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.

ALL SAINTS SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2025

St. Ansgar Lutheran Church, Outline for Worship (with sermon)
Sunday, November 2, 2025 – All Saints Sunday
Based on ELW Setting Four

GATHERING

WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS

BRIEF ORDER FOR CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
P: Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God, who forgives all our sin, whose
mercy endures forever.
C: Amen.

P: Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another.

Silence is kept for reflection.

P: Faithful God,
C: you have shown us the ways of your heart, yet we stray from
your paths.
We are stuck in sinful systems of oppression and do not embrace
the freedom of your faithful promises.
We ignore our neighbours. We exploit the earth. We reject your
abundance, trusting our impulses instead of your steadfast love.
Repair our relationships, restore what we have broken,
renew our hearts, and bring us to new life.
Amen.

P: Hear the good news. God the Faithful One loves you, ☩ in Christ Jesus
your sins are forgiven, and by the power of the Holy Spirit you are set free.
C: Amen.

ENTRANCE HYMN - Shall We Gather at the River (ELW #423)

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, you have knit your people together in one communion
in the mystical body of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Grant us grace
to follow your blessed saints in lives of faith and commitment, and to
know the inexpressible joys you have prepared for those who love you,
through 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: Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18
1 In the first year of King Belshazzar of Babylon, Daniel had a dream
and visions of his head as he lay in bed. Then he wrote down the dream:
2 I, Daniel, saw in my vision by night the four winds of heaven stirring up
the great sea, 3 and four great beasts came up out of the sea, different from
one another. 15 As for me, Daniel, my spirit was troubled within me, and the
visions of my head terrified me. 16 I approached one of the attendants to ask
him the truth concerning all this. So he said that he would disclose to me the
interpretation of the matter: 17 "As for these four great beasts, four kings shall
arise out of the earth. 18 But the holy ones of the Most High shall receive the
kingdom and possess the kingdom forever--forever and ever."

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

PSALM: 149
1 Hallelujah! Sing to the Lord a new song,
God’s praise in the assembly of the faithful.
2 Let Israel rejoice in their maker;
let the children of Zion be joyful in their ruler.
3 Let them praise their maker’s name with dancing;
let them sing praise with tambourine and harp.
4 For the Lord takes pleasure in the people
and adorns the poor with victory.
5 Let the faithful rejoice in triumph;
let them sing for joy on their beds.
6 Let the praises of God be in their throat
and a two-edged sword in their hand,
7 to wreak vengeance on the nations
and punishment on the peoples,
8 to bind their kings in chains
and their nobles with links of iron,
9 to inflict on them the judgement decreed;
this is glory for all God’s faithful ones. Hallelujah!

SECOND READING: Ephesians 1:11-23
11 In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined
according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his
counsel and will, 12 so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ,
might live for the praise of his glory. 13 In him you also, when you had heard
the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him,
were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; 14 this is the pledge
of our inheritance toward redemption as God's own people, to the praise
of his glory. 15 I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love
toward all the saints, and for this reason 16 I do not cease to give thanks
for you as I remember you in my prayers. 17 I pray that the God of our
Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom
and revelation as you come to know him, 18 so that, with the eyes of your
heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called
you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints,
19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe,
according to the working of his great power. 20 God put this power to work
in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand
in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and
dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but
also in the age to come. 22 And he has put all things under his feet and
has made him the head over all things for the church, 23 which is his body,
the fullness of him who fills all in all.

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 6:20-31
C: Glory to you, O Lord.

20 Then he looked up at his disciples and said: "Blessed are you who are poor,
for yours is the kingdom of God. 21 "Blessed are you who are hungry now,
for you will be filled. "Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.
22 "Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you,
revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. 23 Rejoice in that
day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what
their ancestors did to the prophets. 24 "But woe to you who are rich, for you
have received your consolation. 25 "Woe to you who are full now, for you will
be hungry. "Woe to you who are laughing now, for you will mourn and weep.
6:26 "Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors
did to the false prophets. 27 "But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies,
do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those
who abuse you. 29 If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also;
and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt.
30 Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods,
do not ask for them again. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.

