SAINT MICHAEL
and All
Angels
Episcopal Church
Palm Sunday March 29, 2026
11 AM TRADITIONAL
SAINT MICHAEL CHAPEL
FROM THE RECTOR
The Rev. Dr. Christopher D. Girata
We’re so glad you’ve joined us at Saint Michael today. We’d love to get to know you better, so please take a moment to fill out the welcome card, either physically or digitally, that can be found on this page or in the pew back in front of you. Our Welcome Team members are in the hallways today to help you with anything you need.
Today is Palm Sunday, the day that begins the holiest week of the year. Holy Week is a sacred time at Saint Michael, and I encourage you to commit to the incredible experience that happens across four evenings: Holy Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil. Beginning this Wednesday, April 1, these four services connect to form a single, deeply moving experience. I hope you’ll join us for all of them.
Please pick up a Sunday News handout if you haven’t already and join us for our special programming whenever you can, including our spring Alpha Course that begins this Tuesday, March 31, and is a wonderful opportunity for anyone seeking to learn more about God and our faith together.
As we prepare to worship together, I invite you to take a moment and center yourself on God’s presence. Worshiping, learning, and giving together help us grow closer to who God created us to be, and you’re part of that work. May God bless you today and every day, and I hope to see you again very soon!
CONNECT WITH US
Scan the QR Code to fill out the welcome card, sign up for emails, and register for Saint Michael 101. saintmichael.org/welcome
Holy Eucharist: Rite I
The service begins on page 270 of The Book of Common Prayer. Hymns may be found in the blue hymnal in the pew rack.
The Word of God
Prelude
Valet will ich dir geben, BWV 736 Johann Sebastian Bach
Salutation & Collect for Palm Sunday (standing)
Celebrant Blessed is the King who cometh in the name of the Lord.
People Peace in heaven and glory in the highest.
Celebrant Let us pray.
Assist us mercifully with thy help, O Lord God of our salvation, that we may enter with joy upon the contemplation of those mighty acts, whereby thou hast given us life and immortality; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Blessing of the Palms (standing)
Celebrant The Lord be with you.
People And with thy spirit.
Celebrant Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People It is meet and right so to do.
The palms are lifted up.
It is right to praise thee, Almighty God, for the acts of love by which thou hast redeemed us through thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. On this day he entered the holy city of Jerusalem in triumph, and was proclaimed as King of kings by those who spread their g arments and branches of palm along his way. Bless, O Lord, these branches to be for us signs of his victory, and grant that we who bear them in his name may ever hail him as our King, and follow him in the way that leadeth to eternal life; who liveth and reigneth in glory with thee and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.
Incense will be used during this service.
The music today is sponsored by the Campbell Music Fund at the All Angels Foundation.
Johann Sebastian Bach was likely deeply moved by the hymn on which this chorale is based.
“Valet will ich dir geben” was inspired by tragic events: its lyricist, Valerius Herberger, served as a clergyman in Fraustadt during a plague outbreak in 1613. Despite the high death toll, Herberger remained with his congregation. Bach’s setting reflects this unwavering faith, filled with conviction and spiritual strength.
Celebrant Blessed is he who cometh in the name of the Lord.
People Hosanna in the highest.
Deacon Let us go forth in peace.
People In the name of Christ. Amen.
Palm Procession
Metroplex United Piper
Highland Cathedral Ulrich Roever and Michael Korb
Processional Hymn (standing, sung by all) Hymn 154, v. 1-3
“All glory, laud, and honor” arranged by Sterling Procter
The Collect of the Day (standing)
Celebrant The Lord be with you.
People And with thy spirit.
Celebrant Let us pray.
Almighty and everlasting God, whose will it is to restore all things in thy well-beloved Son, the King of kings and Lord of lords: Mercifully grant that the peoples of the earth, divided and enslaved by sin, may be freed and brought together under his most gracious rule; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The Lesson (seated) Zechariah 9:9-12
Rejoice greatly, O daughter Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter Jerusalem! Lo, your king comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. He will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the warhorse from Jerusalem; and the battle bow shall be cut off, and he shall command peace to the nations; his dominion shall be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth. As for you also, because of the blood of my covenant with you, I will set your prisoners free from the waterless pit. Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of hope; today I declare that I will restore to you double.
