God is Gracious and Merciful

**Modified Worship service will be streamed live every Sunday at 10:30am on Facebook and later shared on the First Trinity web page.**

First Lutheran Church of the Trinity
Sunday September 20, 2020
Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost

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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.

Readings and Psalm

Jonah 3:10–4:11 
God’s concern for the city of Nineveh
Psalm 145:1-8 
The Lord is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. (Ps. 145:8)
Philippians 1:21-30 
Standing firm in the gospel
Matthew 20:1-16 
The parable of the vineyard workers

Semicontinuous First Reading and Psalm

Exodus 16:2-15 
Manna and quails feed the Israelites in the wilderness
Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45 
Make known the deeds of the Lord among the peoples. Hallelujah! (Ps. 105:1, 45)

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