The Cost of Holding On

for September 27, 2026

Opening Prayer

God of abundant grace, you are the giver of all good things, the source of life and wellspring of love. In your presence, we acknowledge that we often cling tightly to our own desires, fearing the uncertainty of letting go. Teach us to trust in your promises and to release our grip on the things that bind us. As we gather in your name, guide us to discover the peace that comes with open hands and open hearts. May we find strength in our vulnerability and rest in the assurance of your unwavering care. Through the power of your Spirit, transform us and make us new, as we respond with gratitude to your boundless mercy. Amen.

Call to Worship

We gather here, bearing the weight of what we hold dear.

Trust in God's abundance and let go of your burden.

Our grasp on expectations may feel like strength.

God invites us to release and find peace in surrender.

Fear tells us security is in what we control.

Faith assures us that grace lives in open hands.

Come, let us worship the One who knows our every need.

Our hearts are ready to discover peace in God's presence.

Hymn of Praise

Take My Life, GTG #697

Grace Spoken

Hear the good news of God's grace, which comes to us not through our own grasping, but as a gift beyond all measure. Before we ask, God's mercy surrounds us. Before we strive to earn it, Christ's love holds us close. The Spirit moves among us, inviting us to release our burdens and find rest in divine compassion. In our struggles and reluctance to let go, grace is already present, calling us from clenching fear to open-handed peace. People of God, embrace the freedom that has been offered. Know that you are forgiven, cherished, and renewed in the boundless love of our Creator. Let go, receive, and rejoice. Amen.

Responding to God's Grace

Gracious God, trusting in Your unearned mercy, we gather to confess our tight grip on the life we know. We cling to our expectations, believing them essential, and hoard resources, fearing scarcity. We hold onto situations, imagining them within our control. In our grasping, we miss the grace You freely give, and our hearts forget the peace of Your presence. Forgive us for our anxious striving. Open our hands, that we might release all that hinders us from following Your call with vulnerability and trust. Change our hearts, that we may find our true selves in the openness and freedom of Your love. In Christ's name, we pray. Amen.

Sharing the Peace of Christ

Christ calls us to release what we hold too tightly.
Grace awaits open hands and open hearts.
With hearts unburdened, let us reach out to one another.
In Christ's peace, we find our true selves.
Peace is not possession, but gift and grace.
We receive to share, and share to receive.
May the peace of Christ dwell richly among us.
The peace of Christ be with you all.
And also with you.

The Written Word

We often believe that clinging to our expectations, our resources, or familiar circumstances will safeguard us, as if tightly clasped hands could secure our future. Yet, in the midst of our hold, tensions rise. We may become weary, sensing that our control is slipping, questioning if the grip itself costs more than it provides. What if releasing our grasp is not the risk, but the beginning of grace? Listen now for what God is doing here.

This is the Word of the Lord.

A Reading from the Epistles

Philippians 2:1-13

Philippians 2:1–13

Exhortation to Unity and Humility

1If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and mercy, 2make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. 4Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others.

The Mind of Christ

5Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,
6who, though he was in the form of God, 7did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, 8but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in human likeness. 9And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross.
10Therefore God highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, 11so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 12and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Living as Children of God

13Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;

Exhortation to Unity and Humility

1If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and mercy, 2make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. 4Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others.

The Mind of Christ

5Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,
6who, though he was in the form of God, 7did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, 8but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in human likeness. 9And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross.
10Therefore God highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, 11so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 12and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Living as Children of God

13Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 14for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure. 15Do all things without murmuring and arguing, 16so that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine like lights in the world, 17holding fast to the word of life, so that on the day of Christ I may boast that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.

Paul’s Joy and Sacrifice

18But even if I am being poured out as a libation upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and rejoice with all of you; 19and in the same way you also should rejoice and rejoice with me.

Timothy Commended

20I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be encouraged by news of you. 21For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. 22All of them seek their own interests, not the interests of Jesus Christ. 23But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how like a child serving a parent he has served with me in the work of the gospel. 24I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how things go with me; 25and I trust in the Lord that I myself will come soon.

Epaphroditus Commended

26Still, I think it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus—my brother and coworker and fellow soldier, your messenger and minister to my need— 27for he has been longing for all of you and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. 28Indeed he was ill, and near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but also on me, so that I would not have sorrow upon sorrow. 29I am all the more eager to send him, therefore, so that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. 30Welcome him then in the Lord with all joy, and honor such people, 31because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.

