palm sunday - union congregational church

Palm Sunday

© 2019 Illustrated Children's Ministry, LLC. All Rights Reserved. May be reproduced for congregational and personal use only, provided each copy carries this notice. illustratedchildrensministry.com

http://illustratedchildrensministry.com

This page intentionally left blank.



PALM SUNDAY

Luke 19:28-40, John 13:1-17, 31-35, John 18:1-42



INTRO

Tell the children this week is a time we call Holy Week. Explain to them that "holy" means set aside for a special purpose.

SCRIPTURE READING

Luke 19:28-40, John 13:1-17, 31-35, John 18:1-42

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

• Why might it be important before Easter to have this special time called Holy Week?

• How might we get our hearts and minds ready for the mystery of Easter during Holy Week?

• Stories, praying, special foods, and songs help us remember Holy Week and get ready. What are your favorite ways to remember Holy Week and get ready for the mysteries of Easter?

WRAP-UP

Tell the children that in this morning's scripture from Luke and John, we follow Jesus through his last week of life. Tell them that the people he knew were ruled by the Roman government, which was brutal and unkind. Explain how the people were so relieved to have a savior in Jesus. Show the children this morning's first illustration. Tell them Jesus was on a colt with just his followers in his parade, while the emperor was on the other side of the city on a big horse in a parade with huge crowds, soldiers, wealth and power. Tell the children how Jesus worked to show a better way of being human and how silly a big show of power actually is. Explain how this made the government angry. Tell them this is what we remember on Palm Sunday. Show the children the second illustration. Describe the scene a few days later when Jesus ate his last meal with his close friends, washed their feet, and showed them what it meant to truly love others. Tell them this is what we remember on Maundy Thursday. Show them the third illustration. Explain that after the meal Roman guards arrested Jesus and had him killed the next day. Tell the children that Jesus' friends were devastated and confused because they couldn't figure out how the evils of the world had overpowered their savior, Jesus. Explain that they expected victory, not death. Tell them this is what we remember on Good Friday. Tell the children that this coming week, Holy Week, we remember all this before celebrating Easter next week. As you close, invite the children to pray with you.

PRAYER Dear God, as we reflect during Holy Week, help us remember and learn from these stories. Please prepare our hearts and minds for the mystery and joy of Easter. Amen.



Luke

19:2

8-40

, Jo

hn 1

3:1-

17, 3

1b-3

5, J

ohn

18:

1-42

• ill

ustr

ate

dchi

ldre

nsm

inis

try.

com


C

op

yrig

ht ©

20

19 Il

lust

rate

d C

hild

ren’

s M

inis

try,

LLC

. All

righ

ts r

ese

rve

d. M

ay b

e r

ep

rodu

ced

for

cong

rega

tiona

l use

pro

vide

d e

ach

cop

y ca

rrie

s th

is n

otic

e. i

llust

rate

dchi

ldre

nsm

inis

try.

com

Act

iviti

es

bas

ed

on

Psa

lm 1

18, L

uke

19.

Co

nne

ct t

he d

ots

to

fo

rm a

pa

lm b

ranc

h. N

ext

to

th

e b

ranc

h, w

rite

or

dra

w s

om

e t

hing

s fo

r w

hich

yo

u w

ant

to

pra

ise

Go

d.

Sug

gest

ed

for

use

on

Palm

Sun

day.


Luke

19

de

scri

be

s th

e s

cene

of

Jesu

s ri

ding

a

donk

ey

and

the

cro

wds

che

eri

ng f

or

him

wit

h th

eir

p

alm

bra

nche

s. If

yo

u w

ere

we

lco

min

g Je

sus

into

to

wn

toda

y, w

hat

wo

uld

you

do?

Wha

t do

yo

u th

ink

Jesu

s w

oul

d lo

ok

like

as

he c

am

e?

Dra

w a

pic

ture

he

re.

Try

to

fin

d th

e w

ord

s fr

om

Luk

e 1

9 in

the

wo

rd

sea

rch

be

low

. Wo

rds

ma

y g

o d

iag

ona

l, up

OR

do

wn

and

fo

rwa

rd O

R b

ack

wa

rd.

PALM SUNDAY WORSHIP GUIDE

Introduction

If you’d like, welcome those gathered by saying the following:

Hello, friends! We are so excited to be joining together in an immersive Palm Sunday worship experience today. On Palm Sunday, we remember a major contrast. Jesus rode on a colt with his followers in his parade on one side of the city, while on the other side, the imperial ruler rode a big horse followed by huge crowds, soldiers, wealth and power. Jesus’ demonstration showed a better way of being human.

