PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Christians around the world celebrated Palm Sunday, which commemorates Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem. In Philadelphia, an Old City church made it a day of joy and contemplation.

Old First Reformed United Church of Christ rang with song throughout the service. Pastor Michael Caine describes its start. “The kids brought the palms in, then helped me to spread them out on the floor to represent that we’re making a place for Jesus in our midst.”

Congregant Suzanne Cole says it’s also a day of reflection:

“Toward the end of the service we start thinking about the rest of Holy Week, and turning our minds toward what happens to Jesus later in the week. So it comes down a little bit toward the end — a little bit more prayerful and a little bit more solemn.”

Cole added, “but ultimately we know the story ends well because it ends with the Resurrection. But to get to Easter Sunday, we have a long week in front of us.”

Reported By Molly Daly, KYW Newsradio