The Centenary Connexion - April 11

Palm / Passion Sunday



Some may remember when the Sunday before Easter was called “Palm Sunday,” which celebrated Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem on the Sunday of the last week of his life. It was usually an upbeat service. “Passion Sunday,” in those days, was the Sunday BEFORE Palm Sunday, and it was a time to remember Jesus' suffering and death.

After the Roman Catholic Church’s Second Vatican Council (or Vatican II) in 1962, its leaders combined the two Sundays and observed what they now call “Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion.” Worship on the Sunday before Easter should begin with the celebration of the Lord’s triumphal entry and then shift to remembrance of His suffering and crucifixion. Mainline Protestant denominations soon emulated the Catholics; thus, we now have Palm / Passion Sunday in the United Methodist Church.

In my message this week, I’ll examine Jesus' humanity. What might he have looked like? How did he act? And what was his last week like? I encourage you to follow Sunday’s service by attending our Maundy Thursday drama “Lord, Is It I?” and our solemn Good Friday Stations of the Cross service.

This is the holiest time of the Christian year. Put Jesus at the center of your life this week. 

Pastor Vann