Notes

v01–02Unity is grounded in shared participation in Christ, not enforced agreement. Paul names relational realities before issuing exhortation.
v03–04Humility is defined relationally. The call is not self-negation but a reorientation of attention toward others.
v05The “mind” of Christ signals a pattern of life to be embodied, not merely admired.
v06–08The movement is downward—status is not grasped but relinquished. Christ’s identity is revealed through self-giving, not self-assertion.
v09–11Exaltation follows obedience. God’s vindication does not erase the cross but confirms its meaning.
v12–13Responsibility and divine agency are held together. The community works out what God is already working within.

Notes

v01–02Unity is grounded in shared participation in Christ, not enforced agreement. Paul names relational realities before issuing exhortation.
v03–04Humility is defined relationally. The call is not self-negation but a reorientation of attention toward others.
v05The “mind” of Christ signals a pattern of life to be embodied, not merely admired.
v06–08The movement is downward—status is not grasped but relinquished. Christ’s identity is revealed through self-giving, not self-assertion.
v09–11Exaltation follows obedience. God’s vindication does not erase the cross but confirms its meaning.
v12–13Responsibility and divine agency are held together. The community works out what God is already working within.
v14–16Communal life is a public witness. Absence of grumbling signals a deeper transformation of shared life.
v17–18Paul interprets his suffering as offering. Joy is not dependent on outcome but on participation in shared faith.
v19–24Timothy embodies the pattern just described. His concern for others contrasts with self-seeking tendencies.
v25–30Epaphroditus is honored not for success but for costly faithfulness. Risk and near loss become markers of service in Christ.

Vocabulary

v01παράκλησις (paraklēsis)
“Encouragement” or “comfort.” Often carries the sense of coming alongside, strengthening relational bonds.
v03κενοδοξία (kenodoxia)
“Empty glory.” Refers to status-seeking that lacks substance.
v05φρόνημα (phronēma)
“Mind” or “mindset.” Indicates a pattern of thinking that shapes action and communal life.
v06μορφή (morphē)
“Form.” Suggests the true nature or essential expression of something, not merely outward appearance.
v07ἐκένωσεν (ekenōsen)
“Emptied himself.” Indicates self-giving rather than loss of identity.
v08ταπεινόω (tapeinoō)
“To humble.” A voluntary lowering, not imposed humiliation.
v09ὑπερύψωσεν (hyperypsōsen)
“Highly exalted.” Intensified elevation, emphasizing divine action.
v10κάμπτω (kamptō)
“To bend.” Used of kneeling, indicating recognition of authority.
v12κατεργάζομαι (katergazomai)
“To work out.” To bring something to full expression or completion.
v13ἐνεργέω (energeō)
“To work in.” Denotes active, effective power at work within.

Vocabulary

v01παράκλησις (paraklēsis)
“Encouragement” or “comfort.” Often carries the sense of coming alongside, strengthening relational bonds.
v03κενοδοξία (kenodoxia)
“Empty glory.” Refers to status-seeking that lacks substance.
v05φρόνημα (phronēma)
“Mind” or “mindset.” Indicates a pattern of thinking that shapes action and communal life.
v06μορφή (morphē)
“Form.” Suggests the true nature or essential expression of something, not merely outward appearance.
v07ἐκένωσεν (ekenōsen)
“Emptied himself.” Indicates self-giving rather than loss of identity.
v08ταπεινόω (tapeinoō)
“To humble.” A voluntary lowering, not imposed humiliation.
v09ὑπερύψωσεν (hyperypsōsen)
“Highly exalted.” Intensified elevation, emphasizing divine action.
v10κάμπτω (kamptō)
“To bend.” Used of kneeling, indicating recognition of authority.
v12κατεργάζομαι (katergazomai)
“To work out.” To bring something to full expression or completion.
v13ἐνεργέω (energeō)
“To work in.” Denotes active, effective power at work within.
v14γογγυσμός (gongysmos)
“Murmuring” or “grumbling.” Low-level communal dissatisfaction that erodes unity.
v17σπένδομαι (spendomai)
“To be poured out.” Drawn from sacrificial language, indicating offering of life.
v30παραβολεύομαι (paraboleuomai)
“To risk.” To expose oneself to danger, especially for the sake of another.

