ORDER OF WORSHIP
Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost
October 4, 2026
In today’s gospel reading, Jesus tells a vineyard parable, which serves as an image of Israel, the prophets’ mission, and Christ’s death. For Christians, the vineyard also speaks of God’s love poured out in the blood of Christ, given to us for the forgiveness of sin. Grafted onto Christ the vine at baptism, we are nourished with wine and bread so that we may share Christ’s sufferings and know the power of his resurrection.
+ GATHERING +
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRELUDE
The Church's One Foundation
arr. Don Hustad
CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
All may make the sign of the cross, the sign that is marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins.
Blessed be the holy Trinity, one God, who pours love into our hearts
and healing upon the earth.
Amen.
Confident that God justifies us by grace through faith, let us confess our sin.
Silence is kept for reflection.
Compassionate God,
we confess that we struggle to embody your goodness
in the world and in our own hearts. Creation groans from overuse.
Jealousy and bitterness strain our relationships.
Indifference keeps us from seeking justice.
Divisions disrupt your call to show genuine love to others.
Turn our hearts back to you.
Restore our world and reconcile us to one another.
Renew us to live as your holy people,
following the way of Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Hear the good news:
We have peace with God through Jesus Christ,
in whom there is no condemnation,
but only forgiveness and the promise of eternal life.
Receive freely this healing gift of grace.
Amen.
GATHERING HYMN
Tree of Life and Awesome Mystery
ELW 334
Tree of Life and awesome myst'ry,
in your death we are reborn;
though you die in all of hist'ry,
still you rise with ev'ry morn,
still you rise with ev'ry morn.
We remember truth once spoken,
love passed on through act and word;
ev'ry person lost and broken
wears the body of our Lord,
wears the body of our Lord.
Christ, you lead and we shall follow,
stumbling though our steps may be;
one with you in joy and sorrow,
we the river, you the sea,
we the river, you the sea.
Light of life beyond conceiving,
mighty Spirit of our Lord;
give new strength to our believing,
give us faith to live your word,
give us faith to live your word.
TEMPLE TALK
APOSTOLIC GREETING
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
And also with you.
KYRIE (page 138)
In peace, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For the peace from above,
and for our salvation,
let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For the peace of the whole world,
for the well-being of the Church of God,
and for the unity of all,
let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For this holy house,
and for all who offer here their worship and praise,
let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord.
Amen.
CANTICLE OF PRAISE (page 139)
Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to God’s people on earth.
Lord God, heavenly King,
almighty God and Father,
we worship you,
we give you thanks,
we praise you for your glory.
Lord Jesus Christ,
only Son of the Father,
Lord God, Lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world:
have mercy on us;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father:
receive our prayer.
For you alone are the Holy One,
you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High,
Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Let us pray.
Beloved God, you are the Source of all good things. Lead us by the inspiration of your Spirit to know what is right, and by your merciful guidance, help us to follow Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.
+ WORD +
FIRST READING:
Isaiah 5:1-7
1 I will sing for my beloved
my love song concerning his vineyard:
My beloved had a vineyard
on a very fertile hill.
2 He dug it and cleared it of stones
and planted it with choice vines;
he built a watchtower in the midst of it
and hewed out a wine vat in it;
he expected it to yield grapes,
but it yielded rotten grapes.
3 And now, inhabitants of Jerusalem
and people of Judah,
judge between me
and my vineyard.
4 What more was there to do for my vineyard
that I have not done in it?
When I expected it to yield grapes,
why did it yield rotten grapes?
5 And now I will tell you
what I will do to my vineyard.
I will remove its hedge,
and it shall be devoured;
I will break down its wall,
and it shall be trampled down.
6 I will make it a wasteland;
it shall not be pruned or hoed,
and it shall be overgrown with briers and thorns;
I will also command the clouds
that they rain no rain upon it.
7 For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts
is the house of Israel,
and the people of Judah
are his cherished garden;
he expected justice
but saw bloodshed;
righteousness
but heard a cry!
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Psalm 80:7-15 (We will read the Psalm responsively by half verse.)
7 Restore us, O God of hosts;
let your face shine upon us, and we shall be saved.
8 You have brought a vine out of Egypt;
you cast out the nations and planted it.
9 You cleared the ground for it;
it took root and filled the land.
10 The mountains were covered by its shadow
and the towering cedar trees by its boughs.
