09.13.2026 "A Parable of Forgiveness" - FUMC Vallejo

Fellowship United Methodist Church 140 Ladera Drive, Vallejo, CA || 707-643-6055 fumcvallejo@att.net || www.fumcvallejo.org ||    / @fellowshipvallejo   SIXTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST September 13, 2026 || 10:00 am Fely Talaro ~Liturgist Grace Cancio & Emilie Unoki ~Ushers *During liturgy with (*), please rise in body or in spirit. LIGHTING OF CANDLES GREETINGS from Pastor Henry *CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: Followers of Christ, we live in a world where we hurt one another, where sin divides us one from another and makes us enemies instead of neighbors. All: Yet we are a people of grace, called by Christ to forgive and repair the rifts between us. Leader: The divisions in our world seem like too much to overcome, and we wonder if this forgiveness thing really works anymore. Maybe it worked for Jesus, but not for us. All: Yet we are a people of grace, called by Christ to forgive and repair the rifts between us. Leader: We find ourselves tempted by easy answers and quick solutions, reticent to do the slow and difficult work of reconciliation. All: Yet we are a people of grace, called by Christ to forgive and repair the rifts between us. Leader: In this place, may we encounter Christ who meets us in the places where we want to give up, where we despair that life-giving change is even possible, with abundant grace to sustain us on the journey. All: God, form us today as people of grace, called by Christ to forgive and repair the rifts between us. Amen. *OPENING PRAYER (in unison) Loving God, thank you for the great mercy and grace that draw us close to your holiness. Flow through our worship and through our lives with your holy presence and your forgiving grace, that we may be people of holy love and gracious forgiveness. In your holy name, we pray. Amen. *OPENING HYMN [UMH 508] Faith, While Trees Are Still in Blossom PASSING THE PEACE COMMUNITY CONCERNS, PASTORAL PRAYER & LORD’S PRAYER GIFT OF MUSIC “Living For Jesus” from Carlos & Dolores Corpuz CHILDREN’S MOMENTS: Audrey Dela Cruz SCRIPTURE READINGS (NRSVue) Reading I: Psalm 103:1-13 *Reading II: Matthew 18:21-35 RESPONSE [UMH 599] Break Thou the Bread of Life MESSAGE “A Parable of Forgiveness” Rev. Henry Pablo III RESPONSE TO THE WORD Gracious God, we want to be as grace-filled with ourselves and with others as you are. But honestly, it’s easier to sing about grace than it is to offer it freely and abundantly. Help us put our songs into action, our words of yearning into lives filled with mercy and forgiveness—for ourselves and for others. One time, seven times, or seventy-seven times, each moment of grace matters and makes us better. Let your grace flow through our lives so abundantly that it overflows into every situation, protecting and preserving everyone it touches. In your love and grace, we pray. Amen. OFFERTORY *DOXOLOGY & PRAYER ANNOUNCEMENTS CLOSING HYMN [UMH 560] Help Us Accept Each Other *CLOSING PRAYER & BENEDICTION *THREEFOLD AMEN POSTLUDE & EXTINGUISHING OF THE CANDLES