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Theme of the Day

In today’s second reading Paul questions why we judge one another, since we all stand before the judgment of God. Yet we do sin against one another, and Jesus’ challenge that we forgive seventy-seven times reveals God’s boundless mercy. When we hear the words of forgiveness in worship and sign ourselves with the cross, we are renewed in baptism to be signs of reconciliation in the world.

The Collect for Sunday

Almighty God, you call your Church to witness that in Christ we are reconciled to you. Help us so to proclaim the good news of your love, that all who hear it may turn to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

BAS, 1985

Prayer Intentions

The prayers of the church are offered especially:

  • for the needs of the world, especially at this time of global pandemic;
  • for those who are sick and for all medical personnel and caregivers;
  • for research workers and scientists who are working to protect us, provide adequate testing, and to develop a vaccine;
  • for those who are particularly vulnerable to this virus;
  • for those who are isolated;
  • for those who are anxious;
  • for student and educators who have returned to school, for those involved in home schooling, and online learning; 
  • for our parish family in this time of social isolation;
  • for the healing of racial inequality, prejudice, bigotry, systemic racism, and injustice;
  • for all those who experience poverty or homelessness;
  • for those who are threatened by violence, abuse, or injustice;
  • for the whole church: for Lynda our Primate; for Mark our National Indigenous Archbishop; for Anne our Metropolitan; for Susan, our diocesan Bishop; for David and Brian, our priests; for Rob, our intern; for all bish­ops, priests and dea­cons; and for all the bap­tized: that God may accomplish God's work in and through us for the sake of the world;
  • for Elizabeth our Queen and all set in authority under her; for Justin, the Prime Minister of Canada and all members of parliament; Doug, the Premier of Ontario and all members of the legislature; Fred, the mayor of Hamilton and those who serve city council; for the First Nations of this land, for elders, chiefs, and band councils; for all in civil authority and for all citizens that we might work together for the common good;
  • for all for whom we have been asked to pray: especially for Mary, that God will bring them healing and wholeness;
  • for those who are dying; and for Duncan and all those who have departed from this life and are at rest.

In our cycles of prayer:

  • In the Worldwide Anglican Com­mun­ion: Pray for the Province of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan; The Most Revd Justin Badi Arama – Archbishop of Juba and Primate of the Province of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan.
  • In the Diocese of Niagara: St. Andrew, Grimsby; The Venerable Max Woolover, Rector; The Reverend Deacon Jean Rutten-Yates, Deacon; The Reverend John Ripley, Honorary Assistant; and the people of that parish.
  • For other faith communities in our neighbourhood, especially, St. Joseph Roman Catholic Parish, Fr. Jim Link, C.R., Pastor; and the people of that parish.
  • For one another, in our parish cycle of prayer, for Thomas Gnanamuthu, Priscilla Clarence, Ranen and Leandra Jane Thomas; Paul Grimwood; Andy, Orla, Aedhan, and Fionn Hares; Sarah, Vivian and Liam Hatt.

Prayer requests to be included on the following Sunday can can be submitted here by the Thursday morning before.

The Readings for Sunday

First Reading: Exodus 16:2-15

Faced with hunger in the wilderness, the Israelites longed for life back in Egypt and wished they had never left. Then God miraculously and graciously gave them quails and manna to eat.

2The whole congregation of the Israelites complained against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. 3The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the fleshpots and ate our fill of bread; for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.”
  4Then the Lord said to Moses, “I am going to rain bread from heaven for you, and each day the people shall go out and gather enough for that day. In that way I will test them, whether they will follow my instruction or not. 5On the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather on other days.” 6So Moses and Aaron said to all the Israelites, “In the evening you shall know that it was the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt, 7and in the morning you shall see the glory of the Lord, because he has heard your complaining against the Lord. For what are we, that you complain against us?” 8And Moses said, “When the Lord gives you meat to eat in the evening and your fill of bread in the morning, because the Lord has heard the complaining that you utter against him—what are we? Your complaining is not against us but against the Lord.”
  9Then Moses said to Aaron, “Say to the whole congregation of the Israelites, ‘Draw near to the Lord, for he has heard your complaining.’ ” 10And as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the Israelites, they looked toward the wilderness, and the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud. 11The Lord spoke to Moses and said, 12“I have heard the complaining of the Israelites; say to them, ‘At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall have your fill of bread; then you shall know that I am the Lord your God.’ ”
  13In the evening quails came up and covered the camp; and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. 14When the layer of dew lifted, there on the surface of the wilderness was a fine flaky substance, as fine as frost on the ground. 15When the Israelites saw it, they said to one another, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, “It is the bread that the Lord has given you to eat.”

Psalm: Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45

Make known the deeds of the Lord among the peoples. Hallelujah! (Ps. 105:1, 45)

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.

Gospel: Matthew 20:1-16

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.”

Prayers of Intercession

The prayers are prepared locally for each occasion. The following examples may be adapted or used as appropriate.

Drawn together in the compassion of God, we pray for the church, the world, and all those in need.

A brief silence.

