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.

TENTH SUNDAY OF PENTECOST, JULY 28, 2024

St. Ansgar Lutheran Church, Outline for Worship (with sermon)
Sunday, July 28, 2024 – Tenth Sunday after Pentecost
Based on ELW Setting Four

GATHERING

WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS

BRIEF ORDER FOR CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
P: Blessed be the holy Trinity, + one God,
the God of manna, the God of miracles, the God of mercy.
C: Amen.

P: Drawn to Christ and seeking God’s abundance, let us confess our sin.

Silence is kept for reflection.

P: God, our provider,
C: help us.
It is hard to believe there is enough to share.
We question your ways when they differ from the ways of the world in
which we live.
We turn to our own understanding rather than trusting in you.
We take offense at your teachings and your ways.
Turn us again to you. Where else can we turn?
Share with us the words of eternal life and feed us for life in the world.
Amen.

P: Beloved people of God:
in Jesus, the manna from heaven, you are fed and nourished.
By Jesus, the worker of miracles, there is always more than enough.
Through Jesus, + the bread of life, you are shown God’s mercy: you are
forgiven and loved into abundant life.
C: Amen.

ENTRANCE HYMN - Praise and Thanksgiving (ELW #689)

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 (sung) (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: Gracious God, you have placed within the hearts of all your children a
longing for your word and a hunger for your truth. Grant that we may know
your Son to be the true bread of heaven and share this bread with all the
world, through Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord.
Amen

WORD

FIRST READING: 2 Kings 4:42-44
42 A man came from Baal-shalishah, bringing food from the first fruits to
the man of God: twenty loaves of barley and fresh ears of grain in his sack.
Elisha said, "Give it to the people and let them eat." 43 But his servant said,
"How can I set this before a hundred people?" So he repeated, "Give it to
the people and let them eat, for thus says the LORD, 'They shall eat and
have some left.'" 44 He set it before them, they ate, and had some left,
according to the word of the LORD.

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

PSALM 145: 10-18
10 All your works shall praise you, O Lord,
and your faithful ones shall bless you.
11 They shall tell of the glory of your kingdom
and speak of your power,
12 that all people may know of your power
and the glorious splendour of your kingdom.
13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, your dominion endures
throughout all ages.
You, Lord, are faithful in all your words, and loving in all your works.
14 The Lord upholds all those who fall
and lifts up those who are bowed down.
15 The eyes of all wait upon you, O Lord,
and you give them their food in due season.
16 You open wide your hand
and satisfy the desire of every living thing.
17 You are righteous in all your ways
and loving in all your works.
18 You are near to all who call upon you,
to all who call upon you faithfully.

SECOND READING: Ephesians 3:14-21
14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every
family in heaven and on earth takes its name. 16 I pray that, according to the
riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner
being with power through his Spirit, 17 and that Christ may dwell in your hearts
through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. 18 I pray that you
may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and
length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses
knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 20 Now to him
who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more
than all we can ask or imagine, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ
Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

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 6:1-21
C: Glory to you, O Lord.

1 After this Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, also called the Sea
of Tiberias. 2 A large crowd kept following him, because they saw the signs that
he was doing for the sick. 3 Jesus went up the mountain and sat down there with
his disciples.4 Now the Passover, the festival of the Jews, was near. 5 When he
looked up and saw a large crowd coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip,
"Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?" 6 He said this to test him,
for he himself knew what he was going to do. 7 Philip answered him, "Six months'
wages would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little." 8 One of his
disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him, 9 "There is a boy here who
has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?"
10 Jesus said, "Make the people sit down." Now there was a great deal of grass
in the place; so they sat down, about five thousand in all. 11 Then Jesus took the
loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were
seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted. 12 When they were satisfied,
he told his disciples, "Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost."
13 So they gathered them up, and from the fragments of the five barley loaves,
left by those who had eaten, they filled twelve baskets. 14 When the people saw
the sign that he had done, they began to say, "This is indeed the prophet who is
to come into the world." 15 When Jesus realized that they were about to come
and take him by force to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain by
himself. 16 When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, 17 got into
a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus
had not yet come to them. 18 The sea became rough because a strong wind
was blowing. 19 When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus
walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were terrified. 20 But he
said to them, "It is I; do not be afraid." 21 Then they wanted to take him into the boat,
and immediately the boat reached the land toward which they were going.

