Hello, Reader!
Join us today at 9 am in Healy Hall for our Palm Sunday service, led by Rev. Jen McCombe. We will start with the Liturgy of the Palms, then process into the main church for the rest of our Holy Eucharist Rite II service.
Palm Sunday 2026: Hosanna, and Then the Cross
On Palm Sunday, the liturgy encourages us to shift from joyful praise to the shadow of the cross—a reminder that faith embraces both hope and realism.
Liturgy of the Palms – Matthew 21:1–11 Jesus enters Jerusalem as the humble king prophesied in Zechariah, not with military might but with intentional vulnerability. The crowds cry “Hosanna!” yet don’t fully understand who he is.
Old Testament – Isaiah 50:4–9a The Servant Song expresses the voice of someone who faces suffering with full trust in God. Not hesitantly, but with determination supported by the Father.
Psalm 31:9–16 We hear the cry of someone overwhelmed by abandonment and fear—echoing Jesus in Gethsemane and on the cross. Yet at its core: “My times are in your hand.” This is the foundation of trust we share with Christ.
Epistle – Philippians 2:5–11 Paul’s Christ-hymn depicts the cosmic story: the one entering Jerusalem is the same one who emptied himself and descended to death. Kenosis—divine self-emptying—is love’s purest expression. Yet, the hymn doesn’t end at the cross; it rises to exaltation.
Gospel – Matthew 26:14–27:66 Matthew describes the Passion with vivid detail: betrayal, denial, agony, mockery. From noon to three, darkness spreads over the land. Jesus quotes the beginning of Psalm 22, and the temple curtain rips. His death isn't just a tragedy—it marks a crucial moment in creation.
Holy Week has begun. The way of the cross is the way of life and peace. Let us walk it together.
Read the full readings and reflections.
The podcast of today's service will be available later today on your favorite podcast platform, or you can listen here.
Upcoming events
- Join us for the Living Compass Lenten Study on Tuesdays at noon in classroom 1. You can bring your lunch along.
- Maundy Thursday service on April 2, 2026, at 6 pm with Canon Scott Leannah.
- Good Friday service on April 3, 2026, at 6 pm, also led by Canon Scott Leannah.
Don’t forget to review this week's announcements and the church calendar.
This week in your prayers, please include those on our prayer list to help strengthen our community.
If you need inspiration for prayer, consider the Book of Common Prayer or these prayers to guide your prayer journey.
Blessings, and have a great week!
