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PALM SUNDAY MARCH 29, 2026

WELCOME

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

Welcome

Joy: A EuchArist for childrEn

The Lighting Of The Christ Candle

“The Light Of Christ”

The light of Christ has come into the world. The light of Christ has come into the world.

Public Domain

The Opening Song

“He’ll Be Riding On A Donkey”

He’ll be riding on a donkey when He comes,

He’ll be riding on a donkey,

He’ll be riding on a donkey when He comes,

We’ll be waving our palm branches when He comes,

We’ll be waving our palm branches,

We’ll be waving our palm branches when He comes,

We’ll be shouting out hosanna when He comes,

We’ll be shouting out hosanna,

We’ll be shouting out hosanna when He comes.

Public Domain

The Opening Sentences

Celebrant Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

People And blessed be his kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.

Standing

Please be seated.

Celebrant The Lord be with you.

People And also with you.

Celebrant Let us pray.

Celebrant Lord Jesus, Jerusalem celebrated your entry into the city, help us to celebrate you in our hearts. Amen.

The Gospel Procession

“I Have Decided To Follow Jesus”

I have decided to follow Jesus. I have decided to follow Jesus. I have decided to follow Jesus. No turning back, no turning back.

Other verses

Though none go with me, still I will follow. The cross I’ll carry ‘til I see Jesus. The cross before me, the world behind me.

Public Domain

The Bible Story

The Song After The Story

“Jesus Loves Me”

Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong, they are weak, but He is strong.

Refrain

Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me. The Bible tells me so.

Boys and girls across the sea, Jesus loves as well as me. So our little friends are they, And together we can say. Refrain.

Public Domain

The

Children’s Creed

All I believe in God the Father, who has made me and all the world. I believe in God the Son, who has loved me and saved me.

I believe in God the Holy Spirit, who is in me and all creation.

The Sunday School Prayer

All God be in my head. God be in my heart. God be in my left hand. God be in my right hand.

God be in my whole life.

Thanks be to God. Amen.

Additional Prayers and Silence

Reader Let us thank God for our families, friends, and our pets.

We pray to you, O Lord.

People Lord, hear our prayer.

Reader Let us praise God for God’s love and goodness and for our blessings.

We pray to you, O Lord.

People Lord, hear our prayer.

Reader Let us pray to God to help others. We pray to you, O Lord.

People Lord, hear our prayer.

Reader Let us ask God for the things we need; may we enjoy the food we eat, the home we live in, the health that we have, and when we are sick that we may be well soon.

We pray to you, O Lord.

People Lord, hear our prayer.

Please be seated for the Announcements.

To make a gift scan this QR code.

The Children’s Confession

Celebrant For the times we have hurt others.

People Forgive us, God.

Celebrant For the times we have acted selfishly.

People Forgive us, God.

Celebrant For the times we have been slow to forgive others.

People Forgive us, God.

Celebrant For the times we have not remembered your love for us.

People Forgive us, God.

The Peace

Celebrant The peace of the Lord be always with you.

People And also with you.

The Offertory (sung by the Saint Michael Cherub Choir)

Little Grey Donkey Natalie Sleeth

Little grey donkey, little grey donkey, little grey donkey, ho! Do you know just who it is you carry on your back?

‘Tis no ordinary load, no mean or common pack. You are blessed of all beasts to carry into town Christ the Lord of Galilee; he wears no earthly crown.

Little grey donkey, little grey donkey, little grey donkey, ho! Once you were a simple beast of poor and lowly state.

Christ himself hath chosen you and honored is your fate. Though your path with palms is spread, make haste along the way; You were destined there to ride on this triumphal day.

Song continues on the next page.

Little grey donkey, little grey donkey, little grey donkey, ho! Yonder is a grassy hill, it’s known as Calvary. Up against the cloudless sky a barren cross you see.

Little grey donkey, little grey mare, don’t hide your head in shame, For you bear the Lamb of God, and Jesus is his name.

The Doxology

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise him, all creatures here below; praise him above, ye heavenly host: praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

“Praise God, from whom all blessings flow“ Hymn 380, v. 3

Prayers Over The Bread & Wine To Thank God For Jesus

Celebrant The Lord be with you.

People And also with you.

Celebrant Lift up your hearts.

People We lift them to the Lord.

Celebrant Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

People It is right to give him thanks and praise.

The Lord’s Prayer

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.

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. Eucharistic prayer continues.

Members of the congregation may come forward to receive Communion from the Celebrant.

Please join in the singing of the Communion songs.

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Breaking of the Bread

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 Songs

“Let Us Break Bread Together”

Let us break bread together on our knees. Let us break bread together on our knees.

Refrain

When I fall on my knees, with my face to the rising sun, Oh Lord, have mercy on me.

Let us drink wine together on our knees. Let us drink wine together on our knees. Refrain.

Let us praise God together on our knees. Let us praise God together on our knees. Refrain.

African-American Spiritual Public Domain CCLI #1718120

“Open Our Eyes, Lord”

Open our eyes, Lord, we want to see Jesus, To reach out and touch him and say that we love him. Open our ears, Lord, and help us to listen. Open our eyes, Lord, we want to see Jesus.

“Holy, Holy, Holy”

Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty! Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee: Holy, Holy, Holy! Merciful and mighty, God in three Persons, blessed Trinity.

Holy, Holy, Holy! All the saints adore thee, Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea; Cherubim and seraphim falling down before thee, God everlasting through eternity.

Holy, Holy, Holy! Though the darkness hide thee, Though the eye made blind by sin thy glory may not see, Only thou art holy; there is none beside thee, Perfect in power, in love, and purity.

Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty! All thy works shall praise thy Name in earth, and sky, and sea;

Holy, Holy, Holy! Merciful and mighty, God in three Persons, blessed Trinity.

Public Domain

“Awesome God”

Our God is an awesome God. He reigns from heaven above. With wisdom pow’r and love. Our God is an awesome God.

“Standin’ In The Need Of Prayer”

Refrain

It’s me, it’s me, O Lord, standing in the need of prayer. It’s me, it’s me, O Lord, standing in the need of prayer.

Not my brother, not my sister, but it’s me, O Lord, standing in the need of prayer.

Not my brother, not my sister, but it’s me, O Lord, standing in the need of prayer. Refrain.

Not the preacher, not the deacon, but it’s me, O Lord, standing in the need of prayer.

Not the preacher, not the deacon, but it’s me, O Lord, standing in the need of prayer. Refrain.

Not my father, not my mother, but it’s me, O Lord, standing in the need of prayer. Not my father, not my mother, but it’s me, O Lord, standing in the need of prayer. Refrain. © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House (Admin. by The Copyright Company); CCLI # 1718120

Thank You To God For Our Time Together

All Thank you, Jesus, for this Holy Meal. Thank you for giving us this Holy Food that gives each of us the gift of life. And thank you for caring for us. Amen.

A Blessing The Dismissal

Celebrant Let us bless the Lord. People Thanks be to God.

The Closing Song

“This Is The Day”

This is the day, this is the day. That the Lord has made, that the Lord has made. We will rejoice. We will rejoice, and be glad in it. And be glad in it.

This is the day that the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.

This is the day, this is the day that the Lord has made.

CCLI #1718120

Song permission granted by CCLI License #171820 & Hymn permission used by Rite Song, a one-time use reprint license for congregational use.

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