Palm Sunday

13 April 2025

Bible readings for today

Liturgy of the Palms

Luke 19:28-40
Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29

Liturgical Colour: RED

Collect

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,
mō te korōria o tōu ingoa tapu.
Āmine.

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.

Palm Sunday (Luke 19:28-40)

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
A beautiful image from the Visio Lectio project, created by the Anglican Diocese of Auckland. © Sarah West. All Rights reserved, shared with permission.
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Making Flax Crosses
Please adhere to Tikanga protocol when using flax (harakeke) in New Zealand, as it is considered a taonga.

Gospel Conversations 2025: Many Anglican churches don't have a sermon on Palm Sunday, but move straight from the celebration of the triumphal entry to the story of the Passion. It means that many of us may not have spent all that much time pondering the brief Gospel reading we hear before beginning our palm-waving. This week we focus on that reading, and our conversation ranges from beach swimming to the music of the spheres!

Gospel Conversations 2022: Jesus has arrived at the gates of Jerusalem after the long journey of Luke's gospel. It is a familiar story of waving palms and Hosannas. How do we "break open the word" in a new way for our people and our world today?

Anglican Movement Lent Series 6 2025: Bishop Justin reflects on Palm Sunday, emphasizing the paradox of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, and later crucifixion, and highlighting the contrast between worldly and divine kingship.

Anglican Movement Lent Series 6 2022: Archdeacon Julie Rokotakala leads Week 6 in our Lenten Sermon Series.

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

A collection of resources and ideas, written and compiled by Katherine Ruhle for Intergen Australia. Bible references: Luke, Psalm

Or this Combined Easter collection of resources and ideas, includes Palm Sunday (as above) but also resources for Good Friday and Easter Sunday.

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 - 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.

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.

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?

Triumphal Entry by Dinah Roe Kendall