St Ansgar Lutheran Church, London

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Sunday Morning

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

Sundays
10:30 a.m. (September through June)
10:00 a.m. (July and August)
Please see Calendar for communion Sundays.

Reopening for In-Person Worship on Sunday, March 6: Our Church Council has
resumed in-person meetings, with face masks and suitable distancing in Luther Hall.

Our services will be in the sanctuary including communion
.
All attendees at our worship services must be fully vaccinated.

Face masks are required. We will have some congregational singing in the service, with our masks on. We are not yet ready to have our coffee and fellowship time in Luther Hall after the service as we used to do in the days before COVID.

Registration It is helpful (though not essential) : It is nice to know how many are coming and who is coming. This will help us with setting up for Communion and it is also important for contact tracing if that should ever become necessary. If you would like to come to the service on a Sunday,
please let us know by email during the previous week, and not later than Friday morning. The address is st.ansgar@rogers.com and we will send you a reply to confirm your reservation.

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

Washrooms will be available for use, but there may be only one person, or members of only one family, in a washroom at any given time.

In the service: We will not be using the pew cushions at this time, but you are welcome to bring your own cushion and take it home with you after the service. There will be no hymnals in the pews, but the service will be shown on the screen and we will sing some of the hymns. 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. We are now using continuous communion in the sanctuary, with careful attention to hand sanitizing. Pastor David distributes the communion wafers and an Assisting Minister distributes wine or grape juice in individual glasses. As worshippers come
forward to receive the elements, we try to maintain physical distancing and to manage the traffic patterns to minimize interactions among people.

Still no social time in the church: We will not yet be able to have our coffee and fellowship time in Luther Hall after the service as we used to do in the days before COVID. We will not be able to gather in the narthex to sit or stand and talk to each other before the service starts or after it ends. Pastor David is now meeting people at the door wearing his mask.

We will miss all these things and we look forward to a time when all these activities, that used to be such an important part of the life of our St. Ansgar church family, will be safe again.

We will continue to evaluate our worship service procedures on a monthly basis and we will make other adjustments when local COVID data and advice from the Health Unit indicate it is safer to do so.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 2022.

St. Ansgar Lutheran Church, Outline for Worship (with sermon)
Sunday, August 14, 2022 – 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,
whose steadfast love endures forever.
C: Amen.
P: Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another.
P: Merciful God,
C: we confess that we have not followed your path,
but have chosen our own way.
Instead of putting others before ourselves,
we long to take the best seats at the table.
When met by those in need,
we have too often passed by on the other side.
Set us again on the path of life.
Save us from ourselves and free us to love our neighbours.
Amen.
P: Hear the good news!
God does not deal with us according to our sins
but delights in granting pardon and mercy.
In the name of + Jesus Christ, your sins are forgiven.
You are free to love as God loves.
C: Amen.

ENTRANCE HYMN – ELW 813 Faith of Our Fathers

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.

PRAYER OF THE DAY
P: Let us pray.
P: O God, judge eternal, you love justice and hate oppression, and you call us to
share your zeal for truth. Give us courage to take our stand with all victims of
bloodshed and greed, and, following your servants and prophets, to look to the
pioneer and perfecter of our faith, your Son, Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord.
C: Amen

WORD

FIRST READING: Jeremiah 23:23-29
23 Am I a God near by, says the LORD, and not a God far off? 24 Who can hide
in secret places so that I cannot see them? says the LORD. Do I not fill heaven
and earth? says the LORD. 25 I have heard what the prophets have said who
prophesy lies in my name, saying, "I have dreamed, I have dreamed!" 26 How
long? Will the hearts of the prophets ever turn back--those who prophesy lies,
and who prophesy the deceit of their own heart? 27 They plan to make my
people forget my name by their dreams that they tell one another, just as their
ancestors forgot my name for Baal. 28 Let the prophet who has a dream tell the
dream, but let the one who has my word speak my word faithfully. What has
straw in common with wheat? says the LORD. 29 Is not my word like fire, says
the LORD, and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?
A: The word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.

PSALM 82
1 God stands to charge the divine council assembled,
giving judgement in the midst of the gods:
2 “How long will you judge unjustly,
and show favour to the wicked?
3 Save the weak and the orphan;
defend the humble and needy;
4 rescue the weak and the poor;
deliver them from the power of the wicked.
5 They do not know, neither do they understand; they wander about in darkness;
all the foundations of the earth are shaken.
6 Now I say to you, ‘You are gods,
and all of you children of the Most High;
7 nevertheless, you shall die like mortals,
and fall like any prince.’”
8 Arise, O God, and rule the earth,
for you shall take all nations for your own.

