This is the total script of readings and speaking part that I used for Palm-Passion Sunday. I'm a late in putting this up, but we have been sugaring as well as my participation in our ecumenical Holy Week services, so time has been short.
WEST DANVILLE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Palm-Passion Sunday
April 17, 2011
GREETING
L: May the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
P: And also with you. Amen!
* CALL TO WORSHIP
L: Here in this place, with these people, we begin that week we call Holy.
P: We crane our necks to see the parade, we will bow our heads as
the funeral procession winds through the streets.
L: We have been with Jesus on this journey; we long for courage to go to the end.
P: In one hand, we clutch the palm branches; in the other, we cradle our broken
hearts.
L: As the crowd dances excitedly around him, Jesus humbly enters our lives.
All: Hosanna! We welcome the kingdom-bearer into our midst. Hosanna!
*GATHERING PRAYER (Unison)
Almighty and ever-living God, You have given the human race Jesus Christ our Savior as a model of perfect love. As we gather today to worship, open our hearts that we may hear your Word afresh, and respond as willing disciples to serve you in the world that you loved so much. Make us worthy to share in Christ’s resurrection life. In His name we pray. Amen.
A READING FROM PSALM 118:1-2, 19-29 (Responsively)
O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever!
Let Israel say, “His steadfast love endures forever.”
Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks
to the Lord.
This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous shall enter through it.
I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation.
The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.
This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.
This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Save us, we beseech you, O Lord! O Lord, we beseech you, give us success!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. We bless you from the house of the
Lord.
The Lord is God, and he has given us light.
Bind the festal procession with branches, up to the horns of the altar.
You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God, I will extol you.
O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.
*HYMN OF RESPONSE 657 This Is the Day
A READING FROM MATTHEW 21:1-11 Jesus’ Entry into Jerusalem
Symbol: Donkey and palms
1When they had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2saying 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. 3If anyone says anything to you, just say this, ‘The Lord needs them.’ And he will send them immediately.” 4This took place to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet, saying, 5“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.” 6The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; 7they brought the donkey and the colt, and put their cloaks on them, and he sat on them. 8A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9The 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!” 10When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, “Who is this?” 11The crowds were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.”
A Disciple speaks: “A king should ride a magnificent white horse. That would be the way a king should come into Jerusalem. But there is no horse, just a donkey. A donkey will do!” (Place donkey and some palms at the foot of the large cross)
*HYMN The Day of Palms Is Come Again
Words by Paul Sheppy [Tune: It Came Upon the Midnight Clear]
The day of palms is come again,
a day of triumphant praise,
when crowds excited ran to sing
the song the psalmist raised.
“Blessed the one who comes,” they cry,
“to set his people free.”
Gladly we join our song with theirs
who yearn for liberty.
How soon the gladness disappears
and darkness stalks the streets!
The King who rides a donkey’s colt
with coats beneath its feet.
will soon a crown of thorns endure,
a throne of rough-hewn wood.
A day of agony draws near
when evil strikes at good.
‘Hosanna!’ turns to ‘Crucify!’
rejoicing turns to scorn.
If this were all there were to tell,
how deeply we should mourn.
Yet death is not the final step
that Christ our Savior trod.
Onward he marches, leading home
the world he won for God.
A READING FROM ISAIAH 53:1-5
1Who has believed what we have heard? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? 2For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. 3He was despised and rejected by others; a man of suffering and acquainted with infirmity; and as one from whom others hide their faces he was despised, and we held him of no account.
4Surely he has borne our infirmities and carried our diseases; yet we accounted him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. 5But he was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed.
A READING FROM PHILIPPIANS 2:5-11
5Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, 6who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, 7but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, 8he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death— even death on a cross. 9Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, 10so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
HYMN 2017 Jesus, Name Above All Names
THE OFFERING
*OFFERTORY ANTHEM
*PRESENTATION OF OUR OFFERINGS (unison)
Come bless the gifts our hands have brought.
Come bless the work our hearts have planned.
Ours is the faith, the will, the thought;
the rest, O God, is in your hands.
A READING FROM MATTHEW 26:31-32 Scattered like sheep
Symbol: Shepherd’s Staff
31Then Jesus said to them, “You will all become deserters because of me this night; for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ 32But after I am raised up, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.”
Reader 1: (Holding the shepherd’s staff) “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me. Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.”
Reader 2: “Well, not this time. You heard the man. He quoted scripture, too, and he said we would be scattered like a flock of sheep whose shepherd has been stricken. The Lord’s staff isn’t going to rescue us this time!” (Take staff from hand of Reader 1 and lean it against the cross)
A READING FROM MATTHEW 26:14-16
Betrayal Money
Symbol: 30 pieces of silver
14Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15and said, “What will you give me if I betray him to you?” They paid him thirty pieces of silver. 16And from that moment he began to look for an opportunity to betray him.
