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“Still Fed by God, Still Feeding Others”

Introduction 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.

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Welcome to worship at Bethlehem Lutheran Church.

We hope that your worship in our community strengthens your faith and brings you peace and joy.

Bethlehem has adopted an affirmation of welcome to persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities and is recognized as Reconciling in Christ (reconcilingworks.org). We welcome everyone regardless of age, race, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental challenges, financial resources, or family status, and we invite everyone to participate fully in worship and all that is ours in Christ. Candles are a visible sign of our prayers. Feel free to light a candle during the worship time or before the service. All candles may be extinguished after worship is concluded, signifying that our loving God has heard our prayers. Children are always welcome! We love having children participate in worship and they are encouraged to sing and read along.

Worship Services are currently held via Facebook Live. Everyone is welcome to join us Sunday mornings at 10:00 a.m. at:

https://www.facebook.com/BethlehemBLCLife

Welcome!

Bethlehem Lutheran Church A Reconciling in Christ Congregation

since December 3, 2017

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America 8922 Little River Turnpike – Fairfax, VA Church Office 703.978.3131 blclife.org

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WORSHIP NOTES A Special Welcome to All Our Guests! The name of our church, Bethlehem (Hebrew for “house of bread”), reminds us that Jesus always feeds us through our good times…and especially through our difficult days, our drought. A shepherd, like the shepherds around Bethlehem, both nudges the sheep and lovingly watches over them in danger. Our hope is that you are both nudged and comforted today by the amazing grace of Jesus Christ, our Good Shepherd. Please plan to stay with us after the service for refreshments and conversation. We are thankful that you are here! Large Print: A few large print copies of this service are available from the ushers. Sermon Podcasts and Manuscript: Podcasts of the sermon can now be downloaded in iTunes, search: “Pastor Dans Sermons”. The audio file, manuscript, plus a discussion forum is at Pastor Dan’s blog, www.themangerfairfax.blogspot.com An Invitation: Are you looking for a church home? If so, we invite you to become part of this wonderful community of faith. Come back again! Would you like more information about our ministry? Please visit our website www.blclife.org or make an appointment with Pastor Dan. Our Cover for this Sunday: Today’s cover art is "The Workers in the Vineyard" by Kazakhstan Artist Nelly Bube. All rights reserved. Used by permission of the artist. Nelly Bube was born in 1946 in Karaganda, Kazakhstan. She now lives and works in Almaty, the largest city in Kazakhstan. Since 1998, Bube has exhibited in the State Museum of arts and private galleries in Almaty. The main themes in the works of Nelly Bube are life and culture of nomads, art and the petroglyphs of Kazakhstan, and cities and architectural monuments of Central Asia. In 2000, the artist turned to illustrating the Bible and created thirty paintings, including forty of the parables of Jesus Christ.

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BETHLEHEM LUTHERAN CHURCH

Discovering, Celebrating, Sharing

PRELUDE “A Song of Peace” WELCOME The pastor welcomes all and shares any notes pertaining to the worship. CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS All may make the sign of the cross (signified with this ☩), the sign marked at baptism: 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.

(Scripture used in the liturgy)

(I John 1:9)

(Romans 15:7)

(Psalm 33:5)

GATHERING Word Meal Sending

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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.

(Romans 15:7)

(Romans 5:5)

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GATHERING HYMN The assembly responds to and proclaims the spoken Word of God now in song. “Golden Breaks the Dawn” Hymnal 852 Qing zao qilai kan

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HYMN OF PRAISE Hymnal 164

GREETING The presiding minister and the assembly signal the gathering of God’s people with the ancient Trinitarian 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.

(2 Corinthians 13:13)

(Matthew 15:22)

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PRAYER OF THE DAY

Let us pray. Almighty and eternal God, you show perpetual lovingkindness 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.

FIRST READING: Jonah 3:10–4:11 After Jonah’s short sermon in 3:4, the Ninevites all repented and God decided to spare the city. Jonah objected to this and became even more angry when God ordered a worm to destroy a plant that was providing 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 shouldn’t I be concerned about a hundred and twenty thousand Ninevites? A reading from Jonah. 10When God saw what the people of Ninevah did, how they turned from

their evil ways, God changed his mind about the calamity that he had

said he would bring upon them; and he did not do it.

4:1But this was very displeasing to Jonah, and he became angry. 2He

prayed to the LORD and said, “O LORD! Is not this what I said while I

was still in my own country? That is why I fled to Tarshish at the

beginning; for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to

anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and ready to relent from

punishing. 3And now, O LORD, please take my life from me, for it is

better for me to die than to live.” 4And the LORD said, “Is it right for you

to be angry?” 5Then Jonah went out of the city and sat down east of the

Gathering WORD Meal Sending

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city, and made a booth for himself there. He sat under it in the shade,

waiting to see what would become of the city.

