Liturgy for Palm Sunday, Year C (Luke)
What is Palm Sunday?
Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, the most sacred time in the Christian calendar. It commemorates Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, where crowds greeted him with palm branches and shouts of Hosanna! (Luke 19:28-40). This day is a paradox—both a celebration of Jesus as King and a foreshadowing of his suffering. Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 reminds us of God’s enduring love and the arrival of the One who comes in the name of the Lord.
Scriptures for Palm Sunday (Liturgy of the Palms)
Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29
A song of thanksgiving, proclaiming God’s steadfast love. The psalmist calls the people to rejoice in the One who comes in the Lord’s name, a prophecy fulfilled in Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem.
Luke 19:28-40
Jesus approaches Jerusalem, sending His disciples to fetch a colt. As He rides into the city, crowds spread their cloaks and praise Him as the coming King. The Pharisees object, but Jesus declares, “If these were silent, the stones would shout out.”
Call to Worship for Palm Sunday
One: Rejoice greatly, O people of God! The King is coming!
All: Hosanna! Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord!
One: Lift up your hearts; lay down your burdens before Him.
All: We welcome Christ, our King and Redeemer!
One: Let us worship the Lord with joy!
All: Hosanna in the highest!
Call to Confession
One: We cry, Hosanna!, but too often, our hearts are far from Christ. Let us confess our need for mercy.
All: Lord Jesus, we welcome you as King, but we confess that our faith is fickle. We praise you in times of joy but turn away when the road is hard. Forgive us for the ways we deny you—by our words, our actions, and our silence. Have mercy on us, O God, and lead us in the way of the cross. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
One: Hear the good news: Christ comes not to condemn but to save. In his name, we are forgiven.
All: Thanks be to God! In Jesus Christ, we are made new!
Prayer of Illumination
God of grace, as we wave our palms and sing your praises, open our hearts to the full meaning of this day. May your Word take root in us, leading us to follow Christ not just in triumph, but all the way to the cross. Amen.
Prayer of Dedication
Lord, as the crowds laid down their cloaks before you, we lay before you our gifts. Use them to proclaim your kingdom, that all may know the love of Christ. Amen.
Themes of Palm Sunday
1. Jesus, the Humble King
Unlike earthly rulers, Jesus enters Jerusalem not on a warhorse but on a donkey—fulfilling Zechariah 9:9. His kingship is marked by peace, not power.
2. A Celebration and a Warning
Palm Sunday is joyous, but it also foreshadows the rejection to come. The same voices shouting Hosanna! will soon cry, Crucify Him!
3. The Stones Will Cry Out
Even if the people were silent, creation itself would praise Jesus (Luke 19:40). His kingship cannot be denied.
Sermon Ideas for Palm Sunday
1. “The King We Needed, Not the King We Wanted”
The crowds expected a military Messiah. Jesus came to bring peace and salvation instead. How do we respond when God doesn’t meet our expectations? John the Baptist knew how that felt.
Main Idea: Jesus redefines kingship and calls us to trust in God’s plan, not our own.
2. “Would the Stones Have to Shout?”
Jesus tells the Pharisees that if his followers were silent, the stones would cry out. Are we proclaiming Christ as boldly as creation itself?
Main Idea: We are called to worship and testify—will we speak, or will the rocks take our place?
3. “A Parade with a Cross at the End”
Palm Sunday feels like a celebration, but we cannot forget where Jesus is headed.
Main Idea: Following Jesus means embracing both His triumph and His suffering.
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