SECOND READING: Hebrews 11:29 – 12:2
29 By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as if it were dry land, but
when the Egyptians attempted to do so they were drowned. 30 By faith the
walls of Jericho fell after they had been encircled for seven days. 31 By faith
Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because
she had received the spies in peace. 32 And what more should I say? For time
would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel
and the prophets-- 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered
justice, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched raging fire,
escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty
in war, put foreign armies to flight. 35 Women received their dead by
resurrection. Others were tortured, refusing to accept release, in order to
obtain a better resurrection. 36 Others suffered mocking and flogging, and
even chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned to death, they were sawn
in two, they were killed by the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and
goats, destitute, persecuted, tormented-- 38 of whom the world was not worthy.
They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the
ground. 39 Yet all these, though they were commended for their faith, did not
receive what was promised, 40 since God had provided something better so
that they would not, apart from us, be made perfect.
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us
also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run
with perseverance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus the pioneer
and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him
endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right
hand of the throne of God.
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 Luke 12:49-56
C: Glory to you, O Lord.
49 "I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!
50 I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and what stress I am under until
it is completed! 51 Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth?
No, I tell you, but rather division! 52 From now on five in one household will be
divided, three against two and two against three; 53 they will be divided: father
against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter
against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law
against mother-in-law." 54 He also said to the crowds, "When you see a cloud
rising in the west, you immediately say, 'It is going to rain'; and so it happens.
55 And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, 'There will be scorching
heat'; and it happens. 56 You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the
appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the
present time?
P: The Gospel of the Lord.
C: Praise to you, O Christ.

SERMON
Luke 12: 49-56
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 don’t know about you, but I am very uncomfortable every time I read this
passage from the Gospel of Luke. No one would deny that these words are
some of the most intense words spoken by Jesus we will find in the Bible.
Anyone who reads these words, especially those who believe in Jesus, would
want an explanation. Honestly, it is easy to imagine Jesus shouting at the top of
his voice when we read these words Jesus has spoken. In a few minutes I will
share some insight into these words that grab our attention and cause us to be
uncomfortable, phrases like, “I came to bring fire to the earth,” and “Do you think
I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division!”
Such words coming from Jesus demand an explanation because we expect
Jesus to say the opposite of what we hear Jesus saying in this passage.
First, let us try to understand these words by considering what was going
on in Jesus’ life at this particular time. It is true after all that when something
significant is going on in our lives, our demeanour and speech will reflect our
feelings. Our words spoken calmly may develop an unpleasing bite that betrays
the fact that we are on edge. We understand this and allow for such behaviour
in one another.
It is easy to recognize that Jesus’ words have a bite to them. Jesus appears to
be on edge, which is reflected in his words. Jesus’ mind seems to be focused on
the consuming event that is about to happen, his impending crucifixion. Jesus
often thought and spoke about that “hour.” He knew that his mission on earth
involved the cross. Jesus would suffer and die for the sins of the world. That
was his mission and Jesus knew the time was quickly coming for him to fulfill
his mission.
So, Jesus often had the cross in the back of his mind when he was speaking
publicly or with his disciples, and that seems to be the case here. Jesus has
been talking with his disciples about living their lives in total commitment to God.
Suddenly, he seems to shift the focus to himself, having reminded himself in his
own conversation of the total commitment that would soon be demanded of him.
Jesus realizes that his own nonviolent efforts to announce and proclaim the
kingdom of God will soon result in violence that others will inflict on him on the
cross. These realities stir deeply within him. The disciples do not see all of this.
They couldn’t possibly see what was going to happen in the future, and Jesus
does not blame them for that. But the emotion of it sweeps over him and he
expresses himself by saying, “I come to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish
it were already kindled. I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and what
stress I am under until it is completed. Do you think I have come to bring peace
to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division!” Then Jesus goes on to tell how
houses will be divided and relatives set against one another. Strong words,
dramatic images, intense emotions. The approaching hour of the cross was
something Jesus had to live with from the beginning of his ministry, if not for
his entire life.
The reason Jesus was so stressed is the fact the hour of the cross was quickly
approaching. Geographically speaking, at this point in time, Jesus was making
his final swing through territory that would bring him to Jerusalem for his
final confrontation with his enemies, a confrontation that would directly lead
to his crucifixion.
This is the background that we need to understand in order to appreciate these
startling words of Jesus. So, with this understanding of the background of Jesus
words, what is the meaning of the words, “I came to bring fire to the earth,” and
“Do you think I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather
division!” Jesus was telling his disciples, including us, that our mission of peace-
making will always be met with active aggression against what we are doing.
He was telling all those who work for unity that they will have to go through
conflicts that result in divisions and brokenness before oneness is achieved.
Unfortunately, history is filled with paradigms demonstrating this truth. Dr. Martin
Luther King, Jr. attempted to bring unity to the United States, and he sought to
do it through nonviolent means. We know this social oneness as integration.
He sought to make the United States a nation of integrity. But the process of
fulfilling his dream, as we all know, involved division, violence, and his own
assassination.
In the church’s history, there have always been those heroes and heroines of
the faith who have suffered martyrdom in the cause of bringing the peace of
the Gospel into a hostile world. Most of the apostles of Jesus were martyred
at the hands of those who became unnerved by these messengers of peace.
Those whose mission it was to bring the peace of God often brought the sword
of death upon themselves through no fault of their own. They brought fire upon
the earth that frequently consumed their own lives.
What all of us need is the will to look at others with respect. The cross tells
us God loves us to the point that God sees us as valued sons and daughters.
God sees us from a Father’s heart. God makes peace in our hearts in a way
that allows us to become peacemakers in a world of confusion, disorder,
and godless uproar.
Almost everyone is in favour of peace, yet very few are peacemakers.
The peacemaker is willing to do one of two things, and both are painful.
They must either live with the uprooting that making authentic peace often
requires, or bring under their control their own retaliatory instincts in order
to establish an atmosphere where productive negotiations can take place.
Often the most painful thing for us to swallow is our pride. Jesus’ forgiveness
gives us the grace to tolerate the swallowing.
Does Jesus come to give peace instead of division? Of course, he does.
But Jesus didn’t come leisurely walking among us with the gift of peace under
his arm as a handout. The peace we needed had to be won. Thank God, a prince
went forth for our sakes, the Prince of Peace, who wants nothing more than for
us to be peacemakers in our homes, our community, our church, and in the world.
AMEN

