I was confirmed on Palm Sunday when I was twelve years old.

Dear Congregation,

I was confirmed on Palm Sunday when I was twelve years old. And so each and every Palm Sunday brings memories from that day. I remember the new, gauzy white dress I wore and the corsage of yellow roses my dad got me. I remember my sister Sharon, who was confirmed with me and other Sunday School friends, sitting beside me in the dark brown wooden pew wearing her corsage of pink roses, as the sunlight streamed through the stained glass windows. I remember the large potted palm trees decorating the Sanctuary, sitting by the altar, having been brought in from the City Greenhouse just for the worship service. I remember the excitement of being confirmed, combined with the excitement of Palm Sunday and spring all mixed together.

But I don’t remember if, at that young age, I really understood how very appropriate it was that we confirmands were asked to answer the question, “Do you profess by the grace of God, to Be Christ’s disciple, to follow in the way of our Savior, to resist oppression and evil, to show love and justice, and to witness to the word and word of Jesus Christ as best you are able?” with the words, “I promise, with the help of God,” on Palm Sunday!

On that first Palm Sunday almost 2000 years ago, Jesus made it very clear as he rode into Jerusalem on a borrowed donkey that there was a huge difference between who he was and what he valued as important—humility, gentleness, servanthood, faithfulness to God, and peace, and what the Roman occupiers valued—using fear as a means of control, weapons and war, and manipulating the religious establishment as a tool to further their own agenda.

As Jesus’ followers today, we share his values in a world where the values of the Roman occupiers are very much in evidence. Let us be reminded as we wave our palm branches and shout “Hosanna! Save us!” walking together from Kelsey Hall to the Sanctuary this Sunday, that we serve the One who can indeed save us.

I look forward to being in worship with you on Sunday.

In Christ’s love.

Pastor Candy