Gathered Together In Praise
Service Prayers for Palm Sunday

Call to Worship

Leader:             We gather together in this place.

People:            Joyful as our palm branches fan the air in praise

Leader:             Filling this space with peace.

All:                  Waiting with great expectation to see Jesus,

eager for a healing touch,

a blessing received.

Leader:             We gather together in this place.

People:            Joyful as our palm branches reach high with hope.

All:                  Longing for a calm moment

in the midst of pressing worry and hurry,

longing for a message of welcome and acceptance on our journey.

Leader:             We gather together in this place.

People:            Anxious as our palm branches lay still next to us

All:                  Questioning if we are able to walk with Jesus

through the week ahead,

through anguish, accusations, despair and darkness.

Leader:             We gather together in this place.

People:            Waving branches of prayer.

All:                  Walking toward Easter.

Opening Prayer

Hosanna, O God in the highest!

How you come to us in ways we never expect. 

How is a king on a donkey?

How can a Savior be hung on a cross?

How do we see you

when we are only trained to see defeat in these actions?

In this week ahead will we see you with us, among us?

Will your message come through?

Will the palms we wave with joy today

be thrown down tomorrow with doubt?

May your Spirit guide us through this Holiest of Weeks,

beside us, around us, before and behind us, within us,

as we pray together the prayer Jesus taught saying:

The Lord’s Prayer

Prayer of Confession

Loving God, we confess that the streets of our lives

are often crowded with a parade mood filling the air

masking a callous indifference and lukewarm faith.

Save us from thin hopes and small dreams,

our cry is from the heart, from our very soul.

Assurance of Pardon

Where and when we fail,

God is there to make all things new.

Where and when we reach out

with trembling hands and shaky hearts,

God holds us close and forgives all things.

Go in the knowledge that you are forgiven and cherished.

Believe this not because I have said it,

but because God promises to each of us. Amen.

Call to Offering

In this week ahead we will be asked to walk the hard road of faith

and face the full cost of discipleship.

The sacrifice we are called to share involves  true commitment and devotion.

In that Spirit, may we share freely our gifts, tithes and offerings.

Offertory Prayer

Loving God, as Hosannas fade to cries of despair,

may these gifts be used for peacemaking that settles strife

and justice-seeking that creates all good hope. Amen.

Benediction

Today we shout Hosanna. May this blessed word

remain with us in the week ahead.

God grant us all to follow faithfully where Christ leads us,

and may you all know courage and certainty

that God’s Three-in-One presence

will lead you ever closer to the grace that is ours to share. Amen

Gathered together in Praise: Service Prayers for Palm/Passion Sunday was written by the Rev. Daniel B. Randall, Senior Pastor of the First Congregational Church, U.C.C., in Bristol, RI and a USAF Chaplain (Reserves).

Some of these prayers  are inspired by the dynamic work of the Iona Community where Rev. Randall is an Associate member.

Copyright 2011 Local Church Ministries, Congregational Vitality and Discipleship Ministry Team, United Church of Christ, 700 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, OH  44115-1100.  Permission granted to reproduce or adapt this material for use in services of worship or church education.  All publishing rights reserved.