The Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday

*When circumstances permit, the congregation may gather at a place apart from the church, so that all may go into the church in procession.*

*The branches of palm or of other trees or shrubs to be carried in the procession may be distributed to the people before the service, or after the prayer of blessing.*

*The following or some other suitable anthem is sung or said, the people standing*

Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord. =Peace in heaven and glory in the highest.=

*Celebrant* Let us pray.

Assist us mercifully with your help, O Lord God of our salvation, that we may enter with joy upon the contemplation of those mighty acts, whereby you have given us life and immortality; through Jesus Christ our Lord. =Amen.=

*Here a Deacon or other person appointed reads one of the following*

Year A Matthew 21:1-11

Year B Mark 11:1-11a

Year C Luke 19:29-40

*The Celebrant then says the following blessing*

*Celebrant* The Lord be with you.

*People* And also with you.

*Celebrant* Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

*People* It is right to give him thanks and praise.

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.=

*The following or some other suitable anthem may then be sung or said*

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. =Hosanna in the highest.=

*The Procession*

*Deacon* Let us go forth in peace.

*People* In the name of Christ. Amen.

*During the procession, all hold branches in their hands, and appropriate hymns, psalms, or anthems are sung, such as the hymn "All glory, laid, and honor" and Psalm 118:19-29.*

*At a suitable place, the procession may halt while the following or some other appropriate Collect is said*

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.=

*In the absence of a bishop or priest, the preceding service may be led by a deacon or lay reader.*

*At services on this day other than the principal celebration, suitable portions of the preceding may be used.*

*When the Liturgy of the Palms immediately precedes the Eucharist, the celebration begins with the Salutation and Collect of the Day*

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.=

*Old Testament* Isaiah 45:21-25, *or* Isaiah 52:13--53:12

*Psalm* 22:1-21, *or* 22:1-11

*Epistle* Philippians 2:5-11

*The Passion Gospel is announced in the following manner*

The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to &mdash..

*The customary reponses before and after the Gospel are omitted.*

*Year A* Matthew 26:36-27:54(55-66) *or* 27:1-54(55-66)

*Year B* Mark 14:32-15:39(40-47) *or* 15:1-39(40-47)

*Year C* Luke 22:39-23:49(50-56) *or* 23:1-49(50-56)

*The Passion Gospel may be read or chanted by different persons. Specific roles may be assigned to different persons, the congregation taking the part of the crowd.*

*The congregation may be seated for the first part of the Passion. At the verse which mentions the arrival at Golgotha (Matthew 27:33, Mark 15:22, Luke 23:33) all stand.*

*When the Liturgy of the Palms has preceded, the Nicene Creed and the Confession of Sin may be omitted at this service.*

*Preface of Holy Week*

*The Eucharist begins in the usual manner, using the following Collect, Psalm, and Lessons*

Almighty Father, whose dear Son, on the night before he suffered, instituted the Sacrament of his Body and Blood: Mercifully grant that we may receive it thankfully in remembrance of Jesus Christ our Lord, who in these holy mysteries gives us a pledge of eternal life; and who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. =Amen.=

*Old Testament* Exodus 12:1-14a

*Psalm* 78:14-20, 23-25

*Epistle* 1 Corinthians 11:23-26(27-32)

*Gospel* John 13:1-15, *or* Luke 22:14-30

*When observed, the ceremony of the washing of feet appropriately follows the Gospel and homily.*

*During the ceremony, the following or other words may be sung or said*

The Lord Jesus, after he had supped with his disciples and had washed their feet, said to them, "Do you know what I, your Lord and Master, have done to you? I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done."

=Peace is my last gift to you, my own peace I now leave with you; peace which the world cannot give, I give to you.=

I give you a new commandment: Love one another as I have loved you.

=Peace is my last gift to you, my own peace I now leave with you; peace which the world cannot give, I give to you.=

By this shall the world know that you are my disciples: That you have love for one another.

*The service continues with the Prayers of the People.*

*Where it is desired to administer Holy Communion from the reserved Sacrament on Good Friday, the Sacrament for that purpose is consecrated at this service.*

*Preface of Holy Week*

*On this day the ministers enter in silence.*

*All then kneel for silent prayer, after which the Celebrant stands and begins the liturgy with the Collect of the Day.*

*Immediately before the Collect, the Celebrant may say*

Blessed be our God.

