A Vespers Palm Sunday Liturgy
a service by Aaron Schultz
The space should be very dimly lit. In front on the altar there will sit a cross, and the cross will be adorned with a few palms. Candles will be lined up in front on the altar, but only one larger candle in the middle will be lit. Palms will also be on the floor around the altar. In the narthex people will be given an order of worship and palm branch upon entry. People will then enter in silence and find their seats in the dimly lit sanctuary.
[service will begin in silence]
Prayer for the Light
[Chant begins while the light is being processed in]
(Pastor will come forward and with a candle, borrow the flame from the Christ candle already lit and from it, light the rest of the candles on the Table The candles on the chancel and maybe two on either side of it will be the only candles lit in the sanctuary. Just make sure space is lit enough for people to read their bulletins if text is not projected on screens).
Cantor: Arise, shine; for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
For darkness shall cover the earth,
and thick darkness the peoples;
but the Lord will arise upon you,
and his glory will appear over you.
Nations shall come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
Lift up your eyes and look around;
they all gather together, they come to you;
your sons shall come from far away,
and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses’ arms.
Then you shall see and be radiant;
your heart shall thrill and rejoice. (Isaiah 60:15)
Opening Sentences
Leader: Grace and peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ.
All: Thanks be to God.
Leader: Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.
All: God’s mercy endures forever.
Song of Light
Text: Traditional Latin (trans. Henry W. Longfellow) Music: Allan Mahnke, b. 1944
All Sing: O gladsome light Of the Father Immortal,
And of the celestial Sacred and blessed
Jesus, our Saviour.
Now to the sunset Again hast thou brought us:
And, seeing the evening Twilight, we bless thee.
Praise thee, adore thee.
Father omnipotent;
Son, the Lifegiver;
Spirit, the Comforter;
Worthy at all times
Of worship and wonder.
Thanksgiving for the Light
Leader: But as for me, I will look to the LORD, I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me. Do not rejoice over me, O my enemy;
when I fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD will be a light to me. I must bear the indignation of the LORD, because I have sinned against him,
until he takes my side and executes judgment for me. He will bring me out to the light; I shall see his vindication. (Micah 7:7-9)
All: Almighty and most merciful God, kindle within us the fire of love, that by its cleansing flame we may be purged of all our sins and made
worthy to worship you in spirit and in truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (see BOCP 111)
Litany of the Palms
(This litany highlights the triumphal entry of the palms while looking towards the future of the palms (i.e. Gen. 3:19 “for you are dust, and dust you shall return”) and the ultimate
destination of this procession; the cross. This would connect with both the entrance into Holy Week in the Palm Sunday service and the Procession of the Palms with the
Imposition of Ashes. This litany functions as a summary of the intention behind this service; namely, investigating the chasm between the service of the Palms and the Palm
Passion which is the posture of the onset of Holy Week.)
Leader: “A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of
Jesus and that followed were shouting, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!’
When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, ‘Who is this?’ (Matthew 21:8-10)
Leader: Voices were united in the proclamation of “Hosanna” as palm branches were laid out on the ground for the entry of a King; not even the foot of the animal Christ
was riding on deserved to touch the dust of the earth.
All: On the path to Calvary, we placed our palms of hope on the ground.
Leader: Voices were united in the proclamation of “Hosanna” as palm branches were waved high into the air, signaling the triumph soon to come.
All: On the path to Calvary, we waved our palms of joy and palms of celebration.
Leader: Voices were quieted once the path of celebration became a journey into the shadows of betrayal.
All: On the path to Calvary, our palms of hope, joy, and celebration became the dust of the earth.
Leader: Willingly, Christ lowered himself and assumed the likeness of human form. Willingly, Christ rode into the city that would soon mark his grave. Willingly, Christ
remained obedient and faithful; even until to point of death on a cross.
All: On the path to Calvary, O God, grace us with the obedience of Christ.
Leader: Voices of adoration became, in one breath, voices of denial. He was despised and rejected; a man of suffering and acquainted with infirmity.
All: On the path to Calvary, on the path to glory, let us take up our cross and follow.
Leader: Ours are the voices of proclamation, adoration, denial, and betrayal. Ours are the voices that ask: “Who is this?”
