Jesus shares a story of a perplexingly generous vineyard owner, and the frustration experienced by some of his workers.

We invite you to join us for a simple supper in our Fellowship Hall at 5:30 pm and Lenten Evening prayer at 6:15 in our beautiful Sanctuary at 200 East Main Street, Endicott, NY. Or, you can join us online here for our livestream (by clicking on the Youtube video), throughout both the Wednesdays and Sundays (10:30 AM) of Lent. UPC: always joyful, always welcoming.

Where Your Treasure Is 4: The Parable of the Vineyard Owner

Matthew 20:1-16

Union Presbyterian Church

March 18, 2026

Sharing the Light of Christ, Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

Preacher: Rev. Pat Raube Musician: Robin Lostetter

Preludes

“Prelude in D Minor,” J. S. Bach

“Prelude in G Minor,” Arthur Bird

*Service of Light

“Holden Evening Prayer: Processional,” Marty Haugen

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

One: Jesus Christ, you are the light of the world,

All: The light no darkness can overcome.

One: Stay with us now, for it is evening,

All: And the day is almost over.

One: Let your light scatter the darkness,

All: And shine within your people here.

*Hymn

“Holden Evening Prayer: Evening Hymn/Joyous Light,” Marty Haugen

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

Joyous light of heavenly glory,

Loving glow of God’s own face,

You who sing creation’s story,

Shine on every land and race.

Now as evening falls around us,

We shall raise our songs to you.

God of daybreak, God of shadows,

Come and light our hearts anew.

In the stars that grace the darkness,

In the blazing sun of dawn,

In the light of peace and wisdom,

We can hear your quiet song.

Love that fills the night with wonder,

Love that warms the weary soul,

Love that bursts all chains asunder,

Set us free and make us whole.

You who made the heaven’s splendor,

Every dancing star of night,

Make us shine with gentle justice,

Let us each reflect your light.

Mighty God of all creation,

Gentle Christ who lights our way,

Loving Spirit of salvation,

Lead us on to endless day.

Evening Thanksgiving

“Holden Evening Prayer: Evening Thanksgiving,” Marty Haugen

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

One: May God be with you all.

All: And also with you.

One: Let us sing our thanks to God.

All: It is right to give God thanks and praise.

One: ... you are the light and life of all creation.

All: Amen.

Psalm 141

“Holden Evening Prayer: Psalm 141,” Marty Haugen

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

Let my prayer rise up like incense before you,

The lifting up of my hands as an offering to you.

O God, I call to you, come to me now;

O hear my voice when I cry to you.

Let my prayer rise up like incense before you,

The lifting up of my hands as an offering to you.

Keep watch within me, God; deep in my heart

May the light of your love be burning bright.

Let my prayer rise up like incense before you,

The lifting up of my hands as an offering to you.

All praise to the God of all, Creator of life;

All praise be to Christ and the Spirit of love.

Let my prayer rise up like incense before you,

The lifting up of my hands as an offering to you.

Scripture Reading Matthew 20:1-16 NRSVUE

“For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius for the day, he sent them into his vineyard. When he went out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and he said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ So they went. When he went out again about noon and about three o’clock, he did the same. And 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?’ They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard.’ When 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.’ When those hired about five o’clock came, each of them received a denarius. Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received a denarius. And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner, saying, ‘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.’ But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

Response We live, not by bread alone,

but by every word that comes from God.

Thanks be to God!

Meditation “The Parable of the Vineyard Owner”

Prayers of the People

“Holden Evening Prayer: Litany and Prayers,” Marty Haugen

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

Response: God of mercy, hold us in love.

Final response:

One: Help us, comfort us, all of our days:

All: Keep us, hold us, gracious God.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our father in heaven,

Hallowed be your name,

Your kingdom come, your will be done,

On earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins

As we forgive those

Who sin against us.

Save us from the time of trial

And deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power,

And the glory are yours,

Now and forever. Amen.

*Hymn  # 36

“For the Fruit of All Creation,” Fred Pratt Green

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

For the fruit of all creation,
Thanks be to God.
For the gifts to every nation,
Thanks be to God.
For the plowing, sowing, reaping,
Silent growth while we are sleeping,
Future needs in earth's safekeeping,
Thanks be to God.

In the just reward of labor,
God's will be done.
In the help we give our neighbor,
God's will be done.
In our worldwide task of caring
For the hungry and despairing,
In the harvests we are sharing,
God's will be done.

For the harvests of the Spirit,
Thanks be to God.
For the good we all inherit,
Thanks be to God.
For the wonders that astound us,
For the truths that still confound us,
Most of all that love has found us,
Thanks be to God.

*Benediction

“Holden Evening Prayer: Final Blessing,” Marty Haugen

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

One: Let us bless our God:

All: Praise and thanks to you.

One: ... be our guide and path for all of our days.

All: Amen.

Postlude

"Kyrie, from Messe pour les Convents,” François Couperin

Where an * is indicated, please rise in body and/or in spirit.

Worship With Us

Evening Prayer: Where Your Treasure Is: The Parable of the Vineyard Owner