BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//https://messiahofthemountains.org///NONSGML kigkonsult.se iCalcreator 2.10.15// METHOD:PUBLISH BEGIN:VEVENT UID:20260901T013119UTC-7558lNU6VT@https://messiahofthemountains.org/ DTSTAMP:20260901T013119Z DESCRIPTION: \nWe gather each Sunday at 11:00 am for worship by singing hym ns\, hearing readings from the bible\, praying together and a celebration of Holy Communion. Communion is the spiritual bread our bodies need to liv e. All are invited to join us at the Lord's table to be fed by his heavenl y food\, There are no strangers in God’s house\, and if you choose to wors hip with us\, we would be honored by your presence.\n \nIntroduction to to days service\nMatthew narrates one of Jesus’ controversial parables in whi ch Jesus says that the reign of God is like that of a landowner who pays h is workers the same wage no matter what time of day they began to work. Wh en God changes God’s mind about punishing Nineveh for their evil ways\, Jo nah is angry. Yet God is gracious and merciful\, abounding in steadfast lo ve. In baptism we receive the grace of God that is freely given to all. As Martin Luther wrote\, in the presence of God’s mercy we are all beggars. \nPrayer of the Day\nAlmighty and eternal God\, you show perpetual lovingk indness to us your servants. Because we cannot rely on our own abilities\, grant us your merciful judgment\, and train us to embody the generosity o f your Son\, Jesus Christ\, our Savior and Lord.\n \nAmen.\n \nFirst Readi ng: Jonah 3:10—4:11\nAfter Jonah’s short sermon in 3:4\, the Ninevites all repented and God decided to spare the city. Jonah objected to this and be came even more angry when God ordered a worm to destroy a plant that was p roviding shade. The book ends with a question that challenges any who are not ready to forgive: You\, Jonah\, are all worked up about a bush\, but s houldn’t I be concerned about a hundred and twenty thousand Ninevites?\n  \nPsalm: 145:1-8\nThe Lord is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast lov e. (Ps. 145:8)\n \nSecond Reading:  Philippians 1:21-30\nPaul writes to th e Philippians from prison. Though he is uncertain about the outcome of his imprisonment\, he is committed to the ministry of the gospel and calls on the Philippians to live lives that reflect and enhance the gospel mission .\n \nGospel:  Matthew 20:1-16\nJesus tells a parable about God’s generosi ty\, challenging the common assumption that God rewards people according t o what they have earned or deserve. [Jesus said to the disciples:]\n1  “Th e kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard.\n2  After agreeing with the laborers fo r a denarius for the day\, he sent them into his vineyard.\n3  When he wen t out about nine o’clock\, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace\ ,\n4  and he said to them\, ‘You also go into the vineyard\, and I will pa y you whatever is right.’ So they went.\n5  When he went out again about n oon and about three o’clock\, he did the same.\n6  And about five o’clock he went out and found others standing around\, and he said to them\, ‘Why are you standing here idle all day?’\n 7  They said to him\, ‘Because no o ne has hired us.’ He said to them\, ‘You also go into the vineyard.’\n8  W hen evening came\, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager\, ‘Call t he laborers and give them their pay\, beginning with the last and then goi ng to the first.’\n9  When those hired about five o’clock came\, each of t hem received a denarius.\n10  Now when the first came\, they thought they would receive more\; but each of them also received a denarius.\n11  And w hen they received it\, they grumbled against the landowner\,\n12  saying\, ‘These last worked only one hour\, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’\n13  But he rep lied to one of them\, ‘Friend\, I am doing you no wrong\; did you not agre e with me for a denarius?\n14  Take what belongs to you and go\; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you.\n15  Am I not allowed to d o what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am g enerous?’\n16  So the last will be first\, and the first will be last.”\n  \nAfter the Sermon\, Holy Communion will be offered. Come as you are\, the gift of the Table of the Lord has been prepared as Jesus has requested an d now we are invited to the meal. Come to the table like Peter\, with m or e enthusiasm than resolve and like James and John\, disappointed and the p riorities of God’s reign. Come to the table like Martha\, hosting and lead ing with confidence like Mary\, full of love and grief. Come to the table like Judas\, disillusioned and rebellious and like Mary Magdalene\, faithf ul till the end. Come to the table\, because it is God who invites us and it’s God’s will that those who want to should meet God here.\nBlessing for the day (Our blessing is an adaptation of a Franciscan Prayer)\nMay God b less us with discomfort at a Easy answers\, half truths and superficial le aderships so that we may live out God’s will deep in our heartland in our world.\nMay god bless with anger at injustice\, oppression and exploration and the environments that we may work for justice\, freedom and peace.\nM ay God bless us with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain\, reject ion\, hunger and war so that we may reach out with hands and hearts to hel p them\, walk with them and turn their pain into hope and joy.\nAnd may Go d bless us with enough foolishness to believe that we can make a differenc e in this world\, so that we can do what others claim cannot be done. To b ring justice\, peace\, hope and love to all children\, the poor and all ot hers in any need.\nGod be your comfort\, your strength\;\nGod be your hope and support\;\nGod be your light and your way\; and the blessing of God C reator\, Redeemer and Giver of Life\, remain with you now and forever. htt ps://messiahofthemountains.org/events/event/701-17th-sunday-after-pentecos t-year-a-worship-service-12-00-pm-service-pastor-naomi-carriker DTSTART:20260920T150000Z DTEND:20260920T160000Z LOCATION:Messiah Of The Mountains Lutheran Church (3690 US-19E\, Burnsville \, NC 28714\, USA) SUMMARY:17th Sunday after Pentecost -- Year A - Worship Service - 12:00 PM Service -- Pastor Naomi Carriker URL:https://messiahofthemountains.org/events/event/701-17th-sunday-after-pe ntecost-year-a-worship-service-12-00-pm-service-pastor-naomi-carriker END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR