Worship and Devotions

Welcome visitors and old friends. Welcome regardless of belief, ethnic background, sexual orientation, gender, socio-economic status, marital status, age, abilities, or life situation. Welcome believers and doubters as well as doubting believers. Welcome to share the fullness of Christ's love for the world!(Adapted from The welcome message from the Thomas Community in Finland. "Celebrating milestone moments" by Rev. Jukka Joensuu. Canada Lutheran January/February 2024 Vol. 39 No. 1; chorus of ELW 523)

Sunday September 27, 2026

Eighteenth Sunday After Pentecost

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.

In the beginning, the Spirit of God hovered over the waters. And God called them good.

Come Holy Spirit and cleanse the waters.

The prophet saw a river flowing from the Temple, and wherever the river flowed, everything lived.

Come Holy Spirit and renew the face of the Earth.

Jesus cried out, "Let anyone who is thirsty come to me... Out of the believer's heart shall flow rivers of living water."

Come, Holy Spirit and heal your people.

(Season of Creation Celebration Guide 2026 page 20 adapted.)

Music

Shall We Gather at the River

Shall We Gather at the River (Hymn with Lyrics)

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 Saviour and Lord. Amen.

Music

At the Name of Jesus

At the Name of Jesus - ELW 416

Readings

Text Readings

Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32; Psalm 25:1-9; Philippians 2:1-13

Gospel - Matthew 21:23-32

Semicontinuous Readings

Exodus 17:1-4, 23-16; Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16

Gospel -Matthew 21:23-32

Glory to you, O Lord.

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.

When [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?" Jesus 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. Did 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?' But if we say, 'Of human origin,' we are afraid of the crowd, for all regard John as a prophet." So 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.

"What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work in the vineyard today.' He answered, 'I will not,' but later he changed his mind and went. The father went to the second and said the same, and he answered, 'I go, sir,' but he did not go. Which 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. For 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

Music

Lift Up Your Heads

Lift Up Your Heads (ACS Accompaniment Edition) - ACS 1032 - YouTube

Prayers of Intercession

Reminded of God's gracious and abundant love, we offer our prayers, confident that God hears us.

A brief silence.

Centre your church in humility as we strive to follow in your way. Help us to listen to the cries of those who have been unfairly hurt by the church and dare to name difficult truths. Help us to show your love. Grant to our leaders, both lay and ordained, courage, wisdom, and humility. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

We pray for communities where rising seas claim communities and ancestral lands, where saltwater invades freshwater wells, where graves are washed away with memory and belonging; for those who have contributed least to climate change, yet suffer first and most. Hold them in dignity and strengthen global resolve for justice. Where water flows, Lord, let everything live, trees for food and leaves for healing. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great. (Season of Creation Celebration Guide 2026 page 25 adapted.)

You call us to care for your creation. Lead us into your promise of a better world through sustainable practices and respect for your handiwork. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Help us to remember that every child matters! We remember the Indigenous children who did not return home from residential school and pray for survivors and their families and for truth, healing, and reconciliation. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Inspire all in positions of authority to act honourably. Remind them of their call to use their authority for the sake of the community, the province and the nation. We especially ask you to be with all the candidates in the upcoming municipal elections and the upcoming provincial election and for the voters. Give us all wisdom, courage, honesty and humility. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Comfort those who come before you in fear and trembling. Calm troubled hearts with your forgiveness. Grant healing, comfort and help to all in need. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Change our congregation's heart when we say no to your call. Open us to courageous learning and service in our community, especially in new or challenging places. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Here other intercessions may be offered.

Your steadfast love holds all the saints who have finished their work and are at rest. As we grieve, remind us of your mercy so we may also give thanks. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Grant the prayers we have offered, what we have forgotten to ask, and whatever else you see we need. We ask this in Jesus' Name.

Amen.

Music

O God, My Faithful God

O God, My Faithful God - ELW 806

The Lord Now Sends Us Forth

The Lord Now Sends Us Forth - ELW 538

Blessing

May the God who sprung water from a rock, quenching the thirst of those who wandered in fear, spare us from the drought of a senseless life. May the God who flows from the wells of salvation, and who is Living Water to the foreigner, the stranger, and the unknown, keep us in peace. May the God who rolls on like a river, changing the course of the world with streams of righteousness that guide the Church's vessel in this world, empower us to work for transformation. And may the blessing of our merciful God, the Father, + the Son, and the Holy Spirit, keep us and preserve us in eternal life. Amen. (Season of Creation Celebration Guide 2026 Anglican Episcopal Church of Brazil page 28 adapted.)