Joint Palm Sunday procession

In recent years Palm Sunday in Seven Kings has seen the congregations of St Paul's Goodmayes and St John's Seven Kings process between the two churches accompanied by a donkey for children to ride. The procession has been jointly organised by the two churches and has become an annual community event.

Brambles the donkey led today's procession. The service began at St Paul's Goodmayes and was attended by more than 100 people. From St Paul's the procession went to Westwood Recreation Ground where palm crosses were blessed and the Gospel was read. From there the procession continued along Meads Lane to St John's Seven Kings where the service concluded with Communion. Along the way, the congregation of Seven Kings United Free Church left their service to greet the procession with waved palms, banners and instruments. 

The original Palm Sunday featured a joyful procession as Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on a colt and the people praised God and spread cloaks and palms on the ground (see Matthew 21): 

“They brought the donkey and the colt, placed their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Hosanna in the highest!" When Jesus entered Jerusalem , the whole city was stirred and asked, "Who is this?" The crowds answered, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee ."

This service and procession are a joyful celebration for us and, we hope, a visible act of witness to our community.

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Kings College Cambridge - All Glory Laud And Honour.