We are worshiping at 11 am.
October 4, 2026
Join us! All are Welcome!
SHARING OF THE PEACE
The presiding minister and the assembly greet each other in the peace of the risen Christ.
The peace of Christ be with you today and always.
And also with you.
Congregation members greet each other by saying:
Peace be with you.
Confession and Forgiveness
All may make the sign of the cross, the sign that is marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins.
Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God,
who pours love into our hearts
and healing upon the earth.
Amen.
Confident that God justifies us by grace through faith,
let us confess our sin.
Silence is kept for reflection
Compassionate God,
We confess that we have failed to see the suffering of others.
We turn away from injustice when it does not affect us.
We are quick to see the failings of others,
and slow to recognize our own.
We allow fear and difference to divide us rather than allowing faith and love to unite us.
Forgive us, O God.
Open our hearts to our neighbors, near and far,
Unite us with your people around the world,
that we may live as one in your love.
God’s love is greater than our fear,
and Christ’s forgiveness is greater than our divisions.
In Christ, you are forgiven and reconciled.
Live in the unity of all God’s people.
In the name of the Father, ☩Son, and Holy Spirit,
your sins are forgiven.
Amen.
Gathering Hymn “All Creatures, Worship God Most High!”
1 All creatures, worship God most high!
Sound ev'ry voice in earth and sky: Alleluia! Alleluia!
Sing, brother sun, in splendor bright;
sing, sister moon and stars of night:
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
2 Sing, brother wind; with clouds and rain
you grow the gifts of fruit and grain: Alleluia! Alleluia!
Dear sister water, useful, clear,
make music for your Lord to hear:
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
3 Sing, brother fire, so mirthful, strong,
drive far the shadows, join the throng: Alleluia! Alleluia!
Dear mother earth, so rich in care,
praise God in colors bright and rare:
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
4 All who for love of God forgive,
all who in pain and sorrow grieve: Alleluia! Alleluia!
Christ bears your burdens and your fears;
still make your song amid the tears:
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
5 And you, most gentle sister death,
waiting to hush our final breath: Alleluia! Alleluia!
Since Christ our light has pierced your gloom,
fair is the night that leads us home.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
6 O sisters, brothers, take your part,
and worship God with humble heart: Alleluia! Alleluia!
All creatures, bless the Father, Son,
and Holy Spirit, Three in One:
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Text: Francis of Assisi, 1182-1226; tr. composite
Text © 1997 Augsburg Fortress.
Duplication in any form prohibited without permission or valid license from copyright administrator.
Greeting
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit who unites us, be with you all.
And also with you.
Canticle of Praise
This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Worthy is Christ, the Lamb who was slain,
whose blood set us free to be people of God.
This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Power, riches, wisdom and strength,
and honor, blessing, and glory are his.
This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Sing with all the people of God,
and join in the hymn of all creation:
Blessing, honor, glory, and might
be to God and the Lamb forever. Amen.
This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
For the Lamb who was slain has begun his reign.
Alleluia.
This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Prayer of the Day
Let us pray,
Beloved God, you have planted us in your vineyard and gathered us into one family. Cultivate in us the fruits of faith and love, that we may bear witness to your grace, and live as one people across the globe, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.
The assembly is seated.
First Reading Isaiah 5:1-7
A reading beginning with the 5th chapter of Isaiah.
1 I will sing for my beloved
my love song concerning his vineyard:
My beloved had a vineyard
on a very fertile hill.
2 He dug it and cleared it of stones
and planted it with choice vines;
he built a watchtower in the midst of it
and hewed out a wine vat in it;
he expected it to yield grapes,
but it yielded rotten grapes.
3 And now, inhabitants of Jerusalem
and people of Judah,
judge between me
and my vineyard.
4 What more was there to do for my vineyard
that I have not done in it?
When I expected it to yield grapes,
why did it yield rotten grapes?
5 And now I will tell you
what I will do to my vineyard.
I will remove its hedge,
and it shall be devoured;
I will break down its wall,
and it shall be trampled down.
6 I will make it a wasteland;
it shall not be pruned or hoed,
and it shall be overgrown with briers and thorns;
I will also command the clouds
that they rain no rain upon it.
7 For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts
is the house of Israel,
and the people of Judah
are his cherished garden;
he expected justice
but saw bloodshed;
righteousness
but heard a cry!
Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God.
Assistant- Psalm 80:7-15 Read Responsively
7 Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine upon us, and we shall be saved.
8 You have brought a vine out of Egypt; you cast out the nations and planted it.
9 You cleared the ground for it; it took root and filled the land.
10 The mountains were covered by its shadow and the towering cedar trees by its boughs.
11 You stretched out its tendrils to the sea and its branches to the river.
12 Why have you broken down its wall, so that all who pass by pluck off its grapes?
13 The wild boar of the forest has ravaged it, and the beasts of the field have grazed upon it.
14 Turn now, O God of hosts, look down from heaven;
15 behold and tend this vine; preserve what your right hand has planted.
