PALM SUNDAY: THE SUNDAY OF THE PASSION
Sunday, March 29, at 10:00 am
Livestreamed on Facebook (click and open the ‘live’ video)
The form for this service can also be found in The Book of Common Prayer, page 270. Spoken responses are in bold typeface.
To give to St. Paul’s, select an option below:
Online: E-Giving (Realm) | PayPal
Text: message 73256 with the phrase saintpauls $X (insert an amount in place of X)
Check: mail your offering to St. Paul’s Church, 84 E Oakland Ave, Doylestown, PA 18901
THE LITURGY OF THE PALMS
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 thy help, O Lord God of our salvation, that we may enter with joy upon the contemplation of those mighty acts, whereby thou hast given us life and immortality; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Gospel: Matthew 21:1-11
Priest The ✠ Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to Matthew.
People Glory to you, Lord Christ.
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.”
Priest The Gospel of the Lord.
People Praise to you, Lord Christ.
The Blessing of the Palms
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 him 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.
Priest Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
People Hosanna in the highest.
The Procession
Priest Let us go forth in peace.
People In the name of Christ. Amen.
The Celebrant sings the Psalm, and the people respond, “Hosanna in the highest.”
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his mercy endures for ever.
Hosanna in the highest.
Let Israel now proclaim, “His mercy endures for ever.”
Hosanna in the highest.
Open for me the gates of righteousness;
I will enter them; I will offer thanks to the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
“This is the gate of the Lord; he who is righteous may enter.”
Hosanna in the highest.
I will give thanks to you, for you answered me and have become my salvation.
Hosanna in the highest.
The same stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.
Hosanna in the highest.
This is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes.
Hosanna in the highest.
On this day the Lord has acted; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Hosanna in the highest.
Hosannah, Lord, hosannah! Lord, send us now success.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; we bless you from the house of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
God is the Lord; he has shined upon us;
form a procession with branches up to the horns of the altar.
Hosanna in the highest.
“You are my God, and I will thank you; you are my God, and I will exalt you.”
Hosanna in the highest.
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his mercy endures for ever.
Hosanna in the highest.
The procession arrives at the church door.
Priest Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord:
People Peace in heaven and glory in the highest.
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.
Hymn 154: “All glory, laud, and honor”
The children’s choir sings the refrain and Verse 1, and the congregation joins thereafter.
All glory, laud, and honor to thee, Redeemer, King!
to whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring.
Choir only
1. Thou art the King of Israel, thou David’s royal Son,
who in the Lord’s Name comest,
the King and Blessèd One.
All glory, laud, and honor to thee, Redeemer, King!
to whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring.
2. The company of angels is praising thee on high;
and we with all creation
in chorus make reply.
All glory, laud, and honor to thee, Redeemer, King!
to whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring.
3. The people of the Hebrews with palms before thee went;
our praise and prayers and anthems
before thee we present.
All glory, laud, and honor to thee, Redeemer, King!
to whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring.
4. To thee before thy passion
they sang their hymns of praise;
to thee, now high exalted,
our melody we raise.
All glory, laud, and honor to thee, Redeemer, King!
to whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring.
5. Thou didst accept their praises;
accept the prayers we bring,
who in all good delightest,
thou good and gracious King.
All glory, laud, and honor to thee, Redeemer, King!
to whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring.
The Liturgy of the Word
The Collect of the Day
Celebrant The Lord be with you.
People And also with you.
Celebrant 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.
First Reading: Isaiah 50:4-9a
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?
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
Psalm 31:9-16
The Psalm is sung by the choir.
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.”
Second Reading: Philippians 2:5-11
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.
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
A tract is then sung by the choir.
The Passion Gospel: Matthew 27:11-54
The Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew.
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!”
Priest The Gospel of the Lord.
People Praise to you, Lord Christ.
The Sermon
Hymn 158: “Ah, holy Jesus, how hast thou offended”
1. Ah, holy Jesus, how hast thou offended,
that man to judge thee hath in hate pretended?
By foes derided, by thine own rejected,
O most afflicted.
2. Who was the guilty? Who brought this upon thee?
Alas, my treason, Jesus, hath undone thee.
’Twas I, Lord Jesus, I it was denied thee:
I crucified thee.
3. Lo, the Good Shepherd for the sheep is offered;
the slave hath sinnèd, and the Son hath suffered;
for our atonement, while we nothing heeded,
God interceded.
4. For me, kind Jesus, was thy incarnation,
thy mortal sorrow, and thy life’s oblation;
thy death of anguish and thy bitter passion,
for my salvation.
5. Therefore, kind Jesus, since I cannot pay thee,
I do adore thee, and will ever pray thee,
think on thy pity and thy love unswerving,
not my deserving.
