The Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday
On Palm Sunday, all who are attending a 9 a.m. service–the one in the main church or the one in Palmer Hall–gather outdoors at the Three Chopt entrance to the church. After the Liturgy of the Palms, all process to their respective services to continue with Holy Eucharist and the reading of the Passion. The procession is led by Oslick the donkey.
The 11:15 a.m. service also begins outdoors for the Liturgy of the Palms before moving indoors for the Passion and Holy Eucharist (but no donkey!)
This year, Palm Sunday is April 13.
Service schedule
7:30 a.m., Holy Eucharist: Rite One (note earlier-than-usual time)+
9:00 a.m., Holy Eucharist: Rite Two in Palmer Hall and in the main church; all will gather outdoors at the Three Chopt entrance to begin the service together+*
There is no Sunday morning formation on Palm Sunday.
11:15 a.m., Holy Eucharist: Rite Two; meet outdoors at the Three Chopt entrance for the Liturgy of the Palms+*
5:30 p.m., Celtic Evensong and Communion+*
6:30 p.m., Sunday Community Supper in Large Fellowship Hall
8:00 p.m., Sung Compline+
+Livestreamed on the This Sunday page
*Child care available
What is the Liturgy of the Palms?
Palm Sunday includes two very different parts of Jesus’ story: his triumphant entry into Jerusalem, and his betrayal and crucifixion. The first part of the service on Palm Sunday includes a reading of the gospel story of Jesus entering the city on a donkey. For the 9 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. services at St. Stephen’s Church, we gather outdoors (weather permitting) to hear this story and to wave palms as the scripture tells us people did to welcome Jesus. Those attending one of our two 9 a.m. services then process behind a real donkey into the church.
What is the reading of the Passion?
The Passion refers to the story told in the Gospels of Jesus’ betrayal, arrest, trial, and crucifixion. In many churches it is customary to read this story in parts. Various members of the congregation read the words attributed to various figures in the story, including Jesus, Judas, Peter, Pontius Pilate, and others. The congregation participates as well by reading the words shouted by the crowds. We read the Passion Gospel at all of our Communion services on Palm Sunday, and we read it in parts at the 9 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. services.
The Holy Week journey
Palm Sunday–the Sunday of the Passion–signals the beginning of Holy Week. Read more about the Holy Week services that follow Palm Sunday on this page.