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March 29, 2026
See TodayPalm Sunday
One-Year Lectionary
- First Reading
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Zech. 9:9–12 (read in ESV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
ESV Scripture text
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- Psalm
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Psalm 118:19–29 or Psalm 31:9–16 (read in ESV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
ESV Scripture text
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- Epistle
-
Phil. 2:5–11 (read in ESV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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- Gospel
-
ESV Scripture text
Matt. 21:1–9
The Triumphal Entry
21:1 Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them at once.” 4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying,
5 “Say to the daughter of Zion,
‘Behold, your king is coming to you,
humble, and mounted on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’”
6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them. 8 Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”
(ESV)
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Scripture text is in high demand right now. Cached readings remain available; other readings can be opened on Bible Gateway. Read Matthew (26:1-27:10) 27:11-54 (55-60) in ESV on Bible Gateway (new tab)
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Palm Sunday
One-Year Lectionary
About this service
The Cross and Passion of Our Lord Are the Hour of His Glory
“Behold, your King is coming to you . . . humble and mounted on a donkey” (Zech. 9:9–12; Mt. 21:1–9). Our Lord rides in this humble fashion because He is entering Jerusalem to humble Himself even to the point of death on a cross (Phil. 2:5–11). His kingly crown will not be made of gold but of thorns, the sign of sin’s curse. For His royal reign is displayed in bearing this curse for His people, saving us from our enemies by sacrificing His own life. The sinless One takes the place of the sinner so that the sinner can be freed and bear the name “Barabbas,” “son of the Father” (Matthew 26 and 27). It is at the name of this exalted Savior, Jesus, that we bow in humble faith. With the centurion who declared, “Truly this was the Son of God!” (Mt. 27:54), we are also given to confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Phil. 2:11).
Source: LCMS Worship, Lectionary Summaries — One-Year Lectionary (opens in a new tab). Used by permission. These pages may be reproduced for congregational use only. Commercial reproduction, or reproduction for sale of this work or any portion of this work, without the written permission of the copyright holder, is prohibited. © The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Scripture quoted in the summary is from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Introit, Gradual and Verse
Source: LCMS One-Year Series Propers Chart (opens in a new tab). Citations only; no liturgical or Scripture text is reproduced.
Collect
Historical Collect — Sixth Sunday in Lent (Palmarum)
ALMIGHTY and Everlasting God Who hast sent Thy Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, to take upon Him our flesh, and to suffer death upon the cross, that all mankind should follow the example of His great humility: Mercifully grant that we may both follow the example of His patience, and also be made partakers of His resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.
Source: Evangelical Lutheran Hymn-Book (Baltimore, 1893), Introits and Collects for the Church Year (opens in a new tab). Public-domain text (published 1893), transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of the Princeton Theological Seminary Library copy.
Prayers of the Church
Prayers of the Church for March 29, 2026 — Responsive Form
Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
Almighty God, You have given us the peace that passes understanding in Christ, our Lord. Manifest His peace among the nations to bring an end to war and violence, unite Your Church in peace and harmony, and give Your calm to the troubled hearts of Your people, that they may serve You in peace and quietness; Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Heavenly Father, You have revealed the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ to the nations. Guard Your Church against all her enemies. Empower her in the proclamation of the saving Gospel and in the works of mercy that make known Your love to those still in darkness and the shadow of death. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Merciful Lord, sustain all fathers, mothers and children; husbands and wives; friends and neighbors; laborers and employers; and teachers and students. Enable us all to serve our neighbors in godly vocations, delighting in the Lord’s lovingkindness. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord God, our King, Your Son entered Jerusalem as the true ruler, ready to lay down His life for His people. Grant this same mind to those in authority over us, that they would discharge their duties even for the least among us, and so receive Your commendation. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O God, draw near to those in trial and peril. Forsake not the broken-hearted, nor those in any kind of need. Hear their humble cries, come quickly to their aid and rescue those who delight in You [especially _____________]. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Father, You reveal Your righteousness in the suffering and kingly death of Your Son, Jesus. By this Sacrament, increase our faith. Fill us with Your righteousness, and lead us to proclaim His death until He comes. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O Lord, as once Your Son was welcomed with palms and hosannas so open the hearts of all who hear Your Word, that by the Holy Spirit they may believe in Jesus Christ and come to Him. Restore the fallen, and bring back to the faith those who have rejected the Gospel for the prison of error and idolatry. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! We praise You, Father, that You have sent Your Son not in wrath but in mercy. As we enter this most holy week and ponder together the mysteries of Your great salvation, show us the answer to Your people’s prayers of “Hosanna” in the Passion of our Lord, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Source: LCMS Worship, Prayers of the Church — One-Year 2025–2026 (opens in a new tab). Prepared by LCMS Worship for congregational use. Used by permission. © The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.
Prayers of the Church for March 29, 2026 — Ektene Form
In peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the peace of the world, for peace in Christ’s Church, and for peace in the hearts and lives of all Christians, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For Christ’s Holy Church, that she may be defended against her enemies and kept faithful in the confession of Jesus Christ to the nations, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For all people in their vocations, that delighting in the Lord’s lovingkindness, they may joyfully serve their neighbors, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For those in authority over us, that in the fulfillment of their duties, they may have the same mind as Christ, our King who laid down His life for His people, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For those in trial and peril, and for the broken-hearted and humbled, that God would come quickly to their aid; and that our Lord would rescue [_____________ and] all who delight in Him, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For worthy reception of the Sacrament, by which Christ’s death is proclaimed until He comes, that we would be filled with His righteousness, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For those outside the Church, for those who have fallen away from the truth and for those who have renounced the faith, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! We praise You, Father, that You have sent Your Son not in wrath but in mercy. As we enter this most holy week and ponder together the mysteries of Your great salvation, show us the answer to Your people’s prayers of “Hosanna” in the Passion of our Lord, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Source: LCMS Worship, Prayers of the Church — One-Year 2025–2026 (opens in a new tab). Prepared by LCMS Worship for congregational use. Used by permission. © The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.
Hymn of the Day
LSB 438 A Lamb Goes Uncomplaining Forth
The LCMS Hymn of the Day list appoints this hymn as the Hymn of the Day for Palm Sunday (One-Year and Series B and C) and Palm/Passion Sunday (Series A).
Source: LCMS Worship, Hymn of the Day — Arranged by Church Year, p. 167 (opens in a new tab). Appointment identity only. Lutheran Service Book text and LCMS study content are not reproduced.
LSB 442 All Glory, Laud, and Honor
The LCMS Hymn of the Day list appoints this hymn as the processional hymn for Palm Sunday (One-Year and Series B and C) and Palm/Passion Sunday (Series A).
Source: LCMS Worship, Hymn of the Day — Arranged by Church Year, p. 167 (opens in a new tab). Appointment identity only. Lutheran Service Book text and LCMS study content are not reproduced.
Suggested hymns
- Procession LSB 442 All Glory, Laud, and Honor
- Passion LSB 440:1 Jesus, I Will Ponder Now
- Distribution LSB 554 O Jesus, King Most Wonderful
- Distribution LSB 443 Hosanna, Loud Hosanna
- Distribution LSB 531 Hail, Thou Once Despised Jesus
- Closing LSB 444 No Tramp of Soldiers’ Marching Feet
Source: LCMS Worship, Hymn Suggestions — One-Year Lectionary Series 2025–26 (opens in a new tab). Hymn numbers and titles only; hymn texts are not reproduced. Reproduction for individual, church or school use does not require permission. © The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.