Sunday BETWEEN 2 and 8 OCT (Proper 22), year A

2020 - 04 October (18th Sunday after Pentecost)
2023 - 08 October (19th Sunday after Pentecost)
2026 - 04 October (19th Sunday after Pentecost)
2029 - 07 October (20th Sunday after Pentecost)
2032 - 03 October (20th Sunday after Pentecost)
2035 - 07 October (21st Sunday after Pentecost)
2038 - 03 October (16th Sunday after Pentecost)

Note: For explanations and suggestions on the various resources provided, see the documents 'General notes and resources' and 'Time after Pentecost' in the 'General and seasonal' folder.

LITURGY

Sentence
See the document 'General notes and resources', under 'Sentence', in the 'General and seasonal' folder for suggestions on using a Sentence.

We do not have a righteousness of our own that comes from the law,
but one that comes through faith in Christ, 
the righteousness from God based on faith.  
(Phil 3:9 based on NRSV)

OR, use one of the general Sentences in the document 'General notes and resources', under 'Sentence', in the 'General and seasonal' folder.

INTRODUCTION TO CONFESSION
In some traditions, it is customary to recite the Ten Commandments before the confession of sins. If the first reading (1a) is used, consider reading it at this point in the service rather than after the prayer of the day (collect). 

OR
Use the following introduction.

Friends in Christ:
These are the words that God spoke to the people of Israel:

I am the Lord your God.
Do not have any god except me.
Do not misuse the name of the Lord your God.
Remember God's special day and keep it holy.
Respect your father and your mother.
Do not murder.
Do not be unfaithful in marriage.
Do not steal.
Do not tell lies about anyone.
Do not want anyone else's house.
Do not want anyone else's husband or wife, servants, animals or possessions.

God says: 
I am the Lord your God, 
and I demand all your love. 
If you reject me, 
I will punish your families
for three or four generations. 
But if your love me, 
and obey my laws, 
I will be kind to your families
for thousands of generations.

Knowing that we have failed to keep the law of God, 
let us confess our sins to God our Father, 
and ask him, for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
to forgive us.

The usual confession and questions follow.
After the questions of confession, before the absolution, the pastor may say:

St Paul reminds us 
that we do not have a righteousness of our own 
that comes from the law, 
but we have a righteousness that comes from God 
through faith in Christ. 
Therefore, upon your confession . . . 

PRAYER OF THE DAY (COLLECT)
Traditional
O almighty and most merciful God, 
in your bountiful goodness 
keep us from all things that may hurt us, 
that we may be ready both in body and soul 
cheerfully to accomplish those things 
that are according to your will; 
through your Son, 
Jesus Christ our Lord, 
who lives and reigns 
with you and the Holy Spirit, 
one God, now and forever. 
Amen.

OR, modernised traditional
Almighty and merciful God, 
in your goodness defend us 
from everything that might hurt us, 
so that we may be ready in body and soul 
to do cheerfully what is according to your will. 
We ask this through your Son, 
Jesus Christ our Lord, 
who lives and reigns 
with you and the Holy Spirit, 
one God, now and forever. 
Amen.

OR, alternative
(Let us pray that we may live by faith. [silence])
Almighty and merciful God, 
you have ordered our earthly life 
that we must walk by faith and not by sight. 
Give us such trust in your fatherly care 
that we show our faith 
by our courage in the face of all perplexities. 
We ask this through your Son, 
Jesus Christ our Lord, 
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit, 
one God, now and forever. 
Amen.

OR, new
(Let us pray that we faithfully do God's work. [silence])
Lord God, 
you have planted your church 
to be a flourishing fruitful vineyard. 
Make us loyal and productive, 
doing the work you have given us to do. 
We ask this through your Son, 
Jesus Christ our Lord, 
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit, 
one God, now and forever. 
Amen.

FIRST READING AND PSALM
Note: There are two sets of first readings (with accompanying Psalms) given for the Sundays after Pentecost: (a) a new semi-continuous set, and (b) a set related thematically to the gospels (as in the earlier form of the lectionary). It is intended that either one of these two sets be used throughout and that they not be mixed.