Lector The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
The Psalm (seated) Psalm 118:19-24, 26-29
Open for me the gates of righteousness; * I will enter them; I will offer thanks to the LORD.
“ This is the gate of the LORD; * he who is righteous may enter.”
I will give thanks to you, for you answered me * and have become my salvation.
The same stone which the builders rejected * has become the chief cornerstone.
This is the LORD’s doing, * and it is marvelous in our eyes.
On this day the LORD has acted; * we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; * we bless you from the house of the LORD.
God is the LORD; he has shined upon us; * form a procession with branches up to the horns of the altar.
“ You are my God, and I will thank you; * you are my God, and I will exalt you.”
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; * his mercy endures for ever.
Sequence Hymn (standing, sung by all)
“Thy right hand held me fast and led” after Tenuisti manu dexteram (Gradual for Palm Sunday)
Thy right hand held me fast and led, Thy holy will became my light; Though envy turned my steps aside, Thy truth restored my failing sight.
Chanted by the Choir.
The Gospel (standing) John 12:12-16
Celebrant The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John. People Glory be to thee, O Lord.
The g reat crowd that had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord— the King of Israel!” Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it; as it is written: “Do not be afraid, daughter of Zion. Look, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt!” His disciples did not understand these things at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written of him and had been done to him.
Celebrant The Gospel of the Lord. People Praise be to thee, O Christ.
The Sermon (seated) The Rev. Dr. Christopher D. Girata
The Nicene Creed (standing)
All We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit
he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified.
He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
The Prayers of the People (standing)
Celebrant Let us pray for the Church and for the world.
Lector Almighty and everliving God, who in thy holy Word hast taught us to make prayers, and supplications, and to give thanks for all men: Receive these our prayers which we offer unto thy divine Majesty, beseeching thee to inspire continually the Universal Church with the spirit of truth, unity, and concord; and grant that all those who do confess thy holy Name may agree in the truth of thy holy Word, and live in unity and g odly love.
Parish Prayers of the People as of March 18, 2026
James Albergo
John Aldridge
Roland Anderson
Larry Andros
Rami Angir
Nancy Armour
Linda & Greg Austin
Don Baty
Larry Been
Barbara Hart Bell
Shirley Blackman
Len Bourland
Elise Broer
Helen Bustamante
Darrell Calvin
Cosette “Coco” Cathey
Carolyn Cochran
Jean Coleman
Elise Connolly
Bill Douglass
LaWanda Duggan
Kristen Ewing
Jean Fuller
Brooke Garcia
Curtis Green
Jane Greene
Jody Guenther
Roberto Hernandez
Josh Hight
Barbara Hornback
Lynne Kent
Julie Kenrick
John Khoury
Danny Landeros
John Levens
Rusty Lawley
Tom Luce
Leigh Ann McCartin
Lyn McKinney
Sarah Margaret Mannes
Dimitri Margetis
Thomas Martin
Michael Matamoras
Tink Moir
John Morelock
Heather Nemec
John Oncken
Sue Patton
Mikel Reynolds
Jim Riggert
Celso Rocha
Nancy Saustad
Arden Showalter
Hank Showalter
Give grace, O heavenly Father, to all bishops and other ministers, especially Sarah, Archbishop of Canterbury; Sean, our Presiding Bishop; and Rob, our Bishop; that they may, both by their life and doctrine, set forth thy true and lively Word, and rightly and duly administer thy holy Sacraments.
And to all thy people give thy heavenly grace, and especially to this congregation here present; that, with meek heart and due reverence, they may hear and receive thy holy Word, truly serving thee in holiness and righteousness all the days of their life.
We beseech thee also so to rule the hearts of those who bear the authority of government in this and e very land [especially Donald, our President; Greg, our Governor; and Eric, our Mayor], that they may be led to wise decisions and right actions for the welfare and peace of the world.
Open, O Lord, the eyes of all people to behold thy g racious hand in all thy works, that, rejoicing in thy whole creation, they may honor thee with their substance, and be faithful stewards of thy bounty.
And we most humbly beseech thee, of thy goodness, O Lord, to comfort and succor all those who in this transitory life, are in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness, or any other adversity.
We pray for all those on the Saint Michael prayer list, and for ___.
We give thanks for the ministry of ___.
