Tag: Palm Sunday

Pastor’s Notes 3/27/2026

Posted on by Wende Gonzales

Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna!
    Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!       –Mark 11:9

This Sunday is Palm Sunday, and our theme is: “The Good News… is inspiring us to act.”Our scripture comes from Gospel of Mark 11:1–11. It is the familiar story of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem.

In Bible study this week, we discussed the possibility that there may have been two processions entering Jerusalem around the same time.

New Testament scholars like Marcus Borg and John Dominic Crossan teach that from the west, the Roman governor Pontius Pilate would have entered the city with a show of imperial force by parading into Jerusalem behind the government’s finest soldiers, horses, armor, and banners. This was Rome’s way of reminding the people who was in charge, especially during Passover, a festival that celebrated liberation.

From the east, Jesus enters, on a borrowed colt, surrounded not by soldiers but by ordinary people. No weapons. No armor. Just cloaks on the road, branches in the air, and voices crying out.

The contrast is striking. One procession proclaims power through domination. The other embodies power through humility, peace, and justice.

As the crowd shouts “Hosanna,” they are not simply offering praise. As in translated from Psalm 118:25, the word “Hosanna” comes from the Hebrew phrase hoshi‘a na, meaning “save us.” It is both a prayer and a cry for deliverance rising from people who know what it is to live under the weight of empire.

And the crowd doesn’t just watch this parade, they participate. The good news is… the people act. They lay down their cloaks. They raise their voices. They dare to hope out loud.

This Sunday, we will wonder together: Where is the good news inspiring us to act?
What are the “Hosannas” of our time? And how might we join in Christ’s way of humble, courageous, hope-filled witness?

I look forward to worshiping with you in person or on YouTube as we enter this sacred week together.     

Pastor’s Notes 4/11/2025

Posted on by Wende Gonzales

A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” –Matthew 21:8,9

Our Journey through Lent is drawing to an end. I am most grateful and moved by your willingness to face end of life questions with our series, “Finishing Faithfully.” Here is a reminder of the weekly themes that we covered:

“The Dwelling Place of Memory.” “Remember, you are Dust.” “Preparing With Purpose.” “This Will be the Day.” “The End of Life is not the End.” “A Day of Preparation.” “Letting Go is Okay.” This Sunday we will conclude with “Leaving our Legacy.”

Stories of Jesus, Paul, and other Biblical ancestors have reminded us that death is a part of life and there is a faithful way to embrace the process that leads to eternal life. It has been a reflective and intentional season of study, knowledge, reflection, and sharing. Our Wellness Ministry team has gifted us with tools and resources to help us put our plans in place.

Our team will continue to encourage us to put our plans and wishes into place by offering individual and group opportunities to talk through and think about our plans and wishes for when we die. I will be signing up sessions with anyone who would like to meet with me one on one to discuss your memorial service plans and/or record your stories on video!

Our text for Sunday is Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem as depicted in Matthew 21:1-11. Preparations are made for Jesus’ final return to the Holy City and the large crowd gathers to cheer on the one who has come to save the people. With palm branches waving and shouts of “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” anticipation mounts.  

Things turn quickly and the events surrounding the Passover feast will lead Jesus to his crucifixion. As a congregation we will join our UCC colleagues for Maundy Thursday worship and communion at 5pm at Church of the Palms, on April 17. You are also invited to join me for a service of scripture and prayer on Good Friday at 12 noon in our sanctuary on April 18. Many blessings as we continue of committed journey with Christ. 

Sermon 4/3/2023 – Palm Sunday

Posted on by Wende Gonzales

Our journey with Jesus through the season of Lent has delivered us to Palm Sunday. I am so grateful for your willingness to try new things and to experience God in different ways. During our journey we worshipped with our senses: touch, taste, sound, sight, and smell. Together we have deepened our relationship with God and each other and in so doing, Christ has been praised.

And so now, we stand outside the gates of Jerusalem, as Jesus approaches humbly on a donkey. It is one of the most surreal stories of our faith as a cheering crowd greets Jesus with a parade of palm branches waving, Hosannas shouted, and cloaked thrown before his path.

The stimulation had to be intense. It was sensory overload, and everything was firing at once. The feel of palm branches clutched in hand and the taste of dirt being kicked up as the mob ran behind, along and before this parade of one. The odor of a sweaty crowd packed along the road together. The shouts of Hosanna ringing in the ears, all get a view of the one being herald as the Messiah.

Nothing had ever happened like this before. A haze of disdain and righteous anger hung in the air as those the religious zealots and political elite fought to disguise their fear and maintain their power. In the days ahead tensions will soon erupt and the cheers will turn to curses, devotion for Jesus will evolve into denial, and faithful hearts will be broken.

But for now, we too join with praise and adoration. Christ has come! Salvation will be ours! Hosanna in the highest.