Please join in saying the words and singing the hymns printed in bold type.

The church is served by a hearing loop. Users should turn their hearing aid to the setting marked T.

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The service is sung by the Choir of Westminster Abbey.

Setting: Missa Papae Marcelli, Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (c 1525–94)

During the offertory hymn, a collection will be taken; the money from today's services will be divided equally between Cathedral Music Trust and the work of the Abbey. Cathedral Music Trust supports the valuable work of musicians who enrich so many lives through the power of cathedral music.

This service will be live-streamed.

Palm Sunday

Today the Church remembers Christ's entry into Jerusalem. Six days later he was to be betrayed and to die. In this liturgy we celebrate the joy of his triumphal arrival in our procession and acknowledge in the singing of the Passion Gospel the darkness that was to come.

The Procession is the first action of Holy Week. We carry palms in procession to remind us of the first Palm Sunday. We sing the praises of Christ the King who will reign on the cross. We join with him, ready to take up our cross and follow, as we walk with him to suffering and death. We also remember that those who cry 'Hosanna' today shout 'Crucify' on Good Friday.

The Passion Gospel introduces us to Holy Week. The week's services are shaped by the events of the last week of Jesus's earthly life, remembered in light of the victory over sin and death that he won for all humankind.

Order of Service

The choir sings the Antiphon

Hosanna to the Son of David!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Hosanna in the highest heaven!

O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
   his mercy endures for ever.

Words: Matthew 21: 9; Luke 19: 38; Mark 11: 10; Psalm 118: 1
Music: plainsong

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The Lord be with you
and also with you.

Dear friends in Christ, during Lent we have been preparing ourselves to celebrate our Lord's death and resurrection. Today we come together to begin this solemn celebration. With this procession of palms, we recall how Christ entered his own city to complete his work as our Saviour, to suffer, to die, and to rise again. Let us now go with him in faith and love, so that, united with him in his sufferings, we may share his risen life.

All hold up their palm crosses for the Blessing

God our Saviour, whose Son Jesus Christ entered Jerusalem as Messiah to suffer and to die; bless these palms to be for us signs of his victory, and grant that we who bear them in his name may ever hail him as our King, and follow him in the way that leads to eternal life; who is alive and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The reader announces the Gospel, Luke 19: 28–40

The Lord be with you
and also with you.

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.
Glory to you, O Lord.

Jesus went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.

This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.

The president sings

All sing the Hymn during which the clergy, congregation, and choir process to places in the Abbey

All glory laud and honour
to thee, Redeemer, King,
to whom the lips of children
made sweet hosannas ring.

Thou art the King of Israel,
thou David's royal Son,
who in the Lord's name comest,
the King and blessèd One.

The company of angels
are praising thee on high,
and mortal men and all things
created make reply.

The people of the Hebrews
with palms before thee went;
our praise and prayer and anthems
before thee we present.

To thee before thy passion
they sang their hymns of praise;
to thee, now high exalted,
our melody we raise.

Thou didst accept their praises,
accept the prayers we bring,
who in all good delightest,
thou good and gracious King.

Do thou direct our footsteps
upon our earthly way,
and bring us by thy mercy
to heaven's eternal day.

Within that blessèd City
thy praises may we sing,
and ever raise hosannas
to our most loving King.

All glory laud and honour
to thee, Redeemer, King,
to whom the lips of children
made sweet hosannas ring.

Words: 'Gloria, laus, et honor' attributed to Theodulf of Orléans (c 760–821) translated by John Mason Neale (1818–66)
Tune: 'St Theodulph' 509 NEH, Melchior Teschner (1584–1635)

The organist plays

Valet will ich dir geben BWV 735, Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750)

All sing the Hymn

Ride on, ride on in majesty!
hark, all the tribes hosanna cry,
thy humble beast pursues his road
with palms and scattered garments strowed.

Ride on, ride on in majesty!
in lowly pomp ride on to die:
O Christ, thy triumphs now begin
o'er captive death and conquered sin.

Ride on, ride on in majesty!
the wingèd squadrons of the sky
look down with sad and wondering eyes
to see the approaching sacrifice.

Ride on, ride on in majesty!
thy last and fiercest strife is nigh;
the Father on his sapphire throne
awaits his own anointed Son.

Ride on, ride on in majesty!
in lowly pomp ride on to die;
bow thy meek head to mortal pain,
then take, O God, thy power, and reign.