Gospel Reading

Matthew 21:23-32

Matthew 21:23–32
1When they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 2saying to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord has need of them,’ and they will send them at once.”
4This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet, saying,
5“Tell the daughter of Zion, Look—your king is coming to you, gentle and mounted on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.”
6The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. 7They brought the donkey and the colt and laid their cloaks on them, and he sat on them. 8A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others were cutting branches from the trees and spreading them on the road. 9And the crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”

Notes

v23“By what authority…?” — The leaders’ question is political and theological: who has the right to reorder the temple and teach the people?
v25–27John’s baptism — Jesus exposes their posture: they calculate consequences instead of seeking truth. Refusing John’s authority reveals their refusal of God’s.
v28–32two sons — The contrast is between public compliance and actual obedience. Repentance is pictured as a changed direction, not a polished promise.
v31“tax collectors and prostitutes” — The scandal is grace’s order: those judged “outside” enter first when they respond to God with trust.

Notes

v01“Mount of Olives” — The setting carries prophetic weight; Jesus approaches Jerusalem from the ridge associated with God’s promised deliverance and kingship.
v02–03“The Lord has need of them” — Jesus acts with calm authority and purposeful humility; even the borrowing of an animal serves the sign of his reign.
v04–05“to fulfill… ‘gentle… mounted on a donkey’” — The entry is a deliberate redefinition of kingship: not coercive power, but humble, peace-shaped authority.
v06–07“did as Jesus directed… laid their cloaks” — Discipleship is concrete obedience; honor is offered with what they have, not with ideal resources.
v08“spread their cloaks… branches” — The crowd enacts royal welcome; public hopes rise and the city becomes a stage of expectation.
v09“Hosanna… Son of David… in the name of the Lord” — The shout is prayer and proclamation (“Save, we pray!”) with messianic language; the crowd reaches for deliverance, even if they do not yet grasp its cost.
v09“Hosanna in the highest” — Praise stretches from street-level longing to heavenward worship, framing Jesus’ arrival as both political and spiritual upheaval.
v10“the whole city was stirred up” — Jesus’ arrival is not private spirituality; it disrupts the public order and forces a question of identity.
v11“the prophet Jesus” — The crowd’s language is true but partial; Matthew will press beyond “prophet” toward messianic authority.
v12–13temple cleansing — This is not a critique of commerce in general but of worship corrupted: prayer displaced by exploitation. “Den of robbers” signals systemic injustice under a religious cover.
v14“the blind and the lame… he healed them” — After judgment comes mercy; the temple is reclaimed for those often pushed out or overlooked.
v15–16“children… Hosanna… they were angry” — Praise from the least protected exposes the hardness of the powerful; Jesus receives their worship as fitting.
v19fig tree — A living sign-act of judgment: impressive leaves without fruit. In Matthew’s flow, it mirrors the temple’s appearance without justice.
v21–22“trust… this mountain” — The point is not spiritual showmanship; trust empowers God-directed action beyond human capacity, expressed through prayerful dependence.
v23“By what authority…?” — The leaders’ question is political and theological: who has the right to reorder the temple and teach the people?
v25–27John’s baptism — Jesus exposes their posture: they calculate consequences instead of seeking truth. Refusing John’s authority reveals their refusal of God’s.
v28–32two sons — The contrast is between public compliance and actual obedience. Repentance is pictured as a changed direction, not a polished promise.
v31“tax collectors and prostitutes” — The scandal is grace’s order: those judged “outside” enter first when they respond to God with trust.
v33–39tenants kill the son — The parable narrates Israel’s story of rejected messengers and anticipates Jesus’ own death at the hands of those guarding the vineyard.
v41“They will… lease… to other tenants” — Judgment is not the end of the vineyard; stewardship is transferred to those who will produce the fruit of the kingdom.
v42rejected stone / cornerstone — God’s reversal is the interpretive key: what leaders discard becomes foundational in God’s construction.
v43“producing its fruits” — The kingdom is not a possession to protect but a vocation to bear fruit: justice, mercy, and faithful allegiance.
v45–46“they knew… speaking about them… feared the crowds” — Recognition does not produce repentance; fear of people replaces fear of God, and the plot tightens around Jesus.

Vocabulary

v23ἐξουσία (exousia) — authority; rightful power
v25βάπτισμα (baptisma) — baptism
v27οἶδα (oida) — to know
v29μεταμέλομαι (metamelomai) — to change one’s mind; to regret (turning after refusal)
v31τελῶναι (telōnai) — tax collectors
v31πόρναι (pornai) — prostitutes

