27th September 2026 10.30am – 17th Sunday after Trinity – Eucharist.

The Readings

Ezekiel 18.1-4, 25-end

The word of the Lord came to me: What do you mean by repeating this proverb concerning the land of Israel, ‘The parents have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge’? As I live, says the Lord God, this proverb shall no more be used by you in Israel. Know that all lives are mine; the life of the parent as well as the life of the child is mine: it is only the person who sins that shall die.

Yet you say, ‘The way of the Lord is unfair.’ Hear now, O house of Israel: Is my way unfair? Is it not your ways that are unfair? When the righteous turn away from their righteousness and commit iniquity, they shall die for it; for the iniquity that they have committed they shall die. Again, when the wicked turn away from the wickedness they have committed and do what is lawful and right, they shall save their life. Because they considered and turned away from all the transgressions that they had committed, they shall surely live; they shall not die. Yet the house of Israel says, ‘The way of the Lord is unfair.’ O house of Israel, are my ways unfair? Is it not your ways that are unfair?

Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, all of you according to your ways, says the Lord God. Repent and turn from all your transgressions; otherwise iniquity will be your ruin. Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed against me, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, says the Lord God. Turn, then, and live.

Matthew 21.23-32

When he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” Jesus said to them, “I will also ask you one question; if you tell me the answer, then I will also tell you by what authority I do these things. Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin?” And they argued with one another, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ we are afraid of the crowd; for all regard John as a prophet.” So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.

“What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ He answered, ‘I will not’; but later he changed his mind and went. The father went to the second and said the same; and he answered, ‘I go, sir’; but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him; and even after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him.

New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. http://nrsvbibles.org

The Prayers

Prepared by David, Reader at St Mary's.

This morning’s prayers draw on a Song of Francis of Assisi.

Most High, all powerful, good Lord,
to you be praise, glory, honour and all blessing.
Only to you, Most High, do they belong
and no one is worthy to call upon your name.
We give thanks for your gift of life. Help us to live ours in fulfilment of your calling for us.
God of life:
hear our prayer.

May you be praised, my Lord, with all your creatures,
especially brother sun,
through whom you lighten the day for us.
He is beautiful and radiant with great splendour;
he signifies you, O Most High.
Be praised, my Lord, for sister moon and the stars:
clear and precious and lovely, they are formed in heaven.
We give thanks for vast wonders of the universe. Help us to grow in knowledge, but equally in wisdom and understanding.
God of life:
hear our prayer.

Be praised, my Lord, for brother wind;
for air and clouds, clear skies and all weathers,
by which you give sustenance to your creatures.
We give thanks for the gift of changing seasons. Help us to recognise our dependency on fragile weather patterns and ocean currents.
God of life:
hear our prayer.

Be praised, my Lord, for sister water,
who is very useful and humble and precious and pure.
Be praised, my Lord, for brother fire,
by whom the night is illumined for us:
he is beautiful and cheerful, full of power and strength.
We give thanks for the essentials of life, food and water, shelter and warm. Help us to share these equitably with all our siblings.
God of life:
hear our prayer.

Be praised, my Lord, for our sister, mother earth,
who sustains and governs us
and produces diverse fruits
and coloured flowers and grass.
We give thanks for the difference in colour, texture and shape found in creation. Help us to rejoice in it and steward it wisely.
God of life:
hear our prayer.

Be praised, my Lord, by all those who forgive for love of you
and who bear weakness and tribulation.
Blessed are those who bear them in peace:
for by you, Most High, they will be crowned.
We give thanks for those who bring healing and care. Help us to support the lonely, the anxious and the suffering.
God of life:
hear our prayer.

Be praised, my Lord, for our sister, the death of the body,
from which no one living is able to flee;
Blessed are those who are found doing your most holy will,
for the second death will do them no harm.
We give thanks for those who have died. Help us to live knowing they rest in your eternal care.
God of life:
hear our prayer.

Merciful Father,
accept these prayers
for the sake of your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.

St Marys Walkley

The Church on the Road: inclusive, eucharistic, a safe place to be with God

27th September 2026 10.30am – 17th Sunday after Trinity – Eucharist.