Princeton University Chapel

PALM SUNDAY

March 24, 2024, 11:00 a.m.

The service begins in McCosh Courtyard, below the Bright Pulpit. All who are able are invited to gather there.

You are invited to rise, in body or spirit, for those parts of the service marked with an asterisk (*)

Hymns are found in the New Century Hymnal.

THE GATHERING

Percussion Invocation

Matthew Hill, Gabriel Roxbury, Jean-Lemke Charlot II, percussion

Welcome and Announcements Dean Boden

THE ENTRANCE INTO JERUSALEM H. Fitzgerald Robertson II

One Christ is with us.

All Christ is in our midst.

One Let us pray:

All Merciful God, as we enter Holy Week and gather at your house of prayer, turn our hearts again to Jerusalem, to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, that united with Christ and all the faithful we may one day enter in triumph the city not made by human hands, the new Jerusalem, eternal in the heavens, where with you and the Holy Spirit, Christ lives in glory forever. Amen.

A Reading from Shūsaku Endō

The Pesach was at hand. The people preparing for the festival were looking back on their long history, rueful over the anguished adversity of their ancient wandering migrations, and they prayed with fervor that God would come again to restore prosperity to the land now trampled underfoot by the Gentiles. Jesus, of course, knew the spirit of the feast. On this particular day, shortly before the festival itself began with full knowledge he dared to plunge into the whirlpool of popular misunderstanding. Descending from the Mount of Olives and through cheers from the crowd, he certainly knew that he was soon going to disappoint these people and that the people, in their frustration, would turn against him. Jesus, coming down from the mountain and entering the city wore a painful smile.

BLESSING OF THE PALMS

One Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.

All Peace on earth, and glory in the highest heaven.

One Let us pray:

All O God, who in Jesus Christ triumphantly entered Jerusalem, heralding a week of pain and sorrow, be with us now as we follow the way of the cross. In these events of defeat and victory, you have sealed the closeness of death and resurrection, of humiliation and exaltation. We thank you for these branches that promise to become for us symbols of martyrdom and majesty. Bless them and us that their use this day may announce in our time that Christ has come and that Christ will come again. Amen! Come, Christ Jesus!

One Let us go forth in peace.

All In the name of Christ. Amen.

THE PROCESSION OF THE CONGREGATION

The people, led by percussionists and playing their own instruments, process around the Chapel and enter through the main doors. When all have reached their places, the congregation will sing a hymn.

Hymn All Glory, Laud, and Honor St. Theodulph

All glory, laud, and honor to you, O Christ, we sing,

to whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring!

The people of the Hebrews with palms adorned your way;

Our praise and prayer and anthems we offer you this day.

O Promised One of Israel, of David’s royal line,

the one called “God’s beloved,” of flesh and yet divine,

To you, before your passion they sang their hymns of praise;

to you, now high exalted, our melody we raise.

As you received their praises, receive our prayers today,

whose justice and whose mercy and sovereignty hold sway.

All glory, laud, and honor to you, O Christ, we sing,

To whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring!

*Invocation H. Fitzgerald Robertson II

*Prayer of Confession H. Fitzgerald Robertson II

One Let us confess our sins to God.

All Almighty and everlasting God,

always more ready to hear than we are to pray,

always willing to give more than we either desire or deserve:

pour upon us the abundance of your mercy;

forgive what we have been,

help us to amend what we are,

and direct what we shall be;

that we may delight in your will

and walk in your ways,

through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

*Assurance of Forgiveness H. Fitzgerald Robertson II

Reading Philippians 2:5-11

Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,

who, though he was in the form of God,

did not regard equality with God

as something to be exploited,

but emptied himself,

taking the form of a slave,

being born in human likeness.

And being found in human form,

he humbled himself

and became obedient to the point of death—

even death on a cross.

Therefore God also highly exalted him

and gave him the name

that is above every name,

so that at the name of Jesus

every knee should bend,

in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

and every tongue should confess

that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Almighty.

Anthem Christus factus est Eleanor Daley (b. 1955)

Christ became obedient for us unto death,

even to the death, death on the cross.

Therefore God exalted Him and gave Him a name

which is above all names.

Gradual for Palm Sunday, Philippians 2:8-9

Reading Mark 11:1-11

When they were approaching Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples and said to them, ‘Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately as you enter it, you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden; untie it and bring it. If anyone says to you, “Why are you doing this?” just say this, “The Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately.” ’ They went away and found a colt tied near a door, outside in the street. As they were untying it, some of the bystanders said to them, ‘What are you doing, untying the colt?’ They told them what Jesus had said; and they allowed them to take it. Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it; and he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields. Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting,

‘Hosanna!

Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!

Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David!

Hosanna in the highest heaven!’

Then he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple; and when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.

Sermon “Why are you doing this?” Dean Thames

*Hymn No. 304 All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name Coronation

Prayers of the People Dean Boden

If there are prayer requests that you would like to share, please raise your hand.

After each petition:

One God of love and mercy,

All Hear our prayer.

Lord’s Prayer 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.

