905 Village Drive, South Charleston, WV 25309
Weekly Nurture Devotion
September 13: Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Read Matthew 18:21-35
Peter wanted to put a limit on how many times he had to forgive someone; he suggested seven times. Jesus responded not seven times but seventy times(some translations say seventy times seven times). That’s a lot to remember. Do you think Jesus wants us to keep track of how many times we forgive someone, or to always be forgiving, as our God is forgiving?
Worship -September 13 at 10:00 am
We welcome you to in-person or online worship services in the Sanctuary on Sunday, September 13, 2026 at 10:00 am. Brandi Hicks, ALP will be at the pulpit this Sunday. The Sermon is “Keeping Score".
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
Amen.
EPISTLE Romans 14:1-12
Welcome those who are weak in faith but not for the purpose of quarreling over opinions. Some believe in eating anything, while the weak eat only vegetables. Those who eat must not despise those who abstain, and those who abstain must not pass judgment on those who eat, for God has welcomed them. Who are you to pass judgment on slaves of another? It is before their own lord that they stand or fall. And they will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make them stand. Some judge one day to be better than another, while others judge all days to be alike. Let all be fully convinced in their own minds. Those who observe the day, observe it for the Lord. Also those who eat, eat for the Lord, since they give thanks to God, while those
who abstain, abstain for the Lord and give thanks to God. For we do not live to ourselves, and we do not die to ourselves. If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died and lived again, so that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living. Why do you pass judgment on your brother or sister? Or you, why do you despise your brother or sister? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. For it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall give praise to God.” So then, each one of us will be held accountable.
GOSPEL Matthew 18:21-35
Then Peter came and said to him, “Lord, if my brother or sister sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times. “For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him, and, as he could not pay, the lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions and payment to be made. So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him by the throat he said, ‘Pay what you owe.’ Then his fellow slave fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he would pay the debt. When his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. Then his lord summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?’ And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he would pay his entire debt. So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”
THE WORD OF THE LORD!
Thanks be to God!
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and choose the latest video.
Upcoming Events
SEPTEMBER POTLUCK will be celebrated this Sunday, September 13. We invite everyone to the potluck after the worship service. Even if you cannot bring any food to the potluck, we invite you to bring your most important ingredient – YOU!!
Urgent need for food!
Heart and Hand Food Pantry has an urgent need for food. Won't you help?
Their needs list follows:
Fruit, Rice, Beans, Jelly, Ravioli, Spaghetti Noodles, Crackers, Soup, Jiffy Mix, Ramen Noodles, Chicken Noodle Soup, or any other canned or boxed food.
There is also an urgent need for diapers of all sizes.
Bring your offerings to the church or deliver directly to Heart and Hand. We bless our offerings on the first Sunday of every month.