SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27TH, 2026​​

18TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

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INTRODUCTION​

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.

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 Savior and Lord. Amen.​

FIRST READING

EZEKIEL 18:1-4, 25-32
   Ezekiel challenges those who think they cannot change because of what their
     parents were and did, or who think they cannot reverse their own previous
     behavior. God insistently invites people to turn and live.

1 The word of the Lord came to me: 2 What do you mean by repeating this
     proverb concerning the land of Israel, “The parents have eaten sour grapes, and
     the children’s teeth are set on edge”? 3 As I live, says the Lord God, this proverb
     shall no more be used by you in Israel. 4 Know that all lives are mine; the life of
     the parent as well as the life of the child is mine: it is only the person who sins
     who shall die.

     25 Yet you say, “The way of the Lord is unfair.” Hear now, O house of Israel: Is
     my way unfair? Is it not your ways that are unfair? 26 When the righteous turn
     away from their righteousness and commit iniquity, they shall die for it; for the
     iniquity that they have committed, they shall die. 27 Again, when the wicked turn
     away from the wickedness they have committed and do what is lawful and right,
     they shall save their life. 28 Because they considered and turned away from all
     the transgressions that they had committed, they shall surely live; they shall not
     die. 29 Yet the house of Israel says, “The way of the Lord is unfair.” O house of
     Israel, are my ways unfair? Is it not your ways that are unfair?

     30 Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, all of you according to your ways,
     says the Lord God. Repent and turn from all your transgressions; otherwise
     iniquity will be your ruin. 31 Cast away from you all the transgressions that you
     have committed against me, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit!
     Why will you die, O house of Israel? 32 For I have no pleasure in the death of
     anyone, says the Lord God. Turn, then, and live.

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PSALM

PSALM 25:1-9
(Response) Remember, O Lord, your compassion and love. (Ps. 25:6)

1 To you, O Lord,
I lift up my soul.
2 My God, I put my trust in you; let me not be put to shame,
nor let my enemies triumph over me.
  3 Let none who look to you be put to shame;
  rather let those be put to shame who are treacherous.
  4 Show me your ways, O Lord,
  and teach me your paths.
(Response) Remember, O Lord, your compassion and love. (Ps. 25:6)

5 Lead me in your truth and teach me,
for you are the God of my salvation; in you have I trusted all the day long.
6 Remember, O Lord, your compassion and love,
for they are from everlasting.
7 Remember not the sins of my youth and my transgressions;
remember me according to your steadfast love
        and for the sake of your goodness, O Lord.
8 You are gracious and upright, O Lord;
therefore you teach sinners in your way.
9 You lead the lowly in justice
and teach the lowly your way.
(Response) Remember, O Lord, your compassion and love. (Ps. 25:6)

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SECOND READING

PHILIPPIANS 2:1-13
As part of a call for harmony rather than self-seeking, Paul uses a very early
     Christian hymn that extols the selflessness of Christ in his obedient death on the
     cross. Christ’s selfless perspective is to be the essential perspective we share as
     the foundation for Christian accord.

1 If, then, there is any comfort in Christ, any consolation from love, any
     partnership in the Spirit, any tender affection and sympathy, 2 make my joy
     complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of
     one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or empty conceit, but in humility
     regard others as better than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not to your own
     interests but to the interests of others. 5 Let the same mind be in you that was in  
     Christ Jesus,
     6 who, though he existed in the form of God,
     did not regard equality with God
     as something to be grasped,
     7 but emptied himself,
     taking the form of a slave,
     assuming human likeness.
     And being found in appearance as a human,
     8 he humbled himself
     and became obedient to the point of death—
     even death on a cross.

     9 Therefore God exalted him even more highly
     and gave him the name
     that is above every other name,
     10 so that at the name given to Jesus
     every knee should bend,
     in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
     11 and every tongue should confess
     that Jesus Christ is Lord,
     to the glory of God the Father.
 
     12 Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed me, not only in my 
     presence but much more now in my absence, work on your own salvation with
     fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will

     and to work for his good pleasure.

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​​​​GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Alleluia. My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; I know them and they follow me. Alleluia. (John 10:27)

GOSPEL READING

MATTHEW 21:23-32
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.

23 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?” 24 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. 25 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?’ 26 But if we say, ‘Of
     human origin,’ we are afraid of the crowd, for all regard John as a prophet.” 27 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.

     28 “What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, ‘Son,
     go and work in the vineyard today.’ 29 He answered, ‘I will not,’ but later he
     changed his mind and went. 30 The father went to the second and said the same,
     and he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but he did not go. 31 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.
     32 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.”​

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Annual License #SB144368. The next Subscription Renewal Date is 2/28/2027.
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License #11327166. The next Subscription Renewal Date is 1/31/2027.

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BULLETIN FOR SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27TH, 2026