11 You stretched out its tendrils to the sea
and its branches to the river.
12 Why have you broken down its wall,
so that all who pass by pluck off its grapes?
13 The wild boar of the forest has ravaged it,
and the beasts of the field have grazed upon it.
14 Turn now, O God of hosts,
look down from heaven;
15 behold and tend this vine;
preserve what your right hand has planted.
SECOND READING:
Philippians 3:4b-14
[Paul writes:] 4b If anyone else has reason to be confident in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, a member of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.
7 Yet whatever gains I had, these I have come to regard as loss because of Christ. 8 More than that, I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and I regard them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law but one that comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God based on faith. 10 I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death, 11 if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead.
12 Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal, but I press on to lay hold of that for which Christ has laid hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider that I have laid hold of it, but one thing I have laid hold of: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal, toward the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (page 142)
Alleluia.
Lord, to whom shall we go?
You have the words of eternal life.
Alleluia.
GOSPEL:
Matthew 19:16-30
The Holy Gospel according to Matthew, the 19th chapter:
Glory to you, O Lord.
16 Then someone came to him and said, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” 17 And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is one who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.” 18 He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not bear false witness. 19 Honor your father and mother. Also, you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 20 The young man said to him, “I have kept all these; what do I still lack?” 21 Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell your possessions, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” 22 When the young man heard this word, he went away grieving, for he had many possessions.
23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” 25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astounded and said, “Then who can be saved?” 26 But Jesus looked at them and said, “For mortals it is impossible, but for God all things are possible.”
27 Then Peter said in reply, “Look, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?” 28 Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man is seated on the throne of his glory, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my name’s sake will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.
The gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
SERMON
The Rev. Dr. Olga-Maria Cruz
Silence is kept for reflection.
HYMN OF THE DAY
Voices Raised to You
ELW 845
Voices raised to you we offer;
tune them, God, for songs of praise.
Hearts and hands we bring in tribute
for your gifts through all our days.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Triune God, to you we sing!
All creation joins to praise you;
earth and sky your works display.
Art and music, gifts you lend us,
we return to you today.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
God, creator, source of life!
Christ, the song of love incarnate,
touching earth with heaven's grace,
for your living, suff'ring, dying,
for your rising, hear our praise!
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Christ, redeemer, Lord of life!
Spirit, flaming through creation,
kindle faith within each heart.
Lift our voices high in chorus;
through our hands your love impart.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Spirit, helper, breath of life!
How can any praise we offer
measure all the thanks we owe?
Take our hearts and hands and voices—
gifts of love we can bestow.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Triune God, to you we sing!
APOSTLES' CREED
With the whole church, let us confess our faith.
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s 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 to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
Reminded of God’s gracious and abundant love, we offer our prayers, confident that God hears us.
A brief silence.
God of every generation, we give thanks for all who have sought to renew and transform your holy church. Inspire us to follow their example in our own day. Please bless presiding Bishop Curry, Bishop Suárez, our synod staff, and all who gather for this week’s Conference on Ministry.
Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
God of every creature, bless and protect the earth and all those who dwell within it. We give thanks for those who have helped us to see your Spirit in creation especially Francis of Assisi, renewer of the church.
Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
God of every tribe and nation, restore peace to the world’s conflict zones, and shelter those who live within them. We pray especially for the safety of displaced people and refugees.
Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
God of every comfort, you made us in your own image. Grant healing and relief to all who are sick or suffering, especially Mary, Anne, Mabel, June, Willah, Rickey, Ann, Julie, Carol, Judy, Jeff, Gloria, Brian, James & Gray, Wil, Amy, Al, Al, Bob & Jane, Scott, Lynda, Ron & Flo, Barbara, Monica, Avery, Art, John, Abby, Colline, Tim, Arleen & Richard, Betty, Linda, Sue, Natalie, Henry, Glenn, Gary, Connie, Greg, Beverly & Ray, Helen & Ron, and Max.
Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
God of every truth, you draw us nearer to you through your holy word. We give thanks for teachers of the faith. Fill their hearts with your Spirit, that they inspire others with your truth.
Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Here other intercessions may be offered.
God of every soul, you are the one who calls us home. We give thanks for all the saints who have been restored to perfect unity with you.
Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Trusting in your boundless grace, O God, we lift up these spoken prayers and those in our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
GREETINGS OF PEACE
The peace of Christ be with you always.
