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SUN. April 5 -- PALM SUNDAY @ the Mt. of Olives

Updated: May 5, 2020

LIVE from Jerusalem, A Procession of Palms

ANNOUNCEMENTS

WE ARE MARCHING IN THE LIGHT OF GOD!

A Holy Week of MARY & JESUS Worship: Hebrew Worship was based in the HOME
  • LIVE: Palm Sunday Zoom Reader’s Drama

  • LIVE: Wednesday Zoom Bible Study on Passover

  • PHOTO: Maundy Thursday SEDER Video (Text or FB Pic at Table)

  • VIDEO: Good Friday Facebook CANDLE Lighting (Text or FB Video Blessing)

  • LIVE: Easter Sunday is a COMMUNION SUNDAY

COMMUNION =

Pastor Shares Words of Institution; Family provides the Elements

  • MUST be BREAD (Bread of Life) AND WINE/JUICE (Fruit of the Vine)

30 seconds of any song with HALLELUJAH in it.

  • Wear WHITE and hold a WHITE FLOWER or white ribbon

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

The original script was adapted by Ana Gobledale, UK, with permission from the author, Ron VandenBurg, Canada. This version has been further adapted by Pastor Todd Bruning for purposes of an online worship service of Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in South Dallas, via the Zoom App on Palm Sunday, April 6, 2020.

CAST = SEVEN CHARACTERS

CROWD 1: Scripture reader and waver of Palms (or anything Green)

  • La'Nayia Goffney

CROWD 2: Scripture reader and waver of Palms (or anything Green)

  • Za'Khayia Goffney

LEVI of Lebanon: The camera person for ZOOM Broadcast News

  • Josh Bowens

JUDE of Jerusalem: A reporter for ZOOM Broadcast News.

  • Corey Brown

PHOEBE of Phoenicia: A close follower of Jesus

  • Alicia Brown

MARY of Magdala: An even closer follower of Jesus

  • Marie Levier

JESUS of Nazareth: The Messiah and Gentle Rabbi

  • Drake Bryant

FULL SCRIPT

REFRAIN

  • The King of glory comes, the nation rejoices. Open the gates before him, lift up your voices

  1. Who is the King of glory; What shall we call him? He is Immanuel, the promised of ages

  2. In all of Galilee, in city or village, He goes among his people, curing their illness

  3. Sing then of David' Son, our Savior and Brother; In all of Galilee was never another

  4. He gave his life for us, the Lamb of salvation; he took upon himself the sin of the nations

  5. He conquered sin and death; he truly has risen. And he will share with us his heavenly vision


ZECHARIAH 9 (read by CROWD 1)

  • 8 But I will encamp at my temple to guard it against marauding forces. Never again will an oppressor overrun my people, for now I am keeping watch. 9 Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. 10 He will proclaim peace to the nations. His rule will extend from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth. 12 Return to your fortress, you prisoners of hope; even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you. 16 The LORD their God will save his people on that day as a shepherd saves his flock. They will sparkle in his land like jewels in a crown. 17 How attractive and beautiful they will be! Grain will make the young men thrive, and new wine the young women.

  1. All glory, laud, and honor, To thee, Redeemer, King, to whom the lips of children, Made sweet hosannas ring. Thou art the King of Israel, Thou David’s royal Son,, Who in the Lord’s name comest, the King and Blessed One.

  2. All glory, laud, and honor, To thee, Redeemer, King, to whom the lips of children, Made sweet hosannas ring. The company of angels, Are praising thee on high, And mortal men and all things, Created make reply.

  3. All glory, laud, and honor, To thee, Redeemer, King, to whom the lips of children, Made sweet hosannas ring. To thee, before thy passion, They sang their hymns of praise; To thee, now high exalted, Our melody we raise.

MATTHEW 21 (read by CROWD 2)

  • As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.” 6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. 8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” 10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” 11 The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

Palm Sunday Message FROM our Children & Teens

LEVI: Okay, folks. We have a ZOOM connection with the studio. JUDE, buddy. The camera is rolling. We are broadcasting live on the internet!

Song 1: We are marching in the light of God. We are marching in the light of God.

CROWD 1: Hosanna in the highest heaven. CROWD 2: The king is coming. The king is coming!!

JUDE: This is JUDE of Jerusalem, scribe for the ZOOM Broadcast News in Judea. I’m reporting live from the Mount of Olives, where there just might be an uprising forming against that Roman virus known as Governor Pontius Pilate. I’m talking to two of the suspected ringleaders right now.

PHOEBE: Hey, JUDE. What are you up to?

JUDE: Um. PHOEBE of Phoenicia? From journalism class? You’re one of the ringleaders? I knew you were politically minded, but I didn’t know you were a Rebel.

