Palm Sunday, March 29, 2026
The Liturgy of the Palms
Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord!
Peace in Heaven and Glory in the highest!
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.
Matthew 21:1-11
When Jesus and his disciples 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 fulfill 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."
The Blessing of the Palms
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give God thanks and praise.
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 palms along the way.
(Please raise palms for blessing.)
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 forever. Amen.
Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest!
The Procession
Deacon Let us go forth in peace.
People In the name of Christ. Amen.
During the procession, all hold branches in their hands, and Entrance Hymn is sung.
Entrance Hymn
Ride On, King Jesus L97
The Collect
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 Lessons
First Lesson Isaiah 50:4-9a
Please be seated.
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 backward.
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?
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Psalm 31:9-16
Please pray in unison.
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."
Sequence Hymn
Come Bring Your Burdens to God (Woza Nomthwalo Wakho)
Please rise, in body or spirit.
The Holy Gospel
Please remain standing, in body or spirit. Matthew 27:11-54
The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew. Please be seated.
Glory to you, Lord Christ.
Jesus stood before the governor; and the governor asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You say so.” But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he did not answer. Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many accusations they make against you?” 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, “Whom do you want me to release for you, Jesus Barabbas or Jesus who is called the Messiah?” 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, “Have nothing to do with that innocent man, for today I have suffered a great deal because of a dream about him.” 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, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” Pilate said to them, “Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” All of them said, “Let him be crucified!” Then he asked, “Why, what evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!”
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, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.” Then the people as a whole answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” So he released Barabbas for them; and after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified.
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, “Hail, King of the Jews!” 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. 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, “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.” In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes and elders, were mocking him, saying, “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.’” The bandits who were crucified with him also taunted him in the same way.
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, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” When some of the bystanders heard it, they said, “This man is calling for Elijah.” 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, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him.” 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, “Truly this man was God’s Son!”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Christ.
Sermon The Rev. Brenda Sol
A brief moment of silence is observed.
The Prayers of the People
Deacon Let us pray for the Church and for the world.
Leader We pray for the whole church, all leaders and ministers, and all the holy people of God.
Silence.
Wash us through and through,
People And cleanse us from our sin.
Leader We pray for our nation, for all the nations of the earth, and for all who govern and judge.
Silence.
Purge us from our sin,
People And we shall be pure.
Leader We pray for those who hunger, those who thirst, those who cry out for justice, those who live under the threat of terror, and those without a place to lay their head.
Silence.
Make them hear of joy and gladness,
People that those who are broken may rejoice.
Leader We pray for those who are ill, those in pain, those under stress, and those who are lonely.
Silence.
Give them the joy of your saving help,
People and sustain them with your bountiful Spirit.
Leader In this season of Lent we pray for those who prepare for baptism, and we pray that we all might be given the grace and strength to repent and grow closer to you, O God.
Silence.
Create in us clean hearts, O God,
People and renew a right spirit within us.
Leader We pray for those who have died, (especially _____ ) and who have entered into the land of eternal Light and your abiding peace.
Silence.
Cast them not away from your presence,
People and take not your Holy Spirit from them.
Leader We especially pray for… (The people may add intercessions and thanksgivings, either silently or aloud.)
Celebrant Lord Jesus, you taught your disciples that you must undergo great suffering and be killed before rising again; grant us the strength and wisdom to be your followers and to take up our cross to follow you, this day and always.
All Amen.
Peace
Please rise in body or spirit.
The peace of Christ be always with you.
And also with you.
You are invited to greet those around you by saying “Peace be with you” or simply “Peace.”
Welcome & Birthday Prayers
Please be seated for a few brief announcements.
Birthday Prayer
Watch over your child, O Lord, as their days increase; bless and guide them wherever them may be. Strengthen them when they stand; comfort them when discouraged or sorrowful; raise them up if they fall; and in their heart may your peace which passes understanding abide all the days of their life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Offertory Anthem Crucifixus by Andrea Gabrieli
Crucifixus etiam pro nobis sub Pontio Pilato. Passus et sepultus est.
He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate. He died and was buried.
Offertory Hymn Lay Me Low
Please rise in body or spirit, and sing as the plates are brought forward.
The Holy Communion
Celebrant God be with you.
People And also with you.
Celebrant Lift up your hearts.
People We lift them to the Lord.
Celebrant Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People It is right to give our thanks and praise.
It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you,
Almighty God, 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 source 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 forever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
Holy and gracious God: In your infinite love you made us for yourself; and, when we had fallen into sin and become subject to evil and death, you, in your mercy, sent Jesus Christ, your only and eternal Son, to share our human nature, to live and die as one of us, to reconcile us to you, the God and maker and of all.
Jesus stretched out his arms upon the cross, and offered himself in obedience to your will, a perfect sacrifice for the whole world.
On the night he was handed over to suffering and death, our Savior Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, “Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.”
After supper Jesus took the cup of wine; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and said, “Drink this, all of you: 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 for the remembrance of me.”
Therefore, we proclaim the mystery of faith:
Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
We celebrate the memorial of our redemption, Almighty God, in this sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Recalling Christ’s death, resurrection, and ascension, we offer you these gifts.
Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body and Blood of your Son, the holy food and drink of new and unending life in Christ. Sanctify us also that we may faithfully receive this holy Sacrament, and serve you in unity, constancy, and peace; and at the last day bring us with all your saints into the joy of your eternal kingdom.
All this we ask through Jesus Christ our Savior. By Christ, and with Christ, and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory is yours, Almighty God, now and for ever. AMEN.
Lord’s Prayer
Prayed in the language or version of your heart.
Padre nuestro que estás . . . Our Father who art . . .
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and for ever. Amen.
Breaking of the Bread
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world:
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world:
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world:
grant us peace.
Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.
Therefore, let us keep the feast.
The gifts of God for the people of God.
Communion Hymns The congregation is invited to join in the singing of communion hymns.
Ah, Holy Jesus, How Hast Thou Offended H158
My Song is Love Unknown H458
Post Communion Prayer
All are invited to rise or kneel, in body or spirit.
God of abundance, you have fed us
with the bread of life and cup of salvation;
you have united us with Christ and one another;
and you have made us one with all your people in heaven and on earth.
Now send us forth in the power of your Spirit, that we may proclaim
your redeeming love to the world and continue forever
in the risen life of Christ our Savior.
Amen.
Recessional Hymn
When I Survey the Wondrous Cross H474
Dismissal
Deacon Go in peace to love and serve the Lord!
People Thanks be to God!
Postlude
✠
Service Leaders
Preacher: The Rev. Brenda Sol
Deacon: The Rev. Chester Hines
Music Director: Mary Chapman
Organist: Earl Naylor
Crucifer: Tim Anderson
Torch Bearers: Ilona Potter, Lydia Roesler
Greeters: Mark Willingham (8), Carol Schmidt, Elizabeth Hines (10:30)
Chalice Bearers: Karen Payne (8), Andrew Wasson (10:30)
Reader: Maryanne Angliongto (8), Jordan Houry (10:30)
Intercessor: Zachary Adams (10:30)
Announcements: Joe Donahou
Streamer: Lyle Barbato
Holy Week Schedule
Please join us on the path to the cross this Holy Week.
The Labyrinth will be open during business hours (9:30 am - 3:00 pm, M-TH) for those who wish to use it during Holy Week.
Stations of the Cross, Apr 1: 7:00 pm Stations of the Cross
Maundy Thursday, April 2: 6:45 Simple Supper Potluck
7:30 pm Holy Eucharist Service with foot washing
Good Friday, April 3: 12:00 pm Spoken Service; 7:00 pm Choral Service
Easter Vigil, April 4: 7:00 pm Great Vigil Service
Easter Sunday, April 5: 8:00 am Service with music
10:30 am Choral Eucharist Service & Brunch Potluck
Announcements
More information on upcoming events can be found at holycommunion.net
Easter Flower & Musician Offerings: Easter offering envelopes can be found in the pews of the Sanctuary, or stacked in the Narthex entries, if you would like to make a contribution towards Easter flowers or musicians. To request a memorial or honorary acknowledgment in Easter bulletins, please write name(s) on the envelope. Submission deadline for acknowledgements: Today, March 29.
Labyrinth & Stations Open: This Holy Week, you are invited into contemplative practices during business hours (Mon-Fri, 9am-3pm). Please use the office entry.
Bring Bells: Please bring a bell to the Great Vigil on Saturday night.
Easter Service Set-up: Volunteers are needed on Sat, April 4 at 9 am, to help set up for the Easter Vigil & Easter Sunday services! Help put everything back in place after Maundy Thursday/Good Friday, and assist with arranging flowers and lilies in the Nave. Contact Jean Parker to sign up: jparker7435@att.net
Easter Celebration: Bring a brunch item to share at our potluck following 10:30 worship. We'll also have our traditional chocolate and bubbles at this time.
Godly Play: 10:15 am in the Children’s Chapel, on Sunday, April 12. All kids welcome! Ages under 4, please accompany with a caregiver.
Laundry Love: Through Laundry Love, Holy Communion members have supported our University City community since 2017. Each third Tuesday of the month, this ministry shares pizza and conversation, while putting quarters in the machines for our neighbors. Join us on April 21, 6-8 p.m. at Classic Coin Laundromat on Balson Ave. Sign up on website under the Service & Outreach > Laundry Love tab.
Church Work Day: On Saturday, April 18, help Holy Communion with Spring cleaning! Join the Building & Grounds Committee to help with yard work, pew cleaning, and other tasks to refresh our place of worship. Come as you are able, from 9am-12pm. Email Bob Lowes for more information: robertlowes1@gmail.com
Save the Date
Theology on Tap: Thursday, April 30, at Schlafly Bottleworks from 6-8 pm.
Renewal of Ministry Celebration/Rector Installation: Wednesday, May 6, at 6 pm.
Godly Play: Last Godly Play before Summer: May 10 at 10:15 am in the Children’s Chapel.
Camp Firebird 2026: July 26 – 31; more details here: https://diocesemo.org/camp-firebird
