrator: And they became greatly distressed and began to say to him one after another,
People: Surely not I, Lord?
Jesus: The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that one by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that one not to have been born.
Narrator: Judas, who betrayed him, said,
Judas: Surely not I, Rabbi?
Jesus: You have said so.
Narrator: While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said,
Jesus: Take, eat; this is my body.
Narrator: Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying,
Jesus: Drink from it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will never again drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.
Narrator: When they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Then Jesus said to them,
Jesus: You will all become deserters because of me this night; for it is written,
‘I will strike the shepherd,
the sheep of the flock will be
scattered.’
But after I am raised up, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.
Narrator: Peter said to him,
Peter: Though all become deserters because of you, I will never desert you.
Jesus: Truly I tell you, this very night, before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.
Peter: Even though I must die with you, I will not deny you.
Narrator: And so said all the disciples.
Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples,
Jesus: Sit here while I go over there and pray.
Narrator: He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and agitated. Then he said to them,
Jesus: I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and stay awake with me.
Narrator: And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed,
Jesus: My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want.
Narrator: Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter,
Jesus: So, could you not stay awake with me one hour? Stay awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Narrator: Again he went away for the second time and prayed,
Jesus: My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.
Narrator: Again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. So leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words. Then he came to the disciples and said to them,
Jesus: Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up, let us be going. See, my betrayer is at hand.
Narrator: While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived; with him was a large crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying,
Judas: The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him.
Narrator: At once he came up to Jesus and kissed him.
Judas: Greetings, Rabbi!
Jesus: Friend, do what you are here to do.
Narrator: Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and arrested him. Suddenly, one of those with Jesus put his hand on his sword, drew it, and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear. Then Jesus said to him,
Jesus: Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the scriptures be fulfilled, which say it must happen in this way?
Narrator: At that hour Jesus said to the crowds,
Jesus: Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as though I were a bandit? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not arrest me. But all this has taken place, so that the scriptures of the prophets may be fulfilled.
Narrator: Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.
Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the high priest, in whose house the scribes and the elders had gathered. But Peter was following him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest; and going inside, he sat with the guards in order to see how this would end. Now the chief priests and the whole council were looking for false testimony against Jesus so that they might put him to death, but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward and said,
Witness: This fellow said, “I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.”
Narrator: The high priest stood up and said,
H. Priest: Have you no answer? What is it that they testify against you?
Narrator: But Jesus was silent.
H. Priest: I put you under oath before the living God, tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.
Jesus: You have said so. But I tell you,
From now on you will see the Son of Man
seated at the right hand of Power
and coming on the clouds of heaven.
Narrator: Then the high priest tore his clothes.
H. Priest: He has blasphemed! Why do we still need witnesses? You have now heard his blasphemy. What is your verdict?
People: He deserves death.
Narrator: Then they spat in his face and struck him; and some slapped him, saying,
People: Prophesy to us, you Messiah! Who is it that struck you?
Narrator: Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant-girl came to him and said,
Servant: You also were with Jesus the Galilean.
Narrator: But he denied it before all of them.
Peter: I do not know what you are talking about.
Narrator: When he went out to the porch, another servant-girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders,
Servant: This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.
Narrator: Again he denied it with an oath.
Peter: I do not know the man.
Narrator: After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter,
People: Certainly you are also one of them, for your accent betrays you.
Narrator: Then he began to curse, and he swore an oath,
Peter: I do not know the man!
Narrator: At that moment the cock crowed. Then Peter remembered what Jesus had said:
Jesus: Before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.
Narrator: And he went out and wept bitterly.
Narrator: When morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people conferred together against Jesus in order to bring about his death. They bound him, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate the governor.
When Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he repented and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders.
Judas: I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.
H. Priest: What is that to us? See to it yourself.
Narrator: Throwing down the pieces of silver in the temple, he departed; and he went and hanged himself. But the chief priests, taking the pieces of silver, said,
H. Priest: It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, since they are blood money.
Narrator: After conferring together, they used them to buy the potter’s field as a place to bury foreigners. For this reason that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day. Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah, “And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of the one on whom a price had been set, on whom some of the people of Israel had set a price, and they gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord commanded me.”
Now Jesus stood before the governor; and the governor asked him,
Pilate: Are you the King of the Jews?
Jesus: You say so.
Narrator: But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he did not answer.
Pilate: Do you not hear how many accusations they make against you?
Narrator: But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.
Now at the festival the governor was accustomed to release a prisoner for the crowd, anyone whom they wanted. At that time they had a notorious prisoner, called Jesus Barabbas. So after they had gathered, Pilate said to them,
Pilate: Whom do you want me to release for you, Jesus Barabbas or Jesus who is called the Messiah?
Narrator: For he realized that it was out of jealousy that they had handed him over. While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him,
Wife: Have nothing to do with that innocent man, for today I have suffered a great deal because of a dream about him.
Narrator: Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus killed. The governor again said to them,
Pilate: Which of the two do you want me to release for you?”
People: Barabbas.
Pilate: Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?
People: Let him be crucified!
Pilate: Why, what evil has he done?
People: (shouting) Let him be crucified!
Narrator: So when Pilate saw that he could do nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took some water and washed his hands before the crowd.
Pilate: I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.
Narrator: Then the people as a whole answered,
People: His blood be on us and on our children!
