The Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday

Priest           Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord.

People           Peace in heaven and glory in the highest.

Priest           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.

A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew, Chapter 21, Verses 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 Word of the Lord / Thanks be to God!

Priest            The Lord be with you.

People           And also with you.

Priest           Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

People           It is right to give God thanks and praise.

Priest           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.

People          Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest!

The Procession

Priest            Let us go forth in peace.

People           In the name of Christ. Amen.

During the procession, all hold branches in their hands as we sing “All Glory, Laud, and Honor.” 

At a suitable place, the procession may halt while the following Collect is said.

Priest           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.

At the conclusion of the procession, the following is said.

Priest           The Lord be with you.

People           And also with you.

Priest           Let us pray. 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.

A reading from the Prophet Isaiah, Chapter 50, Verses 4 – 9a

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

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.”

A reading from Paul’s letter to the Philippians, Chapter 2, Verses 5 – 11

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.

The Word of the Lord / Thanks be to God!

Sequence Hymn #168: O sacred head, sore wounded, Verses 1 – 3

The customary responses before and after the Gospel are omitted. At the 10:00 A.M. service we will use the pamphlet instead.

The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew, Chapter 27, Verses 11 – 54

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!”

Sermon

The people may be seated for the sermon.

Prayers of the People

Priest           With all our heart and with all our mind, let us pray to the Lord, saying “Lord, have mercy.”

Intercessor     For the peace from above, for the loving-kindness of God, and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.

People          Lord, have mercy.

Intercessor     For the peace of the world, for the welfare of the Holy Church of God, and for the unity of all peoples, let us pray to the Lord.

People          Lord, have mercy.

Intercessor     For Michael, our Presiding Bishop; for Jos, our Bishop; and for all the clergy and people, let us pray to the Lord.

People          Lord, have mercy.

Intercessor     For our government, for the leaders of the nations, and for all in authority, let us pray to the Lord.

People          Lord, have mercy.

Intercessor     For this city of Boise, for every city and community, and for those who live in them, let us pray to the Lord.

People          Lord, have mercy.

Intercessor     For seasonable weather, and for an abundance of the fruits of the earth, let us pray to the Lord.

People          Lord, have mercy.

Intercessor     For the good earth which God has given us, and for the wisdom and will to conserve it, let us pray to the Lord.

People          Lord, have mercy.

Intercessor     For the aged and infirm, for the widowed and orphans, and for the sick and the suffering, let us pray to the Lord.

People          Lord, have mercy.

Intercessor     For those on our hearts, especially Donna, Cheryl, Bill & Barbara, Mark & Kim, Cathy, Kathryn, Mike & Chuck, Brent, Susan, Karen & Daryl, Richard, Cathy & Gary, Betty, Pat, Debbie, Maxine, Kim, Ray, the Carson Family, & the people of Nashville, let us pray to the Lord.

People          Lord, have mercy.

Intercessor     For the intercessions of the diocese, especially the Standing Committee of the Diocese and for those who lack food and water, let us pray to the Lord.

People          Lord, have mercy.

Intercessor     For the poor and the oppressed, for the unemployed and the destitute, for prisoners and captives, and for all who remember and care for them, let us pray to the Lord.

People          Lord, have mercy.

Intercessor     For deliverance from all danger, violence, oppression, and degradation, let us pray to the Lord.

People          Lord, have mercy.

Intercessor     For all who have died in the hope of the resurrection, especially Richard Green, and for all the departed, let us pray to the Lord.

People          Lord, have mercy.

Intercessor     That we may end our lives in faith and hope, without suffering and without reproach, let us pray to the Lord.

People          Lord, have mercy.

Intercessor     Defend us, deliver us, and in your compassion protect us, O Lord, by your grace.

People          Lord, have mercy.

Intercessor     In the communion of all the saints, let us commend ourselves, and one another, and all our life, to Christ our God.

People          To you, O Lord our God.

Priest           God our rock and refuge: keep us safe in your care and strengthen us with your grace, that we may pray to you faithfully and love one another boldly, following the example of Jesus, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives for ever and ever. Amen.

Priest           The peace of the Lord be always with you.

People           And also with you.

The peace is briefly shared. After the peace, a time for sharing and celebrating blessings and birthdays will follow.

The Offertory begins with the following:

Priest           Through Christ let us offer to God the sacrifice of praise; but do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.   Hebrews 13:15, 16

People          We give you thanks, O God,

we give you thanks,

calling upon your Name

and declaring all your wonderful deeds. Psalm 75:1

Offertory Anthem: Ride on! Ride on in majesty!

The people stand to sing or sit as able

After the Altar is prepared, the following is said:

Priest           Yours, Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the splendor, and the majesty; for everything in heaven and on earth is yours. 1 Chron. 29: 11

People          All things come from you, and of your own do we give you. 1 Chron. 29: 14

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER 1 EOW

The people remain standing.