1a
Exodus 20:1-4,7-9,12-20 The Ten Commandments
Psalm 19
Antiphon:
The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart.  
(Ps 19:8a NIV)

OR, 1b
Isaiah 5:1-7 The song of the vineyard
Psalm 80:7-15
Antiphon:
The vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel.  
(Isa 5:7a NRSV)

SECOND READING
Philippians 3:4b-14 Everything loss compared to Christ

ALLELUIA VERSE (Matt 21:42 NRSV)
Alleluia, alleluia.
The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; 
this was the Lord's doing, and it is amazing in our eyes.
Alleluia.

GOSPEL
Matthew 21:33-46 Parable of the tenants in the vineyard
(Begin: 'Jesus said:')

PRAYER AFTER THE GOSPEL
This is the gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
Lord Jesus, thank you for letting us work in your vineyard. 
Help us to acknowledge you as God's Son, 
and be faithful and fruitful workers. 
Amen.

OFFERING PRAYER
Thank you, Lord, for making us members of your kingdom 
and calling us to be tenants in your vineyard. 
Help us to remember that you are the owner of the vineyard, 
the Lord of our lives, 
and we are responsible to you. 
Make us obedient and productive, 
serving you and other people. 
Amen.

Prayer of the Church
If using the first reading (1a) from Exodus 20, you may wish to use the prayer of the church based on the Ten Commandments. See the document 'Catechism resources' in the 'General and seasonal' folder.

OR
Call to prayer
God has given us righteousness through faith in Christ. Let us pray to him with confidence, trusting that he hears the prayers we offer in Jesus' name.

The regular response, OR:
Father, hear our prayer,
in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Suggested intercessions
*	for the church, that it may always remember that it exists for and because of Christ
*	for those who are persecuted for their faith
*	for our law makers and legislators, that they may respect the law of God
*	for athletes, sports men and women, and for all who manage and control sporting events
*	for school students on holiday

Concluding prayer
Lord, you give us confidence in you, a confidence that is based on the righteousness you have given us in Christ. Receive our prayer, and give your healing mercy to all who are in need. We pray in Jesus' name.
Amen.

PREFACE
It is indeed right and good, 
Lord God, holy Father, 
that we should at all times and in all places 
give thanks to you, 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
(On this day)* 
he overcame death by his resurrection 
and opened up for us 
the way to eternal life with you. 
And so, with angels and archangels, 
and with all the company of heaven, 
we adore and praise your glorious name:

* The words 'on this day' are used only on Sundays.

COMMUNION INVITATION
For a choice of communion invitations, see the document 'General notes and resources', under 'Communion invitation', in the 'General and seasonal' folder.

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
See the service order for a standard post-communion prayer. Alternatively, use the third prayer of the day (as listed above) at this point. It may be modified as follows.

Almighty and merciful God, 
thank you for showing your love for us 
in this sacrament. 
As we walk throughout this earthly life by faith, 
give us such trust in your fatherly care 
that we show our faith 
by our courage in the face of all perplexities. 
We ask this through your Son, 
Jesus Christ our Lord, 
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit, 
one God, now and forever. 
Amen.

DISMISSAL
Go in peace as faithful servants of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.  OR  In the name of Christ. Amen.

HYMNS AND SONGS

FOR THE READINGS
Please note:	* =	Modernised version available
	G3, G4 . . . =	Guitar chords available in the Music Package 3, 4 . . . 
	GS =	Guitar chords in the Supplement to LH

First reading (a) : Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20
LHS
261	How shall the young secure their hearts G6
264	How precious is the book divine G9
268	Lamp of our feet, whereby we trace G6
270	The law of God is good and wise G3
345	O that the Lord would guide my ways* G6
353	Holy Father, Thou hast taught me* G5
377	Take my life, and let it be* G6
AT
39	My word
120	One God
246	Thy word is a lamp 
325	Sing to God with joy
TIS
92	Sing to God with joy
102	Praise to the living God
428	Help us, O Lord, to learn
576	O for a closer walk
599	Take my life, and let it be
742	One God, one living God

First reading (b) : Isaiah 5:1-7
LHS
337	God, from all eternity* (alt tune 276, G5)
519	While yet the morn is breaking* (esp vv 1,2,4,6) G4
571	Almighty Lord, before Thy throne
AT
382	I am the vine
TIS
104	While morning still is breaking

