Lessons, Hymns, and Prayers, March 29, 2026, Palm/Passion Sunday

Sola/LSB: John 12:12-19 (Triumphant entry into Jerusalem)

            RCL/ELW: Matthew 21:1-11 (Triumphant entry into Jerusalem)

All: Isaiah 50:4-9a (The Lord vindicates his servant)

All: Psalm 31:9-16 (Deliver me from my tormentors!)

All: Philippians 2:5-11 (Christ humbled himself, even to death. Every knee shall bow!)

All: Matthew 26:1-27:66 (The Passion of Our Lord)

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Hymn, Procession With Palms: All Glory, Laud and Honor: LBW #108, ELW #344, LSB #442

OR LSB #443, Hosanna, Loud Hosanna (A familiar tune and words I remember from SBH.)

Hymn prior to and following Passion narrative: O Sacred Head:  LBW #116/117, ELW #351/352,

LSB #449/450 (Note: the former uses the wonderful Bach harmonization, but the latter has more verses and can be used to break up the Passion narrative, if desired)

Hymn of the Day: O God, I Love Thee: LBW #491 (Note: trust me on this. The words are exquisite. You can sing to the tune of LBW #272, Abide With Me.)

OR Were You There:  LBW #92, ELW #353, LSB #456

OR There in God’s Garden: WOV #668, ELW #342

OR No Tramp of Soldiers’ Marching Feet: LSB #444 (familiar English folk tune, great words that tie together the entry into Jerusalem and the crucifixion. I heartily recommend you obtain permission to use this!)

OR, if you observe this as Palm Sunday only, Prepare the Royal Highway,

LBW #26, ELW #264, LSB #343

Communion Hymn 1: O Lord, How Shall I Meet You: LBW #23, ELW #241, LSB #334

Communion Hymn 2: Beneath the Cross of Jesus: LBW #107, LSB #338

OR Your Only Son, No Sin to Hide: ELW #336, LSB #550

Closing Hymn: Ride On, Ride On in Majesty: LBW #121, ELW #346, LSB #441 ( fairly familiar tune)

OR Lift High the Cross: LBW #377, ELW #660, LSB #837

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Let us pray for the Church, the world, and all people according to their need.

A brief silence

Lord Jesus, by your Cross and precious Blood you have redeemed the whole world and drawn all people to yourself. We praise and adore you for your great sacrifice and love. We beseech you to bestow these holy gifts to all whom we lift before you now in prayer.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord Jesus, by your Cross and precious Blood, save and redeem your Church. Through its ministry of Word, Sacrament, fellowship, and service, draw all people to yourself.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord Jesus, by your Cross and precious Blood, save and redeem those who suffer for the sake of your name, and those who risk danger to proclaim the Gospel to those who do not know you. By their faithful witness, draw all people to yourself.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord Jesus, by your Cross and precious Blood, save and redeem all who seek to walk the hard path of discipleship. Through their willingness to take up their cross and follow you, draw all people to yourself.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord Jesus, by your Cross and precious Blood, save and redeem this congregation, especially those seeking baptism. Through our faith toward you, and fervent love for one another, draw all people to yourself.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord Jesus, by your Cross and precious Blood, save and redeem our children, especially those enduring illness, poverty, abuse, or violence. Through their innocent praise of your goodness, draw all people to yourself.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord Jesus, by your Cross and precious Blood, save and redeem the people in every land and nation, especially those overwhelmed by warfare and oppression. By the guidance of the Holy Spirit, establish your peace in every place; and draw all people to yourself.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord Jesus, by your Cross and precious Blood, save and redeem those who stand in harm’s way on our behalf. Establish through their labors places of safety and calm; and there draw all people to yourself.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord Jesus, by your Cross and precious Blood, save and redeem your people who walk through dark valleys of suffering, sorrow, and death. Bring healing, rest, and comfort to them and to all who care for them Hide them in the shadow of your wings, and draw all people to yourself.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord Jesus, by your Cross and precious Blood, you have saved and redeemed those who have died trusting your promises. Now keep us steadfast in faith, patient in suffering, generous in service, and loving in fellowship, until you have drawn all people to yourself and have bestowed upon all the redeemed the fullness of your forgiveness, blessing, and eternal life.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Hear and graciously answer our prayers, O blessed Savior, according to the mercy and favor you have for your people. Amen.

