S77 W18426 Janesville Rd, Muskego, WI 53150
CROSS-BEARING PEOPLE: LABORERS IN A GENEROUS HARVEST
Matthew narrates one of Jesus’ controversial parables in which Jesus says that the reign of God is like that of a landowner who pays his workers the same wage no matter what time of day they began to work. When God changes God’s mind about punishing Nineveh for their evil ways, Jonah is angry. Yet God is gracious and merciful, abounding in steadfast love. 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.
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.
The word is near you, on your lips and in your heart. If you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ.
Confession and Forgiveness
Blessed be the holy Trinity, one God, who creates, redeems, and sustains us and all of creation. Amen.
Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another.
(Silence is kept for reflection.)
Faithful God,
Have mercy on us. We confess that we are captive to sin and cannot free ourselves. We turn from your loving embrace and go our own ways. We pass judgment on one another before examining ourselves. We place our own needs before those of our neighbors. We keep your gift of salvation to ourselves. Make us humble, cast away our transgressions, and turn us again to life in you through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
God hears the cries of all who call out in need, and through his death and resurrection, Christ has made us his own. Hear the truth that God proclaims: Your sins are forgiven in the name of + Jesus Christ. Led by the Holy Spirit, live in freedom and newness to do God’s work in the world.
Amen.
Prayer of the Day
Almighty and eternal God, you show perpetual and loving kindness to us, your servants. Because we cannot rely on our own abilities, grant us your merciful judgment, and train us to embody the generosity of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
AS MARTIN LUTHER WROTE, IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD WE ARE ALL BEGGARS.
The laborers in God’s kingdom are God’s children. No matter how or when they come into the fold, they are beloved and entitled to all the benefits of God’s kingdom
As cross-bearing people, we are called to justice. . .God’s justice, which tips in its balance toward mercy.
We are called to make amends for the times we’ve tried to keep our siblings out of the family of God. We are asked to continue to take up the cross on behalf of all who are “new comers” - not relegating worth in terms of their labor - but as family - united in God’s kingdom of love.
APOSTLES' CREED
I BELIEVE IN GOD, THE FATHER ALMIGHTY, CREATOR OF HEAVEN AND EARTH.
I BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST, HIS ONLY SON, OUR LORD.
HE WAS CONCEIVED BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AND BORN OF THE VIRGIN MARY.
HE SUFFERED UNDER PONTIUS PILATE, WAS CRUCIFIED, DIED, AND WAS BURIED.
HE DESCENDED INTO HELL. ON THE THIRD DAY HE ROSE AGAIN.
HE ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN, AND IS SEATED AT THE RIGHT HAND OF THE FATHER.
HE WILL COME AGAIN 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
Drawn together in the compassion of God, we pray for the church, the world, and all those in need.
A brief silence
Generous God, you make the last first, and the first last. Where this gospel challenges the church, equip it for its works of service. Strengthen those who suffer for Christ. Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Sun and wind, bushes and worms, cattle and great cities—nothing in creation is outside your concern, mighty God. In your mercy, tend to it all. Give us a spirit of generosity toward all you have made. Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Where we find envy and create enemies, you provide enough for all. Bring peace to places of conflict and violence. Inspire leaders with creativity and wisdom. Bless the work of negotiators, peacekeepers, and development workers. Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Reveal yourself to all in need as you are gracious and merciful, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love, ready to relent from punishing. Accompany judges and lawyers, victims of crime and those serving sentences. Give fruitful labor and a livelihood to those seeking work. Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Even beyond our expectations, you choose to give generously. Grant life, health, and courage to all who are in need. Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
We praise you for the generations that have declared our power to us. Give us faithfulness to follow them, living for Christ, until you call us to join them in the joyful song around his throne. Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
All these things and whatever else you see that we need, we entrust to your mercy; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE LORD'S PRAYER & BLESSING
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.
Blessing
Mothering God, Father, + Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you and lead you into the way of truth and life.
Amen.
DISMISSAL
Go in peace. Christ is with you.
Thanks be to God. †
END OF WORSHIP
PRESS LINK FOR WEEKLY BULLETIN, BELOW