Notes on the Notes – March 29, 2026
Palm Sunday
This Week’s Music:
“He Came Riding on a Donkey” (VU #124)
“He came riding on a donkey, he came riding into town;
Slow and easy kind of lowly he came riding with the dawn.
His disciples walked beside him, staying close, a little shy;
Not too sure where he would guide them, on to live or on to die.
But all the morning sang his praises; waking birds and dancing wind,
Here he is, the Son of David; riding on to take his throne.
Then the children gathered, singing, shouts of laughter, bursting cheer;
In the streets their song was ringing, “Hosannas” filled the morning air.
Timid adults strained to see him, caught the Spirit, joined the song;
Spread their cloaks along before him, branches flashing in the sun.
So all the city sang his praises; waking street and dancing crowd;
Here he is, the Son of David; our Messiah, Son of God.
In our fasting, and our feasting, called to follow in his way;
Called to walk his road to Easter, called to live his cross today.
Hosanna to the Son of David, hosanna in the heavens above;
Blessed is he who comes to save us, blessed is he who brings his love.
Let us join to sing his praises; open hearts and souls to God;
He is with us, Son of David; God’s Messiah, Christ the Lord.
Gordon Light of the Common Cup Company composed the text and tune of this song in 1986. The first two verses retell the Palm Sunday story, while the third verse brings us into the story as we respond and follow Jesus into Holy Week.
“How Deep the Peace” (MV #95)
“How deep the peace, the confidence, of those whose wrongs are forgiven.
How deep the peace, the confidence, of those whose hearts are healed.”
This short response is based on Psalm 32. It was written by Linnea Good in 2004.
“Do You See That Man?”
“Do you see that Man, the one the Prophets called Emmanuel?
Do you see that Man they’re calling Lord of all?
Do you see that Man, the one who calls himself the Way?
I want to see Him! He’ll be here today!
Hosanna! Wave your branches high,
Throw your garments before Him as He passes by.
Hosanna! Come and hear what He’ll say.
Hosanna! He’s coming our way!
Hosanna! He’s coming today!
Do you see that Man, the one the Baptist called the Lamb of God?
Do you see that Man they’re calling to be King?
Do you see that Man, the one who calls himself the Son?
I want to see Him! He must be the One!
Hosanna! Wave your branches high,
Throw your garments before Him as He passes by.
Hosanna! Come and hear what He’ll say.
Hosanna! He’s coming our way!
Hosanna! He’s coming today!”
Today’s anthem, by Russell Nagy, is written from the view of the bystander as Jesus enters Jerusalem. After listing many of the names for Jesus: the one the prophets called Emmanuel, the one they call Lord of All, the one called the Way, the Lamb of God, the King, the Son, the singer cries in anticipation, “I want to see Him – He must be the one!” Would we have the same enthusiasm seeing Jesus in our midst today?
“From the East the Poor are Marching”
“From the east the poor are marching, spreading branches as they come;
from the west the sound of soldiers marching, marching far from home.
Jesus on a colt come riding down a dusty city street,
with a ragtag peasant chorus – hopeful, shouting as they meet.
Pilate comes imposing order on the festival each year-
warhorse, drumbeat, armoured soldiers. Silent crowds look on with fear.
Two processions to the city – shepherd staff and Roman spear –
blessed is the Son of David who will bring God’s kingdom here.”
The words and music for this newer Palm Sunday hymn are by Daniel Charles Damon (2010). The hymn contrasts two processions entering Jerusalem. The words explore themes of social contrast between the poor and the powerful, the hopeful and the fearful. The arrival of Jesus is presented as a sign of God’s kingdom coming, bringing hope and blessing. The presence of Roman soldiers and the potential for conflict foreshadows the events of the week to come. In our own time, we see similar opposing forces at work in the world.
“These Lenten Gifts We Bring”
“These Lenten gifts we bring,
Our living faith expressed,
We offer them, most lovingly,
And thus our hearts are blessed.
O loving God receive
These gifts we gladly give,
That show our faith and hope and trust;
Your way we seek to live.”
Our Lenten offering response uses the tune FRANCONIA (VU #542), which was written by Johann Balthasar Konig (1738) and adapted by William Henry Havergal (1847).
“Let it Be Said of Us”
“Let it be said of us that the Lord was our passion
That with gladness we bore every cross we were given
That we fought the good fight, that we finished our course
Knowing within us the power of the risen Lord
Let the cross be our glory and the Lord be our song
By mercy made holy, by the Spirit made strong
Let the cross be our glory and the Lord be our song
‘Till the likeness of Jesus be through us made known
Let the cross be our glory and the Lord be our song
Let it be said of us we were marked by forgiveness
We were known by our love and delighted in meekness
We were ruled by his peace, heeding unity’s call
Joined as one body that Christ would be seen by all
Let the cross be our glory….”
Our benediction response was written by Steve Fry. As we move into Holy Week, we are commissioned to be Christ’s servants in the world.
Hear the Bethel Presbyterian Church Choir at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmktC8IayC4
“May the Christ Who Walks on Wounded Feet”
“May the Christ who walks on wounded feet
Travel with you all your journey through.
May you see Christ’s face in all you meet
And may all you meet see Christ’s face in you.”
Our benediction response was written by Allan Baer in 2013 and arranged by S. Porter. The words are adapted from a traditional Celtic prayer.
Hear the song at: May the Christ Who Walks WPUC
Bonus Video: “Messiah”
