Introduction
It’s Palm Sunday. Thank you for joining Trinity Grace Church for this unique home church shared experience. Each of the elements and resources provided on this page are designed to guide you into a time of worship that is appropriate to your context.
Take a moment to invite the Holy Spirit’s guidance as you commune with God and one another.
About This Guide
Follow our Worship Guide, including readings, prayers, recommended worship songs, teaching, and discussion questions.
We’ve made this a mobile-friendly page so everyone is welcome to follow along on their phone (each section expands / collapses when you select the title).
Parts in bold are to be read by all.
Invitation
Let’s take a moment of stillness to prepare our hearts for worship and God’s word. Invite God to speak to you in all that follows.
Opening Psalm (PSALM 24)
The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;
For he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters.
Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place?
He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false.
He will receive blessing from the LORD and vindication from God his Savior.
Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, O God of Jacob.
Lift up your heads, O you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.
Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.
Lift up your heads, O you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.
Who is he, this King of glory? The LORD Almighty — he is the King of glory.
Opening Prayer
Lord, as we celebrate Palm Sunday today—remembering the joy of a downtrodden people greeting their savior—we take up their words with new meaning “Hosana, God save us. Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.” Even in these anxious days of isolation and uncertainty, unite our hearts in the joyful expectation that our savior has come and is in our midst. Amen.
Worship
Feel free to join together in song with director of worship Michael Castillejos.
Here are a few recommended songs (lyrics and charts available here):
- Goodness of God
- Hosanna
- 'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus
Prayers for the City
Let’s join together in this responsive prayer for our city.
Lord, we ask you for miraculous wisdom for those stewarding our city through this crisis. We specifically pray for those guiding city agencies—may they courageously lead our city in these days of uncertainty and many difficult decisions.
Hosanna, God Save us.
Lord, we pray for first responders and all those serving in the medical profession. We ask for supernatural protection for themselves and their families as they bravely serve our city. Give them endurance to continue as the days of this crisis number on.
Hosanna, God Save us.
Lord, we ask you for the miraculous provision of supplies for our city in this critical moment: ventilators, surgical masks, protective equipment, and infection tests. We pray for hospital administrators and public health officials—for wisdom, innovation, and creativity to expand the capacity of every resource at their disposal.
Hosanna, God Save us.
Lord, we ask you for the miraculous protection of New York City’s most vulnerable: the elderly, those with preexisting medical conditions, the homeless, the undocumented, and those with few resources to weather this storm. Cover them with your hands and supply all that they might need.
Hosanna, God Save us.
Generosity
During this time of uncertainty, we continue to worship through our giving as a confession that we trust God as our provider. It is our privilege to participate in extending His love to others. As we prepare our hearts to give, let’s say this generosity prayer together.
Lord, teach us to be generous as You have been generous with us. All we are and have are gifts from You—gifts meant to be shared. Show us the joys of generosity and help us to see our strengths and resources as the soil in which your kingdom grows.
Take a moment to practice generosity. You can give online.
Ministry of the Word
We invite you to now watch the video or listen to the podcast for a message from founding pastor Caleb Clardy.
Caleb Clardy, founding pastor of Trinity Grace Church, teaches from John 12:12–19 on Palm Sunday, speaking from his office in Park Slope, Brooklyn on April 5, 2020.
Here are three action items mentioned at the end of this talk:
- Invite a friend to join us for Easter Sunday, April 12 (10:30am)
- Join us for Daily Reflections Live during Holy Week, April 6-10 (12pm noon)
- Pray with us for our city and world on Thursday, April 9 (4-5pm)
Discussion and Prayer
Share what resonated with you. What do you sense God is saying? Take time to pray for and minister to one another.
Benediction
Passing from joy into sorrow and on to celebration, we walk forth with Jesus Christ into this holy week. Today is only a part of the story. Jesus’ triumph leads to his death, his death to his resurrection. May the journey of this week lead you into the fullness of Christ’s love. Dwell in peace.
TGC Kids
Parents: we invite you to engage your child with this week’s activities, games, songs, and videos (included below) that are a familiar part of our Sunday rhythm at TGC Kids. You can listen to our TGC Kids Worship playlist on Spotify with all our favorite worship songs… just ask your child to teach you the hand motions!
Preschool
All children 12 months old through preschoolers
Our Mighty Oaks are watching “The Wonder Clubhouse” with “Ollie the Owl” and learning their memory verse from Revelation 1:18… “I am alive for ever and ever!”
Early Elementary
All children Kindergarten through 3rd Grade
Our younger Adventurers are watching “The 252 Story” and learning their memory verse from Philippians 2:3... “Don't do anything only to get ahead. Don't do it because you are proud. Instead, be humble. Value others more than yourselves.”
Upper Elementary
All children 4th and 5th Grade
Our older Adventurers are watching “The So and So Show” and learning their memory verse from Philippians 2:3... “Don't do anything only to get ahead. Don't do it because you are proud. Instead, be humble. Value others more than yourselves.”
share on social
Post about your experience with home church with our hashtag: #TGChomechurch
prayer requests
Our team is ready to receive and respond to your prayer and care requests this week.