All: On the path to Calvary, forgive us, we pray.
Song of Reflection
(During this time, people will be instructed to walk forward towards the chancel and place their palms on the Table, then return to their seats. This will happen while Rescue Me is playing.)
Rescue Me
Text and Music: David Gungor
Rescue me
I am drowning in doubt
I cannot see You
This water’s deep
I’ve been treading too long
And now I’m sinking
Will You let me see if You are there?
Will You rescue me if You are there?
Comfort me
This fear is dragging me down
Deep in the darkness
Frigid sea
My whole heart has gone cold
I know I’m dying
Will You answer me if You are there?
Will You rescue me if You are there?
Psalm 103
Leader: Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all his benefits—who forgives all
your iniquity who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the Pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good as
long as you lives so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
All Sing: For God knows how we were made; God remembers that we are dust.
Leader: The Lord works vindication and justice for all who are oppressed. He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel. The Lord is merciful
and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always accuse, nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to
our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him as far
as the east is from the west, so far he removes our transgressions from us.
All Sing: For God knows how we were made; God remembers that we are dust.
Leader: As a father has compassion for his children, so the Lord has compassion for those who fear him. For he knows how we were made; he remembers that
we are dust. As for mortals, their days are like grass; they flourish like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place
knows it no more. But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children’s children,
to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments.
All Sing: For God knows how we were made; God remembers that we are dust.
Leader: The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all. Bless the Lord, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his
bidding, obedient to his spoken word. Bless the Lord, all his hosts, his ministers that do his will. Bless the Lord, all his works, in all places of his dominion. Bless
the Lord, O my soul.
All Sing: For God knows how we were made; God remembers that we are dust.
Psalm 69
Leader: Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in deep mire, where there is no foothold; I have come into deep waters, and the flood sweeps
over me. I am weary with my crying; my throat is parched. My eyes grow dim with waiting for my God.
[Silence]
Leader: O God, you know my folly; the wrongs I have done are not hidden from you. Do not let those who hope in you be put to shame because of me, O Lord God of
hosts; do not let those who seek you be dishonored because of me, O God of Israel. It is for your sake that I have borne reproach, that shame has covered my
face. I have become a stranger to my kindred, an alien to my mother’s children.
[Silence]
Leader: But as for me, my prayer is to you, O Lord. At an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love, answer me. With your faithful help
rescue me from sinking in the mire; let me be delivered from my enemies and from the deep waters. Do not let the flood sweep over me, or the deep
swallow me up, or the Pit close its mouth over me. Do not hide your face from your servant, for I am in distress—make haste to answer me.
All: My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, from the words of my groaning? O my God, I cry by day, but
you do not answer; and by night, but find no rest. (Psalm 21:12)
Service of the Word
(This portion of the liturgy will incorporate the practice of Lectio Divina)
Jonah 2:16
First Reading:
(During this first reading, work to absorb the contents of the passage)
Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the belly of the fish, saying, “I called to the Lord out of my distress, and he answered me; out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and you
heard my voice. You cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, and the flood surrounded me; all your waves and your billows passed over me. Then I said, ‘I am
driven away from your sight; how shall I look again upon your holy temple?’ The waters closed in over me; the deep surrounded me; weeds were wrapped around my head
at the roots of the mountains. I went down to the land whose bars closed upon me forever; yet you brought up my life from the Pit, O Lord my God.
(Sung Response in ostinato form)
All Sing: It is you who light my lamp; the Lord, my God, lights up my darkness.
Second Reading:
(During this second reading, pay attention to what words or images stick out to you)
Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the belly of the fish, saying, “I called to the Lord out of my distress, and he answered me; out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and you
heard my voice. You cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, and the flood surrounded me; all your waves and your billows passed over me. Then I said, ‘I am
driven away from your sight; how shall I look again upon your holy temple?’ The waters closed in over me; the deep surrounded me; weeds were wrapped around my head
at the roots of the mountains. I went down to the land whose bars closed upon me forever; yet you brought up my life from the Pit, O Lord my God.
All Sing: It is you who light my lamp; the Lord, my God, lights up my darkness.
