LOVELY LANE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
NINETEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST, YEAR A
OCTOBER 4, 2026
† Stand as you are able
Organ Prelude
Welcome and Announcements
Introit “To Him Who Sits Upon The Throne ” Clarke
To Him who sits upon the throne,
The God whom we adore,
And to the Lamb that once was slain
Be glory evermore.
†Call to Worship
Come, people of God, to worship the One who calls us into bearing fruit.
We come with open hearts, ready to receive grace.
Christ meets us in Word, prayer, song, and service.
The Spirit gathers us and sends us in love.
Let us worship God with joy and expectation.
†Opening Hymn “Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise ” UMH 103
Prayer of Illumination
Holy Spirit, open the Scriptures to us. Let the words read and proclaimed become a living word, so that we may hear Christ, trust your promise, and practice bearing fruit in the life of the church. Amen.
A Reading from the Old Testament Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20 NRSV
Then God spoke all these words: I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery; you shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not acquit anyone who misuses his name. Remember the sabbath day, and keep it holy. For six days you shall labour and do all your work. Honour your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you. You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour. You shall not covet your neighbour’s house; you shall not covet your neighbour’s wife, or male or female slave, or ox, or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbour. When all the people witnessed the thunder and lightning, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking, they were afraid and trembled and stood at a distance, and said to Moses, ‘You speak to us, and we will listen; but do not let God speak to us, or we will die.’ Moses said to the people, ‘Do not be afraid; for God has come only to test you and to put the fear of him upon you so that you do not sin.’
The Word of God, for the people of God. Thanks be to God!
Congregational Prayer
Merciful God, we pray for the church, for our neighbors, and for all who carry heavy burdens. Where there is weariness, give strength; where there is division, give peace; where there is grief, give comfort; where there is injustice, give courage. Form us as a people who embody delight in the law, and make Lovely Lane a witness of beloved community for Baltimore and beyond. Amen.
Passing of the Peace “Sweet, Sweet Spirit” UMH 334
Sharing Joys and Concerns
Pastoral Prayer
Response “Alleluia” UMH 186
†A Reading from the Gospels Matthew 21:33-46 NRSV
‘Listen to another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a watch-tower. Then he leased it to tenants and went to another country. When the harvest time had come, he sent his slaves to the tenants to collect his produce. But the tenants seized his slaves and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. Again he sent other slaves, more than the first; and they treated them in the same way. Finally he sent his son to them, saying, “They will respect my son.” But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, “This is the heir; come, let us kill him and get his inheritance.” So they seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. Now when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?’ They said to him, ‘He will put those wretches to a miserable death, and lease the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the produce at the harvest time.’ Jesus said to them, ‘Have you never read in the scriptures: “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is amazing in our eyes”? Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that produces the fruits of the kingdom. The one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and it will crush anyone on whom it falls.’ When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they realized that he was speaking about them. They wanted to arrest him, but they feared the crowds, because they regarded him as a prophet.
The Gospel of our Lord. Praise be to you O Christ!
Sermon Reverend Levon D. Sutton, Pastor
†Responsive Hymn “More Love to Thee, O Christ ” UMH 453
Invitation to Offering
Offertory “Rejoice, O Christians, Sing His Praise ” McCabe
Rejoice, O Christian, sing His praise in faith, and dedicate
The whole of life to worship God. Praise Him and celebrate!
Rejoice, O Christian, in your heart,
And praise Him with your voice.Rejoice, O Christian, celebrate! Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice!
Let music tell His mighty works and lift His word divine,
Until each heart is filled with song and lives match His design.Speak, Lord to us through ancient psalm,
Through chant and modern hymn,
And let Your worthy praise resound, the noise of strife to dim.Extol His name, the Lord is good, His love attends our ways:
In gratitude for mercy shown, we sing to Him our praise.
Offering Prayer
Generous God, receive these gifts as signs of gratitude and trust. Use them to strengthen worship, deepen discipleship, serve our neighbors, and bear witness to bearing of fruit in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Holy Communion “Let Us Break Bread Together” UMH 618
The Great Thanksgiving UMH 13
Lord’s Prayer
†Closing Hymn “I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord” UMH 540
†Benediction
Go in peace. You are called by grace and sent in love. Follow Christ with courage, and serve with joy. Amen.
†Benediction Response “To My Humble Supplication” Genevan Psalter
God be with you till we meet again; By His counsels guide, uphold you,
With His sheep securely fold you; God be with you till we meet again.
Ringing the Bicentennial Bell
Organ Postlude