Today we’ll make palm branches and participate in a dramatic expression of the Palm Sunday events. We’ll all have a chance to wave palm branches. Then, we’ll close with some time for reflection and discussion together.

Activity: Making Palm Branches

Materials Needed: • Palm branch coloring pages • Coloring utensils, especially green • Scissors

Place materials on tables where folks can gather to color together. Be sure to provide age-appropriate coloring utensils and scissors for young ones if they will be present.

Triumphal Entry Retelling

Choose between the two script options, and select the one that works best in your context.


Overview

On Palm Sunday we celebrate Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem. This immersive

worship experience will include making palm branches, two

script options for a Palm Sunday parade, and some time to reflect and discuss the story

together.


Option One: Dramatized Script

Setup: Prior to the start of your worship encounter, print out a few copies of the script to give to actors. If you’ve not created palm branches together, place a palm branch at each seat on Jesus’ side of the worship space.

Have Jesus and all the disciples (minus one) go to one back corner of the worship space. Pilate and guards go to the other back corner. Once everyone is in place, begin the script. When finished, return to the worship guide.

Option Two: Narrated Script

Setup: Prior to your worship encounter, if you’ll not be creating palm branches together, place a palm branch at each seat of the worship space. Inform the congregation that when they hear, “They all waved their hands and palms and shouted, ‘Hosanna!’” they will wave their palm branches and shout “Hosanna!” Practice this once.

Have the readers at the front of the worship space. Jesus is up front with his disciples (who are wearing cloaks). Pony stick is on one side of the worship space. Cloak holders are in the front rows with their cloaks.

Note: The narrator will make clear the stage directions as part of their dialogue. Once everyone is in place, begin the script. When finished, return to the worship guide.


Gather a few congregants (children and/or adults) to play the following roles:

• 3 or more disciples • Jesus • 2 or more guards • Pilate

Gather the following props:

• Cloaks • Palm branches (illustrated or real)

Gather a few congregants (children and/or adults) to play the following roles:

• Reader 1 • Reader 2 • Jesus • 2 or more disciples • A few cloak holders in the front rows • 2 or more Pharisees

Gather the following props:

• Pony stick • Cloaks • Palm branches (illustrated or real)


Discussion Questions

Ask the actors to turn toward the congregation and take their bow. Then close the dramatization by saying “Wow, what a powerful story we have to consider on Palm Sunday!” Invite everyone to reflect together with a few discussion questions.

• Jesus knew that Pilate would be holding a parade, too. He and his followers used that as an opportunity to send a message to the Roman government. How do you think Jesus felt knowing the Roman government didn't like when people competed for their power?

• Jesus had great courage to do what he did even though the government wouldn't like it. Do you imagine there are ways we stand up for justice today in our society?

• In what ways do people still struggle to live freely in our communities?

• How might we carry on Jesus' legacy and help in some way, perhaps even by standing up to powerful people who use their authority to harm others?

Wrap-up

Explain that Palm Sunday is an opportunity for us to notice when power is being used to harm. Describe the way that Jesus' life is an invitation to take action and support those working for freedom and wholeness. Perhaps use this as an opportunity to discuss ways your congregation can work for justice. Or invite them to a justice-oriented function you have already scheduled. You may consider taking action for justice in new ways during this time together.

Prayer

Dear God, you are the source of justice and freedom in our communities and world. Use us as instruments in our schools, at our jobs, and in our cities, so the work Jesus started continues to bring life to us all. Amen.



illustratedchildrensministry.com

Palm Sunday Dramatized Script

Disciple 1: (runs up to Jesus and the other disciples) Jesus, I did what you asked and got the colt that was tied up in the village.

Jesus: Aw, thank you. How did it go?

Disciple 1: Well, the owners weren't all that happy about me taking it, but I just told them you needed it and headed straight back here.

Disciple 2: Jesus, what's this all about, anyway?

Jesus: The Caesar's messengers announced that there will be a huge parade and that all citizens shall be there to celebrate Rome.

Disciple 2: So, you're riding this colt to the imperial parade?

Jesus: No, no. We're staying here and having our own parade on this side of town.

Disciples look at each other confused. Jesus and the disciples freeze.

Pilate: (yelling) Are my imperial chariots readied?

Guard 1: Yes, Pilate, they are.

Pilate: (yelling) How many of my royal guards will be with me?

Guard 2: I'm not sure, sir.

