Description
Matthew 20:1-16
In this parable, a landowner pays each of his workers the same amount although they started working at different times during the day. Those hired first complained and grumbled against the landowner that this was scandalous, but the landowner wanted to be generous with all of his workers. Nothing good comes from comparing, complaining, or grumbling. In God’s Kingdom, our lives are not measured by the quantity of our accomplishments but by the response of gratitude that stems from only the grace of Jesus.
We Lift Our Hearts in Worship
[Preservice options include video countdowns, worship song videos, welcomes), CDs, or live music.]
Welcome & Time of Greeting
Time of Praise and Worship
Not To Us
Chris Tomlin & Jesse Reeves, ©2001 worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) sixsteps Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
Living Hope
Brian Johnson & Phil Wickham, © Phil Wickham Music (Fair Trade Music Publishing [c/o Essential Music Publishing LLC]) Simply Global Songs (Fair Trade Music Publishing [c/o Essential Music Publishing LLC]) Sing My Songs (Fair Trade Music Publishing [c/o Essential Music Publishing LLC]) Bethel Music Publishing
God of Brilliant Lights
Aaron Shust, Ed Cash, Scott Cash, ©2013 Bridge Building Music, Inc. (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.) CP Shust Tunes (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.) Worship Together Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Alletrop Music (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.) Unknown (Admin. by Unaffiliated Admin (UA))
[Traditional Options]
God of Grace and God of Glory
BH 75 265; BH 91 395; CH 435; CHH 464; EH 594,595; ELW 705; HWC 292; WFG 528; HLC 466; LBW 415; LSB 850; LW 398; NCH 436; PH 420; STTL 720;; WC 669; UMH 577; WAR 569; WHM 332
O Word of God Incarnate
BH 75 140; CH 414; CHH 322; EH 632; ELW 514; HWC 269; HLC 219; HSP 111; LBW 231; LSB 523; LW 335; NCH 315; PH 327; RH 229; WC 310; UMH 598; WAR 670; WIS 91
Lord of All Hopefulness
EH 482; ELW 765; HS 98 886; LBW 469; LSB 738; TFWS 2197; WC 369; WAR 489
Invocation
Pastor / Worship Leader
The Lord is gracious to all. He is compassionate and good.
Worshipers
We are His handiwork, and we praise the Lord! His love shows no prejudice or favoritism. He is generous and kind.
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor / Worship Leader
Lord, You are faithful and kind, merciful and just. We love being Your children; we love Your love. Draw us near as we draw near to You. Remind us to treat others the way You treat them. Where we are stuck and stubborn in our ways, soften our hearts today as we hear Your Word.
Worshipers
We ready our hearts and minds to hear Your Word. Amen.
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor / Worship Leader
Lord, when we look at Your good character and compare ourselves to You, there is nothing to measure but the gap between us and You.
Worshipers
There is no goodness except Yours, Lord.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Our sin separates us from You for You are perfect and we are not.
Worshipers
We confess that we are sinners and we have wronged You.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Forgive us, Lord! You filled the gap with the cross on which Jesus died in our place. You’ve bridged the gap and have extended Your love to us.
Worshipers
Thank You, Lord. Thank you! Amen.
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Jonah 3:10-4:11
God relented and did not bring destruction on the people of Nineveh after they repented. Jonah was angry with God and the Lord discussed the matter with him.
10 When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened.
1 But to Jonah this seemed very wrong, and he became angry. 2 He prayed to the Lord, “Isn’t this what I said, Lord, when I was still at home? That is what I tried to forestall by fleeing to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity. 3 Now, Lord, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live.” 4 But the Lord replied, “Is it right for you to be angry?” 5 Jonah had gone out and sat down at a place east of the city. There he made himself a shelter, sat in its shade and waited to see what would happen to the city. 6 Then the Lord God provided a leafy plant and made it grow up over Jonah to give shade for his head to ease his discomfort, and Jonah was very happy about the plant. 7 But at dawn the next day God provided a worm, which chewed the plant so that it withered. 8 When the sun rose, God provided a scorching east wind, and the sun blazed on Jonah’s head so that he grew faint. He wanted to die, and said, “It would be better for me to die than to live.” 9 But God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?” “It is,” he said. “And I’m so angry I wish I were dead.” 10 But the Lord said, “You have been concerned about this plant, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. 11 And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left—and also many animals?”
