CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Glorious God, let us stand and celebrate the arrival of the Beloved One, even your Son, Jesus Christ. Ride on, ride on in majesty. Let us with arms held high and with the whole multitude of the disciples joyfully praise your name for all the deeds of power we have seen. Let us beckon to the one who comes in the name of the Lord; the Messiah, who descends from the Mount of Olives as promised. As we remember Jesus’ triumphal entry into the city of Jerusalem, let us also make today the day when Jesus’ triumphantly enters our own hearts. Indeed this is a day that You, O Lord, have made. We rejoice and are glad in it. May we never stop praising the name of Jesus. Hosanna! “Blessed is the king who comes in your name. Peace in heaven and glory in the highest heaven.” Amen.
PREPARING FOR THE OFFERING
Palm branches were the former day parade banners, waved in the air to salute or greet dignitaries arriving in grand procession through the gates of a city. The fate of those palm fronds afterward isn’t frequently discussed. Perhaps they are discarded in the street or carried home. The church fashions the palm fronds into crosses to remind us that after the parade the Blessed One gave up his life for us. The dried out discarded palms are then burned and the ashes placed upon our brows next Ash Wednesday to remind us yet again of our own mortality.
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Lord, on this day remind us that we are not just spectators in a parade of watchers, but participants in ministry. Bless these our gifts, offered gladly and with grateful hearts. May they sustain and assist in the growth of your church. May they bring comfort to those who mourn, healing to the sick, and strength to the downhearted. Remind us always that we witness to your presence in our lives by our gifts as well as our work. In the name of the Christ, we pray. Amen.
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