“They came to Capernaum; and when He was in the house, He began to question them, “What were you discussing on the way?”  But they kept silent, for on the way they had discussed with one another which of them was the greatest” (Mark 9:33-34).

Who is the greatest?  God is.  We are the created and our Lord will do with us what He will do.  The Savior laid down His life so that we might have life.  He who created us with purpose knows the plans He has for each one of us.  Why worry about what we shall be?  The Lord is good and all who believe are invited to the eternal feast.  The world wants position.  In the Lord, You have position with Him already.

Lord, I am filled with pride and I want what I want.  Help me to look beyond the sin of this age in order that I may realize that You are the Creator of all things.  I am who I am, placed where You have placed me.  Guide me in Your goodness and mercy to understand that in You alone do I have my being.  I am who You are making me to be.  Help me to rejoice in all that You do, for You are creating me anew each day by grace.

Thank You my Lord and Savior Jesus for dying so that I might have life.  Lead me according to Your purpose in order that I may humbly walk in the way You would have me walk.  Guide me according to Your purpose so that I may now and always live with the goal of being with You forever.  You know all that is needed and what I need to know is to trust You.  Guide me in that trust forever.  Amen.

“For He was teaching His disciples and telling them, “The Son of Man is to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill Him; and when He has been killed, He will rise three days later.”  But they did not understand this statement, and they were afraid to ask Him” (Mark 9:31-32).

We celebrate the resurrection, but do we really know all that this means?  Probably not.  Allow the mystery of this to dwell richly within you and, Like Mary, the mother of our Lord, ponder these things in your heart.  Do not act as one who understand all things, but as one who trusts in the One who knows all things.  Our Lord is leading and will lead all who believe in order that they may be with Him forever.

Lord, pride does get in the way and I think I know things.  All I need to know is You, the Author and Finisher of my faith.  Lead me in the way You know I need to go and guide me according to Your never-failing precepts which You have established.  You were crucified and on the third day, You rose.  Uniting me with Your death, You have united me with Your resurrection.  You are the Lord of my life.

Lord Jesus, Savior and King, be the One who leads me in all things.  Let me not trust in what I think I know, but in You through whom all things have their being.  Guide me according to the Father’s will to live the life which You have created.  Guide me step by step along the way of living so that I may be conformed to You, the One who saves all who believe.  Guide my footsteps that they may be faithful.  Amen.

“From there they went out and began to go through Galilee, and He did not want anyone to know about it” (Mark 9:30).

Amazing things happen, but the Lord sometimes wants that to be between Him and you.  The more important thing is to learn when to speak and when to be silent.  Let the Lord direct your mouth so that you may speak what is pleasing to the Lord.  Yes, he can and will lead you even to this small detail in Your life.  He desires that You be His child, speaking the things of eternity in all that you say.

Lord, I know that we each have the call You have given us.  The first call is to be obedient to all that You command.  Help me to learn the lessons You teach that I may learn how to be faithful.  Guide me in the upward call You have given me so that as I am conformed to Your image, I learn to look to You for all things.  You are the author of my faith.  Lead me by faith all the days of my life and help me learn how to be obedient.

Thank you Lord Jesus for being with me in my life.  You care enough to deal with all of the issues of my life.  Guide me according to Your purpose so that I humbly submit to Your command.  Keep me as one who is constantly in prayer in order that I may learn from You how to be a willing and obedient servant.  Through all things, may I learn from You what it means to be a child of the Heavenly Father.  Amen.

“But Jesus took him by the hand and raised him; and he got up.  When He came into the house, His disciples began questioning Him privately, “Why could we not drive it out?”  And He said to them, “This kind cannot come out by anything but prayer” (Mark 9:27-29).