The Prayers of the People
The leader says
I ask your prayers for God’s people throughout the world; for _______; for this gathering; and for all ministers and people. Pray for the Church.
Silence
Remembering _______, I ask your prayers for peace; for goodwill among nations; and for the well-being of all people. Pray for justice and peace.
Silence
I ask your prayers for all victims of violence, and for the poor, the sick, the hungry, the oppressed, and those in prison. Pray for those in any need or trouble.
Silence
I ask your prayers for all who seek God, or a deeper knowledge of him. Pray that they may find and be found by him.
Silence
I ask your prayers for the departed, especially _______. Pray for those who have died.
Silence. Other intercessions are offered.
Praise God for those in every generation in whom Christ has been honored. Pray that we may have grace to glorify Christ in our own day.
The Celebrant concludes
Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ was lifted high upon the cross that he might draw the whole world to himself: Mercifully grant that we, who glory in the mystery of our redemption, may have grace to take up our cross and follow him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.
The Peace
Priest The peace of the Lord be always with you.
People And also with you.
Welcome & Announcements
The Celebrant introduces the Offertory with a sentence of Scripture.
The Holy Communion
An anthem is sung as the Altar is prepared with the elements of Holy Communion.
To give an offering, select an option below:
Online: E-Giving (Realm) | PayPal
Text: message 73256 with the phrase saintpauls $X (insert an amount in place of X)
Check: mail your offering to St. Paul’s Church, 84 E Oakland Ave, Doylestown, PA 18901
Offertory Anthem: “God so loved the world” John Stainer
God so loved the world, God so loved the world,
that he gave his only begotten son,
that who so believeth in him
should not perish, but have everlasting life.
For God sent not his son into the world
to condemn the world; but that the world
through him might be saved.
God so loved the world,
God so loved the world,
that he gave his only begotten son,
that who so believeth in him
should not perish, but have everlasting life.
God so loved the world,
God so loved the world.
The Great Thanksgiving: Eucharistic Prayer B
The priest faces the people and says
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 him thanks and praise.
Then, facing the Holy Table, the priest continues
It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, 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 we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who for ever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:
Sanctus: “Holy, holy, holy Lord”
The people may stand or kneel. The priest continues
We give thanks to you, O God, for the goodness and love which you have made known to us in creation; in the calling of Israel to be your people; in your Word spoken through the prophets; and above all in the Word made flesh, Jesus, your Son. For in these last days you sent him to be incarnate from the Virgin Mary, to be the Savior and Redeemer of the world. In him, you have delivered us from evil, and made us worthy to stand before you. In him, you have brought us out of error into truth, out of sin into righteousness, out of death into life.
On the night before he died for us, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, “Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.” After supper he 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 shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.”
Therefore, according to his command, O Father,
Priest and People
We remember his death,
We proclaim his resurrection,
We await his coming in glory;
The priest continues
And we offer our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to you, O Lord of all; presenting to you, from your creation, this bread and this wine. We pray you, gracious God, to send your Holy Spirit upon these gifts that they may be the Sacrament of the Body of Christ and his Blood of the new Covenant. Unite us to your Son in his sacrifice, that we may be acceptable through him, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit. In the fullness of time, put all things in subjection under your Christ, and bring us to that heavenly country where, with the ever-blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, blessed Paul the Apostle, and all your saints, we may enter the everlasting heritage of your sons and daughters; through Jesus Christ our Lord, the firstborn of all creation, the head of the Church, and the author of our salvation. By him, and with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and for ever. Amen.
And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,
People and Priest
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those
who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
The Breaking of the Bread
The priest breaks the consecrated Bread. A period of silence is kept.
Priest Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;
People Therefore let us keep the feast.
Fraction Anthem: Lamb of God
Facing the people, the priest says
The Gifts of God for the People of God.
Spiritual Communion: Act of Reception
This prayer form is for those who desire to receive the Sacrament but are unable to do so, with the assurance that all the benefits of Communion are received, even though the Sacrament is not received with the mouth.
In union, blessed Jesus, with the faithful gathered at every altar of your Church where your blessed Body and Blood are offered this day, I long to offer you praise and thanksgiving, for creation and all the blessings of this life, for the redemption won for us by your life, death, and resurrection, for the means of grace and the hope of glory.
I believe that you are truly present in the Holy Sacrament, and, since I cannot at this time receive communion, I pray you to come into my heart. I unite myself with you and embrace you with all my heart, my soul, and my mind. Let nothing separate me from you; let me serve you in this life until, by your grace, I come to your glorious kingdom and unending peace. Amen.
