Notable Feast Days this Week
 
March 19 - Joseph, Husband of Mary (Western)
March 20 - Cuthbert of Lindisfarne, 687
March 20 - Martyrs of Mar Saba, 796
March 20 - Wulfram, Netherlands, 703
March 21 - Benedict of Nursia, 547 (Traditional)
March 21 - Enda, Ireland, c.530
March 22 - Basil of Ancyra, 362
March 23 - Victorian and Co, Carthage, 484
March 24 - Gabriel the Archangel
March 25 - The Annunciation of Our Lord
March 25 - Dismas "The Good Thief" (Roman Catholic)

Revised Common Lectionary

Liturgy of the Palms
Mark 11:1-11 or John 12:12-16
Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29

Liturgy of the Passion
Isaiah 50:4-9a
Psalm 31:9-16
Philippians 2:5-11
Mark 14:1 - 15:47 or
Mark 15:1-39, (40-47)


Daily Readings (RCL)
Liturgical Color
Purple/ Scarlet/ Red

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-------------- Palm Sunday -------------- March 25, 2018 (Year B)
The Humility of the True King

"Jesus prepares to enter Jerusalem. He will enter majestically, hearing cries of 'Hosanna in the highest!' His sights are set on what he must do; his intentions are faithful to God, who sustains him. Soon the crowds will disperse, to be replaced by tormentors. Adulation will cease, and he will be faced with betrayal. Humiliation and obedience lead to death so that life may abound to God's glory."

"This is the day the Lord had made--let us rejoice and be glad in it (Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29)! Jesus humbled himself on the cross for us (Philippians 2:5-11). God's help for us is all-sufficient (Isaiah 50:4-9a). Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord (Mark 11:1-11)."
-Thomas Oden, from
Ancient Christian Devotional
Psalm of the Week
Scripture Readings

"Be merciful to me, Lord, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and body with grief. My life is consumed by anguish
    and my years by groaning...
Let your face shine on your servant;
    save me in your unfailing love."


Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.
Let Israel say:
    “His love endures forever.”
Open for me the gates of the righteous;
    I will enter and give thanks to the Lord. This is the gate of the Lord
    through which the righteous may enter..."



Commentary on Psalm 31
AugustineJames LimburgJohn CalvinCharles Spurgeon
 
Isaiah 50:4-9a
The suffering servant

Philippians 2:5-11
Even death on a cross

Mark 11:1-11
Hosanna in the highest!

John 12:12-16
The triumphal entry

Mark 14:1 - 15:47
The Passion of Christ
 

Daily Readings
Revised Common Lectionary

Daily Readings
Book of Common Prayer

The Entire Bible in One Year
Chronological
"When you see yourself hated and persecuted by all your relatives and friends because of the truth, do not be downcast either for them or for yourself; and when all your acquaintances turn away from you, do not be frightened, but withdraw from them and keep your eyes fixed on the future, singing Psalm 31."
-Athanasius, On the Interpretation of the Psalms 18 (OIP 68)
Annunciation of Our Lord (March 25)

March 25th marks nine months from the celebration of Christ's birth on December 25th. For hundreds of years, many within the Western church observed March 25 as "New Year's Day," marking time by the advent of the Incarnation into the womb of Mary. The significance of this event within the context of salvation history is worthy of meditation.

Click here for quotes from C.S. Lewis & Martin Luther on the Annunciation.
Prayer for the Annunciation 
from The Book of Common Prayer

Palm Sunday


"The events framed by Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem ... are some of the most dramatic and theologically important of the entire scriptural narrative. These days feature not only the drama of the triumphal entry, trial, last supper, and crucifixion but also Jesus’ prayers and prophetic teachings. John’s gospel devotes eight of its twenty-one chapters to this week alone... (more)" -from preachingandworship.org

The Final Days of Jesus: Palm Sunday - A video introduction to the historical context

Resources
Practicing Prayer
Almighty and everliving God, in your tender love for the human race you sent your Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon him our nature, and to suffer death upon the cross, giving us the example of his great humility: Mercifully grant that we may walk in the way of his suffering, and also share in his resurrection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
-The Book of Common Prayer
Contemplative Prayer (View and Download)
Morning Prayer (View and Download)
Further Prayer Resources

Morning and Evening Prayer (Church of England-Protestant)
Liturgy of the Hours and Sung Breviary (Roman Catholic)
Sung Morning Prayer by Calvin Peters (Eastern Orthodox)
Audio Prayer Meditation (Pray as You Go)
Psalm Playlists
Psalms and Hymns
Hymn suggestions for Palm Sunday (Year B) from Hymnary.org 

Hymns related to Psalm 31 and Psalm 118 from Hymnary.com

Hymns for Palm Sunday  from preachingandworship.org

All Glory, Laud, and Honor [feat. Matt Grimsley] | Arranged by Redeemer Knoxville | Leadsheet

Hosanna, Loud Hosanna | Text: Jennette Threlfall, 1873/ Tune: Gesangbuch, Wittenberg, 1784 | Leadsheet | Guitar Chords


Hosanna | by Andrew Peterson | Leadsheet

Psalm 31 | Music by Sarah Majorins and Words by J.C Lowry| Leadsheet

Psalm 31: Father, I Put My Life In Your Hands | by John Michael Talbot | Leadsheet


Abide With Me | by Henry Lyte and Justin Smith/Music by Justin Smith |Leadsheet

Beautiful Savior | by Stuart Townend | Leadsheets 

Psalm 31 Refrain | from The Emergent Psalter Leadsheet

Psalm 118 Refrain | from The Emergent Psalter Leadsheet


Psalm 31| Metrical Options | Psalm 118  Metrical Options

Psalm 31 | Genevan Psalter | Psalm 118  Genevan Psalter

Psalm 31 and 118 Anglican Chant Anglican Chant Psalter

Psalm 31 Pointed Chant | Chart How to Sing Pointed Chant 

Twelve Anthems for Palm Sunday and Easter | Blog post by Ashley Danyew
Commentary on Mark 11:1-11
"What great thing was it to the king of the ages to become the king of humanity? For Christ was not the king of Israel so that he might exact a tax or equip an army with weaponry and visibly vanquish an enemy. He was the king of Israel in that he rules minds, in that he gives counsel for eternity, in that he leads into the kingdom of heaven for those who believe, hope, and love. It is a condescension, not an advancement for one who is the Son of God, equal to the Father, the Word through whom all things were made, to become king of Israel. It is an indication of pity, not an increase in power." -Augustine
Music for Listening
Art 
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