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| Rethinking Palm Sunday | |||||||
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The first Palm Sunday was an outdoor event with cheering, frond-waving throngs greeting Jesus as he rode into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey. It was a joyous beginning to a week that would turn incredibly tragic as Jesus was crucified – and then unbelievably joyous again as Jesus' followers learned of his resurrection. United Methodists in New Braunfels, Texas, will capture the spirit of that first Palm Sunday when they host their second Palms in the Park Service on Sunday, March 28. First United Methodist Church in New Braunfels first took its contemporary Palm Sunday worship service to the people in 2009. Church members invited guests to join them for worship at Landa Park, a beautiful area with natural springs, playgrounds and picnic areas located in the heart of the community. "It worked so well, I think there would be a riot if we didn't do it again!" says the Rev. Laura Heikes, associate pastor. The contemporary worship service usually draws 220 people, but on "Palms in the Park" Sunday, 475 people participated. Easter Sunday saw an increase of 100 more than in 2008. Attendance throughout 2009 and into 2010 continues to be higher than it was a year earlier. Mailer invitations to the service targeted neighborhoods in the community where many newcomers live. "The mailers described the ‘Palms in the Park' service, told them what to bring (chairs and a picnic lunch), and mentioned that Communion would also be available," Heikes explains. Post-worship activities included free rides on the park's mini-train. Early on Palm Sunday, the evangelism team filled helium balloons printed with a smiley face, the church's name and the message "God loves you," and then handed them to children and adults picnicking around the park. Signs instructed guests to head to the Dance Slab, which the church had rented. A praise band started playing one hour before the service began at 11 a.m. First New Braunfel's contemporary service usually starts at 9:45 a.m. Church members tended to invite more than one friend to the unique service, knowing the site would be a non-threatening place to bring them for worship, Heikes says. Some guests responded to the mailers. Others came after receiving a balloon. Several arrived at the park and simply "followed the music." The overflow crowd quickly filled 90 chairs set up for the event, then spilled out onto camping chairs, blankets and grass. While the contemporary service was under way in the park, traditional Palm Sunday worship continued in the church building. The service in the park included a children's time, prayer, offering, sermon, Holy Communion – and a parade of palm-waving children. "Any child who came received a palm branch and got to be part of our processional," Heikes says. "It was so fun, and they were such a joyful sight!" The end of the service brought a surprise as five adults came forward to join the church by profession of faith – and brought three children with them. "That was the most amazing," Heikes exclaims. "It wasn't planned." Two who joined and continue to be active members are Melissa Bachman, 30, and her husband, Jeff, 37, plus their baby daughter Madilynn. "We had actually been attending First UMC for several months," Melissa recalls, "and my husband and I had been discussing and praying about membership. That day in the park was very inspiring, very amazing. The message was phenomenal. But the biggest thing I remember that day was how my husband and I felt really at peace. We were going through some trying times with medical issues with our infant daughter. "We felt the church was a wonderful place to help us and also provide us a place to give our services as well. We wanted a place to give back." |
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