PHOEBE: A Rebel, JUDE? No. I’m just a follower of the Gentle Rabbi. A disciple. A companion. The Rabbi is the kind of man the prophet Isaiah called the Prince of Peace.

JUDE: Phoebe, Shhh. Don’t say that. We are broadcasting live. And this is my big story. My chance to take down the Roman Empire. Our audience isn’t interested in anything peaceful or gentle.

PHOEBE: I’m sorry, JUDE. What’s the big news?

JUDE: As I was saying, a large crowd has gathered near the Mount of Olives. . . .

MARY: Wow, that sounds so exciting!! We were just there with the Gentle Rabbi.

JUDE: And who are you?

PHOEBE: That’s MARY of Magdala, Jude. One of my best friends. She is also a disciple of the Gentle Rabbi.

JUDE: Whatever. We have a story to report here. And the audience wants to know the latest news. And they want it exciting!! And that’s what I’m giving them: As I was saying, we are here today near the Mount of Olives. A large crowd has gathered in preparation for the Passover. But this is a Passover like none other. This is the day our Jewish people have been waiting for. For centuries. As scriptures have promised, a great Military Messiah has arrived from Bethany. He is here to overthrow that Roman virus known as Governor Pontius Pilate. There are unconfirmed reports from Bethany that he can enter into Jewish graves and actually raise up an army from among the dead.


CROWD 1: Hosanna in the highest heaven. CROWD 2: The king is coming. The king is coming!!

MARY: Um, that man Jesus raised from the dead? That was Lazarus. One man. One quiet humble man. JUDE: Pardon me?

PHOEBE: The person the Gentle Rabbi raised from the dead. His name is Lazarus. We were there. We saw it.

JUDE: And now we have breaking news! The great Messiah has arrived in Jerusalem. And we have a CONFIRMED report that he raised a recently deceased man, named Lazarus, from the dead. This is indeed a great day for Jerusalem!! For it appears that this Jesus of Nazareth is coming forth this day to proclaim his kingship over all of JUDEa. That’s right, ladies and gentlemen. Today we will have a new king. No more foreign rulers! No more Roman virus …

PHOEBE: Sorry, JUDE. But you have it all wrong.

JUDE: No more Pontius Pilate, that Roman virus. No more Augustus Caesar who blasphemes and claims to be God. What a great day!!

MARY: No, JUDE. That’s not the plan of God or the Gentle Rabbi.

JUDE: What do you mean, “That’s not God’s plan!!”?

PHOEBE: The Gentle Rabbi did not come to be that kind of king.

JUDE: Ridiculous!! Of course that is what the Messiah will do. It’s a military rebellion. How else can he call himself a king. The Messiah is the anointed King of Israel. He will unite all the people. He will create an army that will erase that Roman virus from this Holy Land.

Song 3: We are marching in the light of God. We are marching in the light of God.

CROWD 1: Hosanna in the highest heaven.

CROWD 2: The king is coming. The king is coming!!

MARY: Sorry, JUDE. The Gentle Rabbi did not come to be that kind of king.

PHOEBE: The Messiah will be much more like a servant than a king.

JUDE: CUT. CUT. CUT. LEVI, stop rolling.

LEVI: Okay, JUDE. But I thought there was an interesting drama starting there. You sure had my attention.

JUDE: Has everybody gone crazy? What are y’all talking about? Look at all these people! How could a servant generate such interest, create such a following? They want justice. They want a new king. They want this Messiah to rule them. And Rome.

PHOEBE: The Gentle Rabbi is more like a healer and a teacher.

JUDE: Ahhh, yes. A healer. A man of miracles. This Messiah has great power at his disposal. He is able to crush our enemies under his feet.

MARY: And yet the Gentle Rabbit taught us: When somebody strikes you on right cheek …

PHOEBE: Turn to him your left cheek. Don’t strike back. Turn the other cheek.

JUDE: What’s that?

PHOEBE: Turn the other cheek.

MARY: Phoebe is right, JUDE. Jesus says, “If someone strikes you on one cheek, don’t strike back. Turn to him, or to her, the other cheek as well. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop them from taking your tunic.”

LEVI: Jude, buddy. I don’t think that will work to overthrow the Romans. Can you imagine someone saying to a Roman soldier, ‘Here, oppressor of my people, take my cloak? And while you’re at it, why don’t you take my tunic too?

Song 4: We are marching in the light of God. We are marching in the light of God.

CROWD 1: Hosanna in the highest heaven.

CROWD 2: The king is coming. The king is coming!!

JUDE: Wait a minute. Seriously folks. The plan is clear. It has been for centuries. The Messiah will be anointed as a ruler, as a king, so he has the power to change things for the better. No power. No change.