And we also bless thy holy Name for all thy servants departed this life in thy faith and fear, especially ___, beseeching thee to grant them continual growth in
thy love and service; and to grant us grace so to follow the good examples of Saint Michael and of all thy saints, that with them we may be partakers of thy heavenly kingdom.
Grant these our prayers, O Father, for Jesus Christ’s sake, our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen.
Confession of Sin and Absolution (kneeling)
Celebrant Let us humbly confess our sins unto Almighty God.
All Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against thee in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved thee with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of thy Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in thy will, and walk in thy ways, to the glory of thy Name. Amen.
Celebrant Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who of his great mercy hath promised forgiveness of sins to all those who with hearty repentance and true faith turn unto him, have mercy upon you, pardon and deliver you from all your sins, confirm and strengthen you in all g oodness, and bring you to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Peace (standing)
Celebrant The peace of the Lord be always with you. People And with thy spirit.
Announcements (please be seated)
Brad Smith
Chad Smith
Chandler Wade Smith
Dianne Smith
Fadey Suleiman
Byrd Teague
Renee Torres
Dan Vasquez
Travion Waites
Keller Webster
John Wieden
Mary Wolf
To make a gift scan this QR code.
Moses Hogan was an American composer and arranger who remains one of the most well-known names in African-American spirituals. Over his lifetime, he published 88 arrangements for voice. This exciting arrangement of the traditional spiritual was commissioned by Spelman College, a historically Black liberal arts college for women in Atlanta, Georgia, and was premiered by the Spelman Glee Club under the direction of Dr. Norma Raybon.
The Holy Communion
Offertory Anthem (sung by the Saint Michael Choir)
Ride on, King Jesus Moses Hogan
Ride on, King Jesus, Ride on, the conquerin’ king.
Oh, Ride on, King Jesus, ride on. No man can a-hinder thee.
I was but young when I begun. No man can a-hinder thee.
But now my race is almost done. No man can a-hinder thee.
Ride on, King Jesus, Ride on, the conquerin’ king.
Oh, Ride on, King Jesus, ride on. No man can a-hinder thee.
King Jesus rides a milk white horse. No man can a-hinder thee.
The ribber of Jordan he did cross. No man can a-hinder thee.
Ride on, King Jesus, Ride on, the conquerin’ king.
Oh, Ride on, King Jesus, ride on. No man can a-hinder thee.
He’s the King and the Lord of all. No man can a-hinder thee.
Jesus is the first and he’s the last.
Jesus is the Lord of Lords.
Jesus is the Prince of peace. No man can a-hinder thee.
Ride on, King Jesus, Ride on, just ride on, Jesus!
- Traditional Spiritual
Presentation Hymn (standing, sung by all) Hymn 380, v. 3 “Praise God, from whom all blessings flow” Old 100th
The Great Thanksgiving: Eucharistic Prayer II (standing)
All baptized persons of any age regardless of their denomination and tradition are welcome to share in the banquet of the Lord’s Supper.
It is very meet, right, and our bounden duty, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto thee, O Lord, holy Father, almighty, everlasting God.
Therefore with Angels and Archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify thy glorious Name; evermore praising thee, and singing,
Here a Proper Preface is sung or said on all Sundays, and on other occasions as appointed.
At the following words concerning the bread, the Celebrant is to hold it, or lay a hand upon it; and at the words concerning the cup, to hold or place a hand upon the cup and any other vessel containing wine to be consecrated.
“Holy, holy, holy”
Please kneel as you are able.
All glory be to thee, O Lord our God, for that thou didst create heaven and earth, and didst make us in thine own image; and, of thy tender mercy, didst give thine only Son Jesus Christ to take our nature upon him, and to suffer death upon the cross for our redemption. He made there a full and perfect sacrifice for the whole world; and did institute, and in his holy Gospel command us to continue, a perpetual memory of that his precious death and sacrifice, until his coming again.
For in the night in which he was betrayed, he took bread; and when he had given thanks to thee, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take, eat, this is my Body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
L ikewise, after supper, he took the cup; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink this, all of you; for this is my Blood of the New Covenant, which is shed for you, and for many, for the remission of sins. Do this, as oft as ye shall drink it, in remembrance of me.”
Wherefore, O Lord and heavenly Father, we thy people do celebrate and make, with these thy holy gifts which we now offer unto thee, the memorial thy Son hath commanded us to make; having in remembrance his blessed passion and precious death, his mighty resurrection and glorious ascension; and looking for his coming again with power and great glory.
