Anticipating Worship: THE SUNDAY OF THE PASSION, April 13, 2025—Signs of Salvation: The Crowd

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I’ve heard of “Palm Sunday...” but what’s “Passion Sunday?”

The crowds that saw Jesus approaching Jerusalem could hold back no longer. They had heard his teaching, seen his miraculous works, and put their trust in him. Now, the great day had finally arrived. The Messiah had arrived in his own city. It was hard to put their expectations into words, so they chose a Hebrew word that meant a great deal to them: “HOSANNA!” “NOW SAVE US!” What a difference a week would make. By the break of day that Friday, their words would change “CRUCIFY! NOW KILL HIM!” It is such a sad story to watch unfold, almost leaves us at a loss for words.

Even more stunning is that Jesus himself understood exactly what was happening and what was about to happen as he entered Jerusalem on that Sunday morning. The palms were just the preview. The real story was just about to begin.

In many WELS churches, the full narrative of Jesus' final week, often referred to as the Passion, is now emphasized on the Sunday before Easter. We have been reviewing the story piece by piece in our Wednesday Lenten Devotions, but when was the last time you heard the story, start to finish?

A new worship pattern being used in our church body is to designate “Palm Sunday” as “Passion Sunday” or “Sunday of the Passion.” The intent is to review the whole story arc in Word and Song. We start today with the story of the crowds and their palm branches, but then we follow them all the way to the cross and are reminded why Jesus went to Jerusalem in the first place.

This service won’t feature a sermon itself, but rather narrate its way through some of the passion episodes. Those narratives are connected to hymn stanzas and on Sunday the students of the Fox Valley Lutheran High School Choir will offer choral anthems.

How can I join the Palm Procession?

This service features an invitation for families young and old to take part in a “Palm Sunday Procession.” Five minutes before the service, meet in the back of church for a palm branch and then come forward to place it near the altar during the singing of the opening hymn. As we learn again the story of Jesus’ passion, may our voices be brought to worship him today, throughout the week, and throughout our lives.

Want to hear more? See you this weekend: Saturday at 5:15 p.m. • Sunday at 8 a.m. • Sunday at 10:30 a.m.