Palm Sunday, 2026
What follows is a worship service which, I pray, you can participate in at a time(s) that are convenient to you. This 'service' will take about forty five (45) minutes.
I pray that you will feel called to ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE in this service.
The text that is in regular typeface (that is what you are reading at the moment) is to be read quietly, while the text that is in bold face (like you are reading right now) is meant to be read aloud.
Opening Hymn:
Let us continue by watching, and please do feel free to sing or read aloud the lyrics, as we commence our praise and thanksgiving.
When you are ready - click the "play" button on the video window, below:
A Call To Worship:
We meet in the name of God,
Creator of the universe,
source of true humanity,
mother and father of all. Amen.
An Assurance of Forgiveness:
(click the 'play' button below to listen)
The Sentence For Today (let us say aloud):
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his mercy endures for ever.
The Special Prayer For Today (let us pray aloud):
Almighty and everliving God, in your tender love for the human race you sent your Son our Saviour 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.
Our first reading for today:
(click the 'play' button below to listen)
Our second reading for today:
(click the 'play' button below to listen)
Gradual Hymn:
Let us continue by watching, and please do feel free to sing or read aloud the lyrics, as we raise out voices in praise and thanksgiving.
When you are ready - click the "play" button on the video window, below:
Listen to David speak to this gospel
or, if you prefer, you can read the sermon, below:
Sermon for Palm Sunday, 29th Mar 2026
Welcome sisters and brothers and peace be with you. MAY the words on my lips and the meditations in our hearts be acceptable in your sight O Lord, our strength and our Redeemer. <Amen>
A few years ago, a well-known public figure was scheduled to visit a city after a crisis. The streets were lined with police vehicles. Security teams arrived days in advance. Motorcades rehearsed their routes. When the day came, black cars with tinted windows swept through streets. People caught a glimpse, only a glimpse. The visit was impressive, powerful, controlled.
That same week, a local volunteer quietly showed up at an emergency shelter with groceries in the trunk of her small, dented car. No sirens. No security detail. No flashing lights. She carried bags inside, sat at tables, listened to stories, and prayed with those who were frightened and displaced.
Both visits were responses to a crisis. But only one felt personal. Only one felt close. <PAUSE>
When we turn to Matthew’s gospel 21:1–11, we see another arrival into a city - a city tense with expectation. It is Passover in Jerusalem. The population has swelled. The Roman authorities are on edge. The people are restless, longing for deliverance.
Into that charged atmosphere comes Jesus. <PAUSE>
Matthew tells us that Jesus sends two disciples ahead to find a donkey and a colt. This is no accident, no improvisation. Jesus is intentionally fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah:
“See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey.”
In the ancient world, kings rode warhorses when they came for battle. They rode donkeys when they came in peace. Jesus chooses the donkey. He comes gently.
And yet Matthew calls Him king.
This is the paradox of Palm Sunday. This is a message for our world today - power wrapped in humility; authority clothed in gentleness. <PAUSE>
The crowds spread their cloaks on the road. They cut branches from the trees. They cry out, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
“Hosanna” means “Save us now!”
They are right to praise Him. They are right to see something royal in Him. They are right to sense that God is doing something decisive.
But what kind of salvation are they expecting? Many hoped for political revolution. A Messiah who would overthrow Rome. A king who would restore national glory. A leader who would crush enemies.
They wanted the warhorse, but Jesus comes on a donkey.
This is the paradox of Palm Sunday. This is a message for our world today - power wrapped in humility; authority clothed in gentleness. <PAUSE>
Matthew says, “When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, ‘Who is this?’”
That question echoes across history: Who is this?
The crowds answer, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
A prophet? Yes. But more than that.
Matthew has been telling us from the beginning: this is Emmanuel—God with us. This is the Son of David. This is the King.
The city is stirred - but not everyone understands. Perhaps this is still true today. We can be stirred by Jesus, moved by His teaching, touched by His compassion, yet still misunderstand who He truly is.
This is the paradox of Palm Sunday. This is a message for our world today - power wrapped in humility; authority clothed in gentleness. <PAUSE>
Let’s come back to that contemporary contrast I mentioned at the start.
The motorcade king - loud, distant, powerful, untouchable. We often want a God who will crush our problems instantly. A Messiah who will fix our circumstances without touching our hearts.
But Jesus does not come to conquer Rome. He comes to conquer sin.
Jesus does not come to seize a throne. He comes to embrace a cross.
Within days, the same city that shouts “Hosanna!” today will cry “Crucify him!”
Why? Because Jesus refuses to be the king they demand.
He will not lead an armed uprising.
He will not meet violence with violence.
He will not save them the way they expect.
Instead, He saves them and us through surrender.
This is the paradox of Palm Sunday. This is a message for our world today - power wrapped in humility; authority clothed in gentleness. <PAUSE>
Make no mistake about Jesus because He IS a King.
Gentleness is not weakness. It is strength under control.
The same Jesus who rides the donkey will cleanse the temple.
The same Jesus who weeps over Jerusalem will stand silent before Pilate.
The same Jesus who is crowned with thorns will be raised in glory.
His kingship is real - but it is unlike any other.
What About Us?
The question for us is, “What kind of king do we welcome?”
It is easy to wave palm branches in a crowd.
It is harder to follow a king to the cross.
We like the celebration. We struggle with the surrender.
We want Jesus to fix our world.
He wants to change our hearts.
We like the transformation. We struggle with the surrender.
We want deliverance from discomfort.