And also with you.
+ MEAL +
GRATITUDE
OFFERING
You may place your offerings in the offering plate as it is passed during the service. Alternatively, some are using Tithe.ly for online giving or are using their bank’s online banking option. Whichever way you choose to give, we are grateful for your stewardship and generosity.
OFFERTORY
When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
arr. Harlan
OFFERING SONG
Let the Vineyards Be Fruitful
ELW 181
Let the vineyards be fruitful, Lord,
fill to the brim our cup of blessing.
Gather a harvest from the seeds that were sown,
that we may be fed, we may be fed with the bread of life.
Gather the hopes and the dreams of all;
unite them with the prayers we offer.
Grace our table with your presence,
and give us a foretaste of the feast to come.
OFFERING PRAYER
God of creation, you send rain and the earth springs forth abundantly.
All blessings are from you; make us generous with what we have.
Use our gifts and our abilities, and turn our hearts to service to you
and love to our neighbors, today and always.
Amen.
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
DIALOGUE (page 144)
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
PREFACE
It is indeed right, our duty and our joy,
that we should at all times and in all places
give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God,
through our Savior Jesus Christ;
who on this day overcame death and the grave,
and by his glorious resurrection opened to us the way of everlasting life.
And so, with all the choirs of angels,
with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven,
we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
HOLY, HOLY, HOLY (page 144)
Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of pow'r and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna. Hosanna. Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord
Hosanna in the highest.
THANKSGIVING AT THE TABLE
Holy, mighty, and merciful Lord,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
In great love you sent to us Jesus, your Son,
who reached out to heal the sick and suffering,
who preached good news to the poor,
and who, on the cross, opened his arms to all.
In the night in which he was handed over,
our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks;
broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying:
Take and eat; this is my body, given for you.
Do this for the remembrance of me.
Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks,
and gave it for all to drink, saying:
This cup is the new covenant in my blood,
shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin.
Do this for the remembrance of me.
Remembering, therefore, his death, resurrection, and ascension,
we await his coming in glory.
Pour out upon us the Spirit of your love, O Lord,
and unite the wills of all who share this heavenly food,
the body and blood of Jesus Christ, our Lord;
to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit,
be all honor and glory, now and forever.
Amen.
LORD'S PRAYER
Lord, remember us in your kingdom, and teach us to pray:
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.
All baptized children of God are invited to the Lord’s Table, where we receive Jesus’ very body and blood in, with, and under the bread and wine. We partake at the communion rail; gluten free bread and grape juice are available. If you wish to commune, but cannot come forward, let an usher know and we will come to you. If you do not wish to commune, you are welcome to come forward to receive a blessing. Anyone may remain at the rail for a time of personal prayer, following which you may return to your pew down the side aisle.
INVITATION TO COMMUNION
Christ invites you to this table.
All who are thirsty, all who are hungry, come!
Thanks be to God.
DISTRIBUTION OF COMMUNION
LAMB OF GOD (page 146)
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
grant us peace.
COMMUNION HYMNS
My Song is Love Unknown
ACS 962
My song is love unknown,
my Savior's love to me,
love to the loveless shown
that they might lovely be.
Oh, who am I that for my sake
my Lord should take frail flesh and die?
He came from his blest throne
salvation to bestow;
the world that was his own
would not its Savior know.
But, oh, my friend, my friend indeed,
who at my need his life did spend!
Sometimes we strew his way
and his sweet praises sing;
resounding all the day
hosannas to our king.
Then "Crucify!" is all our breath,
and for his death we thirst and cry.
We cry out; we will have
our dear Lord made away,
a murderer to save,
the prince of life to slay.
Yet cheerful he to suff'ring goes
that he his foes from thence might free.
In life no house, no home
my Lord on earth might have;
in death no friendly tomb
but what a stranger gave.
What may I say? Heav'n was his home
but mine the tomb wherein he lay.
Here might I stay and sing—
no story so divine!
Never was love, dear King,
never was grief like thine.
This is my friend, in whose sweet praise
I all my days could gladly spend!
Eat this Bread
ELW 472
"Eat this bread, drink this cup,
come to me and never be hungry.
Eat this bread, drink this cup,
trust in me and you will not thirst."
POST COMMUNION BLESSING
The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in His grace.
Amen.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Let us pray.
