St Ansgar Lutheran Church, London

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Sunday Morning

We invite you to join us for the following worship services:

Sundays
10:30 a.m. Worship service

Hand sanitizer will be available at the entrance and other locations in the church for
your use.

Washrooms will be available for use.

In the service: The service will be shown on the screen. The offering will not be gathered and presented, but there will be an offering plate at the back of the sanctuary where you can put your offering as you enter or leave. Pastor David distributes the communion wafers and an Assisting Minister distributes wine or grape juice in individual glasses.

We have coffee and fellowship time available again in Luther Hall after the service.

We will continue to evaluate our worship service procedures on a monthly basis.

Second Sunday of Easter, April 20, 2025.

St. Ansgar Lutheran Church, Outline for Worship (with sermon)
Sunday, April 27, 2025 – Second Sunday of Easter
Based on ELW Setting Four

GATHERING

WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS

THANKSGIVING FOR BAPTISM
(The assembly stands. All may make the sign of the cross, the sign marked at
baptism, as the presiding minister begins.)

P: Alleluia! Christ is risen.
C: Christ is risen, indeed. Alleluia!

P: In the name of the ☩One who was, who is, and who is to come.
C: Amen.

P: Baptized into Christ’s death and resurrection, and called to live the baptized
life, let us give thanks for the gifts of baptism.

(Water may be poured into the font as the presiding minister gives thanks.)

P: Holy God, we give you thanks for the waters of baptism, waters that
make a people your own, that restore to wholeness, and empower us
to be witnesses in your name.
Baptized into you, O Living One,
C: make us one as you are one.

P: We give you thanks for the waters of baptism, waters that strengthen
believers and give new life to beloved servants of your church; waters that
extend your boundless love and cross barriers of our own making.
Baptized into you, O Living One,
C: make us one as you are one.

P: We give you thanks for the waters of baptism, waters that open the hearts
of believers and give a voice in the night to those in captivity; waters that set
your people on a new path, rejoicing in the Spirit’s power.
Baptized into you, O Living One,
C: make us one as you are one.

P: Grant us grace, love, and life, O Living One, that our every day is shaped
by these waters that give us our lives in you. We ask this in the name of Jesus,
the Crucified and Risen One.
C: Amen.

ENTRANCE HYMN - A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing! (ELW #393)

GREETING
P: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion
of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
C: And also with you

KYRIE
A: In peace, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy.

A: For the peace from above, and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy.

A: For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the Church of God,
and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy.

A: For this holy house, and for all who offer here their worship and praise,
let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy.

A: Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord.
C: Amen.

HYMN OF PRAISE (ELW p. 149)
P: This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia.
C: Worthy is Christ, the Lamb who was slain,
whose blood set us free to be people of God.
Power and riches and wisdom and strength,
and honour and blessing and glory are his.
This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia.
Sing with all the people of God
and join in the hymn of all creation:
Blessing and honour and glory and might
be to God and the Lamb forever. Amen.
This is the feast of victory for our God,
for the Lamb who was slain has begun his reign.
Alleluia. Alleluia.

PRAYER OF THE DAY
P: Let us pray.
P: O God of life, you reach out to us amid our fears with the wounded hands
of your risen Son. By your Spirit’s breath revive our faith in your mercy,
and strengthen us to be the body of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Saviour
and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God,
now and forever.
C: Amen

WORD

FIRST READING: Acts 5:27-32
27 When they had brought them, they had them stand before the council.
The high priest questioned them, 28 saying, "We gave you strict orders not
to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching
and you are determined to bring this man's blood on us." 29 But Peter and
the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than any human authority.
30 The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging
him on a tree. 31 God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Saviour that
he might give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are
witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to
those who obey him."

A: The word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.

