John E. Sumwalt

For September 20, 2026:

• Heard It On The Grape Vine by Chris Keating. What can we learn by listening to the grumbling around us?

Contents
"Redefining Fair" by Peter Andrew Smith
"How Great Thou Art!" by John Fitzgerald

Redefining Fair
by Peter Andrew Smith
Matthew 20:1-16

“Are you boys finished with your chores yet?” Linda called out from the kitchen.

Paul put two full bags of plastic containers next to the garage door. “I finished everything and Joey is almost done.”

Call to Worship:

Sometimes life can seem unfair, because we are unable to see the big picture. But God always sees the big picture and always does what is right for us. In our worship today, let us consider a story which Jesus told and which at first glance seems unfair.

(See Proper 12/Pentecost 10/Ordinary Time 17, Cycle A, for an alternative approach to vv. 1-11, 45b; and see Proper 14/Pentecost 12/Ordinary Time 19, Cycle A, for an alternative approach to vv. 1-6, 16-22, 45b.)

BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS

Lesson 1: Exodus 16:2--15 (C)
In the hardships of the wilderness, the people complain to Moses. They protest about the lack of food, as they remember the plentiful and well--seasoned fare they enjoyed in Egypt. The Lord hears their murmuring and sends quails in the evening and manna in the morning. Most likely, the manna was a fine, honeydew like excretion of insects that feed on twigs of the tamarisk tree. The term ''manna'' is interpreted by the question: ''What is it?''

Lesson 1: Isaiah 55:6--9 (RC, L)

Let me ask you to do a little remembering today. I don't know specifically what it is that I'm asking you to remember: that will vary with each individual. In general, though, here is the assignment: I want you to remember "the good old days."

What comes to mind when you hear that phrase? What time? What place? What period of your life and experience first occurs to you when you hear a reference to "the good old days"?

Don had not worked like a dog for nothing. He had struggled up the corporate ladder to one rung below the vice-presidents --who were all brothers. So Don knew he wasn't going any higher on the ladder.

That was okay with him. They had treated him like family. He had earned a six-figure salary and eight weeks of vacation and had 10,000 frequent flyer miles to play with.

The term "late-bloomers" refers to people who respond later in life to an invitation, but still manage in the end to accomplish great things. History has known some famous late-bloomers. Fortunately for us, early or late, these people followed their special invitation offered by God, achieved much, and made the world a better place for all.

Introduction

Many people cling very tightly to life. They refuse to let go of it, and hold onto a shred of life beyond all reasonable expectations. And then there are others.

There was an old man, lying in the bed in the back bedroom, surrounded by his wife, daughter, and his four granddaughters. His breath was coming slowly, almost in sighs, and the time between the sighs was stretching to longer and longer periods.

Conventional wisdom says that it's the squeaky wheel that gets the grease.

That makes sense with wheels, of course, but the setting in which the phrase is most often used in our day has nothing whatsoever to do with wheels. Rather, the squeaky wheel has become a metaphor for a complaining person. And so for the squeaky wheel to get the grease means that the complainer gets what he or she wants.

Needless to say, I suspect that I have captured your attention at this point. Most of the readers of this journal understand the ground rules that govern the kinds of churches they serve. One can see all sorts of red lights coming on their panels as their clerical radar picks up storms ahead. Given the diversity of the people who populate our churches and their points of view, it is not likely that any pastor who poses that question will come away unscathed.

Teachers or Parents: Young children especially have an acute sense of what's fair and what is not fair. This story of God's grace may not make sense to them, just as it doesn't make sense to many adults. Grace just does not seem fair! The important point here is that the children hear that God's grace is for them. There is no tenure in the church that assures salvation.

*Learn the story about John Newton, the composer of "Amazing Grace."

*Learn and sing "Amazing Grace."

Jesus told a story once to tell us something about God. He said that a man needed people to work for him so he said, "I'll pay you good money if you will work for me today." (Now ask: "Which of you will pretend to be this worker?" Let them respond. Use more than one child so that, in the end, the last one hired is the remaining child.) A few hours later he still needed help. "I still need someone to work for me. I'll be fair and pay you what you deserve for working for me," he said. (Ask: "Now who will pretend to be this second worker?") At noon the owner still needed workers.

Good morning, boys and girls! How many of you brought your parents with you to church today? (let them answer) How many of you brought a friend with you today? (let them answer) Most of you just brought your parents. Not many brought a friend. This week, find a friend who does not have his or her own church and bring him or her with you. Then I can make a new friend and they will have a new friend.