This “sermon” reads more like script cues, because it is Springwater’s custom to “experience” or “act out” the Palm Sunday and Passion story, rather than to “preach” it. The communion table is set with filled communion cups, the empty chalice, a juice-filled pitcher, three plates with pieces of matzoh.

Prelude: Chime Choir plays, “He Comes”

Pouring of the Baptismal Water: Eileen reads Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 while a child assists by pouring the baptismal water.

Call to Worship

Hymn of Praise, #89 “Hosanna, Loud Hosanna.” The children enter from fellowship hall during the singing of the hymn, waving fern fronds. They walk around the side wall, across the back, and down the center aisle to stand in front until after the prayer.

Prayer of Confession

Words of Assurance

Sung Response

Passing the Peace

Welcome and Announcements, Prayers of the People

Special Music: children sing “Hosanna”

Prayer for Illumination

Entry into Jerusalem
Luke 19:28-40
Setting the stage, the children are invited to pretend they are in Jerusalem for Passover. Passover as the festival of freedom from slavery in Egypt. We aren’t free! The Romans are ruling our country. Are we happy? (Youth as rabble-rousers, shouting “No!”) What do we want? (Youth: “Freedom!”) When do we want it? (Youth: “Now!”) I’ve heard that God is sending us a new king--a Messiah--to set us free! Cheering from the Youth and children. I’ve heard that Jesus of Nazareth is God’s new king. His disciples have found a poor little donkey, but they’re using that to make a parade for Jesus to come into town. Cheering from the Youth and kids. I think I see him coming. Go look! (child is sent to the door at the back of the sanctuary to see if Jesus is coming. “Jesus” is waiting at the back door.) He is! The children are invited to welcome Jesus into Jerusalem with the song “King of Kings and Lord of Lords” and a “palms” parade. Jesus remains at the front of the sanctuary, quietly sitting on a stool, until his participation in the Last Supper. Pharisees speak to Jesus to get his disciples to stop the parade. Jesus says, “If they were silent, the very stones would cry out!” Jesus looks over Jerusalem and he himself cries in pity for the city.

Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus
Luke 22:1-6
Religious authorities are jealous that people are listening to Jesus. They are afraid he is taking some authority from them, so they want to put him to death. Judas goes to them, volunteers to betray Jesus. They are “greatly pleased” and give Judas money (the sound of coins clinking).

Preparation for the Passover
Luke 22:7-13
The disciples wonder where to have their Passover celebration, and Jesus tells them to find a place by following a man carrying water who will show them a room. Jesus has been “eager” to share this meal before he suffers. Eileen will say the words of institution within the context of the story. “Jesus” will distribute the matzoh and the grape juice to the children. Elders will distribute the elements to the congregation. When Jesus shares the first cup, he says a mysterious saying, “From now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” He shares the bread saying, “This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” When he shares the second cup, he says, “This cup that is poured out is the new covenant in my blood” (this is about a promise, a contract). But someone at the table will betray Jesus.

Dispute About Who is the Greatest
Luke 22:24-28
The disciples argue about who is greatest among them, but Jesus says the leader of his followers is like the youngest person, the one who serves, just as he himself is serving them.

Jesus Foretells His Betrayal and the Denial of Peter
Luke 22:31-38
Jesus knows that one of his friends will betray him. Peter says he would go to prison and to death with him. Jesus says that before the rooster crows, this very day, Peter will deny him three times.

Jesus Shows His Friends How They Must Live
John 13:1-20
Have the children remove their shoes and socks. “Jesus” and Eileen wash the children’s feet while Eileen talks about how it feels to have someone do this for you, asking who is most likely to be washing your feet for you (parents? president? teachers? nurses? principal?). Jesus tells his friends that they might not understand now what this foot washing means, but that they will later. Then he says that he is their Lord and Teacher, setting them an example. The example is a matter of showing love to one another, and when they receive each other, they are also receiving him and the One who sent him. After the foot washing, as the children put their shoes and socks back on, “Jesus” quietly leaves the sanctuary.

Jesus Prays on the Mount of Olives
Luke 22:39-46
Jesus and his friends go to the garden to pray, and he leaves them saying, “Pray that you may not come into the time of trial.” Jesus prays in bloody anguish about what he knows God is asking him to do. When he goes back, he discovers his friends asleep. Again he says to pray to not be put to the test.

