T THE SIXTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST T SEPTEMBER 20, 2020

9:30 AM

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FIRST SAINT PAUL’S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH 1301 North LaSalle Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60610

312.642.7172 www.fspauls.org

THE REV. DR. THOMAS R. JOHNSON, Pastor, tjohnson@fspauls.org MRS. MARLO SCHULZ-KITTL, Dir. of Family Ministry & Outreach, mschulz@fspauls.org

STEVEN WENTE, Cantor, swente@fspauls.org MARGARET DANILOVICH, Associate Cantor, mdanilovich@fspauls.org

ANNA ALBRECHT, Church Secretary, aalbrecht@fspauls.org

WELCOME… …in the strong name of Jesus Christ. We are glad you have joined us for worship! We hope you experience God's love and a nurturing community while you are with us. Your presence here makes our community richer and fuller. We worship online in an effort to minimize the spread of COVID-19 and encourage you to follow along in this document as you also watch or listen to the service. May the Lord bless our worship this day.

TODAY IN WORSHIP 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 relents from destroying Nineveh for their evil ways, Jonah is angry. 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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The Sixteenth Sunday

After Pentecost

PASTOR’S WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Please note: LSB refers to the burgundy hymnal, Lutheran Service Book.

T Gathering T Stand

The sign of the cross T may be made by all in remembrance of their Baptism.

P In the name of the Father and of the T Son and of the Holy Spirit.

C Amen. Matthew 28.19b; [18.20]

P If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

C But if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and

cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1.8-9

Silence for reflection on God's Word and for self-examination.

Kneel

P Let us then confess our sins to God our Father.

C Most merciful God, we confess that we are by nature sinful and unclean. We have

sinned against You in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what

we have left undone. We have not loved You with our whole heart; we have not

loved our neighbors as ourselves. We justly deserve Your present and eternal

punishment. For the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us,

renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in Your will and walk in Your ways

to the glory of Your holy name. Amen.

P Almighty God in His mercy has given His Son to die for you and for His sake forgives

you all your sins. As a called and ordained servant of Christ, and by His authority, I

therefore forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of

the T Son and of the Holy Spirit. [John 20.19-23]

C Amen.

Stand

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ENTRANCE HYMN Great Is Thy Faithfulness LSB 809

Text: Public domain

Tune: Public domain

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P The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the communion of the Holy

Spirit be with you all. 2 Corinthians 13.14

C And also with you.

GLORIA IN EXCELSIS (Glory to God in the Highest) Luke 2.14; John 1.29

P The Lord be with you. 2 Timothy 4.22

C And also with you.

P Let us pray.

Silence

P Lord God, you call us to work in your vineyard and leave no one standing idle. Set us

to our tasks in the work of your kingdom, and help us to order our lives by your

wisdom; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

C Amen.

Sit

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T Service of the Word T

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? 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 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?”

A This is the Word of the Lord.

C Thanks be to God.

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PSALM 145.1-8 Refrain by John W. Becker

A Refrain

C Refrain

A 1I will exalt you, O | God my King,*

and bless your name forev- | er and ever.

C 2Every day | will I bless you*

and praise your name forev- | er and ever.

A 3Great is the Lord and greatly | to be praised;*

there is no end | to his greatness.

C 4One generation shall praise your works | to another*

and shall de- | clare your power. Refrain

A 5I will ponder the glorious splendor | of your majesty*

and all your | marvelous works.

C 6They shall speak of the might of your | wondrous acts,*

and I will tell | of your greatness.

A 7They shall publish the remembrance of | your great goodness;*

they shall sing of your | righteous deeds.

C 8The Lord is gracious and full | of compassion,*

slow to anger and | of great kindness. Refrain

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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. 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.

A This is the Word of the Lord.

C Thanks be to God.

Stand

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Open our hearts, O Lord, to give heed to what is said by your Son.

We repeat the Alleluia

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HOLY GOSPEL Matthew 20.1-16

P The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew.

C Glory to You, O Lord.

Jesus tells a parable about God’s generosity, challenging the common assumption that God rewards

people according to what they have earned or deserve.

[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.”

P This is the Gospel of the Lord.

C Praise to You, O Christ.

Sit

SERMON God’s Prevailing Mercy — Jonah 3.10-4.11

Stand

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HYMN OF THE DAY Salvation unto Us Has Come LSB 555

Tune and text: Public domain

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APOSTLES’ CREED P God has made us his people through our Baptism into Christ. Living together in trust and hope, we confess our faith.

C I believe in God, the Father almighty

creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.

He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit

and born of the virgin Mary.

He suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, died, and was buried.

He descended into hell.

On the third day he rose again.

He ascended into heaven,

and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again 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 T everlasting. Amen. “catholic” meaning the whole/universal Church

Sit

HYMN Take My Life and Let It Be LSB 783

Tune and text: Public domain

STEWARDSHIP MOMENT Brooke Hemingway, Peter Wirtala

Stand

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PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

P Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, and for all people according

to their needs.