And we most humbly beseech thee, O merciful Father, to hear us, and, with thy Word and Holy Spirit, to bless and sanctify these gifts of bread and wine, that they may be unto us the Body and Blood of thy dearly-beloved Son Jesus Christ.
And we earnestly desire thy fatherly goodness to accept this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, whereby we offer and present unto thee, O Lord, our selves, our souls and bodies.
Grant, we beseech thee, that all who partake of this Holy Communion may worthily receive the most precious Body and Blood of thy Son Jesus Christ, and be filled with thy grace and heavenly benediction; and also that we and all thy whole Church may be made one body with him, that he may dwell in us, and we in him; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord;
By whom, and with whom, and in whom, in the unity of the Holy Ghost all honor and glory be unto thee, O Father Almighty, world without end. AMEN.
And now, as our Savior Christ hath taught us, we are bold to say,
All Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
The Breaking of the Bread (sung by all) Hymn S 158
“O Lamb of God”
Celebrant The Gifts of God for the People of God. Take them in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving.
Communion Hymn (sung by all) Hymn 474
“ When I survey the wondrous cross” Rockingham
All are invited to come forward to the Communion rail at the direction of our ushers. Stand or kneel at the rail as you are able, and receive the wafer in the palm of your outstretched hands. If you desire a gluten-free wafer, clasp your hands in front of you with your palms down. Receive the wine by drinking from the chalice as it is offered to you, or by retaining the wafer, to dip lightly into the chalice for yourself. If you are not receiving, you may cross your arms over your chest and receive a blessing. If you are unable to physically come to the rail, please indicate to an usher that you would like to receive Communion at your seat.
Anton Bruckner composed his Pange lingua in 1868, creating a reverent setting of the ancient Eucharistic hymn traditionally attributed to Thomas Aquinas. Written for unaccompanied choir, the motet reflects Bruckner’s deep Catholic faith and his gift for luminous harmonic color within a restrained, chant-like texture. The music unfolds with simplicity and dignity, shaped by warm Romantic harmonies that gently heighten the text’s devotional moments. Though modest in scale, the piece reveals Bruckner’s characteristic blend of humility and grandeur, offering a contemplative expression of awe before the mystery of the sacrament.
Communion Anthem (sung by the Saint Michael Choir)
Pange, lingua Anton Bruckner
Pange lingua gloriosi
Corporis mysterium, Sanguinisque pretiosi, Quem in mundi pretium
Fructus ventris generosi
Rex effudit gentium.
Tantum ergo sacramentum
Veneremur cernui: Et antiquum documentum
Novo cedat ritui:
Praestet fides supplementum
Sensuum defectui.
Genitori Genitoque
Laus et jubilatio, Salus, honor, virtus quoque
Sit et benedictio:
Procedenti ab utroque
Compar sit laudatio. Amen.
Sing, my tongue, the mystery of the glorious Body, and of the precious Blood which, as the ransom for the world, the fruit of a noble womb the King of the nations poured out.
Therefore so great a sacrament let us venerate, bowed low; and let the ancient covenant give way to the new rite.
Let faith supply what is lacking where the senses fail.
To the Father and to the Son be praise and joyful exultation, salvation, honour, power also, and blessing.
To the One who proceeds from both be equal praise.
Amen.
- St. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) for the Feast of Corpus Christi
The Post-Communion Prayer (kneeling, spoken by all)
Almighty and everliving God, we most heartily thank thee for that thou dost feed us, in these holy mysteries, with the spiritual food of the most precious Body and Blood of thy Son our Savior Jesus Christ; and dost assure us thereby of thy favor and goodness towards us; and that we are very members incorporate in the mystical body of thy Son, the blessed company of all faithful people; and are also heirs, through hope, of thy everlasting kingdom. And we humbly beseech thee, O heavenly Father, so to assist us with thy grace, that we may continue in that holy fellowship, and do all such good works as thou hast prepared for us to walk in; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honor and glory, world without end. Amen.
The Blessing (kneeling)
The Dismissal (standing)
Deacon Let us bless the Lord. People Thanks be to God.
