Finding Grace through discomfort
16th Sunday after Pentecost
Matthew narrates one of Jesus’ controversial parables in which Jesus says that the reign of God is like that of a landowner who pays his workers the same wage no matter what time of day they began to work. When God changes God’s mind about punishing Nineveh for their evil ways, Jonah is angry. Yet God is gracious and merciful, abounding in steadfast love. In baptism we receive the grace of God that is freely given to all. As Martin Luther wrote, in the presence of God’s mercy we are all beggars.
Worship Liturgy
WORSHIP VIDEO
Learning Resources
Watch the worship service for this week here.
Worship Liturgy
Prayer of the Day
Almighty and eternal God, you show perpetual lovingkindness to us your servants. Because we cannot rely on our own abilities, grant us your merciful judgment, and train us to embody the generosity of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.
Readings & Psalm
Exodus 16:2-15
Manna and quails feed the Israelites in the wilderness
Psalm 145:1-8
The Lord is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. (Ps. 145:8)
Philippians 1:21-30
Standing firm in the gospel
Matthew 20:1-16
The parable of the vineyard workers
Celebrate Holy Communion together “virtually”.
Please join with other worshipers and the pastors for this Sunday’s Communion service at 11:00 on ZOOM via computer, tablet or smart phone.
You simply need to have ready your own wine, grape juice, or apple juice as you choose, in a separate glass for each person. And have a piece of bread of your choice, or wafer, or cracker as you choose.
If you didn’t receive an email to join us this Sunday, you may find the ZOOM login information to login by entering your name and email in the green form.
Learning Resources
Learn more with the additional resources in this post. Click through this post to find the materials.
October 18 – Sunday | Give to God what is God’s
Our allegiance is fully to God In today’s first reading God uses the Gentile ruler Cyrus to accomplish divine purposes. When the Pharisees try to trap Jesus, he tells them to give the emperor what belongs to him and to God what belongs to God. To gather for worship reminds us that our ultimate allegiance is to God rather than to any earthly authority. Created in the image of God, we offer our entire selves in the service of God and for the sake of the world. Sunday Worship 9:00 am Sunday...
October 11 – Sunday | God’s Abundance for All
We are invited to the abundant feast of life In Isaiah we are given a vision of the great feast to come, when God will wipe away death forever. In Jesus’ parable about a great banquet, those invited do not come, so the invitation is extended to others. In our liturgy God spreads a table before us. Even amid anxiety and hardship we rejoice in the peace of God which surpasses all understanding. With great joy we feast at the table of the Lord, and we go forth to share the wonderful invitation...
Offerings of Thanksgiving
While we are keeping physical social distance, there are still options for you to continue bringing your offerings to God and support the ministries of Grace.
Giving Options:
- Mail a check to church address below
- Online bill pay through your bank
- Online giving – Orange button
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord!
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Acknowledgments:
We thank the following for today’s flowers:
Pentecost 15, Lectionary 25, 9/13/2020
Copyright texts may be a smaller font to fit more information on a slide. These copyright acknowledgments are in the approximate order they occur in the service.
Liturgy and Hymns, Arr. © 2020 Augsburg Publishing House, admin. Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #SAS000406.
“All Creatures Worship God” Tune: Public Domain, Text. Augsburg Fortress. Used by permission, One License.Net # A-706744
New Revised Standard Version Bible, Copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
“Let Us Go Now to the Banquet,” Text and music © 1994 GIA Publications, Inc., 7404 S. Mason Ave., Chicago, IL 60638. www.giamusic.com. 800.442.3358. All rights reserved. Used by permission. One License.Net # A-706744
“Take My Life,” Text, Public Domain; Music, Music © 1999 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved, see above.