29 March 2026

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Bible readings for today

Liturgy of the Psalms

• Matthew 21:1-11
• Psalms 118:1-2,19-29​

Liturgy of the Passion

• Isaiah 50:4-9a
• Psalm 31:9-16
• Philippians 2:5-11
• Matthew 26:14 –27:66 or Matthew 27:11-54 

Liturgical Colour: RED

School Holiday ideas here
3 - 19 April

Collect

Jesus, when you rode into Jerusalem 
the people waved palms 
with shouts of acclamation. 
Grant that when the shouting dies 
we may still walk beside you even to a cross; 
for the glory of your holy name. 
Amen. 

E Īhu, nō tōu urunga atu ki Hiruhārama,
ka pōwhiritia koe e te iwi ki ngā nīkau me te karanga whakahōnore atu.
I te wahangūtanga o te umere,
haere tahi tonu ana mātou i tōu taha,
ā, tae noa atu me he rīpeka;
mō te korōria o tōu ingoa tapu. 
Āmine.

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Jesus' triumphant entry (Matthew 21:1-11)​

Palm Sunday reminds us of the true story from the Bible, when Jesus arrives into Jerusalem. He didn't come in a flash car or with security guards - Jesus rode in on a donkey. The people knew that there was something special about him though, and they lined the streets, cheering and waving palm branches.

Input for Leaders

Visio Lectio
Free downloadable image by Sarah Lea West. All Rights Reserved, shared and distributed with permission.
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Gospel Conversations 2021 (Diocese of Dunedin) Palm Sunday Matt 21:1-11 - ​Every year we read the story of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, and it is one of the few scenes we traditionally act out in our churches. What are we to do with the story, though? What do we do with the enthusiastic crowds and their expectations, given what we know comes next? 

Making Flax Crosses
Please adhere to Tikanga protocol when using flax (harakeke) in New Zealand, as it is considered a taonga. ​

Holy Week

Starting on Palm Sunday, we embark on what’s known as “Holy Week.” This is the week beginning on Palm Sunday and ending on Easter Sunday. Holy Week remembers the last week of Christ’s earthly life, beginning with Jesus’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem. (Adapted from Anglican Compass)

Holy Week: Our Strandz Website has lots of amazing Holy Week Resources including: telling the story, all age talks, intergenerational ideas, household resources, crafts and activities and more. 

Easter: If you are wanting to teach about Easter before you get to Easter Sunday you'll find BIBLE EXPLORE Easter Sunday resources here.

Intergenerational Worship

Combined: Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday​ (Intergen Australia)
Year A 2023.
​Bible references: Isaiah, Matthew, Phillipians, Psalm
Written and compiled by Elizabeth Waldron Anstice & Rev Sandy Brodine.

Intergenerational Church Services (Scripture Union NZ)

• What kind of king is this? This service focuses on Jesus and the kind of King he was. What kind of King rides on a donkey? (John 12)
• In their shoes: Step into the shoes of six people in the Easter story and look at what happened through their eyes. 
• The Rocks will cry out: This service is an interactive way to explore the story, wave palm branches and reflect on this verse: ‘I tell you, if these [children] were silent, the stones would shout out.’
• The Mercy Tree: This service explore the events of Easter Friday, using the image of a Mercy tree created from a branch and coloured ribbons. 
• The Colours of Easter: This service explores the events of Easter Sunday, using colours to describe the moments of Jesus' journey.
• Breakfast on the Beach: Have you ever dreamed of passing a fish around in church? Then this service is for you! (John 21)

Preschool Fun

​Here are some ways you can invite your preschoolers to play their way into the bible story and spending time with God. 

​Share the Story: Use a discovery basket to tell the story or for kids to play and explore with. Try this one from Flame Creative. Things to chat about - the story and what happened.

Playdough: Set out playdough with some story props. Try plastic donkeys and people, buildings, trees, palm leaves, something to make a road. 

Also check out the Playdough Mat and the Chalk Print leaves in our Activities session - activities preschoolers would love! 

Kids Talks

Palm Sunday Lesson plan (Ministry to children) - full lesson plan with a focus on what happened and why it was significant.

Praise Parade (Sermons 4 kids) - a great one for active kids!

Hosanna, The Meaning of Palm Sunday (Ministry to children) -  a talk about how Jesus didn't meet the people's expectations and maybe doesn't meet our either.

A Rock Concert (Sermon 4 kids) - short talk linking Luke 19:40 with other bible stories with rocks.

Pet Rocks Don't Talk (Intermountain ministry) 

Jesus and the donkey (Sermonwriter.com) - v short talk about why Jesus picked a donkey!

Activities

Chalk Printed Palm Leaves ​(St Stephens Tamihere, Hamilton)
You will need: - 

• Paint -- a water based acrylic, or a chalk paint, in green. It depends on how long you want the leaves to last! Ensure that the paint is non-toxic and safe for children to use. There are several recipes online for making homemade chalk paint. Please choose your paint choice carefully, you might want to try it out in advance, and only use of pathways (not wood), and get permission from the church leader!! (OK, we've covered all bases...)
• A craft knife
• Plastic lid or chopping mat (cheap from Kmart) to act as a large stencil. 
• Pots for paint
• Paint brushes
• Masking tape if required, to keep the stencil in place. 

​In advance, make a simple palm leave stencil by cutting out a leaf print out of a plastic lid or mat. Try these templates. You can use a craft knife for this, and care might be needed if the stencil lid is made of plastic.  Get a few big brushes and pots for children to join in and paint some palm leaves along the pathway outside church. The leaves should fade gradually and will provide a great conversation starter for children and adults. 

• Pin Jesus on the Donkey (Out Upon The Waters) 
• Palm Sunday Sundaes (Southern made simple)
• Hosanna Spinners (Flame Creative)
• Palm Sunday Playdough Mat (Flame Creative)
• Hosanna Reflective Colouring Sheet (Flame Creative)

Pray it

Palm Leaf prayers
(Sunhats and Wellie Boots)

​Use these for a quiet prayer time in your session where kids can quietly pray as they colour in and add their own prayers to the leaves. Then them out, ready to display at home for Holy Week. As they pass by their colourful palm leaf during the week, they can pray for the different sections on it. 

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Art in Lent

If you want to mark Lent in a simple rich way, how about creating a space where your kids can spend some time with Jesus-related art. Try these questions or make up your own. Think about offering resources for kids to make art too.
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• What do you see? 
• What part of the bible / God's story is this painting about?
• What might this show us about Jesus? About people? About our world?
• What do you think is important in this picture?
• Does anything in this picture have more than one meaning?
• I wonder what God might be saying to you through this picture today?

Palm Sunday by Lois White

Media

Isaiah 50:4-9a

This week's reading is from one of the "Servant Songs" in Isaiah, and shows the Messiah as an obedient, suffering servant who relies on God for strength.

Input for leaders

Gospel Conversations 2026 (Diocese of Dunedin) Palm Sunday Matt 21:1-11 - Our weeks of preparation are drawing to a close as we enter into Holy Week to the sound of "Hosanna" and the approach of betrayal. Our Old Testament reading is one of the "Suffering Servant" songs of Isaiah, drawing us deep into the patterns and promises of God through the ages. This week we are finding challenges and good news from ancient words for today.

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