The Arrest
Luke 22:47-54
But suddenly, a crowd appears, led by Judas, who kisses Jesus. Confusion erupts, the disciples ask if now is the time to fight, one soldier’s ear is cut off. Jesus heals it saying, “No more of this!” Jesus chides the soldiers for coming with weapons when they could have picked him up at the temple any day. “But this is your hour, the power of darkness.”

Offering and Offertory

Denial
Luke 22:55-71
Jesus has been hauled off to the high priest’s house, Peter following at a distance. The religious authorities are enemies of Jesus because they are afraid of him and how popular he is with the people. Someone has built a fire, and Peter is warming himself by it when someone says, “You were with him!” Peter denies it, saying “I don’t know him.” Later, someone else sees him and says, “You are one of them!” Peter denies it again. Meanwhile, the soldiers have been mocking Jesus, blindfolding him, spitting and hitting, taunting him with cries of “Prophet, who hit you?” They beat Jesus and insult him. The elders and priests taunt Jesus about being the Messiah. “If you are the Messiah, tell us!” Jesus says they wouldn’t believe him if he told them, but from now on the Son of Man will sit next to God. They are aghast and think Jesus has said he is the Son of God. “Is that what you are saying?” Jesus says, “You say so.” They accuse Jesus of blasphemy. Peter is asked the third time if he knows Jesus. “You are from Galilee, surely you were with Jesus!” Peter is just saying “No!” when the rooster crows. Peter goes away and weeps bitterly.

Jesus Before Pilate and Herod
Luke 23:1-12
Only the government can order someone to be killed, so Jesus is taken first to Pilate, the Roman governor. The religious authorities lie, saying that Jesus has been saying people don’t have to pay taxes and they should make him king. Pilate asks Jesus if he is king of the Jews, Jesus replies, “You say so.” Pilate thinks Jesus is innocent and finds no reason to kill him. The accusers say that Jesus is from Galilee, so Pilate sends Jesus to Herod, the governor of Galilee, who happens to be in town. Herod is delighted to get a chance to talk with Jesus and questions him for some time. Jesus says nothing. Herod’s soldiers mock Jesus, hitting him, making fun of him, dressing him in mock king robes and crown. Then he is sent back to Pilate.

Jesus is Sentenced to Death
Luke 23:13-25
The Romans used to set free a prisoner every Passover to keep the people in Jerusalem quiet. A crowd has gathered, ready to ask for the release of Barabbas, a famous terrorist. Pilate says Jesus is innocent. Youth and congregation incited to murmur the name of Barabbas. Pilate doesn’t think Jesus is getting a fair trial, tries to let Jesus go, the crowd is determined to ask for Barabbas. Pilate offers to flog Jesus and release him. The crow yells “Crucify him!” Pilate is scared of riots in the streets. Finally, Pilate agrees to crucify Jesus and releases Barabbas, murderer and insurrectionist. [“Jesus” silently carries the cross into the sanctuary, sets it down and leaves.]

Jesus is Led Away
Luke 23:26-31
Jesus is led away to be crucified. A man named Simon of Cyrene is forced to help Jesus by carrying his cross part of the way. Women in the crowd weep for Jesus, but he tells them to cry for themselves and their children. Two other criminals are crucified at the place called The Skull.

The Crucifixion
Luke 23:32-43
Jesus is nailed to the cross (there is a hammering sound). Jesus prays aloud, asking God to forgive the ones crucifying him. Soldiers gamble to get his clothes, but the leaders make fun of him (he saved others, but he can’t save himself, some “King of the Jews”!). One of the thieves crucified with him mocks him, but the other knows Jesus is innocent and asks to be remembered in Jesus’ kingdom. [Each child is given a nail as this is being told.]

The Death of Jesus
Luke 23:44-49
If this is happening to Jesus, he can’t be the Messiah, can he? Even though it’s the middle of the day, the sky becomes very dark and stays dark for three hours. The curtain of the temple was torn in two (a tearing sound). Jesus says, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit” and dies. A soldier says, “Truly this man was innocent.” The crowds leave in mourning.

Jesus is Buried
Luke 23:50-56
Some of the disciples who followed Jesus, including the women, had been standing by watching. A rich man, Joseph of Arimathea, also one of Jesus’ friends, goes to Pilate and asks to be able to bury Jesus. He takes Jesus’ body, wraps it in clean cloths, puts it into a tomb, and rolls a huge stone across the opening. The women see his body in the tomb.

Scripture Reading
Philippians 2:5-11
Sending Hymn: Choir sings “O Sacred Head, Now Wounded.”