Hello Reader!

Hello beloved one.

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Announcements:

*Office Hours! 10 to 12 Thursday mornings at The Neighbor (144 S Mason). Come hang out to chat and get to know some folks better.

*Small Groups! This October and early November, our small groups will meet for 6 weeks to discuss themes inspired by the wisdom of Jesus and The Four Agreements (please note this is not a book club and no reading is required). Mostly though, small groups are simply a catalyst to being known and deepening community. Remember, we need each other... Please sign up here!!!​

*Please plan to attend our all church potluck immediately after service THIS SUNDAY, September 27th. Please bring a side dish or dessert to share!

Sunday in Review: The Gaslighting Landowner

I N V O C A T I O N

O God,

from your providing hand even the dissatisfied and grumbling

receive what they need for their lives.

Teach us your ways of justice

and lead us to practice your generosity,

so that we may live a life worthy of the gospel

made known through your Son Jesus Christ, our Savior.

Amen.

S C R I P T U R E

​Matthew 20:1-16​

S O N G S

Crown Him With Many Crowns Paul Zach, Taylor Leonhardt PREVIEW   ​

Lord, I Need You Matt Maher PREVIEW   ​

Psalm 126 (feat. Molly Parde... Bifrost Arts PREVIEW   ​

A R T

T A K E A W A Y S and Q U E S T I O N S

*The only person in the story of the vineyard who seems to be having a really good time is the owner of the vineyard. I say this because it seems the owner of the vineyard is free from time, from measuring. This one is living in the now. The eternal now. Where — as “the talking heads” put it —everyone is at the party and everyone leaves at exactly the same time. There is no separation. Everyone is here. And everyone gets what they need.

*Jesus finishes by saying, “So the last will be first, and the first last.” But, if the first become last, then they are last. So, do they then become first? That’s a brain teaser. Maybe Jesus is teasing out something else? Maybe it’s supposed to be a constant reminder to us to keep grace moving.

*Maybe it’s this: wherever you are, pay attention to who is last or left out. Who or what needs to be elevated? Who is being overlooked? What is it that is working for me but not for others? Sometimes it’s my turn to go last? Maybe there’s a privilege or a comfort I need to sacrifice — at least for awhile.

*One last thing to think about: in our good intentions to elevate the last and the left out, we can unintentionally (or intentionally) do harm by leaving out or cancelling some who we think “have it coming.” This is very tempting. And sometimes applauded. And feels kinda good. For awhile. The first may need to make room for the last, but now the new first need to make room for the new last. Get it? Let us all hold our privilege loosely, humbly, and mercifully.

B E N E D I C T I O N

You are God’s Child

Gifted with dreams and visions.

Upon you rests the grace of God like flames of fire.

Love and serve the Lord in the wildness of your being.

Practice Resurrection.

And may the deep peace of Christ be with you,

The strong arms of God sustain you,

And the glory of the Holy Spirit shine upon your face.

Amen.

Resource: The Reverend Mamas Darren mentioned this resource in the sermon. Here's a quote from The Reverend Mamas: But, in God's economy, mercy is not at odds with justice. Mercy is justice. click here to read through their post

Practice: Dance! This week, find a few moments to revel in God-given joy. Pull up this song Joy by Raye. Doesn't matter if you dance at your job, or in your kitchen. And it goes without saying, it doesn't matter if you are a "good" dancer or not. Just get a little bit more free. Afterward, offer up a prayer: Holy Spirit, lead me in the dance of this life you've given me. Amen.

Grace and Peace,

Katrina

&

Darren