It is important that we understand that Jesus does not make us free agents.  We, who are lifted out of the mire of sin only know in part.  He who is perfect knows all truth.  Has not Jesus told us to be continuously praying?  Yes, we can do all things with the Lord, but the Lord will or will not have us do certain things.  His is the power and we are the servants.  Serving the Lord, we are to pray, listen, and then do as He says.

Lord, I can drive out no demon, but You can do all things through me.  It is Your power that accomplishes the Father’s will, not mine.  You are the One who must lead me.  Guide me in living so that I am constantly in communion with You.  Teach me so that I never think of these things as mine, but realize all things come from You.  Plant in me faith, even as small as a mustard seed that it may sprout and grow.

Lord Jesus, continue teaching me how to pray.  Guide me to the inner depths of my being and show me where I resist Your presence and the Father’s purpose.  Help me through all things to trust and believe that You will lead me into everlasting life.  Be the One who guides me and help me to hear as the Holy Spirit speaks to me.  Through all things, be the One who finishes my faith according to the Father’s will.  Amen.

“When Jesus saw that a crowd was rapidly gathering, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You deaf and mute spirit, I command you, come out of him and do not enter him again.”  After crying out and throwing him into terrible convulsions, it came out; and the boy became so much like a corpse that most of them said, “He is dead!” (Mark 9:25-26)

How quick we are to react with unbelief.  We often expect the worse.  All things are in the Lord’s hands and He will accomplish what He purposes.  Guard your mind so that You are not led by the doubts and confusions of this world.  Things may not happen the way you expect or in your thinking of what it may look like, but the Lord will accomplish His will on earth as it is done in heaven.

Lord, grant that I would learn to wait upon You and not jump to conclusions.  You resurrect the dead.  Out of nothing, You have created everything.  Lead me to see that in You is all hope and an eternal future.  Guide me to live believing that all things are possible with You.  Lead me out of myself so that I do not live as one who is deaf and dumb, but live looking to You and see things as they are.

Lord Jesus, You speak the word and it is as You say.  Help my unbelief so that I trust that in You I can do all that You ask.  There are those things in my life which would hinder me.  Remove the obstacles that keep me from living the faith You have given me.  Teach me all I need to know in order that I would hold fast to You through all of the mayhem  that comes in this age.  Raise me to be with You after the last day.  Amen.

Scripture: John 3:1-17

Script: 

Pastor: Good morning boys and girls! Let’s say good morning to our friend Sammy and see if she is there. Ready? One, two, three…Good morning, Sammy!

Sammy: Good morning everyone! Hey, Pastor! Guess what?

Pastor: Oh boy. Here we go.

Sammy: Guess what!

Pastor: What happened, Sammy?

Sammy: There are new babies coming to our farm!

Pastor: There are? That’s great news!

Sammy: I found out from Farmer John that we have lambs, baby goats, chicks, piglets, and foals coming soon.

Pastor: That’s a lot of babies.

Sammy: Yes it is. I am excited but a little nervous, too. It’s been a while since I’ve been around little baby animals. What do you think I could do to help with the new babies? You guys seem like you know how to take care of animal and human babies.

Pastor: Boys and girls, what is it like to have a new baby around? What are some things Sammy can do to help with the new babies on the farm?

[Allow time for responses]

Sammy: These are great answers. I am going to try my best to help Farmer John with the new animal babies on the farm. I cannot wait to meet them–they are going to be so cute!

Pastor: Sammy, speaking of babies, Jesus is talking in the Gospel today about being born again.

Sammy: That’s silly, Pastor. We can only be born once.

Pastor: Not according to Jesus.

Sammy: He knows better than me, but can you please explain how someone can be born again?

Pastor: Well, first we are born as babies. Our mamas give birth to us. And then we are born again when we are baptized into the family of God.

Sammy: Oh so it’s like we are born two times!

Pastor: Exactly! We are born to our mamas, and then we are born by the Spirit.

Sammy: Why do we need to be born again by the Spirit?

Pastor: God loved us so much that he sent Jesus to die for our sins so that we could be saved. We all sin, but Jesus didn’t come to tell us we are bad, he came to earth to rescue us because he loves us. When we say we believe in Jesus and we are baptized into Jesus’s family, we are born again by the Spirit.