PSALM: 118: 14-29
14 The Lord is my strength and my song,
and has become my salvation.
15 Shouts of rejoicing and salvation echo in the tents of the righteous:
“The right hand of the Lord acts valiantly!
16 The right hand of the Lord is exalted!
The right hand of the Lord acts valiantly!”
17 I shall not die, but live,
and declare the works of the Lord.
18 The Lord indeed punished me sorely,
but did not hand me over to death.
19 Open for me the gates of righteousness;
I will enter them and give thanks to the Lord.
20 “This is the gate of the Lord;
here the righteous may enter.”
21 I give thanks to you, for you have answered me
and you have become my salvation.
22 The stone that the builders rejected
has become the chief cornerstone.
23 By the Lord has this been done;
it is marvelous in our eyes.
24 This is the day that the Lord has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
25 Hosanna! O Lord, save us!
We pray to you, Lord, prosper our days!
26 Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord;
we bless you from the house of the Lord.
27 The Lord is God and has given us light.
Form a procession with branches up to the corners of the altar.
28 You are my God, and I will thank you;
you are my God, and I will exalt you.
29 Give thanks to the Lord, for the Lord is good;
God’s mercy endures forever.

SECOND READING: Revelation 1:4-8
4 John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him
who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are
before his throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of
the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and freed
us from our sins by his blood, 6 and made us to be a kingdom, priests serving
his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
7 Look! He is coming with the clouds; every eye will see him, even those who
pierced him; and on his account all the tribes of the earth will wail. So it is to be.
Amen. 8 "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, who is and who
was and who is to come, the Almighty.

A: The word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
C: Alleluia. Lord, to whom shall we go?
You have the words of eternal life. Alleluia.

GOSPEL
P: The Holy Gospel according to John 20:19-31
C: Glory to you, O Lord.

19 When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of
the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus
came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." 20 After he said
this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when
they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the
Father has sent me, so I send you." 22 When he had said this, he breathed on
them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of
any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."
24 But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them
when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord."
But he said to them, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put
my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe."
26 A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was
with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among
them and said, "Peace be with you." 27 Then he said to Thomas, "Put your
finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side.
Do not doubt but believe." 28 Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!"
29 Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me?
Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe."
30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples,
which are not written in this book. 31 But these are written so that you may
come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through
believing you may have life in his name.

P: The Gospel of the Lord.
C: Praise to you, O Christ

SERMON
John 20:19-31
Let us pray: May the words of my mouth, and the prayers of our hearts,
always be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, our Strength, and our Redeemer.
AMEN

I am moved by the resurrection accounts in the Gospel of John, in which
Jesus returns to his frightened and confused disciples as the Risen One,
meeting them just where they are. Early in the morning of the first day of the
week, Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene just outside of the tomb. She is
weeping and desperate, weighed down with grief and loss. She can only
imagine that someone has, for reasons incomprehensible to her, removed
the body of Jesus from the tomb and laid it somewhere else. Her tear-filled
eyes fail to recognize Jesus who speaks to her. Mary Magdalene assumes
that he is the gardener and pleads with him to tell her where they have laid
Jesus’ body. Then Jesus said to her, “Mary.” And her world changes immediately.
Instantly the grief is lifted from her shoulders, hope springs anew. Her teacher
and friend is alive!
Looking ahead, remember how Jesus appears to Peter, the faithful and
devoted disciple who, caught in a moment of fear, denied knowing Jesus
three times. When Peter meets Jesus on the shores of the Sea of Galilee,
where Peter had been fishing with the others, Jesus speaks to Peter in a
kind way asking, “do you love me more than these?” Never a word of blame
is spoken. Jesus does not criticize or shame Peter. Three times Jesus asks
the question, “Peter, do you love me?” Three times Peter affirms his love
for Jesus. Three times a charge is given to Peter: “feed my lambs, tend my
sheep, feed my sheep.” Jesus offers forgiveness, accepts Peter’s pledge
of love, and restores him to a position of leadership among the disciples.
So kind, so tender, so sensitive to Peter’s pain, Jesus absolves him.
And in our Gospel lesson this morning, which takes us back to the evening
of the resurrection, with the disciples hiding behind locked doors, fearing for
their very lives, Jesus appears to them, gently reassuring them. “Peace be
with you.” Jesus steps into the circle of their fears, without a word of rebuke
or blame, and simply shows them his scarred body. Jesus’ words calm the
disciples and offers the assurance that they are looking for and need:
Jesus is scarred but he is not dead. Jesus is alive, more than alive.
Jesus just passed through a locked door to be with them. Their fear
evaporates instantly and is replaced with rejoicing. “As the Father has
sent me, so I send you,” Jesus tells the disciples. Then Jesus breathes
on them and says to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”
Take a moment and think about how Jesus might have acted when he
returned to the disciples, and what he might have said. Could he not have
scolded them for their lack of faith, criticized them for their fear, reminded
them of their failures and weaknesses, found fault with them for abandoning
him in his time of need? But Jesus does not. Instead, Jesus comes to them
humbly, offering the most generous forgiveness, empowering them for the
work ahead by breathing upon them the life-giving Spirit. What tremendous
love! What tender mercy!
A week later, Thomas is with them. He has not been able or willing to accept
their eyewitness report of their encounter with the risen Jesus, just as the
disciples could not or would not accept the eyewitness report of Mary
Magdalene. “We have seen the Lord,” the disciples insisted. But Thomas
will not be moved as he is held fast by doubt. “Unless I see the mark of the
nails in his hands and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his
side, I will not believe.” And so now, in his second appearance in the house,
Jesus grants his request, extending to Thomas his wounded hands and
showing the wound in his side, inviting him to see and touch and believe.
How tender Jesus is with Thomas’ uncertainty, and how patient Jesus is
with Thomas’ need to see for himself what the others have reported to him.
The risen Christ comes to us, too, in our fears and in our grief, in our
confusion and in our doubt. Jesus comes tenderly and patiently. He does
not force himself upon us or compel us to believe. Instead, Jesus offers his
sympathy and understanding. He invites us to put our trust in him and waits
patiently for us to let go of our doubts and our reluctance to believe.
Jesus’ words comfort and console, but they also challenge. “As the Father
has sent me, so I send you,” Jesus tells them. He has met them in their need,
sympathized with them, and relieved their doubts and fears, but now there
is work to be done. “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any,
they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”
Why this emphasis on forgiveness? It seems to me that Jesus is very
intentional here. He realizes that they cannot carry out God’s work if they
are bound by doubt and fear. For this reason, Jesus appeared to them and
showed them his wounds. He has assured them of his love and forgiven
them for their past failures. Now Jesus empowers them to forgive others
in God’s name so that all may be free from the burden of sin and guilt.
Only then will they be able to answer and fulfill God’s call. The power
that frees us from fear is God’s Easter power.
Jesus’ desire for the disciples, and for us, is that we be liberated, not only
from our fears and doubt, but also from our sin and guilt. He wishes to lead
them out from behind closed doors, knit them together as one, and empower
them to stand boldly in the marketplace proclaiming the Good News of God
in Christ. Jesus’ will for them is to be transformed people and for this reason
he breathes on them the Holy Spirit.
The Gospels assure us that we are loved, accepted as we are, and forgiven.
But they do not coddle us. The Gospels challenge us to be ambassadors
for Christ, witnesses to his resurrection, bearers of the Good News for others.
This morning, and every morning, may we let the risen Lord come to us in
our sadness, in our fear, in our confusion and doubt, in our guilt, and assure
us that we are accepted, that we are enough just as we are, that we are
deeply loved and forever cherished. Let Jesus Christ comfort and heal us,
but let him also challenge us, empower and transform us, call forth the best
in us, and send us out to be his witnesses in the world, not only with our
words but with our lives, to be his hands and feet, to be channels of his love
and mercy and forgiveness in a world that so much needs Him. This will be
us living in resurrection power!
AMEN

Silence is kept for reflection.

