This Sunday in Bible Class, one of the parishioners said something about how ours is a “fairly liturgical” church. My pastor immediately responded, feigning offense, “What do you mean ‘fairly’?” The truth is that I am a member of a very liturgical church and our pastor puts a lot of thought into each aspect of the liturgy. He teaches us what each part means and why it’s important. And even though I learned these things as a child, I love the refresher. And I’m very grateful to attend services so rich with meaning.

I grew up in California where palm trees are abundant. It was pretty easy for members of my congregation to find fronds for Palm Sunday, when Lutherans and other Christians gather outside the church and process into the sanctuary reenacting Jesus Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem. But what if you live in less tropical climates where palm trees aren’t local? Some Christians, worried about the environmental impact of securing palm fronds, have found an “eco-friendly” solution. And more than a few reporters chose that angle for their annual Palm Sunday stories. Here’s Steven Vegh with the Hampton Roads Virginian-Pilot: