19th Sunday after Pentecost

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Opening Prayer

God of goodness and kindness, you invite all peoples to the banquet and offer them a feast beyond compare. Give us your saving grace to keep unstained the robe of your righteousness until that day when you welcome us to heaven’s joyful table. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.
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“Come Into His Presence” – Don Moen

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Reading: Matthew 22:1-14 (NLT)

Parable of the Great Feast

Jesus also told them other parables. He said, “The Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a king who prepared a great wedding feast for his son. When the banquet was ready, he sent his servants to notify those who were invited. But they all refused to come!

“So he sent other servants to tell them, ‘The feast has been prepared. The bulls and fattened cattle have been killed, and everything is ready. Come to the banquet!’ But the guests he had invited ignored them and went their own way, one to his farm, another to his business. Others seized his messengers and insulted them and killed them.

“The king was furious, and he sent out his army to destroy the murderers and burn their town. And he said to his servants, ‘The wedding feast is ready, and the guests I invited aren’t worthy of the honor. Now go out to the street corners and invite everyone you see.’ So the servants brought in everyone they could find, good and bad alike, and the banquet hall was filled with guests.

“But when the king came in to meet the guests, he noticed a man who wasn’t wearing the proper clothes for a wedding. ‘Friend,’ he asked, ‘how is it that you are here without wedding clothes?’ But the man had no reply. Then the king said to his aides, ‘Bind his hands and feet and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

“For many are called, but few are chosen.”
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Intercessory Prayer

Friends in Christ, let us pray to our heavenly Father, who gently shepherds all His flock. Lord, hear us –

+ For every follower of Christ — that our belief in life after death may sustain us….
+ For those who have yet to hear the Good News of Christ — that your people may go out and bring them in….
+ For an end to war and terror — that your people everywhere may live quiet, peaceful, lives….
+ For those suffering from the devastation of natural disasters — that your people might bring help and hope….
+ For couples preparing for marriage — that the gentle shepherd may guide them now and forever….
+ For those we love, particularly all who are sick, lonely and helpless – that we may show them your love and grace….
+ For our friends in Christ who have preceded us in death – that a place at the eternal banquet may be theirs….

God our shepherd, you invite us to your table in heaven: give us the grace we need on our journey, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“Come To The Table” – Sidewalk Prophets

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Blessing – Matthew 11:28-29 (NLT)

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
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+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!