HYMN OF THE DAY – Now All the Vault of Heaven Resounds (ELW #367)

NICENE CREED
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God, begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven,
was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary
and became truly human.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again in accordance with the scriptures;
he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
A: God of resurrection and new life, we come before you in prayer for the
church, the world, and all who are in need.
A: God of our church, send forth your Spirit as we pray for our Synod Bishop
Carla. Empower her with your wisdom to lead the church. We also pray for
our National Bishop Susan and the National ELCIC Office and Support Staff.
Hear us, O God.
C: Your mercy is great.

A: Inspire the church with the breath of your Holy Spirit, that we sing the good
news of the resurrection. Inspire deacons and pastors, lay leaders and bishops
to boldly proclaim your love for all people. Hear us, O God.
C: Your mercy is great.

A: Preserve the earth as a safe home for all creatures. Restore habitats
contaminated by pollution or overuse, strengthen efforts to shape more
sustainable communities, and make us mindful of the impacts of our daily
lives on the well-being of creation. Hear us, O God.
C: Your mercy is great.

A: Kindle in the nations a spirit of cooperation and mutual care. Raise up
creative and courageous leaders committed to shaping just solutions to complex
challenges in our local and global communities. Hear us, O God.
C: Your mercy is great.

A: Embrace all who carry wounds, that they might know your compassion.
Draw near to those with chronic pain or anxiety, and all for whom death is near.
Comfort individuals and communities suffering in any way, especially Beth, Jean,
Mary Margaret, Kristine, Karen, Emma, Cathy, Jo-Anne, Ahlen, and those others
who are in our hearts. Hear us, O God.
C: Your mercy is great.

A: Transform our fear into curiosity and love, especially across differences
in race, religion, sexuality, gender identity, and economic situation. Unravel
stereotypes that lead to discrimination, and destroy oppressive systems that
marginalize vulnerable communities. Hear us, O God.
C: Your mercy is great.

A: Merciful God, we pray for peace as war continues to rage in Ukraine and
in Israel and Gaza.. Shelter all living in fear; protect those seeking refuge in
neighbouring countries; sustain families separated by the horrors of war;
tend to those who are injured; comfort all who mourn their dead.
Direct your people into the way of peace. Hear us, O God.
C: Your mercy is great.

A: We remember the faithful departed from all times and places. Confident that
you are the Alpha and Omega, we pray for your wisdom and guidance until our
earthly pilgrimage is complete. Hear us, O God.
C: Your mercy is great.

A: We commend these and all our prayers to you, O God, trusting that you are
always with us; in the name of Jesus Christ, our risen Saviour.
C: Amen.

PEACE
P: The peace of Christ be with you always.
C: And also with you.

OFFERING PRAYER
A: Risen One, you have gathered us around your table of grace along with these
gifts we bring. Come among us again, breathe your life into us, and enliven us
with this meal, that we may live as your risen body in the world.
C: Amen.

LORD’S PRAYER
P: Lord, remember us in your kingdom and teach us to pray.
C: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name,
thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
forever and ever. Amen.

SENDING

BLESSING
P: The triune God, who was, who is, and who is to come, Sovereign,
☩Saviour, and Spirit, light your way with resurrection dawn, now and always.
C: Amen.

SENDING HYMN – Thine Is the Glory (ELW #376)

DISMISSAL
A: Alleluia! Christ is risen.
C: Christ is risen, indeed. Alleluia!

A: Go in peace. In Christ you are made new. Alleluia! Alleluia!
C: Thanks be to God. Alleluia! Alleluia!

DISMISSAL HYMN – The Lord Now Sends Us Forth (ELW #538)
Verse 1
The Lord now sends us forth
with hands to serve and give,
to make of all the earth
a better place to live. Repeat (2X)

Verse 2
The angels are not sent
into our world of pain
to do what we were meant
to do in Jesus' name;
that falls to you and me
and all who are made free.
Help us, O Lord, we pray,
to do your will today. Repeat (2X)