Sacred Space: A Resource for Small-group Ministry Year C Palm Sunday Scripture: Luke 19:28 40 NRSV Gathering Welcome Palm Sunday, representing the day Jesus entered Jerusalem, starts Holy Week in the Christian tradition. It also starts our journey as we walk toward the cross with Jesus. We have prepared for the journey through our Lenten experience. Our time in the wilderness allowed us to empty ourselves of self-centeredness and focus on the mission of Christ. Prayer for Peace Ring a bell or chime three times slowly. Light the peace candle. Open our hearts to receive you as they did in Jerusalem long ago. May enthusiastic shouts of hosanna restore our joy. May the welcoming cloaks and branches spread on the ground remind us of our love for you. May your entry on the back of a lowly donkey renew our hope. And as you enter our hearts today may we be people of your peace. Amen. Spiritual Practice Prayer of Examen Today s spiritual practice is called the Prayer of Examen. This prayer form was developed by St. Ignatius of Loyola (1491 1556). It may be used anytime as a way of reviewing the day with God. The intent is to recognize where we need forgiveness and healing, reconciliation, and recommitment. It helps us walk in humility with Christ. The prayer we will use today is an adapted Prayer of Examen. Say: I will lead you through the prayer line-by-line, allowing silence after each prayer statement for your private meditation and prayer.
Lead the group through the prayer line-by-line. Allow silent time after each prayer statement for silent meditation and prayer. Thank you, God for the gifts of life and this day. God, allow us to see the day as we have lived it and in light of your will. God, help us reflect honestly on the events, interactions, and emotions of the day. Give us insight into the ways our responses were good, life-giving, or healing. Give us insight into the ways our responses may have been insensitive, unloving, or damaging to others, creation, or self. God, open us to receive your grace, mercy, forgiveness, healing, reconciliation, and release. God, we offer our tomorrow to you. May we be present in our thoughts, actions, and relationships as we move on to live a new day in the presence of Christ. Amen. Sharing Around the Table Luke 19:28 40 NRSV After he had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. When he had come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples, saying, Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, Why are you untying it? just say this, The Lord needs it. So those who were sent departed and found it as he had told them. As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, Why are you untying the colt? They said, The Lord needs it. Then they brought it to Jesus; and after throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. As he rode along, people kept spreading their cloaks on the road. As he was now approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen, saying, Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven! Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, Teacher, order your disciples to stop. He answered, I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.
To understand this scripture we must be aware of the context and culture of the day. Imperial processions were commonplace. Authorities like Pontius Pilate, governor of Judea, entered Jerusalem from the west, on horses accompanied by foot soldiers, walking in lockstep in a striking display of military power and conquest. In contrast, Jesus and his little band of low-status disciples entered from the east. His procession echoed the words of the prophet Zechariah (9:9 10): humbly riding on a donkey; banishing chariots from Ephraim, banishing horses from Jerusalem, and banishing the warrior s bow. The power resident in Jesus was not reflective of the worldly power of the Roman emperor, ruling with a mighty army through force and known by the official title son of god (divi filius). Jesus is the king who came in the name of the Lord, proclaiming the reign of God an everlasting peace modeling God s way of power and relationship. The Palm Sunday procession, in sharp contrast to the powerful Roman Empire, foreshadowed the impending conflict that led to the cross. The spiritual power in Jesus confronts world expressions of power that are contrary to God s vision of the peaceable kingdom. Jesus brings a new understanding of God s reign, which turned first-century kingdom and rule upside down. Questions 1. How do your choices and actions align with the procession Jesus led from the east? How do your choices and actions align with the procession Pilate led from the west? 2. Jesus confronted the iniquities of first-century Rome. What iniquities can we name in our city, nation, and world? 3. How have you experienced the reign of God, the peaceable kingdom? Generosity Statement Faithful disciples respond to an increasing awareness of the abundant generosity of God by sharing according to the desires of their hearts; not by commandment or constraint (Doctrine and Covenants 163:9). The offering basket is available if you would like to support ongoing small-group ministries as part of your generous response. This offering prayer is adapted from A Disciple s Generous Response: God of rejoicing, We share with joy-filled hearts in response to the presence of your Son. May the offerings we share bring joy, hope, love, and peace into the lives of others that they might experience your mercy and grace. Amen. Invitation to Next Meeting Closing Hymn CCS 465, Filled With Excitement Closing Prayer Optional Additions Depending on Group Sacrament of the Lord s Supper Thoughts for Children
Prayer for Peace Ring a bell or chime three times slowly. Light the peace candle. Open our hearts to receive you as they did in Jerusalem long ago. May enthusiastic shouts of hosanna restore our joy. May the welcoming cloaks and branches spread on the ground remind us of our love for you. May your entry on the back of a lowly donkey renew our hope. And as you enter our hearts today may we be people of your peace. Amen.
