Palm Sunday B (March 24): After the Cheering has stopped /God is coming/Did you see I waved....

 

 

Bible readings:  Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29,  Mark 11:1-11 or John 12:12-16

About the Images: 

Upper Left: This image comes from Hermanoleum Clipart (http://www.cruzblanca.org/hermanoleon) and has my text added.
Upper Right: This photo is mine and taken at Cable Beach, Broome, Western Australia. If you want to find out more about Broome visit http://www.broomevisitorcentre.com.au . Please feel free to use this image for worship and related activities.

Middle Left: This is a free image from Imagebank - see my links column at left

Middle Right: This is a free image from Heartlight - see my links column at left
Lower Left: This a free image from Scripturepics - a now defunct free web site.

Lower Right: This one comes from Cerezo Barredo's weekly gospel illustrations which are always well embedded into our modern lives as you can see from this one. You can find Cerezo Barredo's illustrations matching up to the weekly lectionary via www.textweek.com or viahttp://www.servicioskoinonia.org/cerezo

Bottom Left: a free image from the "Misioneros Del Sagrado Corazón en el Perú"

Skit/ Call to Worship: After the Cheering Has Stopped...
A group of people come into the church waving palm branches and coats, yelling and cheering a generally making a racket. As they reach the front of the church one of the group notices the cross, becomes subdued and very still, lays his or her branch or coat at the foot of the cross, and quietly sits down in the body of the congregation. One by one the others catch on and follow suit until there is just a pile of branches and coats at the foot of the cross. After a short silence, the worship leader says "...and after the cheering has stopped....what?" I cannot remember if I half-inched this idea from someone or somewhere else or whether it is my own. Let me know if if you know of another source for this idea and I will gladly make due acknowledgement.

Listening Song: Chorus of Faith

By Michael Card on his album, Joy in the Journey, Birdwing Music, 1994 (pictured at left).

Listening Song: Talk About It

By Nicole C. Mullen on her album Talk About It (pictured at right) or on WOW 2003.

Film Clip: John 12:12-16

From The Gospel of John by The Visual Bible Society (pictured at left).

Film Clips: Jesus Christ Superstar

The musical film version of Jesus Christ Superstar (pictured at right) has two useful song clips for this week - because it is a musical, an audio effort could be made instead if you cannot show film clips. The two songs are Hossanna and Christ, You Know How I Love You.

Film Clip: Horton Hears a Who

(pictured at left) There are plenty of clips in this film about Horton going to extreme lengths to save the Who. At one point when he is warmed of the dire consequences of doing so, he reiterates that he is faithful. Very like Jesus who knew that the his entry into Jerusalem was leading him ever closer to his death - but he remained faithful and ever determined to be our Saviour. Watch it here: https://youtu.be/-cxHvPAvzg4

Discussion: Horton Hears a Who

1. Why won't Horton give up on the Who even when he is threatened?

2. How are Jesus and Horton similar?

Kids: Dave the Donkey

by Andrew McDonough, Lost Sheep Resources, Unley, 2008 (pictured at left). Another absolutely brilliant book in this series. 

Skit: The Extraordinary Event
Found in Mega Drama 3 by Verona Johnson (Ed.) Openbook, 2002, ISBN 0859109178 (v.3), page 60, (pictured at right) It is based on the Mark reading.

Story: The Visit

By Adrian Plass in The Final Boundary, Minstral, 1987, ISBN 1854240935, page 149ff (pictured at left) . This brilliant modern day parable is too long for a service but the first section has a great scene which challenges us to think about how we would celebrate Jesus' arrival in our midst.

Prayer/Confession: Going Up to Jerusalem

Found in Eggs and Ashes by Ruth Burgess and Chris Polhill, Wild Goose Publications, 2004, ISBN 1901557871, page 127 (pictured at right).

Prayer: Headline Prayers

Project some news items. Pray together for those who make the headlines this week.

Response Activity: Palm Crosses

While gentle music plays, encourage everyone to make a palm cross. Have the instructions printed out on A5 sheets for everyone and make sure a few people can already confidently make them so that they can guide others who may have difficulties. Clear instructions are available from www.king ofpeace.org/palmcrosses/. At the conclusion of the activity encourage people to lay their cross at the foot of the cross as you pray about the implications of the Easter week.

Response Activity: If You Were In the Crowd
This idea is found in Worship Ideas For Youth Ministry, Group Publishing, 1997, ISBN 076442002X, page 50 (pictured at right). Based on the gospel readings.

To Take Home: Business cards or bookmarks

Print with the following readings to lead into Easter:

Today: The Parade: Mark 11:1-11

Monday: The Temple: Mark 11:12-19

Tuesday: The Conflict: Mark 11:20-13:27

Wednesday: The Preparation: Mark 14:1-10.

Thursday: The Farewell: Mark 14:12-31

Friday: The Death: Mark 14:32-15:47

Saturday: The Silence: Mark 16:1

Sunday: The Winner: Mark 16:2-20. 

Also:

Story Plus Other Stuff: Roxanne Makes Good

Found in Wally the Dodgy Trolley and other Stories of Faith and Humour by Ian Johnson, Scripture Union Australia, Lidcombe, 2000, ISBN 0949720984, page 37 (pictured at left).

Resources for Palm/Passion Sunday

By Ruth Burgess and Chris Polhill in Eggs and Ashes, Wild Goose Publications, 2004, page 124-135 (pictured at right). 

Drama: Not Quite What I Expected

Found in Let's Make Another Scene 3 by Verena Johnson, Open Book, 1995, ISBN 0859107620, page 56. This drama is based on the gospel reading. 

Worship service: Voices in Jerusalem

By Doyle Burbank Williams and found in Before the Amen by Maren C Tirabassi and Maria I. Tirrabassi (Eds), Pilgrim Press, Cleveland, 2007, ISBN 978 0 8298 1750 8, page 72. Based on the Mark reading.