*Bold type = All

All may make the sign of the cross, the sign marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins.

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.

Make us humble, 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.

“All the People Said Amen”—Matt Maher

Refrain:

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.

Let us pray.

Almighty and eternal God, you show steadfast lovingkindness to all people. Grant us mercy and

equip us to embody the generosity of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

“Psalm 145: Our God is Compassion”—Jeanne Cotter

The Lord is grace and mercy, slow to anger, full of love. God is good to all creation; full of compassion.

Let all your works give thanks O God. Let the faithful bless you. The eyes of all are filled with hope; you give them all they need.

The Lord is just in ev’ry way, full of love for all. God is near to those in need; who call out from their hearts.

Matthew 20:1-16

Kids can find the story on page 298 of the Spark Story Bible.

The holy gospel according to Matthew.

Jesus said to the disciples: “The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the

morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the laborers for the usual daily wage, he

sent them into his vineyard. When he went out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the

marketplace; and he said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is

right.’ So they went. When he went out again about noon and about three o’clock, he did the same.

And about five o’clock he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them, ‘Why are

you standing here idle all day?’ They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them,

‘You also go into the vineyard.’ When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager,

‘Call the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first.’ When

those hired about five o’clock came, each of them received the usual daily wage. Now when the first

came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage. And

when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner, saying, ‘These last worked only one hour,

and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’

But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for the

usual daily wage? Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to

you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am

generous?’ So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

The gospel of the Lord.

“On Fairness”

“Will You Let Me Be Your Servant” ELW #659

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit

and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.

He descended into hell. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at

the right hand of the Father. He will come again 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.

Drawn together in the compassion of God,

we pray for the church, the world, and all those in need.

All these things and whatever else you see that we need, we entrust to your mercy; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

“So Will I (100 Billion X)”—Hillsong UNITED

An offering is gathered for the mission of the church, including the care of those in need.

There are multiple ways you can give: Online: www.sotv.org/give Phone: text “SOTV” to 73256. Mail: 12650 Johnny Cake Ridge Road, Apple Valley, MN 55124

Children are encouraged to have their grown-up share a picture of their artwork via social media.

Let us pray.

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.

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.

“I Come with Joy” ELW #482 Sing verses 1-3.

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,

to wipe away the tears of all who hunger and thirst,

guided by Jesus and led by the Holy Spirit, now and forever.

Amen.

“On Our Way Rejoicing” ELW #537

Go in peace. Serve the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Sixteenth Weekend after Pentecost—September 19 & 20, 2020 “Psalm 145: Our God Is Compassion”, text and music, Jeanne Cotter © GIA Publications, Inc. 1993

CCLI License #902341 All liturgical music, hymns, and texts from SundaysandSeasons.com. Copyright 2020 Augsburg Fortress.

OneLicense.net A-703965. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #23506.