Third Reading:
(During this third reading, ask yourself how this passage speaks to your current situation)
Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the belly of the fish, saying, “I called to the Lord out of my distress, and he answered me; out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and you
heard my voice. You cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, and the flood surrounded me; all your waves and your billows passed over me. Then I said, ‘I am
driven away from your sight; how shall I look again upon your holy temple?’ The waters closed in over me; the deep surrounded me; weeds were wrapped around my head
at the roots of the mountains. I went down to the land whose bars closed upon me forever; yet you brought up my life from the Pit, O Lord my God.
All Sing: It is you who light my lamp; the Lord, my God, lights up my darkness.
Hymn
Out of the Deep I Call
Text: Henry W. Baker, 1868 Music: William Daman, 1579
Out of the deep I call
To thee, O Lord, to Thee.
Before Thy throne of grace I fall;
Be merciful to me.
Out of the deep I cry,
The woful deep of sin,
Of evil done in days gone by,
Of evil now within.
Out of the deep of fear
And dread of coming shame,
From morning watch till night is near
I plead the precious Name.
Lord, there is mercy now,
As ever was, with Thee;
Before Thy throne of grace I bow;
Be merciful to me.
Intercessions
(adapted from DP PSUSA pg 308)
Leader: O Christ,
from the chasm of hopeless despair and agony you bring light and life.
You are the source of hope;
Your mercy is enduring and your patience is unceasing;
You show love to those who call upon your name in times of distress.
All: Save us, O Lord.
Leader: O Christ, pure source of heavenly bliss:
For our transgressions you were mocked, beaten, despised, and put to death;
In your holy innocence you suffered as a wretched sinner.
By your suffering you bring hope to the world;
a hope of new life and everlasting communion with you.
All: Save us, O Lord.
Leader: O Christ, Light of Light, pure and bright:
You bring order into the depths of our brokenness,
You welcome all and are reconciling all to yourself,
You are the ultimate destination of our seeking souls,
You are our life and our resurrection.
All: Save us, O Lord.
Leader: Jesus, Lamb of God,
All: have mercy on us.
Leader: Jesus, bearer of our sins,
All: have mercy on us.
Leader: Jesus, redeemer of the world,
All: grant us peace.
Lord’s Prayer
Leader: And now, let us say together the prayer Christ taught us to pray:
All: Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come; thy will be done, in earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive them that trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
Leader: Almighty God,
look with favor upon your children and draw ever nearer to us.
We have rejected your truth,
alienated ourselves from you and from our neighbors,
and willingly disobeyed your law.
In our doubt we have chosen to live in fear of uncertainty instead of joy in faith.
Forgive us, most merciful One;
enter into this dark night of our souls, the Pit of our disobedience and despair,
that we may walk in the way of the cross,
the way of life and the way of peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
[Silent Confession of Sin]
Prayer of Assurance
Leader: While it is true that we have sinned,
Your grace remains greater than the extent of our disobedience.
Christ bore our sins in his body on the cross;
offering the freedom to life in righteousness;
healing through the wounds which he endured. 1 Peter 2:24
Song of Sending:
Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence (only stanzas 1-3)
Text: From the Liturgy of St. James, 4th Cent. Music: French Melody (arr. Schultz)
Let all mortal flesh keep silence,
And with fear and trembling stand;
Ponder nothing earthly minded,
For with blessing in His hand,
Christ our God to earth descendeth,
Our full homage to demand.
King of kings, yet born of Mary,
As of old on earth He stood,
Lord of lords, in human vesture,
In the body and the blood;
He will give to all the faithful
His own self for heavenly food.
Rank on rank the host of heaven
Spreads its vanguard on the way,
As the Light of light descendeth
From the realms of endless day,
That the powers of hell may vanish
As the darkness clears away.
Closing Prayer
(Following the song, Pastor will go up to the chancel and extinguish all of the flames except
the one big candle that was already lit prior to the service. Then he/she will turn to the
congregation and issue a closing prayer)
Leader: When we are alone, God is near.
When we are sinking in the depths of doubt, God comes to our rescue.
When all we hear is silence, God is speaking the Words of Life.
In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
[All depart in silence]