Priest           The Lord be with you.

People                    And also with you.

Priest           Lift up your hearts.

People                    We lift them to the Lord.

Priest           Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

People                    It is right to give God thanks and praise.

Priest           It is truly right, and good and joyful, to give you thanks, all-holy God, source of life and fountain of mercy.

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, joining with Angels and Archangels and with the faithful of every generation, we lift our voices with all creation as we sing:

At 8:00 am, the Sanctus is said.

At 10:00 am, the Sanctus is sung (music on following page).

All:               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.

Priest           Blessed are you, gracious God, creator of the universe and giver of life. You formed us in your own image and called us to dwell in your infinite love. You gave the world into our care that we might be your faithful stewards and show forth your bountiful grace.

But we failed to honor your image in one another and in ourselves; we would not see your goodness in the world around us; and so we violated your creation, abused one another, and rejected your love. Yet you never ceased to care for us, and prepared the way of salvation for all people.

Through Abraham and Sarah you called us into covenant with you. You delivered us from slavery, sustained us in the wilderness, and raised up prophets to renew your promise of salvation.

Then, in the fullness of time, you sent your eternal Word, made mortal flesh in Jesus. Born into the human family, and dwelling among us, he revealed your glory.  Giving himself freely to death on the cross, he triumphed over evil, opening the way of freedom and life.

On the night before he died for us, Our Savior Jesus Christ took bread, and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his friends, and said: “Take, eat: This is my Body which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.”

As supper was ending, 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 poured out for you and for all for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.”

Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith:

All               Christ has died.

Christ is risen.

Christ will come again.

Priest           Remembering his death and resurrection, we now present to you from your creation this bread and this wine. By your Holy Spirit may they be for us the Body and Blood of our Savior Jesus Christ. Grant that we who share these gifts may be filled with the Holy Spirit and live as Christ’s Body in the world.

Bring us into the everlasting heritage of your daughters and sons, that with all your saints, past, present, and yet to come, we may praise your Name for ever.

Through Christ and with Christ and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, to you be honor, glory, and praise, for ever and ever. AMEN.

As our Savior Christ has taught us, we now pray,  

At 8:00 am, the Lord’s Prayer is said.

At 10:00 am, the Lord’s Prayer is sung (music on following page).

All               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.     

The bread is now broken, and a moment of silence is observed before the Fraction Anthem below is said or sung. 

Priest           The Gifts of God for the People of God.

Communion Hymn:

People may be seated while waiting to come forward. All are welcome to share in communion. Gluten free bread is available. Hold out your hands to receive the bread. If you wish to come forward for a blessing only, cross your arms over your chest.

After Communion, the Priest says Let us pray.

All               Eternal God, heavenly Father,

you have graciously accepted us as living members

of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ,

and you have fed us with spiritual food

in the Sacrament of his Body and Blood.

Send us now into the world in peace,

and grant us strength and courage

to love and serve you

with gladness and singleness of heart;

through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Solemn Prayer

Priest              Let us bow down before the Lord.

The people bow and the Priest says:

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.

The priest then dismisses the people, to which they respond, Thanks be to God!

Closing Hymn #458: My song is love unknown, Verses 1, 3, 5, & 7

All are invited to coffee hour in the parish hall.

Serving today:

8:00 A.M.

Celebrant: Fr. Joseph Farnes

Lectors: Mary Kay Peterson & Anita Wallinger

Eucharistic Minister: Anita Wallinger

Altar Guild: Anita Wallinger & Marie Jantz

10:00 A.M.

Celebrant: Fr. Joseph Farnes

Lectors: Jim Reynolds & Laura Harbert

Eucharistic Ministers: Laura Harbert & Pat Webb

Altar Guild: Linda Stark & Robin Finch

Ushers: Mary Hill & Ray Stark

Sunday School: Carolyn Cornwall

Music Director: Shauna Emara

Camera: Dean Hagerman

Coffee Hour Hosts: Patty Rowett-Matlock

Holy Week Schedule:

  • Tenebrae (April 5): Service at 6:30 pm
  • Maundy Thursday (April 6): Service at 6:30 pm, and chapel will be open after the service for prayer until 11:00 pm
  • Good Friday (April 7): Services at noon and 6:30 pm, chapel will be open for prayer from 9:00 am until the evening service
  • Holy Saturday (April 8): Service at 9 am
  • Easter Vigil! (Saturday, April 8): Celebrate the Great Vigil at 6:30 pm!
  • Easter Day (Sunday, April 9): Combined Celebratory Service at 9:00 am!

A special recognition to those who provided the Palm Sunday Array:

Linda & Ray Stark, in celebration of family and friends