Spiritual Practice Prayer of Examen Today s spiritual practice is called the Prayer of Examen. This prayer form was developed by St. Ignatius of Loyola (1491 1556). It may be used anytime as a way of reviewing the day with God. The intent is to recognize where we need forgiveness and healing, reconciliation, and recommitment. It helps us walk in humility with Christ. The prayer we will use today is an adapted Prayer of Examen. Say: I will lead you through the prayer line-by-line, allowing silence after each prayer statement for your private meditation and prayer. Lead the group through the prayer line-by-line. Allow silent time after each prayer statement for silent meditation and prayer. Thank you, God for the gifts of life and this day. God, allow us to see the day as we have lived it and in light of your will. God, help us reflect honestly on the events, interactions, and emotions of the day. Give us insight into the ways our responses were good, life-giving, or healing. Give us insight into the ways our responses may have been insensitive, unloving, or damaging to others, creation, or self. God, open us to receive your grace, mercy, forgiveness, healing, reconciliation, and release. God, we offer our tomorrow to you. May we be present in our thoughts, actions, and relationships as we move on to live a new day in the presence of Christ. Amen.
Sharing Around the Table Luke 19:28 40 NRSV After he had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. When he had come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples, saying, Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, Why are you untying it? just say this, The Lord needs it. So those who were sent departed and found it as he had told them. As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, Why are you untying the colt? They said, The Lord needs it. Then they brought it to Jesus; and after throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. As he rode along, people kept spreading their cloaks on the road. As he was now approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen, saying, Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven! Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, Teacher, order your disciples to stop. He answered, I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out. To understand this scripture we must be aware of the context and culture of the day. Imperial processions were commonplace. Authorities like Pontius Pilate, governor of Judea, entered Jerusalem from the west, on horses accompanied by foot soldiers, walking in lockstep in a striking display of military power and conquest. In contrast, Jesus and his little band of low-status disciples entered from the east. His procession echoed the words of the prophet Zechariah (9:9 10): humbly riding on a donkey; banishing chariots from Ephraim, banishing horses from Jerusalem, and banishing the warrior s bow. The power resident in Jesus was not reflective of the worldly power of the Roman emperor, ruling with a mighty army through force and known by the official title son of god (divi filius). Jesus is the king who came in the name of the Lord, proclaiming the reign of God an everlasting peace modeling God s way of power and relationship. The Palm Sunday procession, in sharp contrast to the powerful Roman Empire, foreshadowed the impending conflict that led to the cross. The spiritual power in Jesus confronts world expressions of power that are contrary to God s vision of the peaceable kingdom. Jesus brings a new understanding of God s reign, which turned first-century kingdom and rule upside down. Questions 1. How do your choices and actions align with the procession Jesus led from the east? How do your choices and actions align with the procession Pilate led from the west?
2. Jesus confronted the iniquities of first-century Rome. What iniquities can we name in our city, nation, and world? 3. How have you experienced the reign of God, the peaceable kingdom?
Generosity Statement Faithful disciples respond to an increasing awareness of the abundant generosity of God by sharing according to the desires of their hearts; not by commandment or constraint (Doctrine and Covenants 163:9). The offering basket is available if you would like to support ongoing small-group ministries as part of your generous response. This offering prayer is adapted from A Disciple s Generous Response: God of rejoicing, We share with joy-filled hearts in response to the presence of your Son. May the offerings we share bring joy, hope, love, and peace into the lives of others that they might experience your mercy and grace. Amen.
Communion Statement Lent We come together to share in the Lord s Supper as a visible witness of loving Christian fellowship and shared remembrance of Jesus Christ s death and resurrection (Doctrine and Covenants 164:4a). All committed followers of Christ are invited to partake, but no one should feel pressured to receive the emblems. During this Lenten season let us share in Communion as an expression of blessing, healing, peace, and community. In preparation let s sing from Community of Christ Sings 527, Bread of the World.
Thoughts for Children Materials: small palm fronds or leaves Have you ever had to prepare to do something special, like go to a party or visit someone exceptional? How do we prepare? We would dress up in extra-special clothes. We might bring flowers or a present. We would want to show we were doing something special. Palm Sunday is when we tell the story of Jesus coming into the city of Jerusalem. It was a special day, and Jesus planned very carefully how he would arrive. He decided he would not ride a big, fancy, horse like kings did. He would ride on a donkey or very small horse. Jesus was trying to show the people of Jerusalem that he was devoted to peace, not power. How can we show people we are committed to peace? Affirm the children as they respond. We could sing about peace. We could treat each other respectfully. We could offer prayers for peace. These are all ways we could show that peace is important to us. As Jesus rode into Jerusalem to show he was coming in peace, the people around him put branches from a palm tree on the ground to make a special carpet for him. That is why we call this day Palm Sunday. Hand out the small palm fronds or leaves. These leaves can help you remember that Jesus comes into our lives to remind us to work for peace. If you want, you can wave them joyfully during our closing hymn today.