He offers deliverance from sin.
We like the smoothness. We struggle with the surrender.
We want visible triumph.
He walks the path of sacrificial love.
We like the winning. We struggle with the surrender. <PAUSE>
Let me close by saying that when Jesus truly enters a life, He does so gently - but His presence changes everything.
He enters not on a warhorse of domination but on a donkey of humility.
He knocks; He does not batter down the door.
He invites; He does not compel.
But when we open the gates, the King truly comes. <PAUSE>
The motorcades of this world impress us. They display power at a distance.
But our King comes close.
Jesus rides into Jerusalem not to display might, but to offer mercy.
Jesus comes not to take life, but to give His own.
Jesus comes not to sit on a golden throne, but to hang on a wooden cross. <PAUSE>
THIS is Jesus.
THIS is King who comes gently.
THIS is the Saviour who comes in the name of the Lord.
And today, as surely as on that first Palm Sunday, Jesus comes to us - not with sirens and spectacle - but with humility, peace, and saving love.
Hosanna to the Son of David!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Hosanna in the highest heaven!
I runga e te Ingoa o te Atua, te Matua, te Tama me te Wairua Tapu. <AMINE>
Pause and Reflect
Just take a moment now to pause. Bow your head, close your eyes.
Allow these words of Holy Scripture and this interpretation of them today to speak to you.
An Affirmation of Our Faith
Let us affirm our faith by saying aloud, and together, "The Apostles Creed":
... and now let us pray for the Church, the World, and Ourselves, giving thanks for God's goodness.
Let us pray aloud, and together:
God in highest heaven, how humbly You enter to reign in Christ Jesus - on dusty roads, through narrow streets, riding a donkey, on the way to Your sacrifice for a broken world. Help us to pave the way for Your eternal realm with our prayer and praise, with our service and love, until the coming of Your new creation. AMEN.
<longer silence for personal reflection>
God our Saviour, Your Son Jesus Christ entered Jerusalem as Messiah to suffer and to die, let the palms we wave, or think on, be for us signs of His victory; and grant that we may ever hail Him as our King, and follow Him in the way that leads to eternal life for us and all in our communities.
<short silence> Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Holy God, teach us to be generous. Teach us to serve You as You deserve; to give and not to count the cost, to fight and not to heed the wounds, to toil and not to seek for rest, to labour and not to ask for reward.
<short silence> Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Merciful God, we pray today for those living in places lacking basic human dignity and justice. Touch world leaders with Your loving heart and grant them wisdom to govern respectfully and to make decisions for the benefit of all.
<short silence> Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Gracious God we recognise that sometimes we put off prayer and thanksgiving as we give way to our human frailty. We thank you for those who pray and intercede on our behalf both in heaven and here on earth.
<short silence> Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Merciful God, we pray for all who are troubled this day in body, mind or spirit. Those who are laid low by sorrow and illness, or by fear and weakness; breathe new life into them as we name them before You now.
Give the song of joy to all who are now on the road to recovery and recuperation and the song of thanks to all who helped them on that road.
We especially raise before You now all those who have asked for our prayers from around the world … those we know in New Zealand, in Singapore, in Argentina, in France, in Australia, in the US, in Canada, in Austria, in Ukraine, in China, in Germany, in the Czech Republic, and any others we now name aloud, or in the silence of our hearts, and those who are known only by You.
<short silence> Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Father God, as we move into Holy Week we commend ourselves and all those whom we live amongst, for whom Christ suffered, to His mercy and protection.
We especially raise before you at this time our recently departed sisters and brothers, Mark (Canada), Carlos (Colombia), Robert and Diane (England), Rosa (Mexico), Felipe (Spain), Ethel, Francis, Steve, Susannah (USA).
We pray for all the faithful departed, may they now rest in eternal peace as they most surely have risen in glory.
<Short silence> Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
In a moment of silence we pray for ourselves, our families, friends, for all whom we love and for our personal ministries.
(Short Silence) Lord, in Your mercy: hear our prayer
Lord Jesus, You are the humble King who chose a donkey instead of a war horse. Teach us to recognise Your kingdom even when it doesn’t look powerful by worldly standards.
Help us to welcome You not just with words but with obedience.
Rule in our hearts today. Amen
(Short Silence) Lord, in Your mercy: hear our prayer
Forth in the peace of Christ we go; Christ to the world with joy we bring; Christ in our minds, Christ on our lips, Christ in our hearts, the world’s true King.
Merciful father: accept these prayers for the sake of Your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN.
Remembering that we are confident to pray this day, and every day, because Jesus Christ continues to teach us:
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever. Amen.
Let us conclude our prayers by praying together and aloud:
God of mercy,
you have given us grace to pray with one heart and one voice,
and have promised to hear the prayers
of two or three who agree in your name,
fulfil now, we pray,
the prayers and longings of your people
as may be best for us and for your kingdom.
Grant us in this world to know your truth,
and in the world to come to see your glory. Amen.
The Blessing
May The Risen Lord Christ turn His face towards each and every one of you.
May He cause His light to shine upon you, and
may He grant you His peace, and
The blessing of Almighty God who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
be with you and all of those whom you love,
on this day and forever more.
A Closing Hymn:
Let us conclude our worship today by watching, and please do feel free to sing or read aloud the lyrics, as we unite in another hymn our praise and thanksgiving.
When you are ready - click the "play" button on the video window, below:
The Dismissal
Go now, go out into the world
to love and serve The Lord.
Go in peace.
AMEN, we go in the name of Christ.
