In Person Bulletin

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Sunday, October 1, 2023
Lectionary 26, Year A

Introduction

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.

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Confession and Forgiveness

 

All may make the sign of the cross, the sign that is marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins.
Blessed be God,
the one who forms us,
☩ Jesus who bears the cross,
the Spirit who makes our joy complete.
Amen.

 

 

Let us bow before God in humility,
confessing our sin.

 

Silence is kept for reflection.

 

Steadfast and faithful God,
you have revealed the ways of justice,
yet we fail to follow you.
We are overwhelmed
by the world’s violence and suffering.
We are afraid to risk what we have
for the sake of others.
For the harm we have caused,
known and unknown, forgive us.
For the unjust demands we place on others
and your creation, forgive us.
For the ways we turn away
from you and our neighbor, forgive us.
Lead us back to you
and set us on the right path;
in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior.
Amen.

 

 

Beloved in Christ,
God’s justice stretches beyond all understanding.
God’s compassion is beyond compare.
In Jesus, God is always making a new way for us.
In ☩ Christ, you are already and always forgiven.
Amen.

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				Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise (Melody)
					

	

	





	

		

	
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Prayer of the Day






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.







	







	




			

	

	

		

	
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This is the Feast



	







	




			

	

	

		

	
This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Worthy is Christ, the Lamb who was slain,
whose blood set us free to be people of God.

This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Power and riches, wisdom and strength,
and honor and blessing and glory are his.

This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Sing with all the people of God,
and join in the hymn of all creation:
Blessing and honor, glory and might
be to God and the Lamb forever. Amen.
This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

For the Lamb who was slain has begun his reign.  Alleluia.

This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.



	







	




			

	

	

		

	
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Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32


Ezekiel challenges those who think they cannot change because of what their parents were and did, or who think they cannot reverse their own previous behavior. God insistently invites people to turn and live.


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.









	







	




			

	

	

		

	







	




			

	

	

		

	
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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. R

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. R









	





	

		

	
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Philippians 2:1-13


As part of a call for harmony rather than self-seeking, Paul uses a very early Christian hymn that extols the selflessness of Christ in his obedient death on the cross. Christ’s selfless perspective is to be the essential perspective we share as the foundation for Christian accord.


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.











	







	




			

	

	

		

	

				
					

	

	







	




			

	

	

		

	
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Gospel: Matthew 21:23-32




After driving the moneychangers out of the temple (21:12), Jesus begins teaching there. His authority is questioned by the religious leaders, who are supposed to be in charge of the temple.








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.”





	







	




			

	

	

		

	
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Sermon



	





	

		

	
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				Praise to the Lord, the Almighty (Melody)
					

	

	







	

		

	





	

						

		


			

	

	

		

	
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Prayers of Intercession


The prayers are prepared locally for each occasion. The following examples may be adapted or used as appropriate.


Trusting in the transformative power of God’s loving Spirit, let us pray for the church, the world, and all in need.


A brief silence.


Holy God, you give the law that your people live by it and flourish. Write your law on the hearts of all who bear your name, and teach us to love your commandments, that we live as you intend. God of grace,


hear our prayer.


Holy God, you plant the earth and water it and bring forth a fruitful harvest. Send favorable weather, just wages, and the bounty of your abundance to all who are engaged in the labor of harvest. God of grace,


hear our prayer.


Holy God, you watch over the ways of the righteous and judge your people with fairness. Guide judges, courts, elected officials, and all those tasked with upholding the law, inspiring them with your wisdom and zeal for justice. God of grace,


hear our prayer.


Holy God, you hold your people in love and surround them with your mercy. Draw near to all who are in need (especially). Be their rest and comfort. God of grace,


hear our prayer.


Holy God, you call us to love one another as we love ourselves. Give us the will and patience to love those who are difficult to love. Bless all the ministries of this congregation through which we show love for our neighbors (especially). God of grace,


hear our prayer.


Here other intercessions may be offered.


Holy God, you have broken the chains of death and daily make all things new. We give you thanks for the witness of reformers like Martin Luther and all the saints. We pray that your transformative spirit is at work in us. God of grace,


hear our prayer.


Gracious God, into your hands we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your unending love and amazing grace; through Jesus Christ, our Savior.


Amen.





	





	

		

	
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				God Extends an Invitation Nuestro Padre nos invita (Melody)
					

	

	





	

		

	
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Offering Prayer






 


God of power, God of plenty,


all things belong to you.


We bring your gifts to the table,


that all might be fed.


Form us into the body of your Beloved,


Jesus Christ, our Savior.


Amen.







	







	




			

	

	

		

	

				Dialogue (Melody)
					

	

	







	




			

	

	

		

	

				Holy (Melody)
					

	

	







	




			

	

	

		

	
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The 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,

the power and the glory,

for ever and ever.

Amen.



	







	

		

	





	

						

		


			

	

	

		

	
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Blessing






 






The God of glory,


☩ Jesus Christ, name above all names,


and the Spirit who lives in you,


bless you now and forever.


Amen.












 









	







	




			

	

	

		

	

				The Lord Now Sends Us Forth Enviado soy de Dios (Melody)
					

	

	







	

		

	







	

						

		


			

	

	

		

	
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