Words: Henry Milman (1791–1868) Canon of Westminster 1835–49
Tune: 'Winchester New' 511 NEH, adapted from 'Musicalisches Hand-Buch' Hamburg, 1690

The choir sings the Introit

Ingrediente Domino in sanctam civitatem, Hebraeorum pueri resurrectionem vitae pronuntiantes, cum ramis palmarum, Hosanna clamabant in excelsis. Cumque audisset populus quod Jesus veniret Jerosolymam, exierunt obviam ei. Cum ramis palmarum, Hosanna clamabant in excelsis.

While the Lord was entering the holy city, the children of the Hebrews, proclaiming the resurrection of life with branches of palms, were crying out, 'Hosanna in the highest.' And when the people heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, they went out to meet him. With branches of palms, they were crying out, 'Hosanna in the highest.'

Music: George Malcolm (1917–97)

All remain standing for the Collect

Let us pray.

All sit for the Reading from the Old Testament, Isaiah 50: 4–9a

The Lord God has given me
   the tongue of a teacher,
that I may know how to sustain
   the weary with a word.
Morning by morning he wakens—
   wakens my ear
   to listen as those who are taught.
The Lord God has opened my ear,
   and I was not rebellious,
   I did not turn backwards.
I gave my back to those who struck me,
   and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard;
I did not hide my face
   from insult and spitting.

The Lord God helps me;
   therefore I have not been disgraced;
therefore I have set my face like flint,
   and I know that I shall not be put to shame;
   he who vindicates me is near.
Who will contend with me?
   Let us stand up together.
Who are my adversaries?
   Let them confront me.
It is the Lord God who helps me;
   who will declare me guilty?

This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

The choir sings Psalm 31: 9–16

Antiphon But my trust is in you, O Lord. I have said, 'You are my God'.

Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am in trouble;
   my eye is consumed with sorrow,
   my soul and my body also.
For my life is wasted with grief,
   and my years with sighing;
my strength fails me because of my affliction,
   and my bones are consumed.

I have become a reproach to all my enemies,
   and even to my neighbours,
an object of dread to my acquaintances;
   when they see me in the street they flee from me.
I am forgotten like one that is dead, out of mind;
   I have become like a broken vessel.
For I have heard the whispering of the crowd—
   fear is on every side!—
they scheme together against me,
   and plot to take my life.

But my trust is in you, O Lord;
   I have said, 'You are my God.'
My times are in your hand;
   deliver me from the hand of my enemies, and from those who persecute me.
Make your face to shine upon your servant,
   and save me for your mercy's sake.'

The Epistle, Philippians 2: 5–11

Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,
who, though he was in the form of God,
   did not regard equality with God
   as something to be exploited,
but emptied himself,
   taking the form of a slave,
   being born in human likeness.
And being found in human form,
   he humbled himself
   and became obedient to the point of death—
   even death on a cross.

Therefore God also highly exalted him
   and gave him the name
   that is above every name,
so that at the name of Jesus
   every knee should bend,
   in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue should confess
   that Jesus Christ is Lord,
   to the glory of God the Father.

All remain seated. The choir sings

Praise to you, O Christ, King of eternal glory.

and all repeat

Christ humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and given him the name that is above every name.

Praise to you, O Christ, King of eternal glory.

The choir sings the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ, Luke 23: 1–49

The assembly rose as a body and brought Jesus before Pilate. They began to accuse him, saying, 'We found this man perverting our nation, forbidding us to pay taxes to the emperor, and saying that he himself is the Messiah, a king.' Then Pilate asked him, 'Are you the king of the Jews?' Jesus answered, 'You say so.' Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, 'I find no basis for an accusation against this man.' But they were insistent and said, 'He stirs up the people by teaching throughout all Judea, from where he began in Galilee even to this place.'

When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. And when he learned that he was under Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him off to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had been wanting to see him for a long time, because he had heard about him and was hoping to see him perform some sign. He questioned him at some length, but Jesus gave him no answer. The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. Even Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him; then he put an elegant robe on him, and sent him back to Pilate. That same day Herod and Pilate became friends with each other; before this they had been enemies.

Pilate then called together the chief priests, the leaders, and the people, and said to them, 'You brought me this man as one who was perverting the people; and here I have examined him in your presence and have not found this man guilty of any of your charges against him. Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us. Indeed, he has done nothing to deserve death. I will therefore have him flogged and release him.'