LEVI: I agree with Jude. Mary, Phoebe. See that hill over there? That’s where they crucify our young men. And women. They are setting up three more posts, right now, right over there. Ready for three more crossbeams to be carried by three more young people to their execution. Our people are being systematically destroyed. And we need to stop this horrible practice. Now.

JUDE: Caesar the Blasphemer and Pilate the Roman Virus seem to enjoy seeing people suffer. Seeing us suffer. And we need a Messiah to stop these crucifixions. Now!!

LEVI: That’s something I could look forward to.

JUDE: And that’s the story we are here to cover. Ready, LEVI?

LEVI: Three. Two. One. And. Rolling.

JUDE: Ladies and gentlemen. He is coming into view now. We can see the Messiah now. And look at that! He is riding on a donkey into Jerusalem. Just like King David once did. People are actually laying down their cloaks – AND their tunics – on the road, for him to ride upon! Now, that is an act of royal homage.

MARY: Of what?

JUDE: Homage. You know — respect, honor.

MARY: Oh. Got it.

JUDE: See that? The whole crowd is waving palm branches. Just like in the great military parades of King David and King Solomon.

LEVI: C’mon people! Wave those palm branches. The green things in your hands. C’mon people find something green and wave it so everyone can see.

JUDE: Wave those palm branches and celebrate. The king is coming!! Let’s hear that crowd!!

Song 5: We are marching in the light of God. We are marching in the light of God.

CROWD 1: Hosanna in the highest heaven.

CROWD 2: The king is coming. The king is coming!!

PHOEBE: Wait a minute. What is the Gentle Rabbi riding on?

MARY: It looks like a donkey’s colt.

PHOEBE: And that fulfills the prophecy of Zechariah: “Do not be afraid, O Daughter of Zion. See, your king is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt.”

JUDE: See! You said it yourself! “The king is coming.” The crowd is swelling. Palm branches everywhere. They are proclaiming the Messiah as their new king, their new royal ruler. Some are even shouting, “Hosanna.”

LEVI: Everybody in the audience, wherever you are, that’s you! Wave your palm branches! Or whatever you can wave that’s green!!

JUDE: “Hosanna. Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” Did you hear that? “Blessed is the king of Israel!” Yes, indeed, this is a day of Hope, where all Judea will be victorious over its enemies, just like in the time of King David. Today we are witnessing the fulfillment of God’s covenant and promise!

PHOEBE: That’s true, but . . .

JUDE: Look. The Messiah seems to be quite overcome by the scene.

MARY: Jesus seems to be weeping, as if what he sees in Jerusalem makes him sad.

JUDE: A Messiah weeping. That’s not very kingly. And now, the Messiah, pressed by the mob, is looking around. He seems to be taking in all the grandeur of Jerusalem. I think he is about to speak.

LEVI: Jude, I’m focusing in on the Messiah. You want to give the ZOOM ID again.

JUDE: This is JUDE of Jerusalem, scribe for the ZOOM Broadcast News in JUDEa. I’m reporting live from the Mount of Olives, listening to what seems to be coronation speech of our next ruler, King Jesus of Nazareth. Let’s listen in:

Song 6: We are marching in the light of God. We are marching in the light of God.

CROWD 1: Hosanna in the highest heaven.

CROWD 2: The king is coming. The king is coming!!

JESUS: ‘If you, even you, had only recognized on this day the things that make for peace! … But now they are hidden from your eyes … Indeed, the days will come upon you … when your enemies will set up ramparts around you and surround you … and hem you in on every side … They will crush you to the ground … you and your children within you … and they will not leave within you one stone upon another … because you did not recognize the time of your visitation from the Eternal One.’

JUDE: Well, there you have it. The words of our future king. Yes, this is a great start to the Passover celebration. The streets littered with clothing and palm branches. As the feast continues, the crowd may play an important role in the upcoming events of this week. Join me throughout this Holy Week, here on JBC, as we follow the Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth, contender to be the new King of the Jews. And maybe all of the Roman Empire. This is JUDE of Jerusalem, signing off.

Song 7: . We are praying in the light of God. We are praying in the light of God. We are praying in the light of God.

CROWD 1: Our Father, who art in heaven. Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done.

CROWD 2: On earth as it is in heaven. Thy will be done. Thy will be done.

LEVI: Well. That did not sound like much of a coronation speech, to me.

JUDE: Yeah, a bit cryptic. Did we miss something? He does not sound like he is going to overthrow the Romans. But all these people waving palm branches. That many people can’t be wrong, can they? He must be the Messiah. He must be our new King! Surely he will change people’s lives.

PHOEBE: That is what we have been trying to tell you, JUDE. He WILL change people’s lives. But not in the way you expect.

