Here’s
a prayer of blessing on the palm branches from Rev. Caela Simmons Wood, Pastor
at First Congregational United Church in Manhattan, Kansas.
She
writes: This was used after a children's
sermon about how the Palm Sunday parade can be interpreted as a parade,
protest, funeral procession (idea borrowed from Fred Craddock). Then we blessed
our palms before our procession.”
Blessing
of the Palms
Bless
these parade palms, O God of Celebration.
May
they remind us of the simple joys of living.
May
we remember the excitement that comes with following Christ.
Bless
these protest palms, O God of Justice.
May
they remind us that Empire is not a thing of the past.
May
they make us bold and brave to stand up against injustice.
Bless
these funeral palms, O God of Comfort.
May
they remind us of the road that lies ahead.
May
they encourage us in times of grief and pain.
We
give you thanks for the parade, the protest, the processional.
Guide
our steps through this holiest of weeks
as
we cry out together "Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna!" Amen.
~
written by Rev. Caela Simmons Wood, Pastor, First Congregational United Church
of Christ in Manhattan, Kansas.