Then they all shouted out together, 'Away with him, and release for us Barabbas!' (This was a man who had been put in prison for an insurrection that had taken place in the city, and for murder.) Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them again; but they kept shouting, 'Crucify him!' A third time he said to them, 'Why, what evil has he done? I have found in him no ground for the sentence of death; I will therefore have him flogged and then release him.' But they kept urgently demanding with loud shouts that he should be crucified; and their voices prevailed. So Pilate gave his verdict that their demand should be granted. He released the man they asked for, the one who had been put in prison for insurrection and murder, and he handed Jesus over as they wished.

All stand

As they led him away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming from the country, and they laid the cross on him, and made him carry it behind Jesus. A great number of the people followed him, and among them were women who were beating their breasts and wailing for him. But Jesus turned to them and said, 'Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For the days are surely coming when they will say, "Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed." Then they will begin to say to the mountains, "Fall on us"; and to the hills, "Cover us." For if they do this when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?'

Two others also, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. Then Jesus said, 'Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.' And they cast lots to divide his clothing. And the people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, 'He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!' The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, and saying, 'If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!' There was also an inscription over him, 'This is the King of the Jews.'

One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, 'Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!' But the other rebuked him, saying, 'Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.' Then he said, 'Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.' He replied, 'Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.'

It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, while the sun's light failed; and the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus cried out with a loud voice: 'Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.' Having said this, he breathed his last.

Silence is kept

When the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God and said, 'Certainly this man was innocent.' And when all the crowds who had gathered there for this spectacle saw what had taken place, they returned home, beating their breasts. But all his acquaintances, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.

plainsong and Orlande de Lassus (c 1532–94)

All remain standing. The president introduces the Peace

Once we were far off, but now in union with Christ Jesus we have been brought near through the shedding of Christ's blood, for he is our peace.

All may greet one another with the words Peace be with you.

All remain standing to sing the Hymn during the Preparation of the Altar. A collection will be taken. Alternatively, cash and contactless donations may be given as you leave via the Great West Door

My song is love unknown,
   my Saviour's love to me,
love to the loveless shown,
   that they might lovely be.
O, who am I,
   that for my sake
   my Lord should take
frail flesh, and die?

He came from his blest throne,
   salvation to bestow:
but men made strange, and none
   the longed-for Christ would know.
But O, my friend,
   my friend indeed,
   who at my need
his life did spend!

Sometimes they strew his way,
   and his sweet praises sing;
resounding all the day
   Hosannas to their King.
Then 'Crucify!'
   is all their breath,
   and for his death
they thirst and cry.

They rise, and needs will have
   my dear Lord made away;
a murderer they save,
   the Prince of Life they slay.
Yet cheerful he
   to suffering goes,
   that he his foes
from thence might free.

Here might I stay and sing,
   no story so divine;
never was love, dear King,
   never was grief like thine!
this is my friend,
   in whose sweet praise
   I all my days
could gladly spend.

Words: Samuel Crossman (1624–83)
Tune: 'Love Unknown' 86 NEH, John Ireland (1879–1962)

All remain standing for the Eucharistic Prayer. The president says

It is indeed right and just, our duty and our salvation, always and everywhere to give you thanks, holy Father, almighty and eternal God, through Jesus Christ our Lord. For as the time of his passion and resurrection draws near the whole world is called to acknowledge his hidden majesty. The power of the life-giving cross reveals the judgement that has come upon the world and the triumph of Christ crucified. He is the victim who dies no more, the Lamb once slain, who lives for ever, our advocate in heaven to plead our cause, exalting us there to join with angels and archangels, for ever praising you and saying:

The choir sings Sanctus

Sanctus, sanctus, sanctus Dominus Deus Sabaoth, pleni sunt caeli et terra gloria tua. Hosanna in excelsis. Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini. Hosanna in excelsis.

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

The president continues the Eucharistic Prayer

Lord, you are holy indeed, the source of all holiness; grant that by the power of your Holy Spirit, and according to your holy will, these gifts of bread and wine may be to us the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ;

who, in the same night that he was betrayed, took bread and gave you thanks; he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me.

In the same way, after supper he took the cup and gave you thanks; he gave it to them, saying: Drink this, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.

Jesus Christ is Lord:
Lord, by your cross and resurrection you have set us free.
You are the Saviour of the world.

And so, Father, calling to mind his death on the cross, his perfect sacrifice made once for the sins of the whole world; rejoicing in his mighty resurrection and glorious ascension, and looking for his coming in glory, we celebrate this memorial of our redemption. As we offer you this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, we bring before you this bread and this cup and we thank you for counting us worthy to stand in your presence and serve you.