A brief silence.

P Lord, in your mercy,

C Hear our prayer.

The prayers conclude:

P Into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your

mercy; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

C Amen.

LORD’S PRAYER P Lord, remember us in Your Kingdom and teach us to pray:

C 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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T Sending T

P Let us bless the Lord. Psalm 103.1

C Thanks be to God.

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HYMN Lord of All Hopefulness LSB 738

Text: © Oxford University Press. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110001126

Tune: Public domain

P Go in peace. Remember the poor.

C Thanks be to God.

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SERVICE MUSIC

Prelude Salvation unto Us Has Come Dieterich Buxtehude

Postlude Salvation unto Us Has Come Heinrich Scheidemann

SERVING IN WORSHIP TODAY

PRESIDING MINISTER SINGERS The Rev. Dr. Thomas R. Johnson Arlene Dahm LECTOR Margaret Danilovich David Rush Pastor Johnson INSTRUMENTALISTS Linda Kimbrough Margaret Danilovich, piano Cheryl Kobetsky Steven Wente, organ Susan Rosborough Jan Seefeldt Betsy Pennington Taylor Karla Wente Sue Wente

Acknowledgements: Liturgical texts from Lutheran Service Builder, license #10001126 and sundaysandseasons.org, used by permission of

Augsburg Fortress License #25151.

Scripture quotations from The Holy Bible, New Revised Standard Version, copyright © 1989, Division of Christian

Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission,

Augsburg Fortress License #25151. All rights reserved.

All other liturgical music from Lutheran Service Builder.

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First Saint Paul's Parish Notes

www.fspauls.org

WEDNESDAY NOON BIBLE STUDY

Join Pastor Johnson for Wednesday Noon Bible study via the Zoom information below. The group is

discussing 1 and 2 Samuel.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3126427172

Dial in: 312.626.6799

Meeting ID: 312 642 7172

IN-PERSON WORSHIP SERVICES

Brief, in-person services of Word and Sacrament are held on Sunday mornings at 9 AM and Wednesday

mornings at 7 AM. Attendance is limited to 18 households per service. So that we know how many

to expect at the services and so we can assure that attendance levels are appropriate for physical

distancing, please reserve your seat(s) on the FSP webpage (www.fspauls.org) or at

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/904044FADAB23A7FE3-worship. If you need help signing up

for the service, please call the church office at 312.642.7172. If you sign up and are no longer able

to attend, please delete your registration or contact the church office to let us know so that the spot

can be opened up for others. We are looking forward to seeing you.

SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE STREAMING

Worship services are streamed at 9:30 AM every Sunday via the Zoom information below.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3126427172

Dial in: 312.626.6799

Meeting ID: 312 642 7172

SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS

This week, we will meet together with the bigger FSP family for a special event, Faith in the Home.

Log-in information is below. Please email Marlo Schulz at mschulz@fspauls.org if you have questions.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3126427172

Dial in: 312.626.6799

Meeting ID: 312 642 7172

Next week we continue our series on Stewardship and look at stanza 3 & 4 of our hymn.

Resources for this week:

https://tinytruthsbible.com/ For the younger ones among us, but great illustrations and language for

kids and the young at heart.

What's in the Bible? coloring pages

Faith Inkubators is where Faith5 practices come from and there are other resources for your family on

their website.

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Max7 has a new video on Jesus feeds the 5000

Youthesource has some good information on Youth & Culture as you help your teens navigate the

world around them.

BOOK CLUB

Book Club will meet via Zoom conferencing on Wednesday, September 30 from 7:00-8:30 PM. The

featured book is by Francine Rivers called A Lineage of Grace. This book is a compilation of five

novelettes based on women in the lineage of Jesus. On September 30, we will discuss chapters 4-7 of

the fourth novelette, “Unspoken - The Story of Bathsheba, a woman who received unlimited grace”.

Be sure to also look over the questions at the end of the novelette for chapters 4-7. Please contact

Marlo Schulz-Kittl at mschulz@fspauls.org for more information.

Join us on September 30 via the log-in information below:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3126427172

Dial in: 312.626.6799

Meeting ID: 312 642 7172

During October, we will continue in our book, A Lineage of Grace, by Francine Rivers with novelette

5, “Unafraid, the story of Mary, a woman of obedience”. We will discuss chapters 1-4 on October

14 and chapters 5-7 on October 28.

TODAY – “FAITH IN THE HOME” SPECIAL EVENT

You are invited to join us this morning at 11 AM for a special virtual event - “Faith in

the Home: how to share your faith and build a solid foundation”. Whether you are a

household of one, two or a household with children, teens or young adults, this event

will help equip and encourage you to:

Celebrate “home”

Explore ways to be a Christ-like servant leader in your home

Practice a simple way to share our faith and encourage one another to read and apply God’s

Word to our lives.