Assistant-Second Reading Philippians 3:4b-14
A reading from Philippians beginning with chapter 3
[Paul writes:] 4b If anyone else has reason to be confident in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, a member of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.
7 Yet whatever gains I had, these I have come to regard as loss because of Christ. 8 More than that, I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and I regard them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law but one that comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God based on faith. 10 I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death, 11 if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead.
12 Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal, but I press on to lay hold of that for which Christ has laid hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider that I have laid hold of it, but one thing I have laid hold of: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal, toward the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.
Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God.
Congregation stands
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia. Lord, to whom shall we go?
You have the words of eternal life.
Alleluia. Alleluia.
Gospel Matthew 21:33-46
The holy gospel according to Matthew the 21st chapter.
Glory to you, O Lord.
[Jesus said:] 33 “Listen to another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a winepress in it, and built a watchtower. Then he leased it to tenants and went away. 34 When the harvest time had come, he sent his slaves to the tenants to collect his produce. 35 But the tenants seized his slaves and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. 36 Again he sent other slaves, more than the first, and they treated them in the same way. 37 Then he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ 38 But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir; come, let us kill him and get his inheritance.’ 39 So they seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. 40 Now when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?” 41 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.”
42 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’?
43 “Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that produces its fruits. 44 The one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces, and it will crush anyone on whom it falls.”
45 When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they realized that he was speaking about them. 46 They wanted to arrest him, but they feared the crowds, because they regarded him as a prophet.
The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
Congregation is seated
Sermon
Hymn of the Day “One Bread, One Body”
Refrain
One bread, one body, one Lord of all;
one cup of blessing which we bless,
and we, though many throughout the earth,
we are one body in this one Lord.
1 Gentile or Jew, servant or free,
woman or man, no more. Refrain
2 Many the gifts, many the works,
one in the Lord of all. Refrain
3 Grain for the fields, scattered and grown,
gathered to one for all. Refrain
Text: John Foley, SJ, b. 1939
Text © 1978 John B. Foley, SJ and OCP Publications, 5536 NE Hassalo, Portland, OR 97213. All rights reserved. Used with permission.
Duplication in any form prohibited without permission or valid license from copyright administrator.
Presentation
Those making affirmation may gather with the ministers at the font. They may be joined by others from the assembly.
The presiding minister addresses the assembly with these or similar words.
Dear friends, we give thanks for the gift of baptism and for Dorothy Peterson, one with us in the body of Christ, who is making public affirmation of her baptism as she becomes a new member of this congregation.
The presiding minister may note the occasion for this affirmation briefly.
Those making affirmation are presented by a sponsor or another representative of the congregation:
I present Dorothy Peterson, who desires to become a member of Mt. Zion, through affirmation of her baptism.
The presiding minister may continue with prayer.
Let us pray.
Merciful God, we thank you for this sister,
whom you have made your own by water and the Word in baptism.
You have called her to yourself,
enlightened her with the gifts of your Spirit,
and nourished her in the community of faith.
Uphold your servant in the gifts and promises of baptism,
and unite the hearts of all whom you have brought to new birth.
We ask this in the name of Christ.
Amen.
Profession of Faith
The presiding minister addresses those making public affirmation of baptism. The assembly may stand and join in the responses.
I ask you, the congregation, to affirm your faith in Christ Jesus, along with Dorothy, to reject sin, and confess the faith of the church.
Do you renounce the devil and all the forces that defy God,
the powers of this world that rebel against God,
and the ways of sin that draw you from God?
Response:
I renounce them.
The presiding minister addresses the candidates and the assembly.
Do you believe in God the Father?
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.*
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit?
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 everlasting.
Affirmation
The presiding minister addresses those making public affirmation of baptism.
Dorothy, you have made public profession of your faith. Do you intend to continue in the covenant God made with you in holy baptism:
to live among God’s faithful people,
to hear the word of God and share in the Lord’s supper,
to proclaim the good news of God in Christ through word and deed,
to serve all people, following the example of Jesus,
and to strive for justice and peace in all the earth?
If so, please respond:
I do, and I ask God to help and guide me.
The minister addresses the assembly.
People of God, do you promise to support this sister Dorothy and pray for her in her life in Christ?
We do, and we ask God to help and guide us.
The presiding minister prays for God’s blessing.
Let us pray.
We give you thanks, O God, that through water and the Holy Spirit you give us new birth, cleanse us from sin, and raise us to eternal life.
The minister may lay both hands on the head of the person and say:
Stir up in Dorothy the gift of your Holy Spirit: the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord, the spirit of joy in your presence, both now and forever.
Amen.
Dorothy turns to face the assembly.
Let us rejoice as we receive Dorothy into full membership here at Mt. Zion:
We rejoice with you in the life of baptism.