Second reading: Philippians 3:4b-14
LHS
54	When I survey the wondrous cross G5
67	And can it be (alt tune TIS 209)
75	We sing the praise of Him who died G5
148	Jesus, the very thought of Thee G6
149	Jesus, priceless treasure* G3
152	Fairest Lord Jesus G7
327	Jesus, Thy blood and righteousness* G3
331	My hope is built on nothing less* G5
377	Take my life, and let it be* G6
789	My Lord, you wore no royal crown G6
AT
185	Jesus, Son of God and man
261	The Servant King
308	We are called to follow Jesus
TIS
203	Fairest Lord Jesus 
209	And can it be, that I should gain
256	From heaven you came, helpless babe
342	When I survey the wondrous cross 
347	We sing the praise of him who died
599	Take my life, and let it be
605	I am alone, yet not alone

Gospel: Matthew 21:33-46
LHS
70	Stricken, smitten, and afflicted* G3
248	Christ is made the sure foundation G6
249	Christ is our cornerstone
344	Our God is love, and all his saints* G6
346	Forth in Thy name, O Lord, I go G5
348	Jesus, Master, at Thy word G8
415	Whatever God ordains is good* G3
AT
125	Man more than man
140	The building block
TIS
109	What God ordains is always good
355	Man more than man
432	Christ is made the sure foundation
433	Christ is our cornerstone
571	Forth in your name, O Lord, I go

PSALM 19 
For musical settings of Psalm 19, see Music Packages 3, 5, 6 and 7.

TIS 7, The sky tells the glory of God, is a version of Psalm 19:1-5, and TIS 8, God's law is perfect, is a version of Psalm 19:7-10.

The Iona song 'May the words of my mouth' in ATO 323 may be used as a congregational refrain, while a reader reads the verses of Psalm 19.

The following paraphrase of Psalm 19 by David Schütz is sung to either St Denio (LH 392, TIS 143) or Foundation (LHS A4, TIS 578). If reproducing this version, please put 'Words (c) David Schütz' at the beginning or the end of the psalm.

Accept now, O Lord, my redeemer, my rock,
the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart.
The heavens are telling your glory and power,
your handwork is shown by the sky all around.

Though night teaches night, and though day speaks to day,
no language is heard in the words that they say.
And yet their voice goes throughout all of the world,
their words are conveyed to the end of the earth.

God set up a tent for the sun in the sky;
it comes like a bridegroom on his wedding day,
and runs, like an athlete, from morning to night,
and nothing is hidden from its burning light.

The Lord's law is perfect, reviving the soul;
his precepts are right, making saddened hearts whole.
His teachings are certain, they make us all wise;
and all his commandments give light to our eyes.

The fear of the Lord will forever endure.
His judgments are righteous and holy and pure,
far sweeter than honey, more precious than gold;
in them both a warning and promise is told.

But no-one can know all the things they've done wrong,
so cleanse me from those secret things that I've done.
From sinning intention'ly, Lord, keep me free,
then holy and blameless forever I'll be.

PSALM 80:7-15
For musical settings of Psalm 80:7-15, see Music Package 10. TIS 42, O shepherd of Israel, is a version of Psalm 80:1-3,7,14-15,17-18. Note that the hymns 'O come, O come Immanuel' (LH 2, TIS 265), 'The king of love my shepherd is' (LH 391, TIS 145), and 'Saviour, like a shepherd lead us' (LH 604*), as well as the song 'Help, O Lord, the thrown away' (AT 272), are partly based on Psalm 80.

The following paraphrase of Psalm 80:7-16 may be sung to the tune Nativity (LH 627, TIS 204) or Evan (LH 68(ii)). If reproducing this version, please put 'Words (c) David Schütz' at the beginning or the end of the psalm.

Restore us once again, O God,
and show your smiling face;
O God of power, O God of might,
show us your saving grace.

From Egypt you have brought a vine,
and, by your mighty hand,
you cleared a place, and planted it.
It grew and filled the land.

It covered mountains with its shade,
the cedars with its leaves.
Its tendrils reached the river bank,
its branches reached the sea.