Sustaining God,
with this bread and cup,
you nourish us
with mercy and abundant life.
By your Spirit,
send us from this table
to serve a needy world.
Make us living signs
of your liberation,
healing, and love,
following the way of Jesus,
in whose name we pray.
Amen.
SENDING OF COMMUNION TO THE SICK AND HOMEBOUND
Gracious God, loving all your family with a mother’s tender care:
As you sent the angel to feed Elijah with heavenly bread,
assist us in this ministry on which we are sent forth.
In your love and care, nourish and strengthen
those to whom we bring this sacrament,
that through the body and blood of your Son
we all may know the comfort of your abiding presence.
Amen.
+ SENDING +
SENDING HYMN
Thine the Amen
ELW 826
Thine the amen thine the praise
alleluias angels raise
thine the everlasting head
thine the breaking of the bread
thine the glory thine the story
thine the harvest then the cup
thine the vineyard then the cup
is lifted up lifted up.
Thine the life eternally
thine the promise let there be
thine the vision thine the tree
all the earth on bended knee
gone the nailing gone the railing
gone the pleading gone the cry
gone the sighing gone the dying
what was loss lifted high.
Thine the truly thine the yes
thine the table we the guest
thine the mercy all from thee
thine the glory yet to be
then the ringing and the singing
then the end of all the war
thine the living thine the loving
evermore evermore.
Thine the kingdom thine the prize
thine the wonder full surprise
thine the banquet then the praise
then the justice of thy ways
thine the glory thine the story
then the welcome to the least
then the wonder all increasing
at thy feast at thy feast.
Thine the glory in the night
no more dying only light
thine the river thine the tree
then the Lamb eternally
then the holy holy holy
celebration jubilee
thine the splendor thine the brightness
only thee only thee.
BENEDICTION
God, the Source of glory,
God, the Word of life,
God, the Spirit of truth
bless you all, now and forever.
Amen.
DISMISSAL
Go out in joy.
Be led forth in peace.
Thanks be to God.
POSTLUDE
The Heavens Declare
Benedetto Marcello
Liturgical Text and Music from Evangelical Lutheran Worship, With One Voice, All Creation Sings, and sundaysandseasons.com, © 1995, 2006, 2020, 2022 Augsburg Fortress. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies License #SAS016761. All rights reserved.
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
The Church's One Foundation, Tune: AURELIA, Music: Samuel S. Wesley, 1810-1876, arr. Donald P. Hustad, 1918-2013, in Organ Preludes on Hymns Old and New, Arr. © 1960 Hope Publishing Company. Streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
Tree of Life and Awesome Mystery, Text and music: Marty Haugen, b. 1950, Text and music © 1984 GIA Publications, Inc, Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
Voices Raised to You, Text: Herman G. Stuempfle Jr., 1923-2007. Text © 1997 GIA Publications Inc. Music: Carolyn Jennings, b. 1936. Music © 1996 Carolyn Jennings admin Augsburg Fortress | Setting © 2009 Augsburg Fortress. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
When I Survey the Wondrous Cross, Text: Isaac Watts,1674-1748. Tune: ROCKINGHAM OLD, Edward Miller, 1735-1807, Arr. Benjamin Harlan, b. 1954. Arr. © 1996 Hal Leonard Corporation. Streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
Let the VIneyards Be Fruitful, Text: Lutheran Book of Worship. Music: Marty Haugen, b. 1950. Text © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship admin. Augsburg Fortress. Music © 2004 Augsburg Fortress. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
My Song is Love Unknown, Text: Samuel Crossman, 1624-1683, alt.. Music: John Ireland, 1879-1962. Music © 1924 John Ireland, admin. The John Ireland Trust, Music reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
Eat This Bread, Text: Taizé Community, Music: Jacques Berthier, 1923-1994. Text and music © 1984 Les Presses de Taizé, GIA Publications Inc., agent. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
Thine the Amen, Text: Herbert F. Brokering, 1926-2009, Music: Carl Schalk, 1929-2021. Text and music © 1983 Augsburg Publishing House, admin. Augsburg Fortress. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
The Heavens Declare, Music: Benedetto Marcello, 1686-1739, in Treasury of Early Organ Music, ed. E. Power Biggs, 1907-1977. Pub. Mercury Music Corporation, admin Theodore Presser Company, , Inc. Streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
