Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost
September 6, 2020
10:00 a.m.
Opening Ourselves to Worship
Welcome
Call to Worship (People’s response in bold.)
Leader: Whatever gains I had, these I have come to regard as loss because of Christ.
People: I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.
Leader: As the Scriptures promise: the stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.
People: This is the Lord’s doing, and it is amazing in our eyes.
Opening Hymn: Sweet Hour of Prayer
Invitation to Confession
Prayer of Confession
Loving God, you have planted us like a vineyard on a fertile hill. You cleared away the stones, planted us with choice vines, and kept watch over us by night and day. But we have not yielded the good fruit that you expected or desired. We are overgrown with sin, choked with violence and injustice. Forgive us, we pray. Uproot our evil, prune away our sin, and shower upon us the gift of your grace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Assurance of Forgiveness
Our salvation does not depend on anything we have done, but comes from the grace of God alone through faith in Jesus Christ. Beloved, this is the good news:
in the name of Jesus Christ you are forgiven. In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven. Glory to God! Amen.
Hearing God’s Word
Prayer for Illumination
God of all wisdom, give us your Word and send us your Spirit so that we may know Christ. Amen.
Epistle Lesson: Philippians 4:1-9
The Children’s Time to Lead Us
Gospel Lesson: Matthew 21:33-46
Leader: This is the Word of God for the People of God. People: Thanks be to God.
Sermon: Rev. Lorrin Radzik
Affirmation of Faith: The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth;
And in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, dead, and buried; the third day he rose from the dead;
he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty;
from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
Transforming Our Lives & the World
Prayers of the People
Let us pray for the needs of the world, saying, God of hosts, hear our prayer.
Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved.
For your beloved, chosen people, the vine you brought out of Egypt,
God of hosts, hear our prayer.
For the church of Jesus Christ, your beloved Son,
God of hosts, hear our prayer.
For martyrs, saints, and prophets, persecuted for doing your will,
God of hosts, hear our prayer.
For all who are suffering, through sickness or oppression,
God of hosts, hear our prayer.
For the coming of your kingdom, with justice and peace for all,
God of hosts, hear our prayer.
Turn again, O God of hosts; look down from heaven and see; have regard for your people; through Christ, the vine, in whom we are branches. Amen.
Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.
Invitation to Generosity
Offertory
Prayer of Dedication
We give you thanks and praise, O God, for all your good gifts, and above all, for the gift of knowing Christ our Savior. Strengthen us as we continue to strive for the heavenly prize that you offer: eternal and abundant life in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Closing Hymn: Rejoice the Lord is King
Benediction
Permission to print and podcast/stream the music (not in public domain) is obtained from CCLI with license #20417540
Today’s liturgy was adapted from: “Feasting on the Word Worship Companion, Year A, Volume 2,
Proper 22