Judas speaks: “30 pieces of silver. It’s not a lot of money, but perhaps if I hand Jesus over to the authorities, it will jump-start this “revolution” – this new day, this new way of life – he’s was always talking about. After all, the ride into Jerusalem was a triumph, even if it was on a donkey! Such cheering! Such adoration! With that many passionate followers, the day has come for Jesus to claim his crown and establish his Kingdom for God. That’s what this is all about, isn’t it? Bringing in the Kingdom? (lay bag of coins on the Communion Table)
A READING FROM MATTHEW 26:17-30
Keeping the Passover Meal
Symbols: Communion Chalice & Paton (Place them on the Communion Table)
17On the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Where do you want us to make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?” 18He said, “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.’” 19So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover meal. 20When it was evening, he took his place with the twelve; 21and while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.” 22And they became greatly distressed and began to say to him one after another, “Surely not I, Lord?” 23He answered, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. 24The 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.” 25Judas, who betrayed him, said, “Surely not I, Rabbi?” He replied, “You have said so.”
26While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; 28for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29I 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.” 30When they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
(Place Communion cup and plate on Communion Table)
HYMN [Tune: The Faith We Sing 2141]
Beneath the Cross I Lay Down My Sin
Beneath the cross I lay down my sin;
sin that keeps me from Jesus.
From the cross pours forth Jesus’ love;
Grace is a gift of God.
Al-le-lu-ia! Grace in my heart is singing praises.
Al-le-lu-ia! Love is a gift from God.
A READING FROM MATTHEW 26:33-35
Before the Cock Crows
Symbol: Rooster
33Peter said to him, “Though all become deserters because of you, I will never desert you.” 34Jesus said to him, “Truly I tell you, this very night, before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.” 35Peter said to him, “Even though I must die with you, I will not deny you.” And so said all the disciples.
HYMN 290, verse 1 Go to Dark Gethsemene
A READING FROM MATTHEW 26:36-46
At the Garden of Gethsemane
Symbol: a bed pillow
36Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and agitated. 38Then he said to them, “I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and stay awake with me.” 39And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want.” 40Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, “So, could you not stay awake with me one hour? 41Stay awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42Again he went away for the second time and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” 43Again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 44So leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words. 45Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “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. 46Get up, let us be going. See, my betrayer is at hand.”
Peter speaks: “I tried to stay awake. But it was late, we’d had the Passover supper and some wine, and with the cool night air – well, I was gone – asleep before I knew it. I fought it as best I could, but I could not keep my eyes open. I didn’t mean to let Jesus down, but what could I do? It was a long day, and we all were exhausted. I wish I had done as he asked and prayed with him.” (place pillow at foot of cross)
A READING FROM MATTHEW 26:47-56
Jesus’ Arrest in Garden
Symbol: sword
47While 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. 48Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him.” 49At once he came up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him. 50Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you are here to do.” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and arrested him. 51Suddenly, 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. 52Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. 53Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? 54But how then would the scriptures be fulfilled, which say it must happen in this way?” 55At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, “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. 56But all this has taken place, so that the scriptures of the prophets may be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.
A Disciple speaks: “All who live by the sword will die by the sword.” That’s what Jesus said to me when I cut off the ear of the high priest’s slave. I was only trying to help. I knew they were up to no good and would harm Jesus. Then I remembered that Jesus once told us when someone strikes us on the cheek, we should turn the other cheek. So, reluctantly, I put up my sword like he said.” (place the sword at the foot of the cross)
A READING FROM MATTHEW 26: 57-68
Jesus Before Caiaphas the High Priest
57Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the high priest, in whose house the scribes and the elders had gathered. 58But 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. 59Now the chief priests and the whole council were looking for false testimony against Jesus so that they might put him to death, 60but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward 61and said, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.’” 62The high priest stood up and said, “Have you no answer? What is it that they testify against you?” 63But Jesus was silent. Then the high priest said to him, “I put you under oath before the living God, tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.” 64Jesus said to him, “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.” 65Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has blasphemed! Why do we still need witnesses? You have now heard his blasphemy. 66What is your verdict?” They answered, “He deserves death.” 67Then they spat in his face and struck him; and some slapped him, 68saying, “Prophesy to us, you Messiah! Who is it that struck you?”
A READING FROM MATTHEW 26:69-75
Peter’s Betrayal
Symbol: Rooster
69Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant-girl came to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” 70But he denied it before all of them, saying, “I do not know what you are talking about.” 71When he went out to the porch, another servant-girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” 72Again he denied it with an oath, “I do not know the man.” 73After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Certainly you are also one of them, for your accent betrays you.” 74Then he began to curse, and he swore an oath, “I do not know the man!” At that moment the cock crowed. 75Then Peter remembered what Jesus had said: “Before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.
