Three-Year Lectionary
Study the appointed readings, prayers and resources for Series A, Series B and Series C through the Church Year.
March 21, 2027
See TodayPalm Sunday
Three-Year Lectionary · Series B
- First Reading
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Zech. 9:9–12 (read in NKJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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- Psalm
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Psalm 118:19–29 or Psalm 31:9–16 (read in NKJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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- Epistle
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Phil. 2:5–11 (read in NKJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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- Gospel
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Mark 14:1–15:47 or Mark 15:1–47 or John 12:20–43 (read in NKJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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Palm Sunday
Three-Year Lectionary · Series B
About this service
The Son of David Ascends His Throne and Reigns in Love from His Cross
The Son of David comes in gentle humility, “sitting on a donkey’s colt,” yet as the King of Israel “in the name of the Lord” (John 12:13–15). He comes to be lifted up in glory on the cross in order to cast out “the ruler of this world” and draw all people to Himself (John 12:23–32). The Church is thus called to “rejoice greatly,” because her King comes with salvation, and “he shall speak peace to the nations” (Zech. 9:9–10). As He is anointed “beforehand for burial” (Mark 14:8), He also ascends His royal throne as “the King of the Jews” by way of His Passion (Mark 15:2, 17–19, 26). He goes “as it is written of him,” wherefore “you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power” (Mark 14:21, 62). For the glory of God is love, which crescendos in the humble obedience and voluntary self-sacrifice of the Son of God for the salvation of sinners. So, God the Father has “highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name” (Phil. 2:9), that He might reign over us in love with the forgiveness of His cross.
Source: LCMS Worship, Lectionary Summaries — Three-Year Lectionary Series B (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 Three-Year Series (B) Propers Chart (opens in a new tab). Citations only; no liturgical or Scripture text is reproduced.
Prayers of the Church
Prayers of the Church for March 24, 2024 — Responsive Form
Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
Lord God, Your Son humbled Himself to the point of death, even death on a cross. Fix our faith upon His death for our salvation, enrich the proclamation of the Gospel, and enliven our hearts to live out this faith until Christ comes again in glory. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Uphold this world in Your order. Preserve the Church and the preaching of Your Word against all enemies. Bless our homes, that parents and children may serve one another faithfully and grow in instruction and faith until life’s end. Give health and wisdom to all who serve in public office, that their authority may be exercised for the benefit of our people. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
God Almighty, our Lord Jesus did not count His equality with You something to be grasped, but humbled Himself. Grant us a mind like His to spurn all worldly equality and, humbling ourselves, to find Your greater portion in the life of the world to come. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord of hosts, Your Son came to deliver His people from all evil. Take away the fear of all who suffer in this world [especially _____________]. As they await the fullness of their salvation, fix their eyes upon their crucified Savior. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Eternal Lord, as Your Son once entered humbly into Jerusalem to cries of “hosanna,” so send Him to us according to His promise in the Holy Sacrament, that we may eat His body and drink His blood in repentance and faith for the forgiveness of our sins and in the unity of a true confession. 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 — Series B 2023–2024 (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 24, 2024 — Ektene Form
In peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the Church of Christ, that her faith would remain fixed upon His death for our salvation, and that His Gospel would be proclaimed and lived out until He comes again in glory, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the world, that the Lord would uphold it in His order; for the Church, that she would be defended from all enemies; for our homes, that God would bless parents and children in service toward each other and faith until life’s end; and for the government, that God would grant all authorities health and wisdom, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For a mind like Christ Jesus to spurn all worldly equality, that we would humble ourselves here and find His greater portion in the life of the world to come, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For all who suffer in this world, [especially _____________,] that they would not fear but fix their eyes on Jesus as they await the fullness of their salvation, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For worthy reception of Christ’s body and blood, that as He once entered Jerusalem to cries of “hosanna,” so we may receive Him according to His promises for the forgiveness of our sins and in the unity of a true confession, 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 — Series B 2023–2024 (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
- Entrance LSB 442 All Glory, Laud, and Honor
- Distribution LSB 334 O Lord, How Shall I Meet You
- Distribution LSB 443 Hosanna, Loud Hosanna
- Distribution LSB 427 In the Cross of Christ I Glory
- Closing LSB 441 Ride On, Ride On in Majesty
Source: LCMS Worship, Hymn Suggestions — Three-Year Lectionary Series B 2023–24 (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.