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Palm Sunday

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AGE: Infants and Juniors

THEME: Palm Sunday

BACKGROUND:
Palm Sunday is the Sunday before Easter. It marks the beginning of Holy Week, the week leading up to Good Friday and Easter Day (which is also always on Sunday). On Palm Sunday, Christians celebrate Jesus Christ's entry into Jerusalem to complete his work on earth. The crowd shouted 'Hosanna to the Son of David!', which means 'We rejoice in you, Lord Jesus'. The day has a bittersweet quality to it because although his triumphant progress into the city was greeted with great enthusiasm, within a few days the crowd had turned on Jesus and wanted him dead. You will find the story in the Gospels: Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-10 and Luke 19:29-40.

PREPARATION:
  • In classes before the worship; make either or both:
    • simple card crosses decorated with symbols or pictures of some episodes of Jesus' ministry, or some of the stories he told
    • palm fronds: roll green sugar paper loosely. Make cuts from the top to the middle. Pull from the centre and secure the stem with masking tape.
  • Prepare:
    • the words 'Hosanna to the Son of David!' printed on a large piece of card or on an OHT for all to see
    • an OHT of the songs to sing
    • a simple donkey mask for a child to wear.
  • Help the children compose simple 'processional music' e.g. using drums and bells (alternatively use recorded music - see list below).
  • Get volunteers to represent Jesus and a handful of disciples; choose a narrator.

DEVELOPMENT:
Start by singing one of the Palm Sunday songs (see music list).

LEADER: You have just sung a song about the time when Jesus came into Jerusalem for the last time in his life. Churches throughout the world celebrate this event by acting out the story every year. Today we are remembering this special time. We have some children to help us, but all of you have an important part to play as the crowd in Jerusalem all those years ago. They welcomed Jesus by shouting the words 'Hosanna to the Son of David!' (Invite the children to suggest the meaning of these words - see introduction.)

Jesus and his disciples come onto the stage.
NARRATOR:  When Jesus came near to Jerusalem, he sent two of his disciples to bring a donkey to him. Jesus said:
JESUS:  Go to the village nearby, and you will find a donkey there. Bring it to me, and if anyone questions you, tell them 'My master needs it.'

The disciples move off and then return with the 'donkey'.

NARRATOR:  The disciples went and did as they were told, and brought the donkey to Jesus. He got on it and rode into Jerusalem.

Jesus and his disciples then process round the assembly space with the donkey, accompanied by suitable music (either recorded or played by the children).

NARRATOR:  Crowds of people spread their cloaks on the ground and some cut down branches from the palm trees to put on the road. The crowd all shouted and waved their palms.
ALL CHILDREN:  Hosanna to the Son of David!

Shout many times and wave crosses and fronds.
All children sing another of the recommended songs - see below.

PRAYER AND REFLECTION:
LEADER:  The crowd welcomed Jesus on Palm Sunday, but a few days later they turned against him. Are you always loyal and trustworthy to your friends? Think of how you might show your friends that you care for them all the time.

After the quiet time, invite children to contribute their ideas.

LEADER:  Listen to these words which remind Christians of the time Jesus rode into Jerusalem:

Jesus, you rode into the city of Jerusalem in triumph on Palm Sunday and the people welcomed you as their king. By Friday the crowd had turned against you and were shouting 'Crucify Him!' Help us always to be loyal to our friends. Lord Jesus, may our love for you always be strong, now and for ever. Amen.

The children then process out of the assembly space, waving their crosses and palm fronds, singing a chorus of one of the songs.

MUSIC:
For the processional music as Jesus comes into Jerusalem, use the 'Triumphant March' from Aida by Verdi. There are many recordings of this popular piece of music.

There are some good songs for this act of worship. They include the traditional hymn 'All Glory, Laud and Honour', to be found in most hymn books.

Songs particularly suitable for Key Stages 1 and 2:
'Hurray for Jesus' (Someone's Singing Lord, 50 pub. A. & C. Black)
'Hosanna, Hosanna' (Junior Praise, 365 pub. Marshall Pickering)
'Trotting, trotting' (Come and Praise, 128 pub. BBC)
'We have a king who rides a donkey' (Someone's Singing Lord, 51).

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Copyright © Culham Institute 2000-2012