Send the Holy Spirit on your people and gather into one in your kingdom all who share this one bread and one cup, so that we, in the company of [N and] all the saints, may praise and glorify you for ever, through Jesus Christ our Lord; by whom, and with whom, and in whom, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honour and glory be yours, almighty Father, for ever and ever. Amen.

All remain standing. The president introduces the Lord's Prayer

Lord Jesus, remember us in your kingdom, and teach us to pray, each in our own language,

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.

All remain standing for the Breaking of the Bread

The congregation is invited to sit as the president and other ministers begin the distribution of Holy Communion. Those wishing to receive come forward as directed by the Stewards. If you receive communion in your own church you are welcome to do so here. Gluten-free wafers are available. Please refrain from dipping the wafer in the chalice. Those who do not wish to receive communion are invited to come for a blessing; please bow your head as you approach. The minister says to each communicant

The body of Christ. Amen.

The blood of Christ. Amen.

During the giving of communion, the choir sings Agnus Dei and the Motet

Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis.

Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, dona nobis pacem.

O Domine Jesu Christe, adoro te in cruce vulneratum, felle et aceto potatum: deprecor te ut vulnera tua sint remedium animae meae.

O Lord Jesus Christ, I worship you, wounded on the cross, having drunk of gall and vinegar: I beseech you that your wounds might be the remedy of my soul.

Words: anonymous
Music: Francisco Guerrero (1528–99)

All stand to sing the Hymn

And now, O Father, mindful of the love
   that bought us, once for all, on Calvary's tree,
and having with us him that pleads above,
   we here present, we here spread forth to thee
that only offering perfect in thine eyes,
the one true, pure, immortal sacrifice.

Look, Father, look on his anointed face,
   and only look on us as found in him;
look not on our misusings of thy grace,
   our prayer so languid, and our faith so dim:
for lo, between our sins and their reward
we set the Passion of thy Son our Lord.

And then for those, our dearest and our best,
   by this prevailing presence we appeal:
O fold them closer to thy mercy's breast,
   O do thine utmost for their souls' true weal;
from tainting mischief keep them white and clear,
and crown thy gifts with grace to persevere.

And so we come: O draw us to thy feet,
   most patient Saviour, who canst love us still;
and by this food, so aweful and so sweet,
   deliver us from every touch of ill:
in thine own service make us glad and free,
and grant us nevermore to part from thee.

Words: William Bright (1824–1901)
Tune: 'Unde et memores' 273 NEH, William Henry Monk (1823–89)

Let us pray.

All remain standing. The president says the Prayer after Communion

Lord Jesus Christ, you humbled yourself in taking the form of a servant, and in obedience died on the cross for our salvation: give us the mind to follow you and to proclaim you as Lord and King, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.

The president pronounces the Blessing

May the Father, who so loved the world that he gave his only Son, bring you by faith to his eternal life. Amen.

May Christ, who accepted the cup of sacrifice in obedience to the Father's will, keep you steadfast as you walk with him the way of his cross. Amen.

May the Spirit, who strengthens us to suffer with Christ that we may share his glory, set your minds on life and peace. Amen.

And the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Amen.

Music after the service

Valet will ich dir geben BWV 736, Johann Sebastian Bach

Choristerships at Westminster Abbey

The Choir of Westminster Abbey

If you have a son who enjoys singing, you can find out more information about our world-renowned Abbey Choir and its unique Choir School. Alternatively, please contact Dr Emma Margrett, Headteacher, Westminster Abbey Choir School, and Mr Andrew Nethsingha, Organist and Master of the Choristers, by emailing [email protected].

St Margaret's Choristers

If you have a daughter aged 10 or 11 who would like to sing with the St Margaret's Choristers, please contact Mr Greg Morris, Director of Music, St Margaret's Church, [email protected]. Find out more about Music at St Margaret's Church.

Sunday Lunch

Come and enjoy Sunday lunch at the Cellarium

The Cellarium Café and Terrace serves a traditional roast lunch, with a selection of starters and desserts. From £20.00 per person. Open from noon.

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Hymns covered by Christian Copyright Licensing (International) Ltd are reproduced under CCL no 1040271 and MRL no 1040288. Common Worship (Church House Publishing, 2000), material from which is included in this service, is copyright © The Archbishops' Council. Scripture Readings are from the New Revised Standard Version.