*People* For ever and ever. Amen.

Let us pray.

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 now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. =Amen.=

*Old Testament* Isaiah 52:13--53:12, *or* Genesis 22:1-18, *or* Wisdom 2:1, 12-24

*Psalm* 22:1-11(12-21), *or* 40:1-14, *or* 69:1-23

*Epistle* Hebrews 10:1-25

*The Passion Gospel is announced in the following manner*

The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John.

*The customary responses before and after the Gospel are omitted.*

John 18:1--19:37 *or* 19:1-37

*The Passion Gospel may be read or chanted by lay persons. Specific roles may be assigned to different persons, the congregation taking the part of the crowd.*

*The congregation may be seated for the first part of the Passion. At the verse which mentions the arrival at Golgotha (John 19:17) all stand.*

*The Sermon follows.*

*A hymn may then be sung.*

*All standing, the Deacon, or other person appointed, says to the people*

Dear People of God: Our heavenly Father sent his Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved; that all who believe in him might be delivered from the power of sin and death, and become heirs with him of everlasting life.

We pray, therefore, for people everywhere according to their needs.

*In the biddings which follow, the indented portions may be adapted by addition or omission, as appropriate, at the discretion of the Celebrant. The people may be directed to stand or kneel.*

*The biddings may be read by a Deacon or other person appointed. The Celebrant says the Collects.*

Let us pray for the holy Catholic Church of Christ throughout the world;

For its unity in witness and service

For all bishops and otehr ministers and the people whom they serve

For N., our Bishop, and all the people of this diocese

For all Christians in this community

For those about to be baptized (particularly &mdash.)

That God will confirm his Church in faith, increase it in love, and preserve it in peace.

*Silence*

Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of your faithful people is governed and sanctified: Receive our supplications and prayers which we offer before you for all member of your holy Church, that in their vocation and ministry they may truly and devoutly server you; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. =Amen.=

Let us pray for all nations and peoples of the earth, and for those in authority among them;

For N., the President of the United States

For the Congress and the Supreme Court

For the Members and Representatives of the United Nations

For all who serve the common good

That by God's help they may seek justice and truth, and live in peace and concord.

*Silence*

Almighty God, kindle, we pray, in every heart the true love of peace, and guide with your wisdom those who take counsel for the nations of the earth; that in tranquility your dominion may <page 279> increase, until the earth is filled with the knowledge of your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. =Amen.=

Let us pray for all who suffer and are afflicted in body or in mind;

For the hungry and the homeless, the destitute and the oppressed

For the sick, the wounded, and the crippled

For those in loneliness, fear, and anguish

For those who face temptation, doubt, and despair

For the sorrowful and bereaved

For prisoners and captives, and those in mortal danger

That God in his mercy will comfort and relieve them, and grant them the knowledge of his love, and stir up in us the will and patience to minister to their needs.

*Silence*

Gracious God, the comfort of all who sorrow, the strength of all who suffer: Let the cry of those in misery and need come to you, that they may find your mercy present with them in all their afflictions; and give us, we pray, the strength to serve them for the sake of him who suffered for us, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. =Amen.=

Let us pray for all who have not received the Gospel of Christ;

For those who have never heard the word of salvation

For those who have lost their faith

For those hardened by sin or indifference

For the contemptuous and the scornful

For those who are enemies of the cross of Christ and persecutors of his disciples

For those who in the name of Christ have persecuted others

That God will open their hearts to the truth, and lead them to faith and obedience.

*Silence*

Merciful God, Creater of all the peoples of the earth and lover of souls: Have compassion on all who do not know you as you are revealed in your Son Jesus Christ; let your Gospel be preached with grace and power to those who have not heard it; turn the hearts of those who resist it; and bring home to your fold those who have gone astray; that there may be one flock under one shepherd, Jesus Christ our Lord. =Amen.=

Let us commit ourselves to God, and pray for the grace of a holy life, that, with all who have departed this world and have died in the peace of Christ, and those whose faith is known to God alone, we may be accounted worthy to enter into the fullness of the joy of our Lord, and receive the crown of life in the day of resurrection.

