SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11TH, 2026​​

20TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

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INTRODUCTION​

In Isaiah we are given a vision of the great feast to come, when God will wipe
     away death forever. In Jesus’ parable about a great banquet, those invited do not
     come, so the invitation is extended to others. In our liturgy God spreads a table
     before us. Even amid anxiety and hardship we rejoice in the peace of God which
     surpasses all understanding. With great joy we feast at the table of the Lord, and
     we go forth to share the wonderful invitation with others hungering and thirsting
     for the abundant life of God.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

Lord of the feast, you have prepared a table before all peoples and poured out
       your life with abundance. Call us again to your banquet. Strengthen us by what
       is honorable, just, and pure, and transform us into a people of righteousness
       and peace, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.​

FIRST READING

ISAIAH 25:1-9
After a hymn of praise acknowledging God as a shelter for the poor, the prophet
     portrays a wonderful victory banquet at which death—which in ancient Canaan
     was depicted as a monster swallowing up everyone—will be swallowed up
     forever. The prophet urges celebration of this victory of salvation.

1 O Lord, you are my God;
I will exalt you; I will praise your name,
for you have done wonderful things,
plans formed of old, faithful and sure.
2 For you have made the city a heap,
the fortified city a ruin;
the palace of foreigners is a city no more;
it will never be rebuilt.
3 Therefore strong peoples will glorify you;
cities of ruthless nations will fear you.
4 For you have been a refuge to the poor,
a refuge to the needy in their distress,
a shelter from the rainstorm and a shade from the heat.
When the blast of the ruthless was like a winter rainstorm,
5 the noise of foreigners like heat in a dry place,
you subdued the heat with the shade of clouds;
the song of the ruthless was stilled.

6 On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples
a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wines,
of rich food filled with marrow, of well-aged wines strained clear.
7 And he will destroy on this mountain
the shroud that is cast over all peoples,
the covering that is spread over all nations;
8 he will swallow up death forever.
Then the Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces,
and the disgrace of his people he will take away from all the earth,
for the Lord has spoken.
9 It will be said on that day,
“See, this is our God; we have waited for him, so that he might save us.
This is the Lord for whom we have waited;
let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.”

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PSALM

PSALM 23
(Response) You prepare a table before me, and my cup is running over. (Ps. 23:5)

1 The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not be in want.
2 The Lord makes me lie down in green pastures
and leads me beside still waters.
3 You restore my soul, O Lord,
and guide me along right pathways for your name’s sake.
4 Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil;
for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
(Response) You prepare a table before me, and my cup is running over. (Ps. 23:5)

5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil, and my cup is running over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

(Response) You prepare a table before me, and my cup is running over. (Ps. 23:5)​

SECOND READING

PHILIPPIANS 4:1-9
Though writing from prison and facing an uncertain future, Paul calls on the
     Philippians to rejoice and give thanks to God no matter what the circumstance.
     God’s peace is with us and binds together our hearts and minds in Jesus Christ,
     especially when things around us do not seem peaceful.

1 My brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm
     in the Lord in this way, my beloved.

     2 I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 Yes,
     and I ask you also, my loyal companion, help these women, for they have
     struggled beside me in the work of the gospel, together with Clement and the rest
     of my coworkers, whose names are in the book of life.

     4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5 Let your gentleness be
     known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in
     everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be
     made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,
     will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

     8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever
     is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there
     is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these
     things. 9 As for the things that you have learned and received and heard and
     noticed in me, do them, and the God of peace will be with you.

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​​​​GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Alleluia. This is the Lord for whom we have waited; let us be glad and
     rejoice in God’s salvation. Alleluia. (Isa. 25:9)

GOSPEL READING

MATTHEW 22:1-14
Jesus tells a parable indicating that the blessings of God’s kingdom are
       available to all, but the invitation is not to be taken lightly.

1 Once more Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying: 2 “The kingdom of
       heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son.
       3 He sent his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding banquet,
       but they would not come. 4 Again he sent other slaves, saying, ‘Tell those who
       have been invited: Look, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves
       have been slaughtered, and everything is ready; come to the wedding banquet.’
       5 But they made light of it and went away, one to his farm, another to his
       business, 6 while the rest seized his slaves, mistreated them, and killed them.
       7 The king was enraged. He sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and
       burned their city. 8 Then he said to his slaves, ‘The wedding is ready, but those
       invited were not worthy. 9 Go therefore into the main streets, and invite
       everyone you find to the wedding banquet.’ 10 Those slaves went out into the
       streets and gathered all whom they found, both good and bad, so the wedding
       hall was filled with guests.

       11 “But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who
       was not wearing a wedding robe, 12 and he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get
       in here without a wedding robe?’ And he was speechless. 13 Then the king said
       to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer
       darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ 14 For many are
       called, but few are chosen.”​

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LICENSES & EXPIRATION DATES
Worship Service Content is used via permission through Augsburg Fortress Liturgies

Annual License #SB144368. The next Subscription Renewal Date is 2/28/2027.
Our Hymns and Worship Music are used via permission through CCLI One
License #11327166. The next Subscription Renewal Date is 1/31/2027.

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​SERMONS​
(AVAILABILITY VARIES PENDING ON THE MINISTER)​

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BULLETIN FOR SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11TH, 2026