GATHERING
Introduction to the Day
Jesus’ parable about two sons who don’t do what they say reveals surprises in the reign of God. In the reading from Ezekiel the people claim the ways of the Lord are unfair, while God offers repentance and new life. Paul urges us to look to Christ as a model of humility, putting the interests of others above our own. Nourished by the broken bread and shared cup, we offer our lives for the sake of our needy world.
CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
In the name of the Father, and of the ☩ Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
God of all mercy and consolation, come to the help of your people, turning us from our sin to live for you alone. Give us the power of your Holy Spirit that we may confess our sin, receive your forgiveness, and grow into the fullness of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.
Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another.
Gracious God,
have mercy on us. We confess that we have turned from you and given ourselves into the power of sin. We are truly sorry and humbly repent. In your compassion forgive us our sins, known and unknown, things we have done and things we have failed to do. Turn us again to you, and uphold us by your Spirit, so that we may live and serve you in newness of life through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for us, and for his sake God forgives us all our sins. As a called and ordained minister of the church of Christ, and by his authority, I therefore declare to you the entire forgiveness of all your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the ☩ Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
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.
GATHERING SONG Kyrie Eleison
Chorus
Kyrie Eleison on our world
And on our way
Kyrie Eleison ev’ry day
Verse 1
For peace in the world
For the health of the church
For the unity of all
For this holy house
For all who worship and praise
Let us pray to the Lord
Let us pray to the Lord Chorus
Verse 2
That we may live out
Your impassioned response
To the hungry and the poor
That we may live out
Truth and justice and grace
Let us pray to the Lord
Let us pray to the Lord Chorus
Verse 3
For peace in our hearts
For peace in our homes
For friends and family
For life and for love
For our work and our play
Let us pray to the Lord
Let us pray to the Lord Chorus
Verse 4
For Your Spirit to guide
That You center our lives
In the water and the word
That You nourish our souls
With Your body and blood
Let us pray to the Lord
Let us pray to the Lord Chorus
CCLI Song # 1765776 Larry Olson © 1989 Dakota Road Music For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI License # 617337
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Let us pray.
God of love, giver of life, you know our frailties and failings. Give us your grace to overcome them, keep us from those things that harm us, and guide us in the way of salvation, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.
WORD
FIRST READING: Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32
A reading from Ezekiel.
1The word of the Lord came to me: 2What do you mean by repeating this proverb concerning the land of Israel, “The parents have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge”? 3As I live, says the Lord God, this proverb shall no more be used by you in Israel. 4Know that all lives are mine; the life of the parent as well as the life of the child is mine: it is only the person who sins that shall die.
25Yet you say, “The way of the Lord is unfair.” Hear now, O house of Israel: Is my way unfair? Is it not your ways that are unfair? 26When the righteous turn away from their righteousness and commit iniquity, they shall die for it; for the iniquity that they have committed they shall die. 27Again, when the wicked turn away from the wickedness they have committed and do what is lawful and right, they shall save their life. 28Because they considered and turned away from all the transgressions that they had committed, they shall surely live; they shall not die. 29Yet the house of Israel says, “The way of the Lord is unfair.” O house of Israel, are my ways unfair? Is it not your ways that are unfair?
30Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, all of you according to your ways, says the Lord God. Repent and turn from all your transgressions; otherwise iniquity will be your ruin. 31Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed against me, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die, O house of Israel? 32For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, says the Lord God. Turn, then, and live.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
PSALM: Psalm 25:1-9
1To|you, O Lord, I lift | up my soul.
2My God, I put my trust in you; let me not be | put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph | over me.
3Let none who look to you be | put to shame; rather let those be put to shame | who are treacherous.
4Show me your | ways, O Lord, and teach | me your paths.
5Lead me in your | truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; in you have I trusted all | the day long.
6Remember, O Lord, your compas- | sion and love, for they are from | everlasting.
7Remember not the sins of my youth and | my transgressions; remember me according to your steadfast love and for the sake of your good-|ness, O Lord.
8You are gracious and up-|right, O Lord; therefore you teach sinners | in your way.
9You lead the low- | ly in justice and teach the low- | ly your way.
SECOND READING: Philippians 2:1-13
A reading from Philippians.
1If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, 2make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. 4Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. 5Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, 6who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, 7but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, 8he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death— even death on a cross.
9Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, 10so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
12Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed me, not only in my presence, but much more now in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Alleluia. Lord, to whom shall we go?
You have the words of eternal life. Alleluia.
Alleluia, alleluia. Alleluia.
Alleluia, alleluia.
GOSPEL: Matthew 21:23-32
The holy gospel according to Matthew.
Glory to you, O Lord.
23When [Jesus] entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” 24Jesus said to them, “I will also ask you one question; if you tell me the answer, then I will also tell you by what authority I do these things. 25Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin?” And they argued with one another, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ 26But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ we are afraid of the crowd; for all regard John as a prophet.” 27So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.
28“What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ 29He answered, ‘I will not’; but later he changed his mind and went. 30The father went to the second and said the same; and he answered, ‘I go, sir’; but he did not go. 31Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you. 32For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him; and even after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him.”
The gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
SERMON
SPECIAL MUSIC Just As I Am
Verse 1
Just as I am without one plea
But that Thy blood was shed for me
And that Thou bidst me come to Thee
O Lamb of God I come I come
Verse 2
Just as I am and waiting not
To rid my soul of one dark blot
To Thee whose blood can cleanse each spot
O Lamb of God I come I come
Chorus
I come broken to be mended
I come wounded to be healed
I come desperate to be rescued
I come empty to be filled
I come guilty to be pardoned
By the blood of Christ the Lamb
And I’m welcomed with open arms praise God
Just as I am
Verse 3
Just as I am I would be lost
But mercy and grace my freedom bought
And now to glory in Your cross
O Lamb of God I come I come
Just as I am
CCLI Song # 5635850 Charlotte Elliott | David Moffitt | Sue C. Smith | Travis Cottrell | William Batchelder Bradbury © 2009 CCTB Music (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.) First Hand Revelation Music (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.) Universal Music – Brentwood Benson Publishing (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.) For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI License # 617337
CREED
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, responding to each petition with the words “Hear our laments, and receive our prayers.”
Throughout the globe is the church: many assemblies are postponed by the virus, our songs quieted, our leaders searching for new ways forward. That you will continue to inspire all the baptized with the mind of Christ, we pray to you, faithful God.
Hear our laments, and receive our prayers.
Around us nature is strained: polar ice is melting, excessive rains ravage the land, fires consume forests, fields, and homes, and animals are deprived of habitat. A brief silence. That you will preserve and protect the earth, we pray to you, mighty God:
Hear our laments, and receive our prayers.
Around us is a needy world: governments allow injustice, violence threatens stability, people experience prejudice, reforms are thwarted, workers are unemployed, medical facilities are strained, children are abused. A brief silence. That you will save the people in all the nations of the world, we pray to you, compassionate God:
Hear our laments, and receive our prayers.
In our nation’s courts, we see justice delayed and justice denied. Yet we thank you for the life of Ruth Bader Ginsburg and for her passion for equality under the law. A brief silence. That you will uphold honest judges and insightful juries throughout our criminal justice system, and that you will assist our nation in its task of filling the Supreme Court, we pray to you, righteous God:
Hear our laments, and receive our prayers.
Around us are the sick: there is starvation, the virus continues, many persons receive no medical attention, our neighbors and dear ones are ill. A brief silence. That you will bless all ministries of care and will relieve the suffering of those who are ill in body, mind, or spirit, we pray to you, merciful God.
Hear our laments, and receive our prayers.
Nearby are needs of which we are unaware. A brief silence. That you will send your holy angels to uphold all who face personal troubles, we pray to you, benevolent God:
Hear our laments, and receive our prayers.
Inside many hearts there is both joy and sorrow. We pray now for ourselves:
A longer period of silence.
That you will give us new hearts and a new spirit, we pray to you, loving God.
Hear our laments, and receive our prayers.
Before us lived countless of the faithful — the famous and the forgotten, our relatives and strangers. We lament their deaths, and we praise their witness. A brief silence. That we may confess Jesus Christ as Lord through our life and at our death, we pray to you, eternal God.
Hear our laments, and receive our prayers.
All these things and whatever else you see that we need, we entrust to your mercy; through Christ our Savior and Lord.
Amen.
PEACE
The peace of Christ be with you always.
And also with you.
MEAL
OFFERING INSTRUCTIONS & PREPARING FOR COMMUNION
OFFERING PRAYER
Let us pray.
Holy God, gracious and merciful, you bring forth food from the earth and nourish your whole creation. Turn our hearts toward those who hunger in any way, that all may know your care; and prepare us now to feast on the bread of life, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.
GREAT THANKSGIVING
PREFACE
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:
HOLY, HOLY, HOLY
Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of pow’r and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory, full of your glory.
Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest.
THANKSGIVING AT THE TABLE
In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me. Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.
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.
COMMUNION
The body of Christ, given for you. The blood of Christ, shed for you.
Amen.
COMMUNION SONG
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Let us pray.
God of abundance, with this bread of life and cup of salvation you have united us with Christ, making us one with all your people. Now send us forth in the power of your Spirit, that we may proclaim your redeeming love to the world and continue forever in the risen life of Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
SENDING
ANNOUNCEMENTS
BLESSING
The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord’s face shine on you with grace and mercy. The Lord look upon you with favor and ☩ give you peace.
Amen.
SONG We Are Marching
Verse 1
We are marching in the light of God
We are marching in the light of God
We are marching in the light of God
We are marching in the light of God
We are marching marching
We are marching Oh Oh
We are marching in the light of God
We are marching marching
We are marching Oh Oh
We are marching in the light of God
Verse 2
We are living in the love of God
We are living in the love of God
We are living in the love of God
We are living in the love of God
We are living living
We are living Oh Oh
We are living in the love of God
We are living living
We are living Oh Oh
We are living in the love of God
Verse 3
We are moving in the power of God
We are moving in the power of God
We are moving in the power of God
We are moving in the power of God
We are moving moving
We are moving Oh Oh
We are moving in the power of God
We are moving moving
We are moving Oh Oh
We are moving in the power of God
CCLI Song # 320947 Anders Nyberg | Andrew Maries © 1987, 1991 Sovereign Music UK Remaining portion is unaffiliated For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI License # 617337
DISMISSAL
Go in peace. Share the good news.
Thanks be to God.
From sundaysandseasons.com. Copyright © 2020 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Permission to reprint/podcast/stream the music in this service obtained from One License with license # A-715139. CCLI Streaming license # 20160622