Peter speaks: “Jesus warned me that I would betray him – and I did. How did he know? Did he know how scared I was? But I had pledged my loyalty to him. How could I deny him, not once but 3 times? I am so ashamed – and sorry. But I can’t take it back or make it right. I betrayed him.” (Place Rooster at the foot of cross)
PRAYER OF CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE OF PARDON (On screen)
A READING FROM MATTHEW 27:1-10
Suicide of Judas Iscariot
Symbol: Bag of silver coins
1When morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people conferred together against Jesus in order to bring about his death. 2They bound him, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate the governor. 3When 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. 4He said, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” But they said, “What is that to us? See to it yourself.” 5Throwing down the pieces of silver in the temple, he departed; and he went and hanged himself. 6But the chief priests, taking the pieces of silver, said, “It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, since they are blood money.” 7After conferring together, they used them to buy the potter’s field as a place to bury foreigners. 8For this reason that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day. 9Then 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, 10and they gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord commanded me.”
Judas speaks: “I begged them to take the money back. But it was blood money, they said. Not fit for Temple use. So they used it to buy the Potter’s Field – a place to bury sinners like me. How I wish I were already there!” (Take bag of coins from the Table and scatter them at the foot of the cross)
*HYMN 289 (verses 1 & 2) Ah, Holy Jesus
A READING FROM MATTHEW 27:11-26
Jesus’ Trial Before Pilate
Symbol: Pitcher and basin
11Now Jesus stood before the governor; and the governor asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You say so.” 12But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he did not answer. 13Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many accusations they make against you?” 14But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.
15Now at the festival the governor was accustomed to release a prisoner for the crowd, anyone whom they wanted. 16At that time they had a notorious prisoner, called Jesus Barabbas. 17So after they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you, Jesus Barabbas or Jesus who is called the Messiah?” 18For he realized that it was out of jealousy that they had handed him over. 19While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that innocent man, for today I have suffered a great deal because of a dream about him.” 20Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus killed. 21The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” 22Pilate said to them, “Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” All of them said, “Let him be crucified!” 23Then he asked, “Why, what evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!”
24So 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, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.” 25Then the people as a whole answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” 26So he released Barabbas for them; and after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified.
Pilate speaks: “I said I was innocent of this Jewish Rabbi’s blood. But I know I’m not. How did I ever let it get this far? I tried to satisfy their need for blood by offering them a choice: Barabbas or Jesus. They chose the wrong man. They let a murdering criminal go so they could demand an innocent man’s death – by crucifixion, no less. Ahhhh – why didn’t I listen to my wife? She tried to warn me.” (Place pitcher and basin at the foot of the cross)
A READING FROM MATTHEW 27:27-21
The Crown of Thorns
Symbol: Crown of Thorns banner (Hang the banner)
27Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor’s headquarters, and they gathered the whole cohort around him. 28They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, 29and 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, “Hail, King of the Jews!” 30They spat on him, and took the reed and struck him on the head. 31After mocking him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.
*HYMN 285 To Mock Your Reign, O Dearest Lord
A READING FROM MATTHEW 27:32
Simon of Cyrene Carries Jesus’ Cross
32As they went out, they came upon a man from Cyrene named Simon; they compelled this man to carry his cross.
SONG Watch the Lamb by Ray Boltz
(The Crucifixion through the eyes of Simon of Cyrene, the man who was ordered to carry Jesus’ cross - done in Keynotes on Mac))
A READING FROM JOHN 15:1-8
I am the vine you are the branches
Symbol: Vine and Branches banner
1”I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. 2He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. 3You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. 4Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. 5I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. 6Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.
Reader: Old Testament prophets referred to the Israelites as God’s “vine” or “vineyard.” But as Jesus often pointed out, the Jews had failed to bear fruit. Here, to his disciples at their last Passover meal together, Jesus claims the image for himself: “I am the true vine.” John frequently records Jesus’ use of the words I am: “I am the bread of life.” “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” The phrase I am stood out sharply to Jewish leaders, because in Exodus 3:14, God told Moses, “I Am Who I Am” – in Hebrew, Yahweh. Jewish unbelievers, believing that Jesus was claiming to be God, reacted with shock and rage. In speaking this way to his disciples, he was calling them, as his branches, to “bear fruit and to become his disciples.”
[Adapted from The Student Bible NRSV, Zondervan Publishing, 1996. p. 11120]
(Hang the banner)
*HYMN 297 Beneath the Cross of Jesus
*DISMISSAL WITH BLESSING
*CHORAL RESPONSE 488 Jesus, Remember Me
Jesus, remember me
when you come into your kingdom.
Jesus, remember me
when you come into your kingdom.
