This document contains a collection of readings and reflections for Palm Sunday during the COVID-19 pandemic. It includes a prayer calling people to God and to reject "deeds of death" and accept God's kingdom. It then discusses Jesus' entry into Jerusalem as a prophet, riding on a donkey and proclaimed by crowds as the coming king, and reflects on how Jesus established a new order through obedience and seeking justice and peace.

1. A Prayer for the People of God
God of the covenant, in the glory of the cross
your Son embraced the power of death
and broke its hold over your people.
In this time of repentance, draw all people
to yourself, that we who confess
Jesus as Lord may put aside the deeds of death
and accept the life of your kingdom.
Amen.

2. The Church Calendar
April 5 // Palm Sunday

3. Coronavirus Sunday #4
The COVID-19 Calendar

4. Matthew 21:1-11
PALM Sunday // Jesus the PROPHET

5. Palm Sunday,
by John August Swanson

6. Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout,
Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king
comes to you, righteous and
victorious,
lowly and riding on a donkey, on a
colt, the foal of a donkey. I will take
away the chariots from Ephraim and
the warhorses from Jerusalem, and
the battle bow
will be broken. He will proclaim
ZECHARIAH 9:9-11

7. A very large crowd spread their cloaks
on the road, while others cut branches
from the trees and spread them
on the road. The crowds that went
ahead of him and those that followed
shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of
David!”
“Blessed is he who comes
in the name of the Lord!”
“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
MATTHEW 21:8-9

8. When Jesus entered Jerusalem,
the whole city was stirred and asked,
“Who is this?”
The crowds answered,
“This is Jesus, the prophet
from Nazareth in Galilee.”
MATTHEW 21:10-11

9. - Renewing the covenant w/God/Israel
- Continuing Davidic dynasty on earth
- Gathering the nations to worship
God via his obedience
- Seeking social justice (peace)
through covenant faithfulness
- Establishing a new world order
to make all this happen…
JESUS AS A PROPHET

10. * Pilate from the west, riding
on a war horse embodying
an empire of war/violence
* Jesus from the east, riding
on a donkey proclaiming
his kingdom of peace
DUEL PROCESSIONS…

11. - From COVID-19
- From immature, impetuous leaders
and “wild west” profiteers
- From the dangerous actions of the
unqualified and the unconvinced
- From financial ruin, for us/the world
- From ill-prepared, ill-funded,
ill-equipped structures/systems
- From distraction and deception
- From __________________________
JESUS, SAVE US!

12. Benediction
Christ, as a light illumine and guide me.
Christ, as a shield, overshadow me.
Christ under me; Christ over me;
Christ beside me on my left and my right.
This day be within and without me,
lowly and meek, but all-powerful.
Be in the heart of each to whom I speak;
in the mouth of each who speaks unto me.

13. Benediction
This day be within and without me,
lowly and meek, but all-powerful.
Christ as a light; Christ as a shield;
Christ beside me on my left and my right.
Amen.

14. Blessing
May the peace of the Lord Christ be with you
in the midst of quarantine and isolation.
May he guard your heart and mind, and
comfort you in the midst of grief and loss.
May he bring us back together rejoicing
at the wonders he has shown us.
May he bring us home rejoicing once again
into the doors of our shared community.
Amen.