Come Lord Jesus, and dwell in my heart in the fullness of your strength; be my wisdom and guide me in right pathways; conform my life and actions to the image of your holiness; and, in the power of your gracious might, rule over every hostile power that threatens or disturbs the growth of your kingdom, who with the Father and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.
Communion Anthem: “They crucified my Lord?” Sam Batt Owens
They crucified my Lord,
they crucified my Lord;
and he never said a mumbalin’ word;
not a word, not a word.
Pierced him in the side, and
he never said a mumbalin’ word;
not a word, not a word.
He hung his head and died,
and he never said a mumbalin’ word,
not a word, not a word.
They nailed him to the tree,
they nailed him to the tree;
and he never said a mumbalin’ word;
not a word, not a word.
Pierced him in the side, and
he never said a mumbalin’ word;
not a word, not a word.
He hung his head and died,
and he never said a mumbalin’ word,
not a word, not a word.
Communion Anthem: “Out of the depths” John E. Ronan
Out of the depths to thee, O Lord, I cry, Lord,
gracious turn thine ear to suppliant sigh;
If sins of man thou scannest, who may stand
That searching eye of thine, and chast’ning hand.
Oh, hear our prayers and sighs, Redeemer blest,
And grant thy holy souls eternal rest.
And let perpetual light upon them shine;
For though not spotless, still these souls are thine.
To be appeased in wrath, dear Lord, is thine;
Thou mercy with thy justice canst combine;
Thy blood our countless stains can wash away:
This is thy law, our hope and steadfast stay.
This God himself shall come from heav’n above,
The Christ! The God of mercy and of love!
He comes, he comes! the God incarnate he!
And by his glorious death makes all men free!
Hymn 168: “O sacred head, sore wounded”
1. O sacred head, sore wounded
defiled and put to scorn;
O kingly head, surrounded
with mocking crown of thorn:
what sorrow mars thy grandeur?
Can death thy bloom deflower?
O countenance whose splendor
the hosts of heaven adore!
2. Thy beauty, long desired,
hath vanished from our sight;
thy power is all expired,
and quenched the light of light.
Ah me! for whom thou diest,
hide not so far thy grace:
show me, O Love most highest,
the brightness of thy face.
3. In thy most bitter passion
my heart to share doth cry,
with thee for my salvation
upon the cross to die.
Ah, keep my heart thus moved
to stand thy cross beneath,
to mourn thee, well beloved,
yet thank thee for thy death.
4. What language shall I borrow
to thank thee, dearest friend,
for this thy dying sorrow,
thy pity without end?
Oh, make me thine forever!
and should I fainting be,
Lord, let me never, never,
outlive my love for thee.
5. My days are few, O fail not,
with thine mortal power,
to hold me that I quail not
in death’s most fearful hour;
that I may fight befriended,
and see in my last strife
to me thine arms extended
upon the cross of life.
Postcommunion Prayer
Priest Let us pray.
The people may join in saying this prayer
Almighty and everliving God, we thank you for feeding us with the spiritual food of the most precious Body and Blood of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; and for assuring us in these holy mysteries that we are living members of the Body of your Son, and heirs of your eternal kingdom. And now, Father, send us out to do the work you have given us to do, to love and serve you as faithful witnesses of Christ our Lord. To him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
Solemn Prayer over the People
Celebrant Bow down before the Lord.
The people kneel and the Celebrant 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 Dismissal
Celebrant Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
Postlude: “Herzlich tut mich verlangen” Dietrich Buxtehude
The altar party processes out of the church in silence.
Service Participants
Celebrant & Preacher: The Rev. Daniel T. Moore
Eucharistic Minister: Widgette Kelly
Lectors: Laura Pankoe, Widgette Kelly
Thurifer: Alex Kelly
Crucifer: Fiona Mayorga
Ushers: Maureen McGraw, Andy Morse
Organist: W. Edward McCall
Altar Guild: Sara Frister, Widgette Kelly
A/V: Michael Kelly
Palms: Kim Jacobsen, Audrey Jackson, Suzanne Day
Counters: Doug Esser, Kay Johnson
Choir: Trudie Benton, Wendy Brumbaugh, Alexander Famous, Carol Fox, Margery Hoffman, Laura Pankoe, Shelley Reed, Mike Roberts, Sue Roberts, Annie Rogers, Anne Shute, Jim Shute, Matthew Siebenhuhner, Caitlin Stein, Ed Warren, Marian Wentworth
Online giving is available through Realm E-Giving and PayPal. We thank you for your generous giving to St. Paul’s.
Palms
Today’s palms are given by Suzanne Day to the glory of God, and in loving memory of Arthur Folkes, Frances Folkes, Mark Folkes, and Sara and Jay Folkes. Arranged by Kim Jacobsen, Audrey Jackson and Suzanne Day.