1. Exploring Holy Week Worship Palm Sunday/Sunday of the Passion On this day, united with Christians around the world, we mark Jesus’ triumphant entry into the city of Jerusalem to complete the work of our salvation. We follow in his footsteps as we enter the church, our Jerusalem, acclaiming the one whose throne was the cross. In today’s gospel reading we hear the passion narrative of Jesus’ suffering, death, and burial for our sakes. (ELW p. 248)

2. Palm Sunday/Sunday of the Passion One Sunday with two very different tones

3. Palm Sunday All four gospels describe Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem a week before his Resurrection Mark’s our entry into Holy Week First celebration in Jerusalem, end of 4 th century, general observed in West after 7 th century Burnt palm and olive oil is used to make ashes for Ash Wednesday

4. Palm Sunday – Gathering Processional Gospel: Mark 11:1-11 Blessing of Palms We praise you, O God, for redeeming the world through our Savior Jesus Christ. Today he entered the holy city in triumph and was proclaimed messiah and king by those who spread garments and branches along his way. Bless these branches and those who carry them. Grant us grace to follow our Lord in the way of the cross, so that, joined to his death and resurrection, we enter into life with you; through the same Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

5. Palm Sunday – Gathering Procession Reenacts entry to Jerusalem with our entry into our sanctuary Prayer of the Day As we now enter into the contemplation of the passion of our Lord Jesus Christ and meditate on the salvation of the world through his sufferings, death, burial, and resurrection, let us pray. Everlasting God, in your endless love for the human race you sent our Lord Jesus Christ to take on our nature and to suffer death on the cross. In your mercy enable us to share in his obedience to your will and in the glorious victory of his resurrection, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

6. Sunday of the Passion Prayer of the Day marks a shift in tone to the Passion Inclusion of the Passion fills the gap between “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” and “Alleluia! Christ is Risen!” Otherwise might miss: "Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?"

7. Sunday of the Passion – Word Had used Bugenhagen’s “Passion History” based on harmonization of Gospels from 1530 Revised Common Lectionary has three year cycle: A – Matthew (2011) B – Mark (2012) C – Luke (2013) Each Gospel has a perspective that is unique

8. Sunday of the Passion – Word Message (not full sermon) will introduce the Passion This year falls on “Celebration Service” Have developed “movie” blending images and sand art video with a narration of a translation of Mark’s Passion by David Rhoads

9. Sunday of the Passion – Meal and Sending Worship service continues with Meal and Sending in a familiar way Proper Preface: It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God, through our Savior Jesus Christ, whose suffering and death gave salvation to all. You gather your people around the tree of the cross, transforming death into life. And so, with all the choirs of angels, with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn: Gospel for Easter Sunday morning concludes Mark’s account

10. Exploring Holy Week Worship – The Three Days An ancient practice Centuries brought many cultural and religious changes that moved away from the Three Days Lives marked with unrelieved pain focused on Christ’s suffering Medieval attention to personal sin led to more private devotional practice Rites dealt separately with death and resurrection

11. Exploring Holy Week Worship – The Three Days Three Days rediscovered in 20 th century One theological understanding of the passion, death, and resurrection Focus on present reality of new life with Gospel of John The mystery of the death and resurrection of Christ is experienced in the present by the baptized community drawn by the Spirit into a future promised by God

12. Exploring Holy Week Worship – The Three Days Remaining schedule: March 11 – Maundy Thursday March 18 – Good Friday March 25 – The Vigil of Easter