Together we will give thanks and praise to God
and proclaim the good news to all the world.
Prayers of Intercession
Seeking the Spirit of God who makes us one, we pray for the church and the world.
A brief silence.
God of every generation, we give thanks for all who have sought to renew and transform your holy church. Inspire us to follow their example in our own day. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
God of every creature, bless and protect the earth and all those who dwell within it. We give thanks for those who have helped us to see your Spirit in creation. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
God of every tribe and nation, restore peace to the world’s conflict zones, and shelter those who live within them. We pray especially for the safety of displaced people and refugees. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
God of every comfort, you made us in your own image. Grant healing and relief to all who are sick or suffering especially Jason, Aubrey, Joe, Mark, Ron, Ruth, Pastor Van Gundy, Bernard, Fritz, Lucas, Sue, Ed, Lynne, Janet, Margaret, Rillys, and for those we name aloud or silently in our hearts (pause for people in the congregation to add their prayers here). Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
God of every truth, you draw diverse peoples together through your holy word. We give thanks for teachers of the faith. Fill their hearts with your Spirit, that they inspire others with your truth. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
God of every soul, you are the one who calls us home. We give thanks for all the saints who have been restored to perfect unity with you. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Trusting in your boundless grace, O God, we lift up these spoken prayers and those in our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Offertory “This Is Christ's Body” sing twice
This is Christ's body, broken and blest.
Feed us with mercy and love. (with mercy and love.)
We are Christ's body, broken and blest.
Heal us and make us one.
Text: Anne Krentz Organ, b. 1960
Text © 2020 Augsburg Fortress
Duplication in any form prohibited without securing permission from copyright administrator or reporting usage under valid license.
Offertory Prayer
We pray,
God of creation,
you send rain and the earth springs forth abundantly.
All blessings are from you;
make us generous with what we have.
Use our gifts, our abilities, and our hearts
in service to you and in love to our neighbors,
today and always.
Amen.
GREAT THANKSGIVING
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
It is indeed right, our duty and our joy,
that we should at all times and in all places
give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God,
through our Savior Jesus Christ;
who on this day overcame death and the grave,
and by his glorious resurrection opened to us the way of everlasting life.
And so, with all the choirs of angels,
with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven,
we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of pow’r and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna. Hosanna. Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
Eucharistic Prayer
Holy, mighty, and merciful Lord,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
In great love you sent to us Jesus, your Son,
who reached out to heal the sick and suffering,
who preached good news to the poor,
and who, on the cross, opened his arms to all.
In the night in which he was betrayed,
our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks;
broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying:
Take and eat; this is my body, given for you.
Do this for the remembrance of me.
Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks,
and gave it for all to drink, saying:
This cup is the new covenant in my blood,
shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin.
Do this for the remembrance of me.
Remembering, therefore, his death, resurrection, and ascension,
we await his coming in glory.
Pour out upon us the Spirit of your love, O Lord,
and unite the wills of Christians throughout the world who share this heavenly food,
the body and blood of Jesus Christ, our Lord;
to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit,
be all honor and glory, now and forever. Amen.
Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us. (Spoken)
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.
Invitation to Communion
Here you are united with Christians of all time and place.
Please come; all are welcome!
Congregation is seated
Pastor COMMUNION INSTRUCTION
We commune at the rail, in our seats and online. We will begin by communing those online and in their seats. …
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
grant us peace.
Distribution at the rail.
Communion
The body of Christ, given for you. Amen
The blood of Christ, shed for you. Amen
Congregation stands
Prayer after Communion
Sustaining God,
with this bread and cup,
you nourish us with mercy and abundant life.
By your Spirit, send us from this table to serve a needy world.
Make us living signs of your liberation, healing, and love,
following the way of Jesus, in whose name we pray.
Amen.
Benediction
The God of love
draw you into full accord and one mind,
in the body of Christ Jesus.
Amen.
The God of hope
grant you strength and joy in all circumstances
through the interceding of the Spirit.
Amen.
The God of grace
☩ bless you now and forever.
Amen.
Sending Hymn “Jesus Loves Me!”
1 Jesus loves me! this I know,
for the Bible tells me so;
little ones to him belong,
they are weak, but he is strong.
Refrain
Yes, Jesus loves me,
yes, Jesus loves me,
yes, Jesus loves me,
the Bible tells me so.
2 Jesus loves me! he who died
heaven's gates to open wide;
he will wash away my sin,
let his little child come in. Refrain
3 Jesus loves me! he will stay
close beside me all the way;
when at last I come to die,
he will take me home on high. Refrain
Text: Anna B. Warner, 1820-1915, alt.
Dismissal
Go out in joy. Be led forth in peace and unity.
Thanks be to God.
Permission for liturgies by Augsburg Fortress Liturgies License #SAS004206
Sundays and Seasons 2026
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-717005. All rights reserved