Commemoration of Our Lord’s entry into Jerusalem

When the CM sees that the Ministers are ready at the Front Door, she says: PLEASE STAND.

Sign of the Cross

Greeting

The grace of God,
so rich in mercy and boundless in compassion,
be with you all. And also with you.

Introduction

Commentator:
Dear friends in Christ.
For five weeks of Lent we have been preparing for the celebration of our Lord’s Death and Resurrection – the Paschal Mystery. Today we come together to begin this solemn celebration in union with the whole church throughout the world. Christ entered in triumph into his own city to complete his work as our Messiah: to suffer, to die, and to rise again. United with him in his entry into Jerusalem and later with his suffering on the cross, may we share his resurrection and new life.

Blessing of Palms:

Let us pray:
Lord, increase the faith of your people
and listen to our prayers.
Today we honor Christ our triumphant King
by carrying these branches.
May we honor you every day
as the only King who rules our lives.
for he is Lord forever and ever.

Gospel Reading ( The account of the Lord’s entrance into Jerusalem is now proclaimed.)

Homily After the Gospel, a very brief homily / explanation may be given.

Procession: The Presider now invites the people in these of similar words. :

Preist: Like the people of Jerusalem, let us acclaim Jesus as our King.

The Presider and ministers sprinkle the people as they process to the Sanctuary.

The Presider, upon arrival kisses the Altar, goes to the Chair and prays the Opening Prayer

The Introductory Rite is omitted because of the Blessing of Palms Procession.

Opening Prayer

Lord God,
as we enter this Holy Week,
let the same mind be in us that was in Christ Jesus.
Empty us of our pride and selfishness;
draw us close to his cross,
that as we celebrate his passion and resurrection,
our lives may become models of self-sacrificing love.
We ask this through Christ, our liberator from sin,
who lives with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever. AMEN.

PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL

Presider

As we begin Holy Week we place all our needs before God
begging for an increase in faith
so that the passion and death of his Son
will change our hearts and our lives:

CM           Have mercy on your people, Lord.

                 Please repeat:

1. For the Church throughout the world [pause]
that it may be a sign of hope and a source of comfort
to all those who are suffering and carrying heavy burdens.
Let us pray to the Lord:

2. For our civil and church leaders: [pause]
that they follow the example of Christ who came not to be served
but to serve and give his life that we may have life in abundance.
Let us pray to the Lord.

3. For those who are discouraged and broken; [pause]
that they may again encounter Jesus who continued, alone and in pain,
on the road of suffering and death.
Let us pray to the Lord.

4. For one another: [pause]
that we may be able to unite our sufferings to those of Christ,
and come to know God's power in our weakness.
Let us pray to the Lord:

[The Presider may add a Petition that is local / relevant]

Presider

Father, help us to follow Christ your Son along the road to Calvary
so that we may share in his Easter victory.
We make this prayer in the name of your obedient servant,
Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.

Prayer over the Gifts

Lord, look upon the face of Christ, your Son,
who loved us and sacrificed himself for us,
so that from the rising of the sun to its setting
your name may be great among the nations
and one sacrifice of love and obedience be offered to your glory.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord. AMEN.

Invitation to the Lord's Prayer

Let us pray in the name and in the words of Jesus,
who became obedient even unto death on a cross: Our Father

Deliver us Lord

Deliver us, Lord, from sin
and from every other evil.
In your mercy, give hope
to those who feel abandoned
and to those straining under the weight of their crosses.
Lead us all forward in faith
toward the final coming among us
of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Prayer for Peace

Lord, Jesus Christ,
you looked with love on the holy city of Jerusalem,
and with tears in your eyes you said,
"If only you had recognized the things that make for peace!"
Look with pity on our world, torn asunder by war and strife,
and grant that all of God's children
may live in hope for peace in your kingdom,
where you live for ever and ever.

Exchange of Peace

Jesus has made our peace with God by his sacrifice on the cross.
Let us now share that peace with one another.


[Optional Prayer to accompany the Breaking of Bread]

Father, we break this bread,
once again remembering the night
when your Son passed from pain
into your loving hands.
Your Son was broken and crushed,
but you raised him to glory.
He invites us to eat and drink in peace and fellowship.

Invitation to Communion

Option A
This is Jesus, the Lamb of God, the Son of David.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord,
and blessed are those who are called to share in his supper

Option B
Behold the Servant of God,
obedient unto death on a cross,
exalted as the Lord of glory.
Blessed are those invited to the banquet he has prepared for us.

Prayer after Communion [based on 2nd Reading]

Loving Father,
in this Eucharist
your Son Jesus has given himself to us
as he gave himself totally on the cross.
May we learn how to humble ourselves,
and in obedience to your will
take up our cross,
give ourselves totally to him,
and confess that he is Christ the Lord for ever and ever. AMEN.

Blessing

Option A
Jesus was despised; a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.
May you live no longer for yourselves
but for him who died and was raised to life for us. AMEN.

By his dying on a cross Christ destroyed death for ever.
May he give you everlasting life. AMEN.

Jesus humbled himself for our sakes and was exalted on high.
May you follow his example and share in his resurrection. AMEN.

May almighty God bless you,
+ the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. AMEN.

Option B
May Jesus, the redeemer of all peoples,
by whose stripes we are healed,
by whose death we have life,
keep you mindful of his boundless love.
So may you carry your own cross
for the sake of his name. AMEN.

And may almighty God bless you,
+ the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. AMEN.

Dismissal

Option A
We have acclaimed Jesus as the Son of David
in his triumphal entry into Jerusalem.
Let us follow him on the way to Calvary and to glory
by our self-sacrificing love for others.
Thanks be to God.

Option B
Confessing that Jesus is Lord, to the glory of God,
go forth in the peace of Christ.
Thanks be to God.