This morning’s elementary service was led by Chapel Team 1. After singing O Canada, reciting the Lord’s Prayer and listening to the Land Acknowledgement, students and staff engaged in musical worship by singing “Jesus Hope of the Nations” to kick off the Palm Sunday service.
This was followed by a reading from Mark 11:1-11, which recounted Jesus’s command to two disciples to secure the colt that he would later use for his triumphal entry into Jerusalem.
After the reading, the audience responded by singing “Hosanna (Praise is Rising)”, a song of welcome and praise to our Saviour, Jesus.
Next, a short video of a re-enactment and explanation of Palm Sunday was shown. This set the tone for the next worship song, “Jesus, Friend of Sinners”.
Our message today was given by Pastor Ian from EastRidge Church in Stouffville. As the reading from Mark and the video did a good job with explaining the story of Palm Sunday, Pastor Ian took the time to highlight three fun facts and the importance of obedience. He began by giving some background information about the Christian calendar, which starts with Advent – the four Sundays before Christmas. After Christmas, the next notable date is Lent, 40 days before Easter. Pastor Ian then explained “Holy Week, the days leading from Palm Sunday up to Easter Sunday. Then, he dove into his three fun facts:
- The Colt – He explained that a colt is a young male donkey. He then used the term “donkey junior”, which amused the students, especially the younger ones. The donkey represents humility and explained that Jesus was coming in peace. Jesus’s arrival into Jerusalem on a donkey was also predicted hundreds of years earlier and noted in Zechariah 9:9.
- Palm Branches – Pastor Ian explained that palm branches are a symbol of triumph and victory. The people recognized Jesus as the Messiah. They believed that Jesus would lead them to victory over the Romans. Nowadays, for those who celebrate Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, the sign of the cross is marked on one’s forehead by the priest with ash. That ash is made from the palm branches used in the previous Palm Sunday.
- “Hosanna” – Pastor Ian explained that it means “Jehovah saves now” or “Jesus save us”. It is often misused as a plea for praise like “Hallelujah” when in fact, it is a plea for salvation or to be saved.
The last point that Pastor Ian wanted to share from the Palm Sunday story is about obedience. Jesus gave the two disciples very specific instructions – to go to the village to find the colt, take it, and give a very specific response if asked why they were taking the animal. The entire assignment was oddly specific but the disciples obeyed completely. Furthermore, the owner of the donkey also obeyed without hesitation. On that note, Pastor Ian also encouraged the students to reflect on what the Lord may be asking us to do for him now. Is He asking us to be kind or show respect to someone? Is He asking us to be a CRISP leader today? Pastor Ian closed in prayer, thanking Jesus for coming as a humble, victorious king and asking Jesus to help us honour Him with our life and deeds.
After the message, the Chapel Team led the singing of “Hosanna, Praise is Rising” a second time. This was followed by recitation of the benediction before students were dismissed to start their academic day.