A Traditional Palm Sunday Service

The following service is a creative adaptation of the traditional pattern and texts for worship on Palm Sunday. It will be of particular help for those who plan more formal worship. For those in nonliturgical churches, the commentary included with this service will provide a guide to thoughtful planning for Palm Sunday. SERVICE OF ENTRANCE Commentary: The Sunday that begins Holy Week has functioned two ways in the history of the church. First, it has been an occasion for the remembrance and celebration of Christ's entry into Jerusalem, that is, Palm Sunday. It is also an occasion for looking ahead to the long and lonely events of Christ's suffering and death. The following service incorporates both aspects, pointing to the grand irony of a narrative that features one who is hailed as king on Sunday but is crucified on Friday. This irony should be reflected visually in the banners, paraments, bulletin covers, and Communion ware that are used on Palm Sunday. On the one hand, the tri…