Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost 2026 – September 6

On September 6, we celebrate the Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost 2026 with Deacon Nate Irvine presiding.

This Sunday’s readings emphasize our call to be witnesses, the importance of love, and the possibility of reconciliation when we turn toward God and one another. In the book of Ezekiel, the prophet is appointed as a watchman for Israel, tasked with warning the wicked to repent. God does not take pleasure in anyone’s death; instead, He desires that the wicked turn away from their sins and live.

The psalmist asks God to teach him the statutes and to guide his heart toward the commandments. The Apostle Paul states that all the law is fulfilled in a single command: love your neighbor as yourself. Additionally, Jesus instructs his disciples on how to address a member of the Church who has sinned—through confrontation, involving witnesses, and seeking the Church’s support. He assures them that when two or three gather in His name, He is present among them.

Join us for worship in the way that suits you best! You can worship with us in person, via Live Stream, Video Replay, or Podcast.

If You Cannot Join Us In Person for the Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost 2026!

We recognize that attending in person may not always be possible; therefore, we provide various virtual options.

Live stream/Playback

Join us live at 8:50 AM for the organ prelude, followed by the service at 9:00 AM. After the live stream ends, you can watch the video replay at any time.

Podcast

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The Collect for the Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost 2026

Grant us, O Lord, to trust in you with all our hearts; for, as you always resist the proud who confide in their own strength, so you never forsake those who make their boast of your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The Readings for the Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost 2026

Old Testament: Ezekiel 33:7–11

So you, mortal, I have made a sentinel for the house of Israel; whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me. If I say to the wicked, “O wicked ones, you shall surely die,” and you do not speak to warn the wicked to turn from their ways, the wicked shall die in their iniquity, but their blood I will require at your hand. But if you warn the wicked to turn from their ways, and they do not turn from their ways, the wicked shall die in their iniquity, but you will have saved your life.

Now you, mortal, say to the house of Israel, Thus you have said: “Our transgressions and our sins weigh upon us, and we waste away because of them; how then can we live?” Say to them, As I live, says the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from their ways and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways; for why will you die, O house of Israel?

Epistle: Romans 13:8–14

Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery; You shall not murder; You shall not steal; You shall not covet”; and any other commandment, are summed up in this word, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law.

Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us live honorably as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

Gospel: Matthew 18:15–20

“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.”

Reflection on the Readings for the Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost 2026

The Sentinel’s Calling – Ezekiel 33:7–11

Ezekiel has been given an important responsibility: he is appointed as a sentinel for the house of Israel. A sentinel stands watch, observes what others may overlook, and is tasked with warning of impending danger. Ezekiel’s duty is straightforward: whenever he receives a message from God, he must warn the people.

The stakes are high. If I tell the wicked, “O wicked ones, you shall surely die,” and you do not warn them to turn from their ways, the wicked will die in their sins. However, I will hold you accountable for their blood. Ezekiel cannot remain silent; if he fails to warn them, the responsibility for the death of the wicked person will fall on him.

However, the other side is equally clear: “If you warn the wicked to turn from their ways and they do not heed the warning, then the wicked will die in their iniquity, but you will have saved your own life.” Ezekiel’s responsibility is to deliver the warning. Whether the wicked person listens to it is not Ezekiel’s concern. As long as he speaks, he has fulfilled his duty.

God speaks directly to the people through Ezekiel. They are weighed down by their sins and cry out, “Our transgressions and our sins weigh upon us, and we waste away because of them. How can we possibly live?” They feel trapped, believing that their sins are too great for redemption.

God’s message through Ezekiel is one of grace: “As I live, says the Lord God, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked. I desire that the wicked turn from their ways and live. Turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why should you die, O house of Israel?”

The core of Ezekiel’s message is clear: God takes no pleasure in death or judgment. Instead, God desires that the wicked turn away from their wrongdoings and choose to live. This urgent call is reiterated with compassion: “Turn back, turn back.” The question posed is heartfelt: “Why will you die?” It clearly implies that death is not inevitable; repentance and a new life are attainable.

Longing for God’s Commandments – Psalm 119:33–40

The psalmist sees God’s law not as a burden, but as a gift and a delight. The opening petition is clear: “Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes, and I will keep it to the end.”

The psalmist seeks understanding in order to follow the law wholeheartedly. This desire reflects not just a willingness to obey, but a sincere passion for the commandments. The psalmist expresses, “Make me walk in the path of your commandments, for that is my desire.” The commandments are not merely external rules; rather, they are something the psalmist truly wants to embrace.

“Guide my heart toward your commandments and away from dishonest gain. Help me turn my eyes away from what is worthless, and grant me life through your ways.” The psalmist prays for God to redirect his heart away from unjust pursuits, to shift his gaze from empty distractions, and to lead him toward the life-giving path that God offers.

