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 OF EASTER, MAY 3, 2026

St. Ansgar Lutheran Church, Outline for Worship (with sermon)
May 3, 2026 – Fifth 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 - The Church’s One Foundation (ELW #654)

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: Almighty God, your Son Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life. Give
us grace to love one another, to follow in the way of his commandments, and to
share his risen life with all the world, for he lives and reigns with you and the
Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C: Amen

WORD

FIRST READING: Acts 7:55-60
55 But filled with the Holy Spirit, he gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God
and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 "Look," he said, "I see the
heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!" 57 But
they covered their ears, and with a loud shout all rushed together against him.
58 Then they dragged him out of the city and began to stone him; and the
witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 While they
were stoning Stephen, he prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." 60 Then he
knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against
them." When he had said this, he died.

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

PSALM: Psalm 31: 1-5, 15-16
1 In you, O Lord, have I taken refuge; let me never be put to shame;
deliver me in your righteousness.
2 Incline your ear to me;
make haste to deliver me.
3 Be my strong rock, a castle to keep me safe, for you are my crag and my
stronghold;
for the sake of your name, lead me and guide me.
4 Take me out of the net that they have secretly set for me,
for you are my tower of strength.
5 Into your hands I commend my spirit,
for you have redeemed me, O Lord, God of truth.
15 My times are in your hand;
rescue me from the hand of my enemies, and from those who persecute
me.
16 Let your face shine upon your servant;
save me in your steadfast love.

SECOND READING: 1 Peter 2:2-10
2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may
grow into salvation- 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.
4 Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and
precious in God's sight, and 5 like living stones, let yourselves be built into a
spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to
God through Jesus Christ. 6 For it stands in scripture: "See, I am laying in Zion
a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious; and whoever believes in him will
not be put to shame." 7 To you then who believe, he is precious; but for those
who do not believe, "The stone that the builders rejected has become the very
head of the corner," 8 and "A stone that makes them stumble, and a rock that
makes them fall." They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were
destined to do. 9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation,
God's own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who
called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a
people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but
now you have received mercy.

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 14:1-14
C: Glory to you, O Lord.

1 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me.
2 In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I
have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a
place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am,
there you may be also. 4 And you know the way to the place where I am going."
5 Thomas said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we
know the way?" 6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you know me, you will know
my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him." 8 Philip
said to him, "Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied." 9 Jesus said to
him, "Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me?
Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the
Father'? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me?
The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who
dwells in me does his works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the
Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works
themselves. 12 Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the
works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going
to the Father. 13 I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may
be glorified in the Son. 14 If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.”

