SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2020 – 8:30 AM

GATHERING TOGETHER
Welcome to God’s grace – where the world’s labels don’t apply.

Step into God’s time and presence. Hear God’s gentle whisper: “Be still and know that I am God.”
Let your body and mind rest, and open your heart to God in worship and prayer. Welcome each
other in the love of Christ. Extend hospitality to those new in our midst. “This is the day the Lord has
made. Let us rejoice in it!”

GATHERING MUSIC & RINGING OF THE BELL

TODAY’S WORSHIP THEME
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.
CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
Blessed be the holy Trinity, +one God, who creates, redeems, and sustains us
and all of creation. Amen
Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another.
Silence is kept for reflection.
Faithful God,
Have mercy on us. We confess that we are captive to sin and cannot
free ourselves. We turn from your loving embrace and go our own
ways. We pass judgment on one another before examining ourselves.
We place our own needs before those of our neighbors. We keep your
gift of salvation to ourselves. Make us humble, cast away our
transgressions, and turn us again to life in you through Jesus Christ,
our Savior and Lord. Amen
God hears the cries of all who call out in need, and through his death and
resurrection, Christ has made us his own. Hear the truth that God
proclaims: Your sins are forgiven in the name of + Jesus Christ. Led by the
Holy Spirit, live in freedom and newness to do God’s work in the world.
Amen
STAND

GATHERING HYMN ELW #733 “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” vs 1,3

GREETING
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of
the Holy Spirit be with you all.
And also with you.
 2
KYRIE
In peace, let us pray to the Lord.
(Sung response) Lord, have mercy.
For the peace from above, and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the church of God,
and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For this holy house, and for all who offer here their worship and praise,
let us pray to the
Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
Help, save, comfort,
and defend us,
gracious Lord.
Amen
Glory to God in the
highest, and peace
to God’s people on
earth.

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
SIT
 3

HEARING THE WORD

God speaks to us in scriptures sung, read, and proclaimed.

SPECIAL MUSIC “Amazing Grace” Sara Fegley, soloist

FIRST READING Jonah 3:10—4:11
A reading from Jonah
After the reading:
Word of God, word of life.
Thanks be to God.
SECOND READING Philippians 1:21-30
A reading from Philippians
After the reading:
Word of God, word of life.
Thanks be to God.
STAND

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

HOLY GOSPEL Matthew 20:1-16

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, the twentieth
chapter.
Glory to you, O Lord.
After the reading:
The gospel of our Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
SIT

SERMON Pr. Randy Rasmussen

STAND

HYMN OF THE DAY ELW #588 “There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy” vs 1,2,4
APOSTLES’ CREED
There is one Lord, one faith, and one baptism. United in Christ, let us
confess the faith we hold in common.
 4
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord, who was
conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under
Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to
the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he
is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge
the living 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

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
Drawn together in the compassion of God, we pray for the church, the
world, and all those in need.
A brief silence
Generous God, you make the last first, and the first last. Where this gospel
challenges the church, equip it for its works of service. Strengthen those
who suffer for Christ. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Sun and wind, bushes and worms, cattle and great cities – nothing in
creation is outside your concern, mighty God. In your mercy, tend to it all.
Give us a spirit of generosity toward all you have made. Lord, in your
mercy, hear our prayer.
Where we find envy and create enemies, you provide enough for all. Bring
peace to places of conflict and violence. Inspire leaders with creativity and
wisdom. Bless the work of negotiators, peacekeepers, and development
workers. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Reveal yourself to all in need as you are gracious and merciful, slow to
anger, abounding in steadfast love, ready to relent from punishing.
Accompany judges and lawyers, victims of crime and those serving
sentences. Give fruitful labor and a livelihood to those seeking work. Lord,
in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Even beyond our expectations, you choose to give generously. Grant life,
health, and courage to all who are in need. Lord, in your mercy, hear our
prayer.
All these things and whatever else you see that we need, we entrust to your
mercy, through Christ our Lord. Amen

SHARING OF THE PEACE

The peace of the Lord be with you always.
And also with you.
We invite you to greet one another in the name of the Lord and share the gift of his peace.
 5

SHARING THE MEAL

God feeds us with the presence of Jesus Christ.

STAND

OFFERING PRAYER
Blessed are you, O God, maker of all things,
You have set before us these gifts of your good creation. Prepare us
for your heavenly banquet, nourish us with this rich food and drink,
and send us forth to set tables in the midst of a suffering world,
through the bread of life, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen

GREAT THANKSGIVING
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all
places give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God, through our
Savior Jesus Christ; who on this day overcame death and the grave, and by his
glorious resurrection opened to us the way of everlasting life. And so, with all
the choirs of angels, with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we
praise your name and join their unending hymn:

WORDS OF INSTITUTION
 6
ACCLAMATION OF FAITH
Together we acclaim our faith:
Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again!

THE LORD’S PRAYER

Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us.
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 and ever. Amen
SIT

INVITATION TO COMMUNION
Come to the banquet table where Christ gives himself as food and drink.
SIT

COMMUNION
All are welcome to eat & drink at the Lord's Table. Jesus Christ is present in the bread & wine. Come and eat!
Holy Communion is served at two stations below the altar. Following the usher’s direction, please proceed
down the center aisle toward the altar. If you require a gluten-free wafer, please request one from the pastor.
Red wine and white grape juice are available in each tray of cups. After communing, you may return to your
seat down the side aisle. If you would like to receive the Lord's Supper where you are seated, please tell the
usher, who will ensure the gifts of God come to you.

“Lamb of God” pg. 146

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

We give you thanks, gracious God that you have once again fed us with food
beyond compare, the body and blood of Christ. Lead us from this place,
nourished and forgiven, into your beloved vineyard to wipe away the tears of
all who hunger and thirst, guided by the example of the same Jesus Christ
and led by the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen
SIT

SENT FORTH TO SERVE

God blesses us and sends us in mission to the world.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
STAND

BLESSING
Mothering God, Father, +Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you and lead you into
the way of truth and life. Amen
 7

SENDING HYMN ELW #537 “On Our Way Rejoicing”

SENDING
Go in peace. Remember the poor.
Thanks be to God.