SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13TH, 2026​​

16TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

​

INTRODUCTION​

In today’s second reading Paul questions why we judge one another, since we all
     stand before the judgment of God. Yet we do sin against one another, and Jesus’
     challenge that we forgive seventy-seven times reveals God’s boundless mercy.
     When we hear the words of forgiveness in worship and sign ourselves with the
     cross, we are renewed in baptism to be signs of reconciliation in the world.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

O Lord God, merciful judge, you are the inexhaustible fountain of forgiveness.  
     Replace our hearts of stone with hearts that love and adore you, that we may
     delight in doing your will, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.  Amen.​

FIRST READING

GENESIS 50:15-21
     After Jacob’s death the brothers of Joseph begged for forgiveness for the crime
     they had done against him. You intended to do me harm, Joseph said, but God
     used this as an opportunity to do good and save many lives.

15 Realizing that their father was dead, Joseph’s brothers said, “What if Joseph
     still bears a grudge against us and pays us back in full for all the wrong that we
     did to him?” 16 So they approached Joseph, saying, “Your father gave this
     instruction before he died, 17 ‘Say to Joseph: I beg you, forgive the crime of your
     brothers and the wrong they did in harming you.’ Now therefore please forgive
     the crime of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when they
     spoke to him. 18 Then his brothers also wept, fell down before him, and said, “We
     are here as your slaves.” 19 But Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid! Am I in
     the place of God? 20 Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended
     it for good, in order to preserve a numerous people, as he is doing today. 21 So
     have no fear; I myself will provide for you and your little ones.” In this way he
     reassured them, speaking kindly to them.

​​​​​​​​​​​

PSALM

PSALM 103:[1-7] 8-13
(Response) Lord, you are full of compassion and mercy. (Ps. 103:8)

[1 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me, bless God’s holy name.
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all God’s benefits—
3 who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases;
4 who redeems your life from the grave
and crowns you with steadfast love and mercy;
(Response) Lord, you are full of compassion and mercy. (Ps. 103:8)

5 who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like an eagle’s.
6 O Lord, you provide vindication
and justice for all who are oppressed.
7 You made known your ways to Moses
and your works to the children of Israel.]
  8 Lord, you are full of compassion and mercy,
  slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love;
(Response) Lord, you are full of compassion and mercy. (Ps. 103:8)

9 you will not always accuse us,
nor will you keep your anger forever.
10 You have not dealt with us according to our sins,
nor repaid us according to our iniquities.
11 For as the heavens are high above the earth,
so great is your steadfast love for those who fear you.
12 As far as the east is from the west,
so far have you removed our transgressions from us.
13 As a father has compassion for his children,
so you have compassion for those who fear you, O Lord.

(Response) Lord, you are full of compassion and mercy. (Ps. 103:8)

​

SECOND READING

ROMANS 14:1-12
This Christian community has significant struggles with diversity. Here Paul helps
     us understand that despite different practices in worship and personal piety, we
     do not judge one another. All Christians belong to the Lord Jesus Christ who died
     for all of us and will judge each of us.

1 Welcome those who are weak in faith but not for the purpose of quarreling over
     opinions. 2 Some believe in eating anything, while the weak eat only vegetables.
     3 Those who eat must not despise those who abstain, and those who abstain
     must not pass judgment on those who eat, for God has welcomed them. 4 Who
     are you to pass judgment on slaves of another? It is before their own lord that
     they stand or fall. And they will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make them stand.

     5 Some judge one day to be better than another, while others judge all days to be
     alike. Let all be fully convinced in their own minds. 6 Those who observe the day,
     observe it for the Lord. Also those who eat, eat for the Lord, since they give
     thanks to God, while those who abstain, abstain for the Lord and give thanks to God.

     7 For we do not live to ourselves, and we do not die to ourselves. 8 If we live, we
     live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or
     whether we die, we are the Lord’s. 9 For to this end Christ died and lived again,
     so that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.
     10 Why do you pass judgment on your brother or sister? Or you, why do you
     despise your brother or sister? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of
     God. 11 For it is written,
     “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me,
     and every tongue shall give praise to God.”
     12 So then, each one of us will be held accountable.

​​​​

​​​​GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Alleluia. We have an advocate, Jesus Christ the righteous; your sins are
     forgiven on account of his name. Alleluia. (1 John 2:1, 12)

GOSPEL READING

MATTHEW 18:21-35
When Peter asks about the limits of forgiveness, Jesus responds with a parable
     that suggests human forgiveness should mirror the unlimited mercy of God.

21 Peter came and said to [Jesus,] “Lord, if my brother or sister sins against me,
     how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “Not
     seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times.

     23 “For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who
     wished to settle accounts with his slaves. 24 When he began the reckoning, one
     who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him, 25 and, as he could not
     pay, the lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all
     his possessions and payment to be made. 26 So the slave fell on his knees
     before him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ 27 And
     out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt.
     28 But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow slaves who
     owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him by the throat he said, ‘Pay what you
     owe.’ 29 Then his fellow slave fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience
     with me, and I will pay you.’ 30 But he refused; then he went and threw him into
     prison until he would pay the debt. 31 When his fellow slaves saw what had
     happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord
     all that had taken place. 32 Then his lord summoned him and said to him, ‘You
     wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 Should
     you not have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?’ 34 And in
     anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he would pay his entire debt.
     35 So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive
     your brother or sister from your heart.”

​

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.

​

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

DID YOU MISS SERVICE ON SUNDAY?
GET WHAT YOU NEED RIGHT HERE!

BULLETIN FOR SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13TH, 2026