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.

FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST, JUNE 28 2026

St. Ansgar Lutheran Church, Outline for Worship (with sermon)
June 28, 2026 – Fifth 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 compassion endures forever. ☩
C: Amen.

P: Let us confess our sin to God.

Silence is kept for reflection.

P: Compassionate God,
C: we confess to you all our sins.
Our burden is heavy, and we cannot free ourselves.
In your mercy, call us back to you.
Your yoke is easy and your burden is light.
Restore us to dwell in your peace. In Christ’s name we pray.
Amen.

P: Jesus says, “Come to me, all who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens,
and I will give you rest.”
In the name of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, your sins are forgiven. Rest ☩
in God’s love.
C: Amen.

ENTRANCE HYMN - All Are Welcome (ELW #641)

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, you direct our lives by your grace, and your words of justice and
mercy reshape the world. Mould us into a people who welcome your word and
serve one another, through Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord.
C: Amen

WORD

FIRST READING: Jeremiah 28:5-9
5 Then the prophet Jeremiah spoke to the prophet Hananiah in the presence of
the priests and all the people who were standing in the house of the LORD; 6
and the prophet Jeremiah said, "Amen! May the LORD do so; may the LORD
fulfill the words that you have prophesied, and bring back to this place from
Babylon the vessels of the house of the LORD, and all the exiles. 7 But listen
now to this word that I speak in your hearing and in the hearing of all the people.
8 The prophets who preceded you and me from ancient times prophesied war,
famine, and pestilence against many countries and great kingdoms. 9 As for the
prophet who prophesies peace, when the word of that prophet comes true, then
it will be known that the LORD has truly sent the prophet."

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

PSALM: Psalm 89:1-4, 15-18
1 Your love, O Lord, forever will I sing;
from age to age my mouth will proclaim your faithfulness.
2 For I am persuaded that your steadfast love is established forever;
you have set your faithfulness firmly in the heavens.
3 “I have made a covenant with my chosen one;
I have sworn an oath to David my servant:
4 ‘I will establish your line forever,
and preserve your throne for all generations.’”
15 Happy are the people who know the festal shout!
They walk, O Lord, in the light of your presence.
16 They rejoice daily in your name;
they are jubilant in your righteousness.
17 For you are the glory of their strength,
and by your favour our might is exalted.
18 Truly, our shield belongs to the Lord;
our king to the Holy One of Israel.

SECOND READING: Romans 6:12-23
12 Therefore, do not let sin exercise dominion in your mortal bodies, to make
you obey their passions. 13 No longer present your members to sin as
instruments of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have
been brought from death to life, and present your members to God as
instruments of righteousness. 14 For sin will have no dominion over you, since
you are not under law but under grace. 15 What then? Should we sin because
we are not under law but under grace? By no means! 16 Do you not know that if
you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one
whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which
leads to righteousness? 17 But thanks be to God that you, having once been
slaves of sin, have become obedient from the heart to the form of teaching to
which you were entrusted, 18 and that you, having been set free from sin, have
become slaves of righteousness. 19 I am speaking in human terms because of
your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves
to impurity and to greater and greater iniquity, so now present your members as
slaves to righteousness for sanctification. 20 When you were slaves of sin, you
were free in regard to righteousness. 21 So what advantage did you then get
from the things of which you now are ashamed? The end of those things is
death. 22 But now that you have been freed from sin and enslaved to God, the
advantage you get is sanctification. The end is eternal life. 23 For the wages of
sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

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 Matthew 10:40-42

C: Glory to you, O Lord.
40 "Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me
welcomes the one who sent me. 41 Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name
of a prophet will receive a prophet's reward; and whoever welcomes a righteous
person in the name of a righteous person will receive the reward of the
righteous; 42 and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little
ones in the name of a disciple -- truly I tell you, none of these will lose their
reward."

