Description
Matthew 20:1-16
In this passage, Jesus shared the parable of the workers in the vineyard to illustrate God’s generosity and grace. In the parable, a landowner hires workers at various times during the day, but pays them all the same wage, causing dissatisfaction among those who worked longer hours. The kingdom of God operates on the principle of grace, not the worldly standards of fairness and merit.
We Lift Our Hearts in Worship
[Preservice options include video countdowns, worship song videos, welcomes), CDs, or live music.]
Welcome & Time of Greeting
Pastor / Worship Leader
No matter where you have been or where you are going, God’s love does not change. You are welcome here.
Worshipers
We are glad we are here to worship the Lord.
Time of Praise and Worship
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))
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)
[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
Let us pray to Almighty God, the source of all mercy and grace.
Worshipers
We open our hearts to the Lord.
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor / Worship Leader
Gracious God, we thank You for gathering us together as Your beloved children. As we dive into Your Word, open our hearts and minds to receive Your message of grace, that it may transform us and lead us to live according to Your Kingdom principles. In Jesus’ name we pray.
Worshipers
Amen.
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor / Worship Leader
In our scripture readings today, we learn that God’s grace is extended to all people regardless of their current life situation. We learn about the generosity of God and are urged to seek out God’s mercy for ourselves so that we can be comforted by His grace. Lastly, we are urged to live our lives with joy and peace as we continue on our journey with Christ. The kindness of the Lord is what leads us to repent and turn away from sin. Let us confess to our kind and gracious Father.
Worshipers
We confess that God is a gracious and loving Father who gives mercy and grace to all people. Even while we are sinners, God still loves us. He has forgiven us our many offenses through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross and His miraculous resurrection. He gives us mercy freely without requiring anything of us in return. We confess that we need this forgiveness and we accept the redemptive love of Christ. Thank you, Jesus, for the blood of Christ that washes us clean. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Jonah 3:10- 4:11
God demonstrates His abundant mercy and forgiveness by granting Nineveh a second chance to repent despite their wickedness, showing us that He is willing to forgive anyone who turns back to Him in repentant faith.
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.
4 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?” 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[a] 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?”