Pilate: (yelling) Whatever the number is, I want more. Double it! And be sure they're my strongest, biggest men! The people have to see how powerful the Roman empire is!

Guard 1: Yes, sir.

Pilate: (yelling to his guards) Get me my biggest horse! That's the one I'll ride!

Guard 2: Yes, sir.

Pilate and the guards freeze.

Jesus: I'll ride this colt. We'll invite people to walk with us announcing our arrival into the city. This week is Passover, when we celebrate our freedom from slavery and oppression. What better time to show the Romans what we’re made of?

Disciple 3: Jesus, I don't think Pilate is gonna like that we're doing this.

Jesus: Well, of course not. That's kind of the point! And, plus, I serve God not Caesar.

Disciple 3: Okaaaay. I hope you know what you're getting us into. I mean, Pilate works for Caesar, the ruler of the whole Roman empire, and uses his guards as secret police.



Jesus: This is what I came here to do. I won't remain silent when the government is trampling on people's lives, even if it means I put my life at risk. Pilate and the Caesar only want more power. But the kind of power they want is never enough. It fades quickly and only causes death. We will show the world a different kind of power that brings life and lasts forever.

All disciples: Yes, yes! Okay, Teacher, we're with you. What's next?

Jesus: Alright, go gather my followers! We'll meet back here to begin the parade.

Disciples go into the congregation and invite several people to join them. Congregants go back to Jesus with the disciples. Each is given a cloak and/or a palm branch. They all freeze.

Pilate: (yelling) Guards! Get your shiniest helmets on and polish your axes and swords! I want the people to see my glory shining from the metal!

Guards: (together, yelling) Yes, sir!

Pilate: (yelling) Is everyone ready?

Guards: (together, yelling) Yes, sir!

Pilate is behind the guards and the guards form a block in front of him. They all freeze, ready to process. Jesus is behind the group of disciples and followers. All are ready to process.

Jesus: Is everyone ready?

All followers: Yes, Teacher, we're ready!

Both groups process toward the front of the sanctuary from opposite back corners. The Jesus followers lay down their cloaks on the floor just in front of where Jesus is walking.

Jesus’ parade: (waving their palm branches) "Hosanna! Praise God!"

Pilate’s parade: "Pax Romana! Praise Caesar!"

Once at the front of the worship space, both groups pause. Jesus and Pilate quiet the cheering.

Pilate: (to his guards) What's happening over there on the other side of town? Who would dare to rival me with another parade?

Guards: (looking confused) I don't know, sir. Shall we go find out?

Pilate and the guards freeze.

Pharisees: Jesus, this is not a good idea. You must quiet your followers!

Jesus: I hate to break it to you. If they were quiet, the stones would be cheering!



Palm Sunday Narrated Script

Reader 1: It was the beginning of Passover week when Jews from all over traveled to Jerusalem to remember their freedom from slavery and oppression.

Reader 2: You see, the Jews had once been ruled by Egypt and never wanted to struggle again in that way.

Reader 1: While traveling with his disciples, Jesus looked toward a town below and knew this was the perfect time and place to show the Roman empire what he and his followers were truly about.

Reader 2: As they walked toward the town, Jesus looked at two of his disciples and told them to go get him a colt tied up in the village, which no one had ever ridden.

Reader 1: When the disciples brought the colt back to him, they threw their cloaks on it and Jesus got on. As he went along, more people spread their cloaks on the road for the colt to walk on.

Reader 2: When he came near, the whole crowd with him began joyfully praising God for all the miracles they had seen.

Reader 1: They all waved their hands and palms and shouted, “Hosanna!” Motion to the congregation.

Reader 2: That same day, Pilate, the royal official who ruled over Jerusalem, would be arriving to hold a parade of his own to show the empire's power.

Reader 1: Because of this, some of the Pharisees in the crowd got scared the Roman government would find out about this and arrest them all, or worse.

Reader 2: They tried to quiet the crowd and told Jesus, “Teacher, tell your disciples to stop their cheering!”

Reader 2: Jesus shrugged at the Pharisees. “I tell you,” he replied, “if they kept quiet, the stones would cry out.”

Reader 1: As Jesus approached Jerusalem and looked down upon the city, he felt deep sadness. He said “I wish you had known what would bring you true peace. Instead, your enemies will soon trap you."

Reader 2: With a heavy heart, Jesus continued with the parade of his followers into the city. They cheered, so grateful their savior had come to give them life and freedom.

The colt walks across the stage while Jesus looks ahead and the crowd cheers. All exit together.



palm sunday - union congregational church

Documents