Sunday September 20, 2026
Message: David Sadler, CRE
Liturgist: Jon Loudermilk
†CALL TO WORSHIP:
One: In the realm of heaven, the first shall be last and the last shall be first.
All: For God’s generosity overturns our expectations and reshapes our lives.
One: The Holy One calls workers at every hour—early risers, midday wanderers, and late‑day laborers.
All: All are welcomed, all are valued, all are known by name and by need.
One: Let us stand firm in one Spirit and strive side by side for the gospel.
All: We come to worship the Generous Householder, whose grace is more than we deserve and exactly what we need.
†OPENING HYMN: #357 “O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee”
CALL TO CONFESSION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION:
God of generosity, we find ourselves bitter when faced with your abundant grace. We believe ourselves more deserving than others. We nurse our anger and resentment at those you forgive, instead of rejoicing in the abundant love you show. Forgive us when we wish your grace was scarce. Forgive the double standards we hold. Help us to know that we are all in need of your grace and help us rejoice as we all gratefully receive your mercy. Hear us now as we confess our sins in silence.
SILENT PRAYER OF CONFESSION: We pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
†PASSING OF THE PEACE
†CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE: # 579 “Gloria Patri”
TIME FOR ALL GOD’S CHILDREN
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION:
Faithful God, how blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.
Sanctify us by your Word and Spirit so that we may glorify you in the company of the faithful; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READINGS: Philippians 1: 21-30; Matthew 20: 1-16
One: This is the word of God for the people of God.
All: Thanks be to God.
MESSAGE: “God’s Economy” David Sadler, CRE
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH: Adapted from the Confession of 1967
The life, death, resurrection, and promised coming of Jesus Christ has set the pattern for the church’s mission. His human life involves the church in the common life of all people. His service to all commits the church to work for every form of human well-being. His suffering makes the church sensitive to all human suffering so that it sees the face of Christ in the faces of persons in every kind of need. His crucifixion discloses to the church God’s judgment on the inhumanity that marks human relations, and the awful consequences of the church’s own complicity in injustice. In the power of the risen Christ and the hope of his coming, the church sees the promise of God’s renewal of human life in society and of God’s victory over all wrong. The church follows this pattern in the form of its life and in the method of its action. To live and serve is to confess Christ as Lord.
SPECIAL MUSIC: Sami Copeland
CALL FOR GOD’S TITHES AND OUR OFFERING
†PASTORAL PRAYER AND THE LORD’S PRAYER
CLOSING HYMN: # 280 “Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound”
†BENEDICTION
†CHORAL DISMISSAL WITH BLESSING: “You Are the Vine”
One: In the realm of heaven, the first shall be last and the last shall be first.
All: For God’s generosity overturns our expectations and reshapes our lives.
One: The Holy One calls workers at every hour—early risers, midday wanderers, and late‑day laborers.
All: All are welcomed, all are valued, all are known by name and by need.
One: Let us stand firm in one Spirit and strive side by side for the gospel.
All: We come to worship the Generous Householder, whose grace is more than we deserve and exactly what we need.
†OPENING HYMN: #357 “O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee”
CALL TO CONFESSION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION:
God of generosity, we find ourselves bitter when faced with your abundant grace. We believe ourselves more deserving than others. We nurse our anger and resentment at those you forgive, instead of rejoicing in the abundant love you show. Forgive us when we wish your grace was scarce. Forgive the double standards we hold. Help us to know that we are all in need of your grace and help us rejoice as we all gratefully receive your mercy. Hear us now as we confess our sins in silence.
SILENT PRAYER OF CONFESSION: We pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
†PASSING OF THE PEACE
†CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE: # 579 “Gloria Patri”
TIME FOR ALL GOD’S CHILDREN
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION:
Faithful God, how blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.
Sanctify us by your Word and Spirit so that we may glorify you in the company of the faithful; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READINGS: Philippians 1: 21-30; Matthew 20: 1-16
One: This is the word of God for the people of God.
All: Thanks be to God.
MESSAGE: “God’s Economy” David Sadler, CRE
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH: Adapted from the Confession of 1967
The life, death, resurrection, and promised coming of Jesus Christ has set the pattern for the church’s mission. His human life involves the church in the common life of all people. His service to all commits the church to work for every form of human well-being. His suffering makes the church sensitive to all human suffering so that it sees the face of Christ in the faces of persons in every kind of need. His crucifixion discloses to the church God’s judgment on the inhumanity that marks human relations, and the awful consequences of the church’s own complicity in injustice. In the power of the risen Christ and the hope of his coming, the church sees the promise of God’s renewal of human life in society and of God’s victory over all wrong. The church follows this pattern in the form of its life and in the method of its action. To live and serve is to confess Christ as Lord.
SPECIAL MUSIC: Sami Copeland
CALL FOR GOD’S TITHES AND OUR OFFERING
†PASTORAL PRAYER AND THE LORD’S PRAYER
CLOSING HYMN: # 280 “Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound”
†BENEDICTION
†CHORAL DISMISSAL WITH BLESSING: “You Are the Vine”