6The LORD God appointed a bush, and made it come up over Jonah,

to give shade over his head, to save him from his discomfort; so Jonah

was very happy about the bush. 7But when dawn came up the next day,

God appointed a worm that attacked the bush, so that it withered. 8When the sun rose, God prepared a sultry east wind, and the sun beat

down on the head of Jonah so that he was faint and asked that he might

die. He said, “It is better for me to die than to live.”

9But God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry about the

bush?” And he said, “Yes, angry enough to die.” 10Then the LORD said,

“You are concerned about the bush, for which you did not labor and

which you did not grow; it came into being in a night and perished in a

night. 11And should I not be concerned about Nineveh, that great city, in

which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand persons who

do not know their right hand from their left, and also many animals?”

Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God.

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PSALM: Psalm 145:1-8 The Psalm is read responsively 1I will exalt you, my God and king,

and bless your name forever and ever.

2Every day will I bless you

and praise your name forever and ever.

3Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised!

There is no end to your greatness.

4One generation shall praise your works to another

and shall declare your power.

5I will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty

and all your marvelous works.

6They shall tell of the might of your wondrous acts,

and I will recount your greatness.

7They shall publish the remembrance of your great goodness;

they shall sing joyfully of your righteousness.

8The LORD is gracious and full of compassion,

slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

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SECOND READING: Philippians 1:21-30 Paul writes to the 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. A reading from Philippians. 21For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain. 22If I am to live in the flesh,

that means fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which I prefer. 23I am

hard pressed between the two: my desire is to depart and be with Christ,

for that is far better; 24but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for

you. 25Since I am convinced of this, I know that I will remain and

continue with all of you for your progress and joy in faith, 26so that I may

share abundantly in your boasting in Christ Jesus when I come to you

again.

27Only, live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so

that, whether I come and see you or am absent and hear about you, I

will know that you are standing firm in one spirit, striving side by side

with one mind for the faith of the gospel, 28and are in no way

intimidated by your opponents. For them this is evidence of their

destruction, but of your salvation. And this is God’s doing. 29For he has

graciously granted you the privilege not only of believing in Christ, but

of suffering for him as well—30since you are having the same struggle

that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.

Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God. CHILDREN’S TALK A time for children to hear what is at the heart of the texts for today.

(Mark 10:14)

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The assembly welcomes the Word with songs. Holy Scripture is brought down into the midst of the people, symbolic of the Living Word dwelling in our midst. GOSPEL ACCLAMATION “Open Your Ears, O Faithful People” Hymnal 519

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GOSPEL: Matthew 20:1-16 Jesus tells a parable about God’s generosity, challenging the common assumption that God rewards people according to what they have earned or deserve. The Holy Gospel according to Matthew. Glory to you, O Lord.

Jesus said to the disciples: 1“The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2After agreeing with the laborers for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. 3When he went out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace; 4and he said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ So they went. 5When he went out again about noon and about three o’clock, he did the same. 6And 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?’ 7They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard.’ 8When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, ‘Call the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first.’ 9When those hired about five o’clock came, each of them received the usual daily wage. 10Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage. 11And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner, 12saying, ‘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.’ 13But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? 14Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. 15Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ 16So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.

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Please be seated. SERMON

HYMN OF THE DAY The assembly responds to and proclaims the spoken Word of God now in song. The Hymn of the Day might be understood as the congregation’s sermon.

“There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy” Hymnal 588

(1 Timothy 4:13)

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THE APOSTLES CREED

With the whole church, let us confess our faith. I believe in God, the Father almighty,

creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come 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.

Dating back as early as the 4th century, the creed is a confession of the faith of the assembly. It is historically ecumenical and structurally trinitarian. This is a resurrection statement.

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PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION Having received the Word of God’s relentless grace and faithfulness, we can’t help but turn outward and pray for others. The love of Christ compels us. The minister leads the congregation in prayer. Each petition of the prayers concludes:

… Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

The prayers conclude: All these things and whatever else you see that we need, we entrust to your mercy; through Christ our Lord. Amen. PEACE

The peace of Christ be with you always. And also with you. Offering the peace of Christ is far more than a quick hello and “How ya doin’?”: It is the embodiment of conflicts forgiven, wars ended, even death destroyed. Jesus’ resurrection offers true peace.