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

SERMON
John 14:1-14
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
Jesus calls out to his people. He called out over 2,000 years ago, and he has
never stopped calling. At first, his only followers were Jewish, and Jesus himself
only seemed to seek out Jewish people. It was well known that the Jewish
people were God’s chosen, and God has worked to be known by them. Jesus’
ministry appears to be a sort of circle. He started out with friends: the fishermen,
the tax collector, a carpenter, and others whose occupations were unknown.
They were known as the twelve, or the disciples, or the apostles. These were
his first followers. Over time Jesus’ circle widened. He spoke to thousands of
people. His longest recorded conversation was with a Samaritan woman at the
well, where Jesus breaks social, racial, and gender barriers to reveal himself as
the Messiah. She became a follower, and so did many of the Samaritans from
the city in which she lived. This woman became an unlikely but effective witness
to the Gospel. This encounter with the Samaritan woman highlights that Jesus’
mission is for everyone. And so, the circle grew. Following Jesus’ resurrection,
Jesus instructed his disciples to, “Go therefore and make disciples of all
nations.” Jesus came first for the Jewish people, but in the end, he came for
everybody and the circle was complete.
This morning in churches throughout North America, Christians are
congratulating themselves for being followers of Jesus. In some churches there
are altar calls, and people are choosing Jesus. This is not a bad thing. But we
must stop and wonder if it is Christian for us to draw a circle around ourselves
and basically say, “We got God and you do not. We are going to heaven, and
you are not.” It does not sound much like Jesus, does it?
Verse 6 of our Gospel lesson from John, chapter 14, is one of the most widely
quoted verses by Christians: “No one comes to the Father except through me.”
This sounds pretty good, if you are a Christian. This is why some people have
their babies baptized. They figure the key is baptism. One of the biggest
problems the church has is baptizing babies that we never see again. Some
make sure their children are confirmed before disappearing. Sadly, there are
many people who take this to extremes and say that no one gets to heaven
unless they believe exactly the right things about Jesus, which happens to be
the beliefs of those people who are judging the faith of others.
Of course, this leaves some of us in a difficult situation outside of the chosen.
Some of us have loved ones who are not Christian or haven’t been baptized let
alone confirmed. And some of us are not sure which denomination has the right
theology or set of religious beliefs. Many of us have heard this situation
explained rather humourously this way: A man dies and goes to heaven. St.
Peter greets him at the door, and to help him get adjusted, takes him on tour.
After showing him the golden streets, angelic hosts, and the tree of life, they
come upon a closed off area. Singing and shouting can be heard coming from
inside. “What is this?” asks the man. “Shhh, I will show you,” says Peter, “but
you have to keep quiet.” Peter cracks the door open and the new arrival peeks
inside. A small group of people are singing hymns and praising God to their
hearts content. They are having a wonderful time. “Who are they?” the man
asks”. “Those are the .........,” says Peter. “They think that they are the only
ones here.” I will let you fill in the blank. (I am sure some Lutherans have been
put in the blank more than once.)
There is a tremendous human tendency to want to know God. This is a good
and wonderful thing, and it help us improve our lives. It calls us into relationship
with God and helps us change for the better. But the problem is, we want to
define God our own way. We become so sure we have the key, that we start
pretending we are the gatekeepers, deciding who gets in and who does not. But
what we think does not really matter. It is God who makes the final judgement,
the one that counts, not us.
Let us take a moment to review some of the basic things we know about God.
God created the world. Somehow, we blew it and wound up with a world that
has a lot of problems. You can take the Adam and Eve story literally if you like
or take it as a metaphor for something we do not quite understand. But
somehow, we blew it.
God worked through prophets for thousands of years, trying to get through to us.
And in some ways God did succeed. We understood the Ten Commandments
and tried to live by them. But we would fail again and again.
Finally, God joined us here on earth. Jesus came and taught us many things,
but most importantly we are to love God and to love our neighbour. Jesus
preached parables and healed people. And he did the unthinkable: he allowed
himself to be killed, somehow wiping out the power of our sinfulness, and
making us right with God. This was a courageous act, and only a loving God
would have sacrificed his only Son.
Does it follow then, that the same God who became human in the form of Jesus
would say to us: “Oops, you don’t quite get the incarnation, so you are out?” I do
not think so. Or maybe: “Your understanding of evil in the world is incomplete,
so you are out.” Or maybe, “You do not get salvation history, so there is no
saving you.” This just does not sound like a God of love.
Now, the tough question: What about people who cannot quite wrap their minds
around God or quite make the leap of faith to see Jesus as God. Are they out?
Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit.” If they are blessed, are they denied
entrance into heaven? I doubt it. The whole sentence spoken by Jesus goes,
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
I am asking all these questions because I am not sure of the answers. I cannot
conceive of a loving God excluding our loved ones. I cannot understand a room
in heaven for people who think they are the only ones there.
I do know Jesus will change our lives right here on earth. I do know that
following Jesus gives us a path to follow that is better than anything else. I do
believe that a life filled with trying to love our neighbours as we love ourselves is
a life well spent. I know that a genuine love of God enriches our lives and never
disappoints.
Jesus told Philip, “Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but
if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves.” If it is too
much for us or for our loved ones to make the spiritual leap to Jesus, then he
points to his works, which is to say his healings and his signs. In the Gospel of
John there are multiple signs, beginning with the turning of water into wine at the
wedding in Cana, and ending with the raising of Lazarus from the dead. If a
person needs signs and wonders, they can be found in the Gospel of John.
But there is something more in today’s Gospel lesson. Jesus said, “Very truly, I
tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do, and in fact,
will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father.” This, I think,
is the essence of Christianity. Not that we are saved because of the works we
do in the world because we are not, but rather that we believe in Jesus, so we
go ahead and do his work in the world. Anyone can argue about who gets into
heaven and who does not. But not just anyone will go forth and feed the hungry,
clothe the naked, care for the sick, visit the prisoner, and welcome the visitor.
I want to conclude with one last question. Do we want to sit around and argue
over who gets in, or do we want to be believers who do the work that Jesus calls
us to do? AMEN