Vocabulary

v01Βηθφαγή (Bēthphagē) — Bethphage
v01Ἐλαιῶν (Elaiōn) — olives (Mount of Olives)
v03κύριος (kyrios) — Lord; master
v05πραΰς (praÿs) — gentle; meek (strength under restraint)
v09ὡσαννά (hōsanna) — “Hosanna!” (save, we pray)
v09υἱὸς Δαυίδ (huios Dauid) — Son of David
v10σείω (seiō) — to shake; to stir up; to agitate
v12ἱερόν (hieron) — temple precincts
v13οἶκος προσευχῆς (oikos proseuchēs) — house of prayer
v13σπήλαιον λῃστῶν (spēlaion lēstōn) — den/cave of robbers
v14θεραπεύω (therapeuō) — to heal
v19συκῆ (sykē) — fig tree
v21πίστις (pistis) — trust; faithfulness (context determines nuance)
v23ἐξουσία (exousia) — authority; rightful power
v25βάπτισμα (baptisma) — baptism
v27οἶδα (oida) — to know
v29μεταμέλομαι (metamelomai) — to change one’s mind; to regret (turning after refusal)
v31τελῶναι (telōnai) — tax collectors
v31πόρναι (pornai) — prostitutes
v33ἀμπελών (ampelōn) — vineyard
v33γεωργοί (geōrgoi) — tenants; farmers; vine-growers
v37υἱός (huios) — son
v42λίθος (lithos) — stone
v42κεφαλὴ γωνίας (kephalē gōnias) — cornerstone; head of the corner
v43βασιλεία τοῦ θεοῦ (basileia tou theou) — kingdom of God
v43καρπός (karpos) — fruit; produce; outcome
v46κρατέω (krateō) — to seize; to arrest; to take hold of

The Cost of Holding On

1. How might our own expectations limit our ability to see God's work around us, and what could it mean to release these expectations?

2. In what ways does God's grace invite you to embrace vulnerability, and how does that challenge your current understanding of strength or security?

3. Philippians 2 speaks of having the same mind as Christ Jesus. What might it cost you to embody such a mindset in your daily life, and what fears does it raise?

4. When confronted with authority, as seen in Matthew 21, how do we hold onto our own understanding as opposed to the possibility of transformation through God's invitation?

5. Reflecting on the call to let go of what we tightly hold, what resources or situations are you hesitant to release, and how might loosening your grip create space for God's peace to enter?

Hymn of Reflection

Take My Life, GTG #697

Affirmation of Faith

We believe in God, the One who creates and sustains, who calls us to loosen our grip on what we cling to for safety. We acknowledge the challenge of releasing our expectations and the fear of vulnerability it brings. Yet we trust that in letting go, we receive abundant grace and unexpected peace.

We believe in Jesus Christ, who showed us the power of humility and obedience, even to the point of death on a cross. In his life, we learn that true strength is found in weakness and that his exaltation came through self-emptying love. We confess that following his example can feel daunting and costly, yet we embrace the life it offers.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, who empowers us to empty ourselves of pride and self-reliance, so we might be filled with the fullness of God's life. The Spirit moves within us and among us, transforming our hearts and minds to seek unity and love above all else.

We believe in the church, called to embody the grace of letting go, trusting in God's promises over our own plans. Together, we face the struggle of surrender and the hope that God’s purposes are greater. Our hope lies in the God who redefines power and provides strength through vulnerability.

Prayers of the People

God, who invites us to trust beyond our fears,
Hear our prayer.

For your church, called to let go of divisions and find unity in Christ,
Grant us courage and vision.

For the world and its leaders, burdened by power and greed,
Guide them toward justice and peace.

For creation, straining under human demands,
Teach us to hold it with care and reverence.

For all who suffer, clutching pain and loss,
Bring them your healing and comfort.

For our community, seeking hope amid uncertainty,
Open paths of generosity and trust.

For those who are sick, grieving, or without comfort,
Surround them with your presence and love.

God of grace, who knows our deepest needs,
Receive our prayers and open our hearts.

Hymn of Sending

God of Grace and God of Glory, GTG #307

Sending

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Be with us all.

May the love of God, forever true,
Hold us gently in its care.

May the fellowship of the Holy Spirit,
Bind us together in peace.

Go into the world in the strength of God,
And live in the freedom of love given freely.

Amen.
Amen.

Reflections for Later

Sharing God’s Word Together

For Newcomers

Stepping into a new community like this one—where the patterns of worship and the language used can feel unfamiliar—can be both daunting and exhilarating. The readings today invite us to consider what it means to hold onto things, whether out of habit, fear, or necessity, and what might happen if we dared to release our grip. We often hold tight to expectations, whether of ourselves or others, and to plans or resources that feel like safety nets. But what if being open, even vulnerable, is where peace and grace find us?