When: Sunday, September 20

Time: 11 AM

Location: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3126427172 Dial In Phone Number: 312.626.6799

Meeting ID: 312.642.7172

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KINDLE SMALL GROUP OFFERINGS FOR THE FALL

This fall we will offer a few opportunities for you to further develop as a Christ-like servant leader so

that you can encourage others around you in your congregation, homes, workplaces, communities and

the world. Small groups will begin the week of September 27. Here is a brief description of each small

group:

1. Cultivating Faith - (Led by Miss Rachel Beckman, Moody Bible Institute Intern) This group

will help you develop in the areas of faith disciplines in the context of community and

equipping others to do the same. You will gain a better understanding of Sabbath living,

learning and living Scripture, prayer, witnessing to others and serving others.

2. Cultivating Individuals - (Led by Marlo Schulz-Kittl) This group will help you learn how to

better invest in developing and equipping other Christ-like servant leaders.

3. Cultivating Groups - (Led by Marlo Schulz-Kittl) This group will help you learn how to better

foster Christian communities in his/ her ministry (all of your vocational areas - family, church,

work, community) settings and equip other Christ-like leaders to do the same

The format of small groups is as follows:

1. Sign-up for a small group by September 20. There are 3 spots available in each group. Please

email Marlo Schulz-Kittl at mschulz@fspauls.org to register.

2. Meet via Zoom conferencing.

3. Time is flexible with small group preference (TBD by group).

4. Meet for 1 hour each week for 8 weeks.

5. Workbook has a daily Bible reading and a few questions to help you process readings.

6. Work on a personal growth plan with the support of your group.

VOTER’S ASSEMBLY – SEPTEMBER 27, 11 AM

Save the date for the next FSP Voter’s Assembly on Sunday, September 27 at 11 AM via Zoom.

There will be brief reports, approving a slate of officers and other business. Log-in information is below:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3126427172

Dial in: 312.626.6799

Meeting ID: 312 642 7172

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ALL FOR THEE!

Take my silver and my gold,

Not a mite would I withhold;

Take my intellect and use

Ev'ry pow'r as Thou shalt choose.

This week, I encourage you to read the story of the widow’s mite, which can be found in Mark 12.41-

44 and Luke 21.1-6.

Notice that Jesus doesn’t say much about the woman, only the gift given out of her poverty – she

made a sacrificial gift. God, too, has given us a sacrificial gift; His Son Jesus to bear our sins. We are

also called to give sacrificially of our time, talent, and treasure - our financial resources. Even if we

only have a little, the Lord desires us to be joyfully generous when we share those gifts.

Saint Paul reminds us of this in 2 Corinthians 9.6–8: “The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will

also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he

has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And

God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you

may abound in every good work.”

Now is the time to consider what generous and grateful giving looks like for you and your family and

make a commitment to Him by completing the online or paper Plan for Giving. By submitting an

anonymous Plan for Giving, your commitment remains between you and the Lord.

Remember to worship with us next week, either in-person or through the online service, to participate

in the Consecration of the Plans for Giving.

Yours in Christ,

Asa Carter, Stewardship Chair

*Stanza 4 of “Take My Life and Let It Be”, LSB 783. Text: Public Domain

CHANCEL FLOWERS

If you are interested in sponsoring chancel flowers, please call or email the church office

(312.642.7172 or office@fspauls.org) to sign up for the Sunday of your choice. Arrangements are

$75.

SAVE THE DATE - LCFS HARVEST FESTIVAL

You’re invited to join Lutheran Child and Family Services of Illinois on Friday, October 23 in support

of the children and families they serve. Enjoy this exciting and meaningful LIVE online event featuring

an emcee, moving speakers, a live auction, raffle drawing and more! Help them protect children,

strengthen families and build futures by purchasing a ticket, inviting others, sponsoring or making a

donation to this year’s event. Visit https://www.lcfs.org/harvestfestival for more information and to

register. Deadline for registering is October 19. Thank you for your support.

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WUNDER’S BOARD VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Do you enjoy history and/or landscaping, fundraising, etc., and have a willingness to serve on a board

of directors (quarterly meetings)? Please contact Dwight Deppen (ddeppen65@hotmail.com) or Mike

Cacicio (mike.cacicio@rcn.com) for details.

COMMEMORATION FOR THE WEEK

Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist

Monday, September 21

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.

READINGS FOR NEXT SUNDAY: SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

Ezekiel 18.1-4, 25-32; Psalm 25.1-9; Philippians 2.1-13; Matthew 21.23-32

GENERAL FUND

RECEIVED LAST WEEK: $3,598

RECEIVED TO DATE: $243,647

ATTENDANCE LAST WEEK Sunday 9:00 AM—28

Wednesday 7:00 AM—10