Choral Response Hosanna Jacques Berthier

(1923-1994)

Hosanna in the highest!

*Exchange of the Peace

One The peace of God be always with you.

All And also with you.

The people may exchange the peace with one another.

Offertory Sentence

Music at the Offering Ride on, King Jesus Spiritual

Arr, Robert de Cormier (1922-2017)

Ride on, King Jesus, no man can a-hinder me.

For He is King of Kings, Lord of Lords,

Jesus Christ, the first and last.

No one works like Him.

King Jesus rides a milk-white horse.

No one works like Him.

Oh, Lord, the river of Jordan He did cross. No one works like Him.

For He is King of Kings…

King Jesus rides in the middle of the air,

No one works like Him.

Oh Lord, He calls the saints from ev’rywhere,

No one works like Him.

*Doxology Sung to the tune of Hymn No. 7 Old Hundredth

Praise God the Source of life and birth,

Praise God the Word enfleshed on earth,

Praise God, the Spirit, Holy Flame,

All glory, honor to God’s name!

*Prayer for Princeton To be said by all.

O Eternal God, the source of life and light for all peoples,

we pray you would endow this University with your grace and wisdom:

Give inspiration and understanding to those who teach and to those who learn;

Grant vision to its trustees and administrators;

To all who work here and to all who bear her name

give your guiding Spirit of sacrificial courage and loving service. Amen.

*Hymn No. 215 Ride On! Ride On in Majesty St. Drostane

*Benediction

Postlude Epilogue on “St. Theodulph” Healey Willan

(1880-1968)

Please leave percussion instruments in your pew or return to the boxes in the narthex.

PRINCETON UNIVERSITY CHAPEL STAFF

The Rev. Alison L. Boden, Ph.D.

Dean of Religious Life and of the Chapel

The Rev. Dr. Theresa S. Thames

Associate Dean of Religious Life and of the Chapel

Nicole Aldrich, DMA Eric Plutz

Director of Chapel Music University Organist

H. Fitzgerald Robertson II Deja Wilson

Seminary Intern Seminary Intern

Edgar Gomez & Lisa McGurr, Sextons

Patricia Florek, Chapel Administrator

The University Chapel is a welcoming community of faith. We gather to sing God's praises, to hear God's living Word, to seek justice, and to proclaim God's love for all people.

A NOTE REGARDING THIS SEASON

Palm Sunday begins the succession of days traditionally known as Holy Week, commemorating the final events of Jesus’ earthly ministry. The week culminates in Maundy Thursday, commemorating the institution of the Last Supper, and Good Friday, when the church gathers to remember Jesus’ crucifixion and death. (Maundy Thursday derives its name from the English form of the Latin word meaning “command.” It refers to Jesus’ words in John’s Gospel: “Behold, I give you a new commandment, that you should love one another as I have loved you.”)

WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH MUSIC SERIES

The month of March is set aside as Women’s History Month, a time to commemorate and celebrate the

contributions of women to society across history. Today we feature Canadian composer Eleanor Daley. Daley is not only a composer but also a church choir director, organist, and choral accompanist. Perhaps because of her work as a church musician, much of her music is on sacred texts and is accessible to intermediate-level ensembles. She regularly receives commissions from choirs in Canada and the United States, and in 2014, her a cappella work "I Sing a Maiden" was performed in New York by a 400-voice choir as part of an International Women's Day celebration.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The offering this morning will go to Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) MSF is an international medical humanitarian organization created by doctors and journalists in France in 1971. In 1999, MSF received the Nobel Peace Prize.

Every Sunday of every month the congregation is invited to bring non-perishable food items to be donated to Arm in Arm.

If you are interested in making a contribution toward Sunday flowers in the Chapel as a memorial, please contact Patricia Florek - [email protected].

HOLY WEEK 2024

PRINCETON UNIVERSITY CHAPEL

Services sponsored by the Office of Religious Life

TODAY, Sunday, March 24, 1:30 p.m., Murray-Dodge 104 — Hallelujah Palm Sunday Service — A service of exciting worship, inspiring music, and a place of grace where love, hope and faith come alive.

THURSDAY, March 28, 8:00 p.m. — Maundy Thursday Service — The service will be held in the Chancellor Green Rotunda (enter Chancellor Green through East Pyne located diagonal from the Chapel entrance).

FRIDAY, March 29, 12:00 p.m. — Good Friday Service — Contemplative service of meditation including the reproaches from the cross.

FRIDAY, March 29, 8:00 p.m. — Tenebrae Service — Candlelight service of readings and devotional music.

SUNDAY, March 31, 8:00 a.m. — Easter Sunday Service with Holy Communion —The preacher will be Dean Boden.

SUNDAY, March 31, 11:00 a.m. — Easter Festival Service with Holy Communion —The preacher will be Dean Boden.

SUNDAY, March 31, 1:30 p.m., Murray-Dodge 104 — Hallelujah Easter Sunday Service — A service of exciting worship, inspiring music, and a place of grace where love, hope and faith come alive.

For additional information, please visit chapel.princeton.edu or call 609-258-3047.

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