HYMN OF THE DAY – ELW 666 What Wondrous Love Is This

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: Trusting in God's extraordinary love, let us come near to the Holy One
in prayer.
A: God of our church, send forth your Spirit as we pray for our Bishops Susan
and Michael. Empower them with your wisdom to lead the church. We also
pray for the Thames Ministry area, especially retired Pastors Jim Garey,
Tom Ristine, Glen Sellick, and Bob Zimmerman. Merciful God,
C: receive our prayer.
A: Arise, O God, and sustain your church. We pray for all who dedicate their
lives to serving your people. Renew our commitment to our siblings in faith
around the globe, and bless the work of our ecumenical and interfaith
partners. Merciful God,
C: receive our prayer.
A: Arise, O God, and sustain your creation. We pray for all places affected
by natural disasters. Transform the devastation of floods and fires into fertile
ground for new life and growth. Fill heaven and earth with your life-giving
Spirit. Merciful God,
C: receive our prayer.
A: Arise, O God, and sustain the nations. We pray for all elected officials.
Kindle in them a desire to administer your justice. Strengthen their resolve
to defend those who are vulnerable and to stand publicly against all forms
of oppression. Merciful God,
C: receive our prayer.
A: Arise, O God, and sustain those who are oppressed. We pray for people
harmed by racist discrimination, ableist discrimination, and all people
discriminated against based on their gender identity or sexual orientation.
Rescue us from all systems that degrade our fellow human beings.
Merciful God,
C: receive our prayer.
A: Arise, O God, and sustain this assembly. We pray for this community,
celebrating with those who rejoice and weeping with those who weep.
In our joy and in our tears, be near us. Merciful God,
C: receive our prayer.
A: We pray for the people of Ukraine and their leaders. We especially pray
for the innocent children and the families caught in the conflict. Watch over
them and protect them. Guide the leaders of Ukraine in ways that protect
the people and in ways to successfully work for peace. Open the hearts and
minds of the aggressors to the senselessness of war and to the possibility of
peace and coexistence. Bless the efforts of the peacemakers. Merciful God,
C: receive our prayer.
A: Surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, we remember the saints
who have gone before us. May we run with perseverance the race set before
us until we find our rest in you. Merciful God,
C: receive our prayer.
A: Receive the prayers of your children, merciful God, and hold us forever
in your steadfast love; through Jesus Christ, our holy Wisdom.
C: Amen.

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

MEAL

OFFERING PRAYER
A: God of abundance: you have set before us a plentiful harvest.
As we feast on your goodness, strengthen us to labour in your field,
and equip us to bear fruit for the good of all, in the name of Jesus.
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 God of peace, Father, + Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you, comfort you,
and show you the path of life this day and always.
C: Amen.

DISMISSAL
A: Go in peace. Love your neighbour.
C: Thanks be to God.

DISMISSAL HYMN – Go Now in Peace
Go now in peace, never be afraid.
God will go with you each hour of every day.
Go now in faith, steadfast, strong and true.
Know He will guide you in all you do.
Go now in love, and show you believe.
Reach out to others, so all the world can see.
God will be there, watching from above.
Go now in peace, in faith, and in love.