Why have you broken down its walls,
so all may pluck its fruit?
The forest boar has ravaged it,
and cattle eat it too.

Turn now again, O God, and see
the vine that you have sown.
May those who burnt and cut it down,
now pay for what they've done.

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS 
For a hymn based on Martin Luther's catechism hymn of the Ten Commandments, see the document 'Catechism resources' in the 'General and seasonal' folder.

NOTES ON THE READINGS

See the document 'General notes and resources', under 'Notes on the readings', in the 'General and seasonal' folder.

EXODUS 20:1-4,7-9,12-20: This system of law is unique among religious formulations of humankind. The Ten Commandments were given not by the intermediary work of a human writer, but were voiced personally by God himself. Later they were written on stone tablets by God and given to Moses. Authority for them lies with God and therefore their validity extends to all times and peoples. The first three commandments deal with our duty towards God, the others lay down our duty to each other. Each of these commands is repeated and even enlarged on by our Lord in his teaching of love to God and the neighbour as recorded in the gospels.

ISAIAH 5:1-7: Right through history God had done a lot of work to fashion a nation of people (Abraham's descendants) to shine to his glory amidst the darkness of fallen humanity. Isaiah here compares God's love to a husband's love for his wife and God's work to the lavishment of care a vigneron freely gives the vines.  Thus God tended this people. Can anyone understand, then, the capricious sinfulness of God's people? While you would expect right to prevail in Israel and Judah, you would only find innocents' rights trampled on even with bloodshed. While you would expect holy obedience after all that work of God, all the evidence you would find was despair from the downtrodden. Sour grapes indeed, as the Lord surveyed his vineyard.

PHILIPPIANS 3:4-14: Some Jewish people in this Macedonian congregation at Philippi wanted to take these new Christians back into the old Jewish law. Paul points to his own former prominent standing as a leader in Jewish tradition and strict religious observance. It was worth nothing to him now, he says. The only thing finally worthwhile is possessing the gift of Christ's righteousness which lasts into all eternity with God. Yet having that righteousness by faith, he needs still to hold onto it with every effort he can exert. He could gladly lose his home, family, social standing and count it merely as rubbish; but once having known Christ, he could never have peace under God if he let this eternal wonder go. Therefore he would strive with every breath to maintain his 'perfection' in Christ until it was finally and fully perfected in heaven.

MATTHEW 21:33-46: In this parable, the tenants controlling the Lord's vineyard represent religious leaders of the day. This includes also those of the past who rejected, stoned, and even killed God's messengers, the prophets. Now that God's Son is finally sent, he too will meet with the same hardhearted rejection. However, those who stumble against this cornerstone do so to their own judgment. God would have a church of faithful believers. He will accordingly take the gospel from a 'national' church to a 'spiritual' body of believers. Hasn't the same pattern showed itself in the history of the church and in our own time?

VISUAL

VISUALS FOR THE READINGS
Pictures or visual symbols could be displayed on banners or the overhead screen during the readings. For instance, the first reading (1a) from Exodus could be illustrated by a simplified picture of the two tablets of the Commandments. The alternative first reading (1b) from Isaiah could be accompanied by a drawing such as the last illustration in the series in the TEV Bible illustrating Isaiah 5:1,2. The second reading could be illustrated by a drawing such as in the TEV Bible for Philippians 3:14.

DRAMA

'MEGA DRAMA'
See a drama for the day in Mega Drama resources (Openbook Publishers), originally included in these worship resources when they were released on disks.

dramatising the READINGS
The readings can be read by more than one person to make the dramatic meaning of the text clearer. For instance, the first reading (1a) could be read dramatically by two or more readers, reading the various commandments; and the gospel could be read dramatically by at least four readers: narrator (the pastor), Jesus, tenant, listener.

CHILDREN

'COME AND SEE JESUS'
The Come and See Jesus curriculum published by Openbook Publishers has a wealth of material and ideas that may be adapted for use in worship. Please note that a new edition of this material is currently available for the Revised Common Lectionary.

This week's story is 'The parable of the tenants (Matthew 21:33-46)'. Material for this story may be found in: 
Original Edition, Year C, Semester 2, 5 Lent
OR
Revised RCL Edition, Year A, Semester 2, Proper 22.