“Fulfill your promise to your servant, as you do for those who fear you. Remove the reproach I dread, because your judgments are good.” The psalmist expresses trust in the certainty of God’s promises for those who fear Him. The psalmist fears the taunts of those who mock faithfulness and asks God for protection from this shame, basing that request on the belief that God’s judgments are good.

The psalm concludes with a heartfelt longing: “Behold, I long for your commandments; in your righteousness, preserve my life.” This reflects the essence of faith: a profound desire for God’s law, a belief that God’s righteousness will sustain life, and the understanding that what may seem like restriction is actually a form of freedom.

Love Fulfills the Law – Romans 13:8–14

Paul makes a striking assertion: all the law is summarized in one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” The prohibitions against adultery, murder, theft, and coveting are all expressions of a single principle: love.

“Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfillment of the law. Genuine love that seeks the well-being of others cannot commit adultery, cannot murder, cannot steal, and cannot covet. Love encompasses and fulfills all aspects of the law.”

Paul’s concern goes beyond individual righteousness; he addresses the present time by stating, “You know what time it is; it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep.” The night is nearly over, and the day is approaching. Salvation is closer to us now than when we first believed. Paul is conveying that the end times are near and that the present moment holds significant eschatological importance.

“Let us therefore put aside the actions of darkness and embrace the armor of light. Let us live honorably, as if in the daylight, avoiding revelry and drunkenness, debauchery and immorality, as well as quarreling and jealousy. We are called to contrast the behaviors suited for night with those appropriate for day. The day has arrived; let us act accordingly.”

“Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh to satisfy its desires. It’s important to understand that the flesh is not an enemy within us that we must suppress violently. Rather, it’s about recognizing that if we plan to satisfy the flesh’s desires, we will inevitably fall into sin. The solution is not to struggle internally but to reorient ourselves toward Christ: put on the Lord Jesus Christ. Let Him be your clothing, your covering, and your entire identity.”

Correcting One Another in Love – Matthew 18:15–20

Jesus discusses a practical issue: what should you do when another member of the Church sins against you? The process he outlines consists of several steps, each with increasing scope.

“First, speak to the person privately about their fault. Take them aside; do not confront them in front of others. Avoid public humiliation or shame. This private conversation gives the individual a chance to hear your concerns and respond appropriately. If they listen to you, you have successfully restored the relationship. The goal is to achieve reconciliation and strengthen your connection.”

If private correction doesn’t yield results, consider taking one or two others with you so that every word can be confirmed by the testimony of two or three witnesses. The purpose of bringing witnesses is not to shame the individual, but to emphasize the seriousness of the issue and the authenticity of the correction. Having two or three witnesses helps to affirm the truth of what is being said.

If the person still refuses to listen, say, “Bring it to the church. If the person does not listen even to the church, treat them like a Gentile or a tax collector.” This means that the whole Church is involved in the process. If the person remains unrepentant even before the Church, they should be regarded as an outsider.

It is important to note that even in the final step of excommunication, the individual is neither destroyed nor hated. Instead, they are viewed as a Gentile or a tax collector. Jesus himself associated with tax collectors and Gentiles, reaching out to them. Thus, even in the act of excommunication, there remains the potential for redemption and rebuilding a relationship.

Jesus said, “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.” This means that the decisions made by the Church on earth have consequences in heaven. The Church’s authority to bind and loose—its practices and acts of forgiveness—are recognized and upheld in heaven.

“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.” When the Church operates in agreement, unity, and consensus, its prayers are answered, and its decisions are affirmed.

“For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.” This promise concludes with the assurance of Christ’s presence. It emphasizes that Christ is present when just two or three believers come together—not necessarily thousands or a grand cathedral. The authority and power of the Church do not depend on its size or magnificence, but on the presence of Christ among its members.

The Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost 2026 Wrap-Up

These readings together present a vision of the Church as a community called to speak the truth, to yearn for God’s ways, to love one another, and to embrace Christ’s presence amid their struggles.

Ezekiel is appointed as a sentinel to warn the people, announcing a God who takes no pleasure in death but desires life. The psalmist expresses a deep longing for God’s law and trust in His righteousness.

Paul proclaims that love is the fulfillment of the law, identifying Christ as our covering and our identity. Jesus teaches that the Church’s mission includes correcting one another in love and gathering in His name, where He is always present.

As we slowly head to the final weeks of the season after Pentecost, these readings encourage us to watch over one another, to speak the truth in love, to love our neighbors as ourselves, and to gather with the assurance that where two or three of us come together in Christ’s name, He is present among us.

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The Old Testament, New Testament, and Gospels readings are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

The Collect and Psalm are from the Book of Common Prayer, 1979.