MARY: The Gentle Rabbi is different kind of Messiah. Humble. And willing to give his life for the people that he loves.

PHOEBE: He says, if any of us want to be his disciples, we must first pick up our own cross. And then follow him.

MARY: He says, This is My commandment, that you love one another even as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. .

PHOEBE: But you are right, JUDE. We are certainly in for some surprises over the next few days. But I don’t think that things will go quite the way you think!

JUDE: I know that when you meet this Messiah. When you see him. And see the love. And concern in his eyes. You walk away feeling different. About a lot of things.

MARY: And that’s how we feel too. That’s why we became disciples of the Gentle Rabbi.

PHOEBE: That’s why we will follow him, wherever he goes. Listen to whatever he says. Because walking with him, being his companion, has changed our lives.

MARY: And we will walk with him. Even if it’s all the way to the cross.

JUDE: And they will walk with him? Even if it’s all the way to the cross? That is a different kind of faith. A different kind of Messiah. For me? That would take a lot of change.

LEVI: And cut. Look at that. I never turned the camera off, and that last part might just be the best part. JUDE, buddy. I think I see a change already happening. I can’t wait to see where this Messiah is going to lead you.

Song 8: Were You There When they Crucified My Lord? Were you there when they crucified my Lord. Oh, oh, oh. Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble. Were you there. When they crucified my Lord?

CROWD 1: Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I shall fear no evil.

CROWD 2: Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all of the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Philippians 2 (read by CROWD 3)

  • 5 Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, 7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, 8 he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death — even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.


  1. I have no BRANCH to hold as the donkey walks on by. I have no branch to hold to pave the way. But I have the strength to walk and join in the parade. I give thanks for my health, today.

  2. I have no COAT to give as the donkey walks on by. I have no coat to give to pave the way. But I have as song to sing, Hosanna to my King. I am thankful for my voice, today.

  3. I have no HOPE in me as the donkey walks on by. I have no hope in me to pave the way. But I am following a Man, who loves me as I am. I am thankful for that Man, today.

  4. I have no BRANCH to hold as the donkey walks on by. I have no branch to hold to pave the way. But I have the strength to walk and join in the parade. I am thankful for my health, today. I am thankful for my voice, today. I am thankful for that Man, today.

Palm Sunday PRAYERS by fellow Companions by Jackie Leatch and Pastor Todd
  • SEVEN PETITIONS FOR HOLY WEEK. Our prayers today will be a conversation. SEVEN People will be invited to offer a prayer request for themselves, their family, their community, or any other need that seems relevant and important today. The request will be made and Pastor Todd or another Companion Leader will offer a brief, specific prayer, ending with:

  • Lord in your mercy,

  • HEAR OUR PRAYER

Palm Sunday COMMUNION Companionship Assignment by Alicia Brown
  • So next week, on Easter Sunday, we will do our first Zoom Communion Service. Be sure to have both bread and wine or grape juice ready. Then join us for the Communion Liturgy on Easter. Until then, we

Part 1: Jesus is the Bread of Life

  • SPEND your first fifteen minutes EVERY DAY one on one with Christ, your Companion.

  • And SPEND fifteen minutes SOMETIME THIS WEEK one on one with one other person, a Companion. Or two or three. Especially on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday!!

  • Use Pastor Todd's Blog as a Resource. He's writing a reflection every day. And every Bible Study and Worship Service is on the Blog too.

Part 2: Jesus is the Vine, We are the Branches

  • REACH OUT and INVITE two people to join us next Sunday. But do it this way first. Ask them: HOW CAN I PRAY FOR YOU THIS WEEK? Just that. And if you never get around to inviting them because there was so much to talk about and pray about, that's great.

  • CONGRATULATIONS. You made it through another Zoom worship!! And if this was your first time, we are blessed that you could join us. We had much more help putting this service together than any other so far. HOW ELSE CAN YOU CONNECT? This week, if you aren't on Facebook, try to join. And find the Mount Olive Lutheran Dallas Facebook Page. You can win prizes if you join this week!!

Palm Sunday BENEDICTION by Lakeesha Browne

A PALM SUNDAY BLESSING

  • May God the Father, who created donkey, palm branches, and frail and fallible human beings, watch over our health and homes this day.

  • May God the Son, whose arms were spread on the cross to embrace the whole world, help us this week to take up the cross and follow him.

  • May God the Holy Spirit, who connects us together as one body even when we cannot physically see or touch each other bind us together in love.

  • May God bless us in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

MISSION

  • The Mission of Mt. Olive Lutheran Church is:

  • To serve as a vehicle through which the Gospel is Spread.

  • Go in Peace and Serve the Lord:

  • Thanks be to God

SENDING PEACE

  • Peace Be with You.

  • And also with you!!

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