OFFERING Loving God, we joyfully release what you have entrusted to us¾our selves, our time and our possessions, signs of your gracious love. Receive them for the sake of him who offered himself for us, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

(John 20:19)

(I Timothy 2:1-2)

Gathering Word MEAL Sending

(2 Corinthians 9:7)

(Romans 8:26)

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OFFERING MUSIC “The Trusting Heart to Jesus Clings” The Offering is one of the "consequences of God's grace" (Christ in our Home daily devotion for July 14, 2020). All are invited to respond to God with joyful hearts by giving regularly, tithing (giving proportionally), and/or donating to the ministries of Bethlehem Lutheran in Fairfax, VA at BLClife.org (left hand column). You can now also Give-by-Text: 844-804-9092. (Simply text “assist” to this # and follow the instructions. This can easily be set to repeat each week.) Thankful for your faithfulness and trust in God. GATHERING OF GIFTS “Let the Vineyards Be Fruitful” Hymnal 184

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OFFERING PRAYER The minister leads the following prayer. Let us pray. Silence is kept for reflection. Blessed are you, O God, maker of all things. You have set before us these gifts of your good creation. Prepare us for your heavenly banquet, nourish us with this rich Word and Sacrament, and send us forth to set tables in the midst of a suffering world, through the bread of life, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen. GREAT THANKSGIVING DIALOGUE The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise.

(Exodus 35:5)

(Psalm 89:2)

(Lamentations 3:41)

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PREFACE It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God, through our Savior Jesus Christ; who on this day overcame death and the grave, and by his glorious resurrection opened to us the way of everlasting life. And so, with all the choirs of angels, with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn: SANCTUS

(Isaiah 6:3)

(Matthew 21:9)

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EUCHARISTIC PRAYER God of our weary years, God of our silent tears,

you have brought us this far along the way. In times of bitterness you did not abandon us,

but guided us into the path of love and light. In every age you sent prophets

to make known your loving will for all humanity. The cry of the poor has become your own cry;

our hunger and thirst for justice is your own desire. In the fullness of time, you sent your chosen servant

to preach good news to the afflicted, to break bread with the outcast and despised, and to ransom those in bondage to prejudice and sin.

In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.

Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.

For as often as we eat of this bread and drink from this cup we proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. Remembering, therefore, his death and resurrection,

we await the day when Jesus shall return to free all the earth from the bonds of slavery and death.

Come, Lord Jesus! And let the church say, Amen. Amen.

(Isaiah 6:3)

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Send your Holy Spirit, our advocate, to fill the hearts of all who share this bread and cup with courage and wisdom to pursue love and justice in all the world.

Come, Spirit of freedom! And let the church say, Amen Amen. Join our prayers and praise with your prophets and martyrs of every age,

that, rejoicing in the hope of the resurrection, we might live in the freedom and hope of your Son.

Through him, with him, in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, almighty Father, now and forever. Amen. LORD’S PRAYER Lord remember us in your love, 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.

(Matthew 6:9-13)

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INVITATION TO COMMUNION All are welcome to commune at Bethlehem, which means “house of bread.” Those who would like may instead receive simply a blessing by crossing their arms over their heart God’s love is poured out in Christ for you. You are welcome at this table.

When giving the bread and cup, the communion minister says: The body of Christ, given for you. The blood of Christ, shed for you. and each person may respond, Amen.

ANNOUNCEMENTS Brief announcements may be made, especially those related to the assembly’s participation in God’s mission in the world. BLESSING The presiding minister proclaims God’s blessing. Mothering God, Creator, ☩ Christ, and Holy Spirit, bless you and lead you into the way of truth and life. Amen

(Numbers 6:23-26)

Gathering Word Meal SENDING

(Luke 22:19)

(Luke 24:35)

(Romans 8:39)

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SENDING HYMN “On Our Way Rejoicing” Hymnal 537 All children are invited to pick up an instrument and add joyful sounds to our Sending Song. Following the cross of Christ, the children lead the assembly back out into the world in service and hope.

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DISMISSAL The minister sends the assembly out and into mission. Fed and forgiven, our feet now follow our prayers. Go in peace. Remember the poor. Thanks be to God. Postlude “Till We Meet Again”

TODAY, September 20, 2020

Pastor Dan will be at the church from 11:00am - 12:00pm to offer Holy Communion.

When you arrive at Bethlehem,

You may park in the back lot and walk up to the Fire Station Door to receive communion.

or if you prefer,

Just drive up to the Fire Station Door and receive the sacrament from your car.

If you would like Holy Communion brought to your home, please

email Pastor Dan and he will be glad to bring it to you.

Please wear a mask and observe social distancing.

(Matthew 28:20b)

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Text and music from Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2019 Augsburg Fortress.

All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License.