*Silence*

O God of unchangeable power and eternal light: Look favorably on your whole Church, that wonderful and sacred mystery; by the effectual working of your providence, carry out in tranquility the plan of salvation; let the whole world see and know that things which were cast down are being raised up, and things which had grown old are being made new, and that all things are being brought to their perfection by him through whom all things were made, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. =Amen.=

*The service may be concluded here with the singing of a hymn or anthem, the Lord's Prayer, and the final prayer on page 282.*

*If desired, a wooden cross may now be brought into the church and placed in the sight of the people.*

*Appropriate devotions may follow, which may include any or all of the following, or other suitable anthems. If the texts are recited rather than sung, the congregation reads the parts in italics.*

We glory in your cross, O Lord, =and praise and glorify your holy resurrection; for by virtue of your cross joy has come to the whole world.=

May God be merciful to us and bless us, show us the light of his countenance, and come to us.

=Let your ways be known upon earth, your saving health among all nations.=

Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you.

=We glory in your cross, O Lord, and praise and glorify your holy resurrection; for by virtue of your cross joy has come to the whole world.=

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you, =because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.=

If we have died with him, we shall also live with him; if we endure, we shall also reign with him.

=We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you, because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.=

O Savior of the world, who by thy cross and precious blood hast redeemed us: =Save us and help us, we humbly beseech thee, O Lord.=

*The hymn "Sing, my tongue, the glorious battle," or some other hymn extolling the glory of the cross, is then sung.*

*The service may be concluded here with the Lord's Prayer and the final prayer below.*

*In the absence of a bishop or priest, all that precedes may be led by a deacon or lay reader.*

*In places where Holy Communion is to be administered from the reserved Sacrament, the following order is observed*

A Confession of Sin

The Lord's Prayer

The Communion

*The service concludes with the following prayer. No blessing or dismissal is added.*

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, we pray you to set your passion, cross, and death between your judgment and our souls, now and in the hour of our death. Give mercy and grace to the living; pardon and rest to the dead; to your holy Church peace and concord; and to us sinners everlasting life and glory; for with the Father and the Holy Spirit you live and reign, one God, now and for ever. =Amen.=

*There is no celebration of the Eucharist on this day.*

*When there is a Liturgy of the word, the Celebrant begins with the Collect of the Day*

O God, Creator of heaven and earth: Grant that, as the crucified body of your dear Son was laid in the tomb and rested on this holy Sabbath, so we may await with him the coming of the third day, and rise with him to newness of life; who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. =Amen.=

*Old Testament* Job 14:1-14

*Psalm* 130, *or* 31:1-5

*Epistle* 1 Peter 4:1-8

*Gospel* Matthew 27:57-66, *or* John 19:38-42

*After the Gospel (and homily), in place of the Prayers of the People, the Anthem "In the midst of life" (page 484 or 492) is sung or said.*

*The service then concludes with the Lord's Prayer and the Grace.*

*The Great Vigil, when observed, is the first service of Easter Day. It is celebrated at a convenient time between sunset on Holy Saturday and sunrise on Easter Morning.*

*The service normally consists of four parts:*

1. The Service of Light.

2. The Service of Lessons.

3. Christian Initiation, or the Renewal of Baptismal Vows.

4. The Holy Eucharist with the administration of Easter Communion.

*It is customary for all the ordained ministry present, together with lay readers, singers, and other persons, to take active parts in the service.*

*The bishop, when present, is the chief celebrant, presides at Baptism and administers Communion, and normally preaches the sermon.*

*The priests who are present share among them the reading of the Collects which follow each Lesson, and assist at Baptism and the Eucharist. In the absence of a bishop, a priest presides at the service.*

*It is the prerogative of a deacon to carry the Paschal Candle to its place, and to chant the Exsultet. Deacons likewise assist at Baptism and the Eucharist according to their order.*

*Lay persons should read the Lessons and the Epistle, and assist in other ways. A lay person may be assigned to chant the Exsultet. It is desirable that each Lesson be read by a different reader.*

*In the absence of a bishop or priest, a deacon or lay reader may lead the first two parts of the service, the Renewal of Baptismal Vows, and the Ministry of the Word of the Vigil Eucharist, concluding with the Prayers of the People, the Lord's Prayer, and the Dismissal.*

*A deacon may also, when the services of a priest cannot be obtained, and with the authorization of the bishop, officiate at public Baptism; and may administer Easter Communion from the Sacrament previously consecrated.*

*When the Vigil is not celebrated, the Service of Light may take place at a convenient time before the Liturgy on Easter Day.*

The Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday

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