Departing Procession (standing, sung by all) Hymn 458, v. 1-3, 7
“My song is love unknown” arrangement by David Goode (b. 1971)
Postlude
Praeambulum in G, WV 73
Heinrich
Scheidemann
Johann Sebastian Bach was likely deeply moved by the hymn on which this chorale is based. “Valet will ich dir geben” was inspired by tragic events: its lyricist, Valerius Herberger, served as a clergyman in Fraustadt during a plague outbreak in 1613. Despite the high death toll, Herberger remained with his congregation. Bach’s setting reflects this unwavering faith, filled with conviction and spiritual strength.
7:30 AM
Traditional
Saint Michael Chapel
9 AM Traditional Church
Joy! A Children’s Service
Saint Michael Chapel
10 AM
Education for All Ages
11 AM
Contemporary Church
Traditional
Saint Michael Chapel
5:30 PM
Traditional
Saint Michael Chapel
sunday at Saint Michael
EDUCATION CLASSES
Sundays | 10 a.m. | 2nd floor of the Education Wing
Please enter and exit the Education Wing from the south entrance on Colgate Ave.
Adults
Bible Series | The Lost Letters of Pergamum Room 203 | Led by the Rev. Robin Hinkle
Explore “The Lost Letters of Pergamum,” by Bruce Longenecker, imagined correspondence between Saint Luke and a Roman elite, illuminating early Christianity under persecution.
Faith & Practice | The Life of Prayer Room 201 | Led by the Rev. David Faulkner
This Lent, deepen prayer through daily devotions, Scripture-based prayer, and faith amid life’s challenges
Class for Parents | Embracing Your Limitations as a Parent Room 212 | Led by Travis Gilmore Author Oliver Burkeman promotes “imperfectionism,” helping overwhelmed parents embrace limits and make wiser daily decisions.
Saint Michael 101 | Spotlight: Education Room 200 | Led by Dr. Tim Smith, Sam Moore, and Meghan Houk Those who are new to our church or interested in membership will learn about Saint Michael’s mission and purpose.
Youth
Middle School: 6th and 7th Grade | Youth Room A
Confirmation: 8th Grade | Youth Center
High School: 9th – 12th Grade | Youth Room B
Children
Godly Play: PreK – 1st Grade (Ages 3 – 7)
PreK (Room 213) | Kindergarten (Room 211) | 1st Grade (Room 208)
One Family of Faith: 2nd – 3rd Grade | Room 209
Launch 45: 4th – 5th Grade | Room 207
Nursery available in rooms 19 & 20 in school hallway. Enter through the Sunday Education Wing entrance. See map for details.
HOLY WEEK SERVICE SCHEDULE
MARCH 30
MONDAY IN HOLY WEEK
Morning Prayer
7 a.m. | Chapel
MARCH 31
TUESDAY IN HOLY WEEK
Morning Prayer
7 a.m. | Chapel
APRIL 1
WEDNESDAY IN HOLY WEEK
Morning Prayer
7 a.m. | Chapel
Tenebrae
7 p.m. | Church
APRIL 2
MAUNDY THURSDAY
Morning Prayer
7 a.m. | Chapel
Maundy Thursday & Stripping of the Altar
7 p.m. | Church
Vigil in the Garden of Repose
9 p.m. – 6 a.m. | Chapel
APRIL 3
GOOD FRIDAY
Good Friday
7 a.m. | Chapel
Good Friday & Holy Communion
12 p.m. | Church
Family Stations of the Cross
12 p.m. | Chapel
Traditional Stations of the Cross
1:15 p.m. | Church
Contemporary Stations of the Cross
5:30 p.m. | Church
Contemporary Good Friday & Holy Communion
7 p.m. | Church
APRIL 4
HOLY SATURDAY
Holy Saturday
8:30 a.m. | Chapel
Great Vigil of Easter
7 p.m. | Church
SCAN THE QR CODE OR VISIT
SAINTMICHAEL.ORG/HOLYWEEK FOR MORE INFORMATION.
APRIL 5, 2026
6:30 AM Sunrise Service Outdoor Patio on Colgate 9 AM
Holy Eucharist Rite II Church
Joy! A Children’s Service Chapel 5:30 PM
Holy Eucharist Rite II Church
7:30 AM
Holy Eucharist Rite I Chapel 11 AM Contemporary Service Church
Holy Eucharist Rite I Chapel
saintmichael.org/eastersunday