Hymns reprinted with permission of CCLI License No. 14519, LicenSingOnline No, 600997, and OneLicense No. A-701485

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the

Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Permission to podcast / stream the music in this service obtained from ONE

LICENSE with license No. A-701485. All rights reserved.

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Coming Up Next Week

Readings for Sunday, September 27, 2020

Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32 The fairness of God’s way

Psalm 25:1-9 Remember, O LORD, your compassion and love. (Ps. 25:6)

Philippians 2:1-13 Christ humbled to the point of death on a cross

Matthew 21:23-32 A parable of doing God’s will

Birthdays Last Week Jay Sharp, September 13th

Kristin Haynes, September 17th Val Sharp, September 18th

Laura Smith, September 19th

Birthdays This Week Michele Haselbarth, September 20th

Mitzi Hendrick, September 23rd

Baptismal Birthdays this Week

Anniversaries this Week Jim & Judy Myers, September 21st

Joe & Nadine Jones, September 23rd Carl & Marlene Becker, September 26th

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This Week’s Commemorations:

Nelson Wesley Trout, bishop, died 1996 (TFF) Sunday, September 20, 2020 A native of Ohio, Trout served parishes in several parts of the United States before being elected bishop of the South Pacific District of the American Lutheran Church, the first African American Lutheran to serve in such a capacity.

Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist Monday, September 21, 2020

Matthew (or Levi) was a tax collector in Capernaum for the Roman government. Tax

collectors were frequently despised for dishonesty and for assisting the occupiers.

Jesus nevertheless showed love for them, and chose Matthew to be a disciple.

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Hymn Notes "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1 The text for There's A Wideness in God's Mercy was written by Frederick Faber (1814-1863). Faber was ordained in the Church of England, but at the age of thirty-one, he converted to Roman Catholicism and became a Catholic priest. In 1894, Faber decided to open an oratory--a place of prayer in London. The word 'oratory' comes from the Latin 'oratorio'. which is often used to describe a composition uniting a biblical text with music. When Faber opened his oratory, it soon became a place of both prayer and music, much like the famous Oratory in Rome. Faber was concerned that British Roman Catholics did not have a heritage of hymnwriters like Isaac Watts, Charles Wesley, and John Newton. So he began writing hymns so that Catholics, too, could be a hymn-singing people. Just as there is 'a wideness in God's mercy', so was there a breadth to Faber's hymns, which soon became more familiar to Protestants than to Catholics. The music set to Faber's text is a North American 19th century melody. Faber's text was also set to music by Calvin Hampton (1938-1984). Scripture:Psalm 86:15; Psalm 100:3-5; Ephesians 1:6-8 VCS Excerpt from “Hymns” by W. J. & A. Petersen

Excerpt from: “Hymns” by W. J. & A. Petersen and “Then Sings My Soul” by R. J. Morgan. Excerpt from: “Hymns” by W. J. & A. Petersen, “Then Sings My Soul” by R. J. Morgan, and ELW Hymnal Companion. Excerpt from ELW Hymnal Companion

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BLC PRAYER RING

Prayer requests are given to members of our Prayer Ring by email, including whatever details you choose to provide about your prayer need, and are also printed in our Sunday bulletin without details, so that our congregation may join in the prayers. Remembering Friends (people who are unable to come to church)…

Sylvia Betty Michele Prayer Concerns… Dave Bonnie’s sister May Mattie (Shelley) Lucy (Susan) Claudia (Bonnie) Bonnie Debbie (Marylou) Val Jerry (Bonnie) Ruth Jessica (Janet) Margaret Duke (Bonnie) Barbara (Michael & Eileen) June (Michele) Sandy and family (Kristin) Mary & Jay (Ann) David (Pastor Dan) Elizabeth (Marie R.) Bill (Bonnie) Benjamin (Amy) Elise (Helen) Please pray for all those at home and overseas in the armed, diplomatic, and humanitarian services of our country, and for their families:

Kathryn Chris Kathy Logan (Bernice’s grandson) Nick (Janet’s nephew) Henry & Wendy and family

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BETHLEHEM LUTHERAN CHURCH 8922 Little River Turnpike, Fairfax, VA 22031

Phone: 703.978.3131 e-mail: bethlehemlutheran1@gmail.com

website: www.blclife.org

Ministers: People of the Congregation

Pastor: The Rev. Daniel Roschke email: pastor.blcfairfax@gmail.com

Office hours: Monday-Thursday, and as arranged

Pastor Dan’s Blog: https://themangerfairfax.blogspot.com/

Minister of Music: Esther Cho

Music Accompanist: Jenny Kong

Administrator: Marie Bakke email: bakkemarie@gmail.com

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Bethlehem Lutheran Church A Reconciling in Christ congregation

since December 3, 2017