Also known as the Sunday of the Passion, Palm Sunday starts Holy Week. It recalls Jesus’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem.   (Mt 21:1-11, Mk 11:1-11a, Lk 19:29-40) and Jesus’ Passion on the cross (Mt 26:36-27:66, Mk 14:32-15:47, Lk 22:39-23:56). At St. Bart’s, we start the service in the Parish Hall with the reading of the Liturgy of the Palms. At the appropriate moment, the Altar Guild will distribute blessed palms to everyone, and together, we process behind the Crucifer who leads us into the nave as we sing the traditional hymn, “All Glory, Laud, and Honor.”

As the service progresses, we hear the story of the Passion of Christ, with parts read by members of the congregation. This year’s Passion story is based on the Gospel of Luke. As the story progresses, we begin to feel our own complicity in Christ’s death as we shout for his crucifixion.