Matthew 20:1-16

Jesus said, “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 the usual daily wage, 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 the usual daily wage. Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage. 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 the usual daily wage? 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.”

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In this week's Q&A episode, Fr. Rob Merola and Rev. Josh House discuss:

• Do animals have souls?
• How does one become a priest?
• The Gospel in the Red Sea

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Listen to the original Sunday sermon here: E243 - Coming Home Series, The Great Escape

Have a question for a future episode? Submit it anonymously at: stmtts.org/question

Join us for worship each Sunday in person or online at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church in Sterling, Virginia: 8:00 AM, 9:30 AM, or 11:00 AM.

Learn more at stmtts.org or follow us on Facebook | Instagram | YouTube

Matthew 18:21-35

Peter came and said to Jesus, “Lord, if another member of the church 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, his 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.”

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Are sex offenders welcome in church? Why does it feel like we never have enough? And what do Christians believe about heaven?

In this week's Q&A episode, Fr. Rob Merola and Rev. Josh House dig deeper into questions raised by Sunday's sermon and the kickoff of St. Matthew's Coming Home sermon series.

This week, they discuss:

• Are sex offenders welcome at St. Matt's?
• Never having enough
• Heaven

Listen to the original sermon here: E242 - Coming HomeHave a question for a future episode? Submit it anonymously at: stmtts.org/question

Join us for worship each Sunday in person or online at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church in Sterling, Virginia: 8:00 AM, 9:30 AM, or 11:00 AM.Learn more at stmtts.org or follow us on Facebook | Instagram | YouTube

Matthew 18:15-20

Jesus said, “If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one. But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.”

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What questions did Sunday's sermon raise for you?

In this week's Q&A episode, Fr. Rob and Rev. Josh continue the conversation from Sunday's sermon, exploring questions submitted by members of the St. Matthew's community.

This week, they revisit "E241 - The Summer Spirit Fest Finale", originally preached on Sunday, August 30th, and discuss topics including:

• What are some long-ripening fruits at St. Matt's?
• What are some of the blessings of increasing in connection?
• What is "the Spirit"?

Listen to the original sermon here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ E241 - The Summer Spirit Fest Finale

Have a question for a future episode? Submit it anonymously at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠stmtts.org/question⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Join us for worship each Sunday at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church: 8:00 AM, 9:30 AM, 11:00 AM | 201 E. Frederick Drive, Sterling, VA 20164

Learn more: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠stmtts.org ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠|⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Bonus Episode! Celebrating 25 years of Father Rob at St. Matts with stories, laughs, and some seriously hot wings with Rev. Josh.

Romans 12:9-21

Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” No, “if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

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