Blessing of Palms, Procession & Choral Eucharist – Palm Sunday

The preparation and penitence of Lent comes to a climax in the events of Holy Week and Easter. All are welcome to join us for the first of our special Holy Week services on Palm Sunday, 13th April, 2025, and we begin in celebratory mood.

Music

The following music will be performed at the service by St Bride’s Choir.

Setting: Communion Service in B minor – Thomas Tertius Noble
Canticle: Benedictus in D major – George Dyson
Anthem: Hosanna to the Son of David – Thomas Weelkes
Organ Voluntary: Chorale Prelude ‘Valet will ich dir geben’ BWV 736 – Johann Sebastian Bach

Background

The crowds hail Jesus as their Messiah, laying palms before him as he enters Jerusalem as they cry, “Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.”

Yet Christ enters his own city in order to complete his work as our Saviour through his suffering, death and resurrection.

During our first hymn the congregation leaves the church and processes around it singing, blessed palm crosses held aloft as symbols of Jesus’s coming victory and in re-enactment of that triumphant day:

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

Admission

This service is open to all, ticketless and free to attend.

Support St Bride’s

There will be a retiring collection at the end of the service to support the work, ministry and music-making of St Bride’s and help maintain our magnificent Wren church.

St Bride’s is wholly reliant on and deeply grateful for the generous support of our visitors and congregation.

Donations can be made by cash or contactless at church or via JustGiving.

Do please Gift Aid your donation if you are eligible which generates an extra 25p in every £1 donated.

Additional Information

Directions to St Bride’s Church and information about accessibility are available on our Visit Us page.

Each Sunday morning at 11am we release a specially created short reflection in words and music for those who cannot make it to church. It will be released on this page and across our social media channels.