HYMN OF THE DAY – A Mighty Fortress Is Our God (ELW #505)

PRAYER FOR ANNIVERSARY OF ST. ANSGAR CHURCH BUILDING
P: Gracious God, we are gathered here with grateful hearts on this 40th
anniversary of our church building. We thank you for your faithfulness and for
allowing us to see this day. We thank you for this place of worship which has
been a spiritual home where we experience your presence in word and
sacrament. Steadfast and loving God,
C: we give you thanks and praise.

P: We give you thanks for the faith and dedication of those who came before us
to build this structure 40 years ago, and for your grace that has sustained us
through every season. Thank you for providing us with this church home where
the people of St. Ansgar have continued to work together to worship, to learn, to
share fellowship, and to serve, as you have called us and guided us to do over
these 40 years. Steadfast and loving God,
C: we give you thanks and praise.

P: Merciful God, we ask that you continue to bless us, so that this building and
the St. Ansgar church family may continue to be a light to show and to share the
risen life of Christ in this community. Knit us together in unity and love as a
congregation, and fill us with a renewed commitment to do your work in this
place. Guide us into the future and lead us to discern faithfully what that work
may be. Steadfast and loving God,
C: we give you thanks and praise.

P: In the name of Jesus Christ, our risen Lord and Saviour.
C: Amen

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: Trusting in the power of Christ’s resurrection to heal and redeem our broken
world, let us pray for the needs of all creation.
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 our
neighbours in the Anglican Church of Canada, especially the people of St.
Aidan’s Anglican Church, London, and their Rector, Rev. Rob Henderson, and
Bishop of Huron, Todd Townshend. Merciful God,
C: receive our prayer.

A: God of glory, you have built your church on Christ, the cornerstone. Inspire
lay leaders, deacons, pastors, and bishops to proclaim forgiveness and your
steadfast love to all whom they encounter. Merciful God,
C: receive our prayer.

A: God of majesty, you bring forth plants and animals, skies and seas,
mountains and valleys. Protect all you have made from the ravages of
pollution and climate disaster. Merciful God,
C: receive our prayer.

A: God of mercy, you intend governments and social service agencies to be
instruments of peace and justice. Guide political leaders and organizations to be
agents of compassion, and raise up advocates for those who seek refuge and
assistance. Merciful God,
C: receive our prayer.

A: God of well-being, you soothe those in distress, console all who grieve,
provide for any in need, and comfort those who are sick. We pray for Beth, Jean,
Mary Margaret, Kristine, Karen, Emma, Cathy, Lene, Lyra, Bud, Pastor Bob,
Heather, Margaret, Jo-Anne, Ann, and those others who are in our hearts. Instill
caregivers with a sense of purpose to be your healing hands in this world.
Merciful God,
C: receive our prayer.

A: God of community, you call us together as your people for mutual support
and to witness to your love in the world. Make your presence known among
those unable to attend worship today. Merciful God,
C: receive our prayer.

A: Merciful God, we pray for peace as war continues to rage 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. Merciful God,
C: receive our prayer.

A: God of eternal life, you have prepared dwelling places for your people, so that
we are never separated from you. We give you thanks for the faithful departed
who witnessed to your mighty acts in word and deed. Merciful God,
C: receive our prayer.

A: God of resurrection power, use us and these prayers to proclaim the good
news of new life to all the world, through Jesus Christ, our risen 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: God Almighty, who is the beginning and the end, Jesus Christ, the firstborn of
the dead, and the Spirit, our advocate and peace, + bless you now and forever.
C: Amen.

SENDING HYMN – Lift High the Cross (ELW #660)

DISMISSAL
A: Go in peace. Praise the Lord. Alleluia!
C: Thanks be to God. 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)