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

SERMON
John 6:1-21
This sermon has been prepared by Rev. Carmen Ramirez,
Assistant to the Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada
(ELCIC), with responsibility for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion.
Good morning, friends in Christ. Today, we gather to reflect on the very
powerful story of Jesus feeding the five thousand, as recorded in chapter 6
of the Gospel of John. This passage not only demonstrates the miraculous
power of Jesus but also invites us to consider how we can respond to God's
abundant grace in our own lives and how we can impact the lives of others.
The Miracle of Multiplication:
In John 6:1-21, we see a large crowd following Jesus because they saw
the signs He had performed by healing the sick. As the crowd grew hungry,
Jesus asked Philip, "Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?"
Philip's response highlighted the enormity of the task, but Andrew brought
a boy with five barley loaves and two small fish. Jesus took these humble
offerings, gave thanks, and distributed them to the crowd. Miraculously,
everyone had enough to eat, and there were twelve baskets of leftovers.
Lessons in Faith and Generosity:
This miracle teaches us several important lessons. Firstly, it shows us that
Jesus cares about our physical needs as well as our spiritual ones. He is the
provider who can turn our scarcity into abundance. Secondly, it teaches us
the value of faith and generosity. The boy's willingness to share his small
lunch was used by Jesus to bless thousands. In our lives, no act of kindness
or generosity is too small for God to use in miraculous ways.
Someone, someplace, is waiting for even a tiny gesture that will make their
day and even change their lives. I remember many years ago when I was
first attending a local church. I had had a very bad night and I almost did not
go to church because my night had been terrible. I felt depressed, I felt ugly,
just really down. As I walked into the church, I remember the assistant pastor
was at the entrance. He said to me: "You look so nice today." His words
changed my state of being. I felt that God himself had said those kind words
to me. It was as if God said do not worry; you are going to be just fine.
Responding to God's Grace:
As we continue to reflect on this story, we are reminded of our call to
respond to God's grace with faith and action. Just as Jesus multiplied the
loaves and fishes, He can multiply our efforts to bring about His kingdom
on earth. We are invited to trust in His provision and to share our blessings
with others, knowing that God can do immeasurably more than we can ask
or imagine. A small gesture or a kind word goes a long way for those who
need it at that precise moment. It can transform a person's day and maybe
even their life.
World Day Against Trafficking in Persons:
Today, we also acknowledge the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons
which is on July 30. As we reflect on Jesus' compassion and provision,
let us remember those who are suffering from exploitation and trafficking.
We are called to be instruments of God's justice and love, working to end
human trafficking and to support the survivors in their journey towards
healing and restoration.
In conclusion, let us be inspired by the miracle of the feeding of the five
thousand to live lives of faith, generosity, and action. Let us trust in God's
abundant provision and be willing to share what we have, knowing that
He can use our gifts to bless others in ways we cannot even imagine.
And let us commit to standing against injustice, remembering that we
are called to be the hands and feet of Christ in the world.
AMEN

HYMN OF THE DAY – By Your Hand You Feed Your People (ELW #469)

APOSTLES’ CREED
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.*
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
A: One in the communion of saints and in the power of the Holy Spirit, we join
our voices in prayer.
A: God of our church, send forth your Spirit as we pray for our Synod
Bishop Michael. Empower him with your wisdom to lead the church.
We also pray for our National Bishop Susan and the National ELCIC
Office and Support Staff. In your mercy,
C: hear our prayer.

A: God of generations, you work in us far more than we can ask or imagine.
Bless the church you have called into being across time and space, and fill
it with the power of the Spirit for loving service. In your mercy,
C: hear our prayer.

A: God of field and forest, streams and seas, you are the fullness of all things.
As grains of wheat grow upon the earth and fish swim in the waters, sustain
your creation. Protect harvests and give every person food in due season.
In your mercy,
C: hear our prayer.

A: God beyond borders, you rule all in all. Bless the work of humanitarians
and peacekeepers, shield those who live, work, or serve in harm’s way,
and bring an end to war and conflict. In your mercy,
C: hear our prayer.

A: God of healing, you open wide your hand and satisfy the desire of every
living thing. We remember any who are sick or suffering, especially Eileen,
Beth, Jean, Mary Margaret, Kristine, Peter and Shirley, and those others
who are in our hearts. We also remember families in our community who
endure hunger, those who seek asylum or citizenship, and our beloved
for whom death is near. In your mercy,
C: hear our prayer.

A: God of grace, you root us and ground us in love. As you inspired our
ancestors in this place and elsewhere in their ministry, sustain us also
in new endeavours, that your glory may be made known, and your
lovingkindness shared anew. In your mercy,
C: hear our prayer.

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. In your mercy,
C: hear our prayer.

A: God of all, your love in Christ surpasses all knowledge. We give thanks
for the departed who have come to know the fullness of your grace. Join our
voices with theirs and all the saints in singing your praises. In your mercy,
C: hear our prayer.

A: Holy God, holy and merciful: into your outstretched arms we commend
ourselves and all for whom we pray, trusting in the one who is the way,
the truth, and the life, Jesus Christ our Saviour and Lord.
C: Amen.

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

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 blessing of God, who provides for us, feeds us, and journeys with us,
+be upon you now and forever.
C: Amen.

SENDING HYMN – Sent Forth by God’s Blessing (ELW #547)

DISMISSAL
A: Go in peace. You are the body of Christ.
C: Thanks be to God.

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)