Generous God, you make the last first, and the first last. Where this gospel challenges the church, equip it for its works of service. Strengthen those who suffer for Christ (especially). Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

Sun and wind, bushes and worms, cattle and great cities—nothing in creation is outside your concern, mighty God. In your mercy, tend to it all. Give us a spirit of generosity toward all you have made. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

Where we find envy and create enemies, you provide enough for all. Bring peace to places of conflict and violence (especially). Inspire leaders with creativity and wisdom. Bless the work of negotiators, peacekeepers, and development workers. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

Reveal yourself to all in need as you are gracious and merciful, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love, ready to relent from punishing. Accompany judges and lawyers, victims of crime and those serving sentences. Give fruitful labor and a livelihood to those seeking work. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

Even beyond our expectations, you choose to give generously. Grant life, health, and courage to all who are in need (especially). Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

Here other intercessions may be offered.

We praise you for the generations that have declared your power to us. Give us faithfulness to follow them, living for Christ, until you call us to join them in the joyful song around his throne. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

All these things and whatever else you see that we need, we entrust to your mercy; through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Readings for the Week

Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost [Proper 25] (Green) | Season of Creation | Sunday, September 20, 2020

  • Morning Prayer: Ps 93, 96; Est 3:1-4:3 or Jdt 5:22-6:4, 10-21; Jas 1:19-27; Coll 381
  • Holy Eucharist: Propers 381; Ex 16:2-15; Ps 105:1-6, 37-45 (or Jon 3:10-4:11; Ps 145:1-8); Phil 1:21-30; Mt 20:1-16; Preface of the Lord's Day
  • Evening Prayer: Ps 34; (2 Kgs 4:8-37); Mt 6:1-6, 16-18; Coll 381

St Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist - Holy Day (Red) | Season of Creation| Monday, September 21, 2020

  • Morning Prayer: Ps 119:41-64; Is 8:11-20; Rom 10:1-15; Coll 423 or FAS 289
  • Holy Eucharist: Propers 423 or FAS 289; Pr 3:1-6 or 2 Tim 3:14-17; Ps 119:33-40; Mt 9:9-13; Preface of Apostles
  • Evening Prayer: Ps 19, 112; Job 28:12-28; Mt 13:44-52; Coll 423 or FAS 289

Feria (Green) | Season of Creation | Tuesday, September 22, 2020

  • Morning Prayer: Ps 78:1-39; Est 5:1-14 or Jdt 8:9-17, 9:1, 7-10; Acts 18:12-28; Coll 381
  • Holy Eucharist: As Sunday, except: Pr 21:1-6, 10-13; Ps 119:1-8; Lk 8:19-21; Preface of Weekdays
  • Evening Prayer: Ps 78:40-72; (2 Kgs 5:19-27); Lk 3:15-22; Coll 381

Feria (Green) | Season of Creation | Wednesday, September 23, 2020

  • Morning Prayer: Ps 119:97-120; Est 6:1-14 or Jdt 10:1-23; Acts 19:1-10; Coll 381
  • Holy Eucharist: As Sunday, except: Pr 30:5-9; Ps 119:105-112; Lk 9:1-6; Preface of Weekdays
  • Evening Prayer: Ps 81, 82; (2 Kgs 6:1-23); Lk 4:1-13; Coll 381

Feria (Green) | Season of Creation | Thursday, September 24, 2020

  • Morning Prayer: Ps [83] or 116, 117; Est 7:1-10 or Jdt 12:1-20; Acts 19:11-20; Coll 381
  • Holy Eucharist: As Sunday, except: Ec 1:1-11; Ps 90:1-6; Lk 9:7-9; Preface of Weekdays
  • Evening Prayer: Ps 85, 86; (2 Kgs 9:1-16); Lk 4:14-30; Coll 381

Sergius, Abbot of Holy Trinity, Moscow, Spiritual Teacher, 1392 - Commemoration (Green) | Day of discipline and self-denial | Season of Creation | Friday, September 25, 2020

  • Morning Prayer: Ps 88; Est 8:1-8, 15-17 or Jdt 13:1-20; Acts 19:21-41; Coll 381 (Com: 438/9 or FAS 291)
  • Holy Eucharist: Sergius: Common of a Saint 438/9 or FAS 291; Sir 39:1-9; Ps 34:1-8; Lk 12:33-37; Preface of a Saint  OR  Feria: As Sunday, except: Ec 3:1-11; Ps 144:1-4; Lk 9:18-22; Preface of Weekdays (Com: 438/9 or FAS 291)
  • Evening Prayer: Ps 91, 92; (2 Kgs 9:17-37); Lk 4:31-37; Coll 381 (Com: 438/9 or FAS 291)

Lancelot Andrewes, Bishop of Winchester, 1626 - Commemoration (Green) | Eve of Sunday (Green) | Season of Creation | Saturday, September 26, 2020

  • Morning Prayer: Ps 87, 90; Hos 1:1-2:1; Acts 20:1-16; Coll 381 (Com: 436 or FAS 293)
  • Holy Eucharist: Andrewes: Common of Doctors and Teachers of the Faith 436 or FAS 293; Sir 51:13-22; Ps 78:1-6; Mt 13:44-52; Preface of a Saint  OR  Feria: As Sunday, except: Ec 11:9-12:8; Ps 90:1-2, 12-17; Lk 9:43b-45; Preface of Weekdays (Com: 436 or FAS 293)
  • Evening Prayer: Ps 136; (2 Kgs 11:1-20a); Lk 4:38-44; Coll 383 (Eve of Pentecost XVII)
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