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

SERMON
Matthew 10:40-42
The sermon for today has been prepared by Rev. Olav Traa, Assistant to the
Bishop for the Synod Alberta and the Territories, in the ELCIC.
Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
My name is Pastor Olav Traa. I am one of two assistants to the bishop here in
the Synod of Alberta and the Territories of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
Canada.
Grace and peace to you.
Beloved friends, it is good to be with you.
When we drive past a church, we often see signs that say, “All are welcome
here.” It’s a beautiful sentiment, isn’t it? It reflects the heart of the Gospel—the
radical hospitality of God, who welcomes all people into God’s kingdom.
But as we know, the world we live in doesn’t always reflect that same welcome.
Jesus sends His disciples out into a world where not everyone is welcoming,
where some may even face danger or rejection.
And yet, in today’s Gospel reading, Jesus offers words of assurance: “Whoever
welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one
who sent me” (Matthew 10:40). These words remind us that we are part of
something bigger than ourselves, that we all have a role in God’s mission, and
that even the smallest acts of kindness and support matter deeply in the
kingdom of God.
Before we dive deeper into the text, let’s take a moment to reflect on the mission
and vision of the church. Most congregations have carefully crafted mission and
vision statements.
A mission statement focuses on the present—it answers the question, “What do
we do, whom do we serve, and how do we do it?” It’s like a daily road map,
guiding our actions and decisions.
A vision statement, on the other hand, focuses on the future—it answers the
question, “What do we want to become, and where are we going?” It’s the
ultimate destination, the long-term impact we hope to achieve.
In today’s reading, Jesus is giving his disciples both a mission and a vision.
The mission is clear: to go out into the world, proclaim the Good News, and
embody the love and power of God.
The vision is equally clear: a community where all are welcome, where even the
smallest acts of kindness—like offering a cup of cold water—are recognized and
rewarded by God. This vision is not just for the disciples; it’s for all of us.
It’s a vision of a world transformed by God’s love, where everyone has a role to
play in the mission.
Let’s return to Jesus’ words: “Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and
whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.” These are words of
assurance. They remind us that when we go out into the world as followers of
Christ, we carry his presence with us. We are not alone.
And when others welcome us—whether it’s with a kind word, a listening ear, or
even a simple act of hospitality—they are welcoming Christ himself. This is a
powerful reminder that the mission of the church is not just about the preachers,
the teachers, or the leaders. It’s about everyone—those who go, those who
welcome, and those who support the mission in countless ways.
In the time of Jesus, there was often disagreement about which travelling
preachers had authority in the church. Matthew uses the Old Testament
designation of “prophet” to emphasize that those who speak in the name of
Jesus bear his authority and embody the power of God.
When we hear the phrase “In the name of” this is a Semitic expression, i.e.,
based on Hebrew, Arabic, or Aramaic grammatical or storytelling patterns
characteristic of these cultures. So, if we say that we welcome a prophet, in the
name of a prophet, it suggests that we believe in and support their mission and
vision.
But Jesus doesn’t stop with the prophets. He also speaks of the righteous and
the little ones.
The prophets proclaim God’s truth and demonstrate God’s power. The righteous
pursue justice and work to heal and restore relationships. And the little ones—
the vulnerable, the overlooked—remind us that the mission is wholly dependent
on God’s power and presence.
Together, these groups represent the diverse roles in God’s kingdom. No one is
excluded. All are welcome, and all have a role. We are all part of the priesthood
of believers.
Jesus goes on to say, “And whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of
these little ones in the name of a disciple—truly I tell you, none of these will lose
their reward” (Matthew 10:42).
A cup of cold water. It’s such a small, simple act, isn’t it? And yet, Jesus says it
matters deeply in the kingdom of God. Why? Because it reflects the heart of
God—a heart that sees and values even the smallest acts of kindness and
support.
When I was a child, I just loved a big slice of watermelon on a hot summer day.
There was something so wonderfully sweet and refreshing about it, especially
when shared with friends.
More recently, I spoke with some new friends who come from a place where
there are real deserts. Killer Deserts, they called them, where people can die
from a variety of reasons, none of which are pleasant. Having water for them
was a matter of life and death!
It’s a reminder that we don’t have to do grand, heroic things (or things we think
are grand or heroic) to be part of God’s mission. Sometimes, it’s the small,
everyday acts of kindness, like a cup of water, that make the biggest difference.
But there’s another layer to this passage that challenges us. Jesus is building an
alternative community—a community that is fundamentally different from the
world around it. In this community, dependence on God is crucial.
This, however, largely runs contrary to modern cultural values; in other words, it
sounds outrageous in a world that instead values independence, self-sufficiency,
and personal achievement.
But Jesus reminds us that the mission is not about human power or success. It’s
about God’s power and presence.
Paul writes that we are all born slaves of sin, and that true freedom comes only
through baptism—through being transformed from a bondage to sin to a
freedom to worship God and serve our neighbour.
This idea of being “enslaved to God” may not be attractive today, but it’s central
to the Gospel. It’s a reminder that our lives are not our own. We belong to God,
and we are called to live in service to God and to one another.
So, what does this look like in practice? How do we live out the mission and
vision of the church in our daily lives?
First, we recognize that each of us has a role. Whether we are prophets,
righteous ones, or little ones, we are all part of God’s mission. Whether we are
preachers, teachers, supporters, or welcomers, we are all part of God’s vision.
And whether we offer a sermon, a prayer, or a cup of cold water, we are all a
part of God’s plan.
Second, we trust in God’s power and presence. We don’t have to have all the
answers or do everything perfectly. We simply have to be faithful—to show up,
to love, to serve, and to trust that God will work through us.
Finally, we embrace the vision of a community where all are welcome. This
means extending hospitality to others, even when it’s inconvenient or
uncomfortable. It means seeing the image of God in every person we encounter.
That said, Jesus does not give us illusory hope; the mission we are called to will
not be easy, and sometimes, we will not be welcome. Sometimes, we are bid to
simply shake off the dust from our feet and move on.
It means celebrating even the smallest acts of kindness and support that make a
big difference in the kingdom of God – here and now, and in the future.
As we go out into the world this week, let us carry Christ’s words of assurance
with us. Let us remember that we are part of something bigger than ourselves,
that we all have a role in God’s mission, and that even the smallest acts of
kindness matter deeply.
Let us trust in God’s power and presence, knowing that God is with us every
step of the way. May we be a community where all are indeed welcome, where
each of us has a role and a purpose, and in a world where we get to be part of
God’s plan – now and in the future. Amen.