One of today’s readings offers a glimpse into this tension. It suggests the potential of realigning our lives with Christ’s example, who embraced humility and service. This isn’t just about letting go of material things but also our assumptions and burdens that weigh us down. Vulnerability is not weakness; it’s a courageous acceptance that we do not have to go through life alone, always in control.

As someone exploring what it means to be part of this church, perhaps you find yourself wondering where you fit in if you’re holding doubts or difficult questions. Take comfort in knowing that this community values openness and sees questions as part of the journey. Here, belonging isn’t about having everything figured out; it’s about being open to grace and to each other.

  • Think of a time when letting go was difficult for you. What did you learn from the experience, and how did it shape your understanding of vulnerability?
  • In what ways do you feel invited to release your grip today—be it on expectations, fears, or assumptions?
  • How can embracing the vulnerability of not having all the answers help build or deepen your connection to this community?

For Those Rooted in This Community

In community, it’s easy to find comfort in the roots we’ve planted, the stories we’ve shared, and the familiar faces around us. This sense of belonging is a gift, but it can also make us reluctant to change or see beyond our own experience. The invitation from Jesus in this week’s readings asks us to let go of our tightly held expectations and the safety of what we know. Philippians challenges us, particularly as seasoned members, to embrace the mindset of Christ, which is not about clinging to status or certainty but about self-emptying love. This love invites a willingness to release control, to see things anew, and to venture into the discomfort of not knowing. It's a call to be vulnerable, to trust in God’s provision even when it seems we have everything figured out.

Matthew's gospel recounts a conversation about authority that can perhaps feel more familiar than challenging after multiple readings. Yet, for those embedded in this congregation’s routines, the question of who holds authority in our life remains significant. It can be easy to assume we've aligned our ways with God’s, but the willingness to reassess, the humility to admit when we might have missed God's movement, is a crucial facet of a living faith. What assumptions do we hold about our community and its work in Christ's name? Where have we perhaps mistook our comfort for God’s will? For a congregation blessed with deep roots, the challenge may be letting God's dynamic Spirit disturb the soil, making room for growth and transformation beyond our control.

In what ways might your long-standing expectations of the church and its work limit your openness to God's new thing among you?

How can vulnerability—individually and as a community—lead to discovering peace?

What practical steps can this congregation take to ensure readiness to respond when God calls us to change?

For Churches Without a Pastor

In this season of your shared journey, you gather without a single voice leading as pastor. This absence may heighten the sense of uncertainty, provoking feelings that cling tightly to familiar structures and expectations — an instinct that often feels like protection against the unknown. Yet, our faith tradition reminds us that God’s movement often comes in unexpected forms. The absence of a singular pastoral figure is not merely a gap to endure but can be transformed into a vibrant invitation to deepen your communal reliance on the Spirit and to discover new gifts that arise from within the congregation.

Philippians encourages us to be of one mind, embracing humility and serving each other in love. This communal call is especially resonant now. Without a single leader, the mantle of ministry is shared — amplifying the diverse voices and talents within your midst. In this mutual service, God’s grace abundantly flows. By opening your hands and hearts to one another, you create a space where vulnerability is met not with fear or insecurity but with peace and trust in God’s sustaining presence.

In the Gospel reading, we encounter authority challenged not by the exhibited power, but by the authenticity of one’s walk with God’s will. Authority in your community need not be derived from titles but from the lived expression of faith through shared leadership. This way of being is demanding and can be uncomfortable, yet the vulnerability it requires is a pathway to Spirit-led growth and transformation. Here, absence can become opportunity: a means through which deeper relationships are forged, undiscerned talents are fostered, and a robust community takes shape, ready to steward God’s grace in surprising ways.

  1. Consider moments when you have found peace in letting go during a time of uncertainty. What did that experience reveal to you about trust in God and community?
  2. How might the absence of a single pastoral figure invite you to listen more carefully for God’s voice through the words and actions of fellow congregants?
  3. In what ways can you foster a culture of shared leadership that embraces vulnerability as strength and apprehends authority through humble service?

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Rights and Use

© Church Commons. 2026

Written by Rev. Matthew J. Skolnik unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved.

These materials may be used and adapted for worship and educational purposes within Christian communities. They may not be sold or redistributed for commercial purposes without permission.

Resource Details

Date: September 27, 2026

Scripture: Matthew 21:23-32

Theme: The Cost of Holding On (Philippians 2:1-13, Matthew 21:23-32)

Lectionary: RCL Year A

Scripture on this page is from The Shared Word Translation (SWT), an ongoing translation project within ChurchCommons.org.

Scripture on this page is from The Shared Word Translation (SWT), an ongoing translation project within ChurchCommons.org.

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