October 11, 2026
20th Sunday after Pentecost
Introduction
In Isaiah we are given a vision of the great feast to come, when God will wipe away death forever. In Jesus’ parable about a great banquet, those invited do not come, so the invitation is extended to others. In our liturgy God spreads a table before us. Even amid anxiety and hardship we rejoice in the peace of God which surpasses all understanding. With great joy we feast at the table of the Lord, and we go forth to share the wonderful invitation with others hungering and thirsting for the abundant life of God.
Lessons
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Isaiah 25:1-9
The feast of victory
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Psalm 23
You prepare a table before me, and my cup is running over. (Ps. 23:5)
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Philippians 4:1-9
Rejoice in the Lord always
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Matthew 22:1-14
The parable of the unwelcome guest at the wedding feast
Hymns:
531 -The Trumpets Sound, The Angels Sing
575 – In Christ called to Baptize
742 – What A Friend We have in Jesus
Anthem: Rejoice in the Lord Always – H. Purcell
Communion Hymn:
744- Lord be Glorified
Expensive Wedding. Expensive Grace
An average wedding in North America can easily cost tens of thousands of dollars—or more! From the venue to flowers to food, invitations to music to photos, formal wear to centerpieces to officiants, getting married is not cheap.
In today’s gospel Jesus tells a parable about a wedding invitation, a banquet, and God’s grace. Jesus teaches about a king who ultimately invites all people to a wedding banquet. At first this parable seems to portray a wide open and gracious invitation to a wedding celebration. However, by the end it is hard not to feel sorry for the poor guy who gets a last-minute invitation but gets thrown out for not wearing the correct wedding duds! Again, getting married is not cheap—but neither is grace.
Receiving God’s grace changes people. As Dietrich Bonhoeffer taught, God’s grace is not cheap; it comes at a great cost upon the cross. Once we receive this costly grace, our lives are never the same. This grace compels us to act and calls us to bear fruit with our lives, sharing this grace with others. To continue to live in the same way after receiving this gracious invitation is not an option. So what are we to do? We simply receive the gracious invitation to the banquet and find a changing room—it’s time to live a new life.
A Prayer for Grace
God our loving Father,
We stand in amazement and awe of the grace you so freely lavish upon us. It is an unmerited gift—something we can never earn nor deserve—yet You gift it to us without reservation. Your divine favor saves us, sustains us, and continually molds us into Your image.
Lord, Your love, mercy and favor reaches into every area of our lives. It forgives, heals, restores, empowers, and guides us. Thank You for the salvation, strength, hope, and countless blessings You bestow on us. You are holy, merciful, gracious, and worthy of all praise.
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Your favor God, is not a one-time gift but a continual outpouring we receive throughout our lives. Your presence sustains us, encourages ua, and leads us through every challenge, trial and joy. Your loving-kindness forgives and cleanses us anew each day.
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Teach us to rely on Your Spirit rather than our own strength. Cultivate gentleness, mercy, and peace within us so that our lives reflect the love of Jesus Christ. Transform our hearts, help us walk humbly in Your favor, and teach us to extend to others the mercy You have shown to us. Finally, let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.