HYMN OF THE DAY – As We Gather at Your Table (ELW #522)

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: Gathered together by the Holy Spirit, let us pray for the church and the needs
of the world.
A: God of our church, send forth your Spirit as we pray for our Bishops Larry and
Carla. Empower them with your wisdom to lead the church. We also pray for the
Thames Ministry area, especially for Pastor Nadine Schroeder-Kranz and the
people of Trinity Lutheran Church, London. God of grace,
C: hear our prayer.

A: Faithful God, establish your church to offer welcome and proclaim your
peace. Nourish us so we can proclaim your hope to the world. God of grace,
C: hear our prayer.

A: Creator God, bring life to places experiencing drought, deforestation, and
pollution. Help us to cultivate and care for the natural world around us. God
of grace,
C: hear our prayer.

A: Loving God, bring an end to conflict and division. Sustain the work of
prophets in our time, and work through world leaders to foster understanding,
justice, and peace. God of grace,
C: hear our prayer.

A: Provider God, give your children what they need physically, emotionally, and
spiritually. We pray especially for Beth, Jean, Mary Margaret, Kristine, Karen,
Emma, Cathy, Lene, Lyra, Bud, Pastor Bob, Heather, Margaret, and those others
who are in our hearts. Bless caregivers as they show God’s hospitality through
their generous service. God of grace,
C: hear our prayer.

A: Living God, lead us from death to life. Inspire new ministries and endeavours,
renew established ones, and strengthen our welcoming presence to our
neighbours. God of grace,
C: hear our prayer.

A: Merciful God, we pray for peace as war continues in Ukraine and in the
Middle East. 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. God of grace,
C: hear our prayer.

A: Eternal God, we remember the faithful departed of this community and of the
wider church and world. We give thanks for saints of all times and places. God
of grace,
C: hear our prayer.

A: Trusting you receive all our prayers, we commend our spoken and unspoken
prayers to you, O God, through Jesus our Saviour.
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: Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer, + one God, bless, heal, and hold you today
and always.
C: Amen.

SENDING HYMN – The Spirit Sends Us Forth to Serve (ELW #551)

DISMISSAL
A: Heaven has come near. Go, share the good news!
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)