Sammy: That’s a gift, Pastor.

Pastor: Yes it is, Sammy. Let’s pray together. Can everyone please fold your hands and bow your heads? Dear Jesus, thank you for baptism. Thank you for new life in you. Thank you for rescuing us. Amen.

Sammy: Bye, everyone!

Pastor: Bye, Sammy!

And Jesus said to him, “‘If You can?’ All things are possible to him who believes.”  Immediately the boy’s father cried out and said, “I do believe; help my unbelief” (Mark 9:23-24).

Jesus confronts head on the lack of belief.  How often do we not receive because we do not ask?  Yes, there can be wrong motive, but often, we do not receive because we do not ask.  Ask the Lord of the harvest, for all things are possible with Him.  One of the most poignant and helpful statements comes to us with the words, “Help my unbelief!”  We need the Lord’s help each and every step of the way.  He will help our belief.

Lord, help my unbelief.  There are many times I think too much about my situation and do not ask for Your help.  Teach me how to come to You with all things trusting that whatever the answer, it will be what is right.  You have told me that by Your power through me I can move mountains.  Help my unbelief so that I live in Your presence and if You say to me, “Tell that mountain to be moved,” You will move the mountain.  All things are possible with You.

Holy Spirit, You know when I am confronted by a wall of unbelief.  Wake me up to trust that all things truly are possible if I will act on what You tell me to do.  I know it is not me, but You who moves the mountain, but I also know that You have great purpose in everything that happens.  Lead me to trust in You above all things.  Guide my faith so that I put into action the things You give me to do.  Amen.

“And He asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood.  It has often thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us!” (Mark 9:21-22)

Even a father who is desperate makes a step of faith and believes that perhaps, if he asks Jesus, his son may be cured.  “Take pity Lord and heal my son.”  But notice that He says, “If you can.”  So many of us act this way toward the Lord as if the Lord is not the Lord of all.  “If you can?”  Do you come to the Lord hoping but not trusting that He is able to do what He has promised?  Do you have faith in the Lord?

Lord, in this world filled with turmoil, I often doubt.  I wonder what is real, what is possible, and what are the limitations.  You are God.  Why do I doubt Your ability?  Do I believe those who hate You because You allowed something to happen they did not like?  Do I actually believe You are limited?  Help me to move through these things to know that You are God and everything is in Your hands.

Jesus, everything You do has great purpose.  You, the Word made flesh, dwelt among us, limited as we are limited in this physical body, yet You did great things and showed the power and authority of the Father.  Help me through my lack of faith and guide me to believe in faith that all things truly are in Your hands and that You will lead all who believe into eternal life, dwelling with You forever.  Amen.

“And He answered them and said, “O unbelieving generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him to Me!”  They brought the boy to Him. When he saw Him, immediately the spirit threw him into a convulsion, and falling to the ground, he began rolling around and foaming at the mouth” (Mark 9:19-20).

Faith is to be acted upon.  Without action, there can be no faith.  Even the Romans understood this when they said, “I came, I saw, and I conquered.”  Faith and its action are two sides of the same thing.  How long will you be unbelieving?  You see the Lord, now put what He says into action.  Through the Lord we can do all things.  All things are subject to the Lord, for He made them all.

Holy and Triune God, there are many times I am unbelieving.  I do not put into action the things You tell me and yet say that I have faith.  I know that I do not have to do things for salvation, for that is a free gift by grace from You.  If I do not put my faith into action, it is like not having faith at all.  Help me to step out in faith and do all that You give me to do.  Teach me how to trust and believe in all of the things You have given me.

Lord Jesus, help my unbelief.  Through You all things are possible.  If You give me a circumstance, guide me to do what You give me to do in that circumstance.  Help me to not tarry nor linger, but live the life You have set before me.  Teach me and help me learn so that my faith is complimented with action in belief.  Take what I know, add to it, and put me into action for Your name’s sake, doing what is pleasing to the Father.  Amen.