Passion/Palm Sunday

From the Open Files of: NW Synod of Wisconsin Resource Center (715) 833-1153 Contributed by: First Lutheran, Eau Claire, WI This file is available in Rich Text Format version for editing

Passion/Palm Sunday Processional Gospel: Luke 19:28-40 Cast: Jesus Lots of "crowd" One or two non-speaking Pharisees Two speaking disciples Donkey (Clay?!) One speaking Pharisee In the order of service, the dramatic portrayal takes place immediately after the announcements. Scene 1 (Jesus and two disciples move into the chancel near the end of the pastor's announcements. When the pastor completes the announcements, Jesus speaks to the two disciples . . .) Jesus: I want you to go into the village ahead of you. (points to the back of the church) As you enter the village, you will find a colt tied up. No one has ever been on its back. Untie the colt and bring it to me. Now if anyone questions you about why you are taking the colt, just say, "The Lord needs it." Now go! (Introduction to Hymn begins immediately . . .) (The two disciples hurry down the center aisle of the church to the narthex. Jesus stays put until the congregation starts singing the hymn below. They give their mics to the two crowd members who speak. When the singing begins, Jesus goes out the side door of the chancel on the organ side, walks down the hallway past the offices, and joins the donkey outside) Hymn "All Glory, Laud, and Honor" (verse 1) (While the congregation sings, "the crowd" scatters throughout all three aisles of the sanctuary to prepare for the entry of Jesus. The crowd can enter the sanctuary from all directions. They should have cloaks and handfuls of palm branches. Three members of the crowd need to stand at the front of each of the three aisles with lots of palm branches to hand to the children when they come forward later. Scene 2 (The speaking characters could be in the center aisle about three-fourths of the way to the front. As Crowd Characters 1 and 2 are speaking, those who are members of the crowd could gesture and pretend they are talking excitedly. Occasionally, they could point towards the narthex--the entrance of the city.) Character 1: Did you hear the news? Jesus is coming! Character 2: Yes, it will be a great day for Israel for I believe that Jesus has come to overthrow Rome. God will save us, and Israel will once again rule God's promised land. Character 1: Yes, Jesus is the promised one, I'm sure. He is of the house of David, and he has already done mighty works. God promised that one day a Messiah would come. Now Jesus will be King and Israel will return to the greatness of King David's time. Character 2: Look at all the people gathering to meet Jesus when he enters the city! Why even the Roman Emperor could not draw such a crowd in Jerusalem. Someday, I'll tell my grand-children about this day! Character 1: Look! I think Jesus is coming, but it is kind of hard to see. Character 2: Yes, I think I see him off in the distance. Perhaps the children here today should go up to the front so they can see Jesus when he enters. Children, go right up there--(point to the chancel where Pastor will meet them) (As children come forward, the "crowd" at the head of each aisle gives the children branches. The other members of the crowd hand out branches to the congregation members sitting along the aisles during verse 2 of the following hymn. One of the speaking characters gives their mic to the speaking Pharisee during the singing of the hymn below.) Hymn "All Glory, Laud, and Honor" (verses 2, 3) (As the congregation begins singing verse 3, the center red doors should open and Jesus should come in riding on a "colt." The crowd, the children in the chancel, and those members of the congregation who have palms, wave their branches as Jesus rides in. Some of the crowd spread their cloaks in front of the "colt." Jesus stops on the main floor of the sanctuary at the bottom of the chancel steps. The Pharisees are present in the crowd, but do not participate in the excitement; instead, they look stern and grumpy, disapproving of all that is taking place. As Jesus nears the front, the Pharisees go up the chancel steps and stand near the lectern.) Scene 3 (As soon as the hymn ends, voices from all over the crowd say a variety of things [no mics] like:)   Crowd: "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Peace in heaven!" "Glory to God!" "Praise the name of the Lord!" "Peace to all in the name of the Lord!" etc. (any praise language will do) (A Pharisee finally breaks in and interrupts the praise of the crowd.) Pharisee: Quiet! Quiet, I say! (Looking at Jesus) Teacher, you must make your disciples stop. This is blasphemy! Tell those who follow you to keep silent! Jesus: I tell you, if these people were silent, the very stones would shout out in praise! (Big, confident smile! The crowd again begins praising Jesus with the words above. The Pharisees act indignant, stomp across the chancel, and exit down the back stairs near the radio room. From the chancel, pastor motions congregation to stand for the conclusion of the hymn and the exit of Jesus.) Hymn "All Glory, Laud, and Honor" (verse 4, 5) During the singing of the hymn, Jesus rides back down the center aisle. The crowd falls in behind, waves branches, and follows him out the red doors to outside the church. Pastor will say some concluding words to the children who are up front and dismiss them to their seats. Reading of Luke 19:28-40

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