September 20: 17th Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 20, Lectionary 25)
OR St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist (transferred)
17 Pentecost/Proper 20:
SOLA/LSB: Isaiah 55:6-9 (Seek the Lord; he will abundantly pardon, his ways are not our ways)
ELW/RCL: Jonah 3:10-4:11 (Jonah’s ticked at God’s mercy; God’s rejoinder)
SOLA/LSB: Psalm 27:1-9 (The Lord is my light and salvation, whom then shall I fear?)
ELW/RCL: Psalm 145:1-8 (Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised)
SOLA/LSB: Philippians 1:12-14, 19-30 (Paul’s imprisonment. To live is Christ, to die is gain; only live lives worthy of your calling in Christ)
ELW/RCL: Philippians 1:21-30 (Eliminates imprisonment)
ALL: Matthew 20:1-16 (Parable of the 11th-hour workers in the vineyard)
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St. Matthew:
Ezekiel 2:8-3:11 (Eat the scroll, O prophet; speak my words to a rebellious people)
Psalm 119:33-40 (Teach me your statutes; lead me in the way of understanding)
Ephesians 2:4-10 (By grace you have been saved! Riches of God’s mercy show in Christ)
Matthew 9:9-13 (Call of Matthew; Jesus came for sinners, not righteous)
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The hymns work well for either celebration!
Opening Hymn: There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy: LBW #290, ELW #588
OR for a Hispanic paraphrase of Psalm 27, The Lord is My Light: LSB #723
OR Seek Where You May To Find A Way: LSB #557
Hymn of the Day: Hark, the Voice of Jesus Calling: LBW #381, LSB #827
OR How Clear is Our Vocation, Lord (lovely, fairly familiar tune): LSB #853
Communion 1: For Me to Live is Jesus: LSB #742
OR O Jesus, I Have Promised: LBW #503, ELW #810
Communion 2: Lord, Whose Love in Humble Service: LBW #423, ELW #712, LSB #848
Closing Hymn: Lord of All Hopefulness: LBW #469, ELW #765, LSB #738
OR Take My Life, That I May Be: LBW #406, ELW #583/685
Take My Life, and Let It Be: LSB #783/784
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Let us approach the throne of grace on behalf of the Church, the world, and one another.
A brief silence is kept.
Thank you, Father, for calling Matthew, and us, to be your disciples and workers in your Kingdom’s vineyard! Thank you for seeking us to do your work, even when others disapprove. Give us grace to hear your call, and strength to do your will. Thank you for the wages of everlasting life and salvation, and for your pleasure in us.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Make the Church a place where all may see the fair beauty of Jesus and find a welcome in his outstretched arms. Let them hear the Gospel, respond to your call, and labor fruitfully and faithfully in your service.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for our persecuted sisters and brothers around the world. Give them courage to honor Christ in their body, to boldly speak and joyfully live the Gospel; and to know that they share in Jesus’ suffering.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Help the people of this congregation to stand firm together, striving to proclaim the Gospel in word and deed. Help us to work at whatever task pleases you. Make us glad when others begin to work alongside us, knowing that your grace has drawn them to serve you, even as it drew us.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for our young people, especially those considering a vocation to ministry and service in your Church. Give them delight in learning, and love for your people. Preserve them from the consequences of folly or malice. Use their energy to please you and to serve their neighbor.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Grant wisdom to our earthly leaders. Let them seek you while you may be found; call upon you while you are near; and govern in accordance with your holy will. Graciously grant patience, kindness, and humility to everyone, so that we may lead peaceable lives.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Thank you for Matthew, apostle and evangelist. Help us to learn from his words and grow stronger in faith toward you and in fervent love for one another.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Be the safe shelter and solid rock to everyone in times of trouble, including: {List}. Lift them high above the things that trouble them. Give patience and compassion to all caregivers, especially those whose work is long, hard, and thankless. Restore them to the joy of fellowship with those who love them.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Thank you, Father, for those we love who are now with Christ. Though we may grieve, we know that “to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Give us strength to labor cheerfully in your vineyards. Help us to share the Gospel wisely and well, following the example of the apostles and evangelists. Then, let us rejoice in the company of the redeemed, as together we see our Savior face to face.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Conform our prayers to the heart of Jesus, hear them through the interceding of your Holy Spirit, and grant them in accordance with your gracious will. Amen.