Narrator: So he released Barabbas for them; and after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified.
Narrator: Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor’s headquarters, and they gathered the whole cohort around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on his head. They put a reed in his right hand and knelt before him and mocked him, saying,
People: Hail, King of the Jews!
Narrator: They spat on him, and took the reed and struck him on the head. After mocking him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.
As they went out, they came upon a man from Cyrene named Simon; they compelled this man to carry his cross. And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull), they offered him wine to drink, mixed with gall; but when he tasted it, he would not drink it.
SILENCE (The Congregation stands at this time.)
Narrator: And when they had crucified him, they divided his clothes among themselves by casting lots; then they sat down there and kept watch over him. Over his head they put the charge against him, which read, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.”
Then two bandits were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by derided him, shaking their heads and saying,
People: You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.
Narrator: In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes and elders, were mocking him, saying,
People: He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he wants to; for he said, “I am God’s Son.”
Narrator: The bandits who were crucified with him also taunted him in the same way.
Narrator: From noon on, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. And about three o’clock Jesus cried with a loud voice.
Jesus: Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?
Narrator: That is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” When some of the bystanders heard it, they said,
People: This man is calling for Elijah.
Narrator: At once one of them ran and got a sponge, filled it with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink. But the others said,
People: Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him.
Narrator: Then Jesus cried again with a loud voice and breathed his last. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, and the rocks were split. The tombs also were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised. After his resurrection they came out of the tombs and entered the holy city and appeared to many. Now when the centurion and those with him, who were keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were terrified and said,
People: Truly this man was God’s Son!
Narrator: Many women were also there, looking on from a distance; they had followed Jesus from Galilee and had provided for him. Among them were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.
When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who was also a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus; then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. So Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn in the rock. He then rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb and went away. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb.
Narrator: The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said,
H. Priest: Sir, we remember what that impostor said while he was still alive, “After three days I will rise again.” Therefore command the tomb to be made secure until the third day; otherwise his disciples may go and steal him away, and tell the people, “He has been raised from the dead,” and the last deception would be worse than the first.
Pilate: You have a guard of soldiers; go, make it as secure as you can.
Narrator: So they went with the guard and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone.
There follows a great silence. Please remain standing if you are able.
Text adapted from New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, Copyright © 1989, 1995 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. http://nrsvbibles.org
The Prayers of the People
Officiant:
As we journey this week with Christ and celebrate the paschal mystery of his death and resurrection, let us earnestly pray to God for those following the way of the cross and for all peoples everywhere, saying: Lord have mercy.
Reader:
For the holy catholic church throughout the world, sharing the death and resurrection of Christ, let us pray.
People:
Lord, have mercy.
Reader:
For Justin, Archbishop of Canterbury, for Michael, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, for William our bishop, for all bishops, presbyters and deacons and all who minister in Christ, and for all the holy people of God, let us pray.
People:
Lord, have mercy.
Reader:
For all catechumens and their sponsors, for all seeking baptism, confirmation, or reaffirmation, let us pray.
People:
Lord, have mercy.
Reader:
For all nations, peoples, tribes, clans, and families, let us pray.
People:
Lord, have mercy.
Reader:
For all nations and their leaders, including Donald, our President; members of the U.S. Congress, Phil, our Governor, and John, our Mayor; for justice, mercy, and peace in all the world, let us pray.
People:
Lord, have mercy.
Reader:
For all who are tempted, oppressed, afflicted, or in need, especially… let us pray.
People:
Lord, have mercy.
Reader:
For all those who have suffered and have been affected by the Covid-19 Virus; for healing in mind, body, spirit and community; for our governing bodies that they may respond with dignity and respect for all citizens, let us pray.
People:
Lord, have mercy.
Reader:
For the dying and the dead, remembering… and for those who mourn, let us pray.
People:
Lord, have mercy.
Reader:
For our families, friends, and companions, and for all those we love, let us pray.
People:
Lord, have mercy.
Reader:
Remembering the blessed Virgin Mary, blessed Thomas, and all the saints, let us offer ourselves and one another to the living God through Christ.
People:
To you, O Lord.
Officiant:
Blessed are you, Lord our God, who sent your Son among us to bear the pain and grief of humankind. Receive the prayers we offer this day for all those in need in every place and as we near the holy mountain grant us strength on our journey; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
People:
Amen.
Officiant:
And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,
Officiant and People:
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,
for ever and ever. Amen.
Confession and Absolution
Officiant:
Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.
All:
Most merciful God,
we confess that we have sinned against you
in thought, word, and deed,
by what we have done,
and by what we have left undone.
We have not loved you with our whole heart;
we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.
We are truly sorry and we humbly repent.
For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ,
have mercy on us and forgive us;
that we may delight in your will,
and walk in your ways,
to the glory of your
Name. Amen.
Officiant:
Almighty God have mercy on us,
forgive us all our sins through our Lord Jesus Christ,
strengthen us in all goodness,
and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep us in eternal life. Amen.
The Peace
Officiant:
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
People:
And also with you.
We greet one another in the name of the Lord.
Prayer Over the People
Officiant:
Almighty God, we pray you graciously to behold this your family, for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed, and given into the hands of sinners, and to suffer death upon the cross; who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
Dismissal
Officiant:
Let us bless the Lord.
People:
Thanks be to God.