SOME PALM SUNDAY MEMORIES

I was confirmed on Palm Sunday, March 19, 1967. There were 29 kids in my confirmation class at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Concordia, MO. I don't remember for sure, but I imagine that we wore white robes, since we were orthodox Lutherans. I also don't remember for sure, but I imagine it was our first communion, too. Sadly, I also don't remember my confirmation verse. What I DO remember was that it was a sunny day, my grandmother had knitted me a new sweater, & my Uncle Royce, who was one of my sponsors, gave me a Thompson Chain Reference Bible.

At our home congregation in Aiea, HI, Our Savior, we had the traditional procession of kids waving palm branches, & those palm branches came from the palm tree that grew on our church property. Isn't that cool? Our Son Nathan was confirmed at Our Savior. Our daughters Sarah & Rachel were both confirmed at Grace Lutheran, our home congregation in Norfolk, NE.

UNCONDITIONAL LOVE

"God's doesn't withhold love until we arrive at perfection. He loves us while we are growing & even while we are His enemies. His love enables us to change & mature." Jim Conway, Men's Devotional Bible

TODAY'S INSPIRATION FROM PSALMS

"Shout for joy in the Lord, O you righteous! Praise befits the upright . . . Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom He has chosen as His heritage! . . . Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His steadfast love, that He may deliver their soul from death & keep them alive in famine." (Ps. 33:1, 12, 18-19)

"God's people are always to put their trust in Him alone & not in arms, generals, national defenses, & so on. Through His Word & Spirit, almighty God grants us faith in Christ & His steadfast love. Thus, He gives us hope in our hearts & minds & certainty of His salvation in His Son, Jesus Christ. All praise, laud, & worship belong to our God, the Father, Son, & Holy Spirit." Engaging the Psalms, edited by Rev. Peter Jurchen

THE PROMISED COMFORT OF HEAVEN

"Heaven & earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away." (Luke 21:33) At the resurrection, heaven & earth will be transformed." Rev. Matthew Harrison, The Lutheran Witness, Nov. 2022

THE LORD'S GENTLE WARNING

"How quickly the surroundings of your life can shift from the security & tranquillity of an upper room to the harsh reality of Gethsemane & the cross. Guard your heart. Listen now to the Lord's gentle warning:  the failure that was possible with His first disciples is also possible with you. You, too, are capable of forsaking Jesus, just as the first disciples did. If Jesus is warning you of an area of your life in which you could fail Him, heed His words today!" Henry & Richard Blakaby, Experiencing God Day-By-Day

A PRAYER ON PALM SUNDAY

"Almighty & everlasting God the Father, who sent Your Son to take our nature upon Him & to suffer death on the cross that all mankind should follow the example of His great humility, mercifully grant that we may both follow the example of our Savior Jesus Christ in His patience & also have our portion in His resurrection; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives & reigns with You & the Holy Spirit, one God, now & forever. Amen." Lutheran Worship

A HYMN ON PALM SUNDAY

The Royal Banners Forward Go, LW #103, Sts. 1, 4, 5

The royal banners forward go; The cross shows forth redemption's flow Where He, by whom our flesh was made, Our ransom in His flesh had paid.

On whose hard arms so widely flung, The weight of this world's ransom hung, The price of humankind to pay And spoil the spoiler of his prey.

To You, eternal Three in One, Let homage meet by all be done, By all You ransomed & restore; Oh, guide & gladden evermore.