10 01 23 Eighteenth Sunday After Pentecost

Welcome
 
Remembering Whose We Are
Leader: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
All: Amen
 
Opening Prayer
 
Confessing Of Sin
Leader: Let us confess our sins to God our Father.

All: I, a poor sinner, plead guilty before You of all sins. I have lived as if You did not matter and as if I mattered most. Your name I have not honored as I should; my worship and prayers have faltered. I have not let Your love have its way with me, and so my love for others has failed. There are those whom I have hurt, and those whom I have failed to help. My thoughts and desires have been soiled with sin. I am sorry for all of this and ask for grace. I want to do better.

Absolution
 
Songs
“As It Is In Heaven”
“Way Maker”

First Scripture Reading:
Ezekiel 18:25-32 (Pew Bible pg.1207)
[25] “Yet you say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ Hear, you Israelites: Is my way unjust? Is it not your ways that are unjust? [26] If a righteous person turns from their righteousness and commits sin, they will die for it; because of the sin they have committed they will die. [27] But if a wicked person turns away from the wickedness they have committed and does what is just and right, they will save their life. [28] Because they consider all the offenses they have committed and turn away from them, that person will surely live; they will not die. [29] Yet the Israelites say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ Are my ways unjust, people of Israel? Is it not your ways that are unjust? [30] “Therefore, you Israelites, I will judge each of you according to your own ways, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall. [31] Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, people of Israel? [32] For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live!

Sermon Scripture Reading
Matthew 21:23-32 (Pew Bible pg.1406)
[23] Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you this authority?” [24] Jesus replied, “I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. [25] John’s baptism—where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or of human origin?” They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ [26] But if we say, ‘Of human origin’—we are afraid of the people, for they all hold that John was a prophet.” [27] So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.” Then he said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things. [28] “What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’ [29] “ ‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. [30] “Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go. [31] “Which of the two did what his father wanted?” “The first,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. [32] For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.
 
Children’s Message

Little Worship
Children 4 years of age through 4th grade are invited to follow the cross in the center aisle to Little Worship. Parents are welcome to accompany their children. Children will return after the Sermon Teaching. If your child is attending Little Worship for the first time, please walk out to the lobby with your child and the Little Worship Leader will be there to greet you.
 
Sermon Teaching
Our Just God

Tithes and Offering
Song: “What A Friend We Have In Jesus”

In Whom Do We Believe? The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty. From thence he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
 
Prayers Of The Day

The Lord’s Prayer
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.
 
Celebrating The Lord’s Supper
“Lamb Of God”
“Our Father”

Blessing
 
Sending Song
“Today Is The Day”