For this Palm Sunday, I brought back a pageant that we did several years ago, an adapted version of The Tale of Three Trees. Having just finished a Lent series focused on trees, it seemed appropriate to do so.

Afterwards, I had three stations for people to visit to reflect on the story. Depending on which station they were drawn to, they were invited to exchange their palm leaf for a symbol to carry with them throughout Holy Week. The blessings used below were all written by Jan Richardson.

As children heard the scripture, they had an opportunity to make a diorama using Peeps.

Materials: cake frosting, sprinkles, toothpicks, coconut flakes dyed green for the palm branches, different colored peeps, aluminum foil, shoe boxes, plastic knives

First tree

The first tree had turned into a manger. Worshippers were invited to place their palm into the manger and take a glass stone. Holding the stone, they were invited to quietly bless their stone.

second tree

The second tree had turned into a boat. Worshippers were invited to place their palm at the foot of the boat and take a seashell. Holding the shell, they were invited to quietly bless their stone.

third tree

The third tree had turned into a cross. Worshippers were invited to place their palm in the cross and take a small wooden cross. Holding the cross, they were invited to quietly bless their stone.