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Worship for Sunday 20th September

GreetingWelcome in the name of Jesus. Peace be with you. Amen, and also with you!

Call to worshipThe Lord our God is great and to be highly praised.We come to worship.The Lord our God is great beyond our understanding.We come to worship.The Lord our God is loving and full of mercy.We come to worship.Amen.

Light a candle

You might like to light a candle in your home as a reminder that Jesus is the light of the world, and the light of his love is always with us.

Opening PrayerWe gather to worship you, loving God.Remind us again of the glory of your creation.Teach us again the story of salvation.Inspire us again with your Spirit's sustaining presence.In the name of Christ we pray:Amen.

CollectGod, who in generous mercy sent the Holy Spiritupon your Church in the burning fire of your love:grant that your people may be ferventin the fellowship of the gospelthat, always abiding in you,they may be found steadfast in faith and active in service;through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,who is alive and reigns with you,in the unity of the Holy Spirit,one God, now and for ever.Amen.

Song: Jubilate, everybody

Confession (Saying Sorry to God)Trusting in God’s forgiveness, let us confess our failingsand acknowledge our part in the pain of the world:

For the times when we have not lived in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ:Generous God, forgive us.

For the times when we have acted according to values of this world rather than your kingdom:Generous God, forgive us.

For the times when we have resented the generosity that other people have been shown:Generous God, forgive us.

For the times we have heard your call but turned away from you:Generous God, forgive us.

For the times we have not celebrated your goodness and love:Generous God, forgive us.

We are sorry that we do not always listen,do not always hear, do not always obey;and we ask for discernment, courage and strength to be faithful to you. Amen.

God’s forgiveness is declaredMay the God of lovebring you back to himself,forgive you your sins,and assure you of his eternal lovein Jesus Christ our Lord.Amen.

Bible Reading: Matthew 16:1-20The Labourers in the Vineyard20 ‘For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire labourers for his vineyard. 2 After agreeing with the labourers for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 When he went out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the market-place; 4 and he said to them, “You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.” So they went. 5 When he went out again about noon and about three o’clock, he did the same. 6 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?” 7 They said to him, “Because no one has hired us.” He said to them, “You also go into the vineyard.” 8 When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, “Call the labourers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first.” 9 When those hired about five o’clock came, each of them received the usual daily wage. 10 Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage. 11 And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner, 12 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.” 13 But he replied to one of them, “Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage?

14 Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. 15 Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?” 16 So the last will be first, and the first will be last.’

Pause for thoughtToday we are thinking recognising the generosity that God shows us and responding with a thankful heart. To make a thankful heart, you will need:

Plain paper (pink or red would be good) Scissors Something to write with Some things to decorate your heart with, like stickers

or sequins Some string or thread for hanging

Song: Give thanks with a grateful heart

PrayersWe pray for all those who struggle to find regular work, and for those who are overworked in ‘sweatshops’. We pray for those who struggle to make ends meet,because they are low paid.Loving God, we pray for the coming of your kingdom when all will be rewarded for their labours with generosity.

We pray for those who are looking for jobs,for those who work in job centres,and for all who offer careers advice, help and support.Loving God, we pray for the coming of your kingdom when all will be valued for who they are rather than for what they do.

We pray for those in dangerous jobs:

for the emergency services,for all whose work brings them close to real dangers every day,and for all who have been injured through their work,or whose health has been adversely affected.Loving God, we pray for the coming of your kingdom when all will be safe and secure and will be healed and made whole in you.Hear our prayers, in the name of Jesus.Amen.

As our Saviour taught us, so we pray:Our Father in heaven,hallowed be your name,your kingdom come,your will be done,on earth as in heaven.Give us today our daily bread.Forgive us our sinsas we forgive those who sin against us.Lead us not into temptationbut deliver us from evil.For the kingdom, the power,and the glory are yoursnow and for ever.Amen.

Statement of FaithLet us declare our faith in God:We believe in God the Father,from whom every familyin heaven and on earth is named.

We believe in God the Son,who lives in our hearts through faith,and fills us with his love.

We believe in God the Holy Spirit,who strengthens uswith power from on high.

We believe in one God;Father, Son and Holy Spirit.Amen.

Song: Tell out my soul

Final PrayerLord, send us to work in your vineyard.May we be willing,may we be contented,and may we be productive for you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

BlessingMay God give to you and to all those you lovehis comfort and his peace,his light and his joy,in this world and the next;And the blessing of God almighty,the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,be among you and remain with you always.Amen.

EndingWe go into the worldto walk in God’s light,to rejoice in God’s loveand to reflect God’s gloryin the name of Christ, Amen.

Jubilate, everybody,Serve the Lord in all your ways, andCome before his presence singing,Enter now his courts with praise.For the Lord our God is gracious,And his mercy everylasting.Jubilate, jubilate, jubilate Deo!

Give thanks with a grateful heart,give thanks to the Holy One;give thanks, because he’s givenJesus Christ, his Son.Give thanks with a grateful heart,give thanks to the Holy One;give thanks, because he’s givenJesus Christ, his Son.And now let the weak say ‘I am strong’,let the poor say ‘I am rich’,because of what the Lord has done for us;and now let the weak say ‘I am strong’,let the poor say ‘I am rich’,because of what the Lord has done for us.Give thanks…

Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord!Unnumbered blessings give my spirit voice;Tender to me the promise of his word;In God my Saviour shall my heart rejoice.

Tell out, my soul, the greatness of his name!Make known his might, the deeds his arm has done;His mercy sure, from age to age the same;His holy name, the Lord, the mighty One.Tell out, my soul, the greatness of his might!Powers and dominions lay their glory by;Proud hearts and stubborn wills are put to flight,The hungry fed, the humble lifted high.

Tell out, my soul, the glories of his word!Firm is his promise, and his mercy sure.Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the LordTo children's children and forever more!