Matthew 21:33-46; Isaiah 5:1-7 | Throughout Scripture, we often hear illustrations of vineyards and grapes, pointing to God’s careful nurturing of God’s people to bear fruit. God, through Christ, has given us a sure foundation upon which to align ourselves to God’s mission and to build upon as people of God’s Kingdom. And yet, if we were to take a close look at the fruit that’s growing in the vineyard of our lives, our congregation, and the greater church, what would we find? Would we discover good, rich fruit? Or, rotten fruit? Or, simply green bushes with no fruit? Though we are not saved by our fruit – it is only through Christ that we are redeemed – the fruit born of us reflects how we are living out our full potential as people created and chosen by God. So, as we realign ourselves with Christ as our cornerstone, join us, as we receive the one who was rejected for our sake and commissions us to become God’s living temple.
Sunday, October 4, 2026, Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Copyright acknowledgements: Music covered under Augsburg Fortress License #SB135131, CCLI License #1141706, One License #738128-A. Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. Liturgy: Text Acknowledgement for Behold, I Make All Things New. Music: Benjamin Splichal Larson. Purchased by SOTC, 2019. Gathering: Accept, O Lord, the Gifts We Bring. Text: Beth Bergeron Folkemer, b. 1957. Music: English folk tune; arr. Alice Parker, b. 1925. Text: © 1990 Augsburg Fortress. and Music: © 1995 Augsburg Fortress. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of the Day: My Lord of Light. Text: Christopher Idle, b. 1938. Music: English folk tune; arr. Alice Parker b. 1925. Text: © 1980 by Jubilate Hymns, admin. Hope Publishing Company. Music: © 1995 Augsburg Fortress. Covered under One License subscription. Communion Song: The Gardener. Text and Music: Ben Shive, Maria Roate, Sarah Quaglia. Text and Music: © 2024 Beehive Songs (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) Fiat Music (Admin. by Integrity Music) The Sounds Of Running Club Songs (Admin. by Integrity Music) Remaining portion is unaffi liated. Covered under CCLI subscription. Sending Song: Build Us Up, Lord. Text and Music: Mark Glaeser, b. 1956, and Donna Hanna, b. 1952. Text andMusic: © 2003 Augsburg Fortress. Covered under One License subscription.