Liturgy first led in worship at First Presbyterian Church of Holt on March 29, 2015 at our Upstream Service. The liturgy is designed so that the responsive confession is happening while the palm frond is being folded. I recommend letting the congregation know this before the invitation. Also, take your time and be sure to show them your frond you are folding (and/or project images of the folds close up – feel free to use my photos for this) so that the congregation can follow along. I did provide the written directions alongside the liturgy when I used it in worship. Since different people receive information if different ways, I recommend having the directions visually and in written form.
Invitation to Confession: The palms don’t wave for long. Just moments later and the people were picking up their coats, cleaning them off, and going about their day. So, too, we are quick to move on, pass the joy of welcoming our savior, into our own concerns in day to day living. Together, we transform celebration into ignorance, and our ignorance is transformed into pain. As we confess our sins together, we fold palms into crosses, symbolizing the journey of Holy Week. Together let us pray:
Prayer of confession
Holding palm frond
Holding palm frond
Leader: We come knowing the way we ought to live
People: The path of righteousness laid before us
Bending 2/3s of frond over to back
Bending 2/3s of frond over to back
Leader: But we bow before so many idols
People: Ego, status, wealth
Folding long end of frond perpendicular to the right at half way down front piece
Folding long end of frond perpendicular to the right at half way down front piece (here’s what that looks like if you are not holding on to it)
Folding long end of frond perpendicular to the right at half way down front piece
Leader: Offered the guidance of the Holy Spirit
People: We turn away
Folding perpendicular side of frond inwards
Folding perpendicular side of frond inwards (here’s what it looks like if you are not holding on to it)
Folding perpendicular side of frond inwards
Leader: Offered God’s boundless love
People: We draw boundaries around those we will love
Folding frond in on itself
Folding frond in on itself (here’s what it looks like if you are not holding on to it)
Folding frond in on itself
Leader: Offered the peace of Christ
People: We join the crowd in demanding for his crucifixion
Holding cross formed from palm frond
Holding cross formed from palm frond
Leader: For all of these things we ask forgiveness
People: When our “Hosannas” turn to “Crucify Him!”, we know not what we are doing.
Here are a few finishing steps to tie them. I did not put them in the liturgy itself simply for timing, but the end of the last piece folded can be tied around the back as shown below:
Folding end around the middle
Tucking the end into the middle back
Pulling the end tight. I then ripped off the loose part, but it could be looped through again so it will lie flatter
Learn more about FPC Holt’s Upstream Service here:
