“Bringing People to Christ and Christ to People”
October 4, 2026 10:00 a.m.
Nineteenth Sunday After Pentecost
Leader: From the east and the west, from the north and the south,
Leader: We come with our distinct histories, our varied songs, and our shared hunger,
Leader: Christ invites us not as strangers, but as members of one household.
Leader: Let our selfish divisions give way to the harmony of the Spirit.
*HYMN The Church’s One Foundation (vs
1,2,4) UMH 545
SCRIPTURE READING Matthew 21:33-39
“Listen to another parable: There was a landowner who planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a winepress in it and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and moved to another place.
34When the harvest time approached, he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his fruit. 35“The tenants seized his servants; they beat one, killed another, and stoned a third. 36Then he sent other servants to them, more than the first time, and the tenants treated them the same way. 37Last of all, he sent his son to them. ‘They will respect my son,’ he said. 38“But when the tenants saw the son, they said to each
other, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him and
take his inheritance.’ 39So they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him.
The Word of God for the People of God.
MESSAGE FOR YOUNG CHRISTIANS WORSHIP WITH TITHES AND OFFERINGS
“Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?” 41“He will bring those wretches to a wretched end,” they replied, “and he will rent the vineyard to
other tenants, who will give him his share of the crop at harvest time.” 42Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: “‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is
marvelous in our eyes’? 43“Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit. 44Anyone who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; anyone on whom it falls will be crushed.” 45When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard Jesus’ parables, they knew he was talking about them. 46They looked for a way to arrest him, but they were afraid of the crowd because the people held that he was a prophet.
Pastor: Let us examine ourselves before the Lord whether we have been responsible Christians. (Pause)
Announcements
Olive Garden at 5:00 p.m. Please let Jean know if you will attend.
Bethesda UMC
FRUITLAND BAPTIST FOOD BANK – Monthly
requests include spaghetti sauce, diced tomatoes, soups, pancake mix, instant potatoes, fruit cups, and toilet paper. Next week is the
first Sunday of the month – please remember to bring in your donation.
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST FAMILY SUPPORT –
Requests include: corn flour, vegetable oil, sugar, spaghetti noodles and sauce, rice, beans, and feminine hygiene products.
PRAYER CHAIN – Call or text Pat Kern at 443-783-6423.
SOCIAL HOUR – See Buddy Pennewell or Cathy Grim to help.
Music Director: Mike Nelson Videographer: Roger Vandegrift Liturgist: Nancy Wachter
ASL Interpreter: Lynn Kohler
Connect with us on the web: www.stjohnsfruitland.org