INTRODUCTION

Welcome to the roller coaster we call Holy Week. We begin with a parade and then attend a dinner party that is followed by a trial and condemnation, an execution, and a burial. Then, there is an unimaginable surprise. Whew. Hold on to your hats. Even though we have been here before, we make this journey because he made this journey for us. We watch and we listen, and we follow at a distance because that is the best we can do. We shout and we sing; we weep, and we rejoice, because to make this journey is to embrace being alive with all the passion and the promise life offers. We make this journey because, once again, we need to learn how to begin again. Join us for the end and the beginning.

We hope this Holy Week and Easter Season will be new and different for your family. This year, we have provided a Holy Week House Party family resource to help families celebrate an Easter egg hunt or observe Holy Week activities in their homes and communities. The following children’s messages are designed to enable families to continue conversations around the events that led to Easter morning. We applaud families that take the opportunity to share the stories of Holy Week and Easter together and are excited that we can support our church family.

Download Holy Week House Party 2026 (PDF)

The Holy Week House Party activities may be used in various ways. They could be done throughout Holy Week or in their entirety on Easter Sunday. It is recommended that families use the Holy Week House Party resource in combination with Discipleship Ministries’ worship resources, “Journey’s End/A New Start,” for Palm Sunday, Holy Week, and Easter Sunday worship. This resource also contains a downloadable rearview mirror hanger (in English and Spanish) to create family conversations around the events of Holy Week while spending time together in the car or van.

Sixth Sunday in Lent/Palm Sunday/Passion Sunday - March 29, 2026 - Marching Orders

Matthew 21:1‑11, New International Reader's Version

Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King

21 As they all approached Jerusalem, they came to Bethphage. It was on the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent out two disciples. ² He said to them, “Go to the village ahead of you. As soon as you get there, you will find a donkey tied up. Her colt will be with her. Untie them and bring them to me. ³ If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them. The owner will send them right away.”

⁴ This took place so that what was spoken through the prophet would come true. It says,

⁵“Say to the city of Zion,
‘See, your king comes to you.
He is gentle and riding on a donkey.
He is riding on a donkey’s colt.’” (Zechariah 9:9)

⁶ The disciples went and did what Jesus told them to do. ⁷ They brought the donkey and the colt. They placed their coats on them for Jesus to sit on. ⁸ A very large crowd spread their coats on the road. Others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. ⁹ Some of the people went ahead of him, and some followed. They all shouted,

“Hosanna to the Son of David!”
“Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Psalm 118:26)
“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

¹⁰ When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up. The people asked, “Who is this?” ¹¹ The crowds answered, “This is Jesus. He is the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

Object: Coat (to lay on the ground)

Message:

(Hold the coat up for the children to see.)

I wonder if any of you have ever been to a parade. Maybe you saw a special person come to visit or a team celebrate a big win. In parades, people cheer, wave, and sometimes stand on their tiptoes or on someone’s shoulders to see better. Let’s pretend we are in a big, exciting parade. Everyone is moving, laughing, and trying to see. Can you stretch up tall and pretend to stand on your tiptoes to see over the crowd?

A long time ago, something very special happened in a city called Jerusalem. Jesus was coming to town, and people were so excited to see him that they celebrated with a parade. They wanted to honor Jesus because they knew he was God’s gift to the world.

People laid down their coats—like this one—on the ground. (Lay the coat down slowly.) This was a way of saying, “We respect you, Jesus. You are very special to us.” Let’s pretend to lay our coats or scarves on the ground too. Can you place them carefully, like you are making a soft road for Jesus?

The people also waved palm branches, which are long leafy sticks. Can you wave your arms like leafy palm branches? Wave high; wave low; sway from side to side. Everyone was waving and moving, celebrating that Jesus was coming.

Children in the crowd were lifted up on their parents’ shoulders, so they could see Jesus. Can you pretend someone is holding you up so you can see better? How exciting would it be to see Jesus from up high? How do you think those children felt? (Pause and let children respond. Reinforce words like happy, excited, joyful, amazed.)

As Jesus rode in, the people shouted “Hosanna!” Hosanna means “Save us, Lord!” They were praising God and showing their love for Jesus. Let’s all shout “Hosanna” together, softly first… and now a little louder… yes, “Hosanna!” They were full of joy, singing and celebrating God’s love. Can you stomp your feet and clap your hands like a happy parade while shouting “Hosanna”? (Allow children to respond.)

Today is called Palm Sunday. Every year, on the Sunday before Easter, we remember how the people welcomed Jesus with coats and palm branches. We remember their cheers, their songs, and their joy. Palm Sunday is a day to celebrate, to be glad, and to remember that Jesus, God’s servant and king, came to help and love everyone.

Now, I wonder how we can welcome Jesus into our lives this week. Maybe we can spend time with our families, pray together, read stories from the Bible, help someone, or share a kind word. We can also celebrate at home with a Holy Week House Party, filled with activities, prayers, and fun ways to remember this special week.

Let’s end our story with a prayer. You can fold your hands, kneel, or just close your eyes and listen.

Prayer:
Hosanna, King Jesus,
We praise God in all things
We bow our knees in awe of God’s grace that surrounds us.
Help us honor and welcome you every day.
Show us ways to be a blessing to others.
Hosanna in the highest, Amen.