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

SERMON
Luke 6:20-31
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 once heard a saint described as one who lives their faith and love of God in
heroic ways. The description continued by referring to a saint as someone who
gives everything they have to God: their whole lives, sometimes literally losing
their lives, becoming martyrs for the faith. It concluded with the observation that
saints are people who endure suffering, share and live their faith boldly, and
give everything they have for people in need. This is a tall order, or certainly
sounds like one, so who would want to be a saint?
Our Gospel lesson this morning from Luke, assigned for All Saints’ Day,
is what we call Jesus’ Sermon on the Plains. It sort of doubles down on this
deeply sacrificial and heavily burden-filled idea of sainthood. For Jesus says:
blessed are the poor, blessed are those who are hungry now, blessed are
those who weep now, blessed are you when people hate you. And Jesus
takes this a step further by adding a bunch of woes: woe to you who are rich,
woe to you who are full now, woe to you who are laughing now, who to you
when all speak well of you. The “woe list” seems to be what most people are
after in life and likely describes the life most of us here this morning are living.
So, what are we to do with this lesson, and how might it help us understand
and further live into a life of one who is indeed a saint of God?
Let me begin with the good news. Our sainthood is bestowed on us by grace,
and grace alone. We are saints by grace. Martin Luther taught that we are
all saints, all the time, by virtue of being saved by grace. The Apostle Paul,
in his letter to the church in Corinth writes, “those who are sanctified in Christ,
called to be saints, together with all those who in every place call on the name
of our Lord Jesus Christ...”. We are called to be saints, and being saved by
grace means there is nothing we can do to be more (or less) righteous or
loved by God. So, Luther says we are saints all of the time.
We are also sinners all of the time, at the same time. In Paul’s letter to the church
in Rome he points out that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God...”.
None of us is perfect, none of us is complete, and none of us is without sin.
To be righteous, even just to be a little bit better, kinder human being, we need
the love of God, the redemption we find in Christ Jesus, and the love and
influence of the saints, both those stretching back through time, and those
who have touched our lives personally, including those we remember today.
Though saints by grace, we are indeed broken, imperfect. We live in ways
contrary to the image we have been created in, God’s own image, the image
of love perfected. Thus, the choices we make some of the time do not always,
and I want to emphasize some of the time, look very saintly. The ways we react
to difficult situations and challenging people, the ways we spend our money,
the ways we treat family and co-workers, the ways we spend our spare time and
the places, people, and entertainment we give our focus to, do not always, again
emphasizing at least some of the time, look like we are walking in the path and
way of Jesus, like the saints of God. But you see our sainthood lies underneath
all of this. It transcends individual moments and choices. It is not defined only by
what we do, but perhaps primarily by who we are. When each and every one of
us was marked as Christ’s own forever at our baptism, God claimed us by grace,
for his love’s sake, a saint. Thus I am confident in making the claim that we
are saints, made such by the love of God, through God’s forgiveness and grace,
in spite of all the imperfections and poor choices, and even before all the good
choices we have made, and all the loving wonders we have worked, for surely
there are as many or even more of those for we are indeed capable of
tremendous love and courage, all for good and for God.
And I think this is the connecting point to which we can apply Jesus’ teaching
today in the Sermon on the Plains to our lives, specifically to our lives as saints
of God. Jesus, as a human himself, who likely struggled with his own choices,
knows and even experienced the paradox of human life that is our brokenness
and blessedness. Moreover, Jesus loved and lived with real humans, the first
saints of God in the life of the church: Peter, James, and John, Mary, Martha,
and Mary Magdalene, and all the rest. He knew and experienced intimately
their own struggles, their blessings and woes.
A woe is more of a warning sign than a condemnation. It is like the shofar,
the ram’s horn blown in the synagogues or the temple at the Jewish New Year,
which is a call to wake up, to be aware of the life we are living and the choices
we are making, so that who we are, and the actions that then flow from who
we are, emerge into our world and the lives of others as God’s great and
immeasurable love in beautiful and affirming ways, indeed as lives that look
like something of what we might describe as saintly.
I hear Jesus say to us even now: Blessed are you who are poor...when you are in
want or need...feeling isolated or cut off...when the budget is tight...the job is lost...
the debt collector calling...I am with you always...so there is always hope.
And blessed are you when you are hungry...when there is literally not enough
to eat... when your spiritual life seems barren and empty...when there is no
one to break bread with...when the food you have is tasteless because of
depression or sadness...remember that people do not live on bread alone,
and that I am the bread of life...I want to fill your whole life all the way up,
with some left over...let me in...let me fill you. And blessed are you who
weep now...when you are grieving...when you have been passed over...
torn down rather than built up...when you feel like you have lost someone you
can’t live without...the sadness won’t be forever...your tears will turn to joy...
for life and love have won and are made eternal in my resurrection...you will
see those you love again...death has been defeated. And blessed are you
when people hate you on account of the Son of Man...remember there is a
great cloud of witnesses...the communion of saints that stand with you...
who cheer you on and promise to pick you up and remind you who you are
and to whom you belong...being an expression of love and standing up for
those without a voice is always worth the cost...indeed you are a blessing
to me and those I love. These are the words of blessing Jesus so powerfully
speaks to all the saints of God wherever we find ourselves in a particular
moment...Jesus says we have his blessing...his love...his presence.
“You are my child,” says Jesus, “I am pleased with you.
And I also hear Jesus saying to us even now: Wake up...be aware...if you are
rich that comes with real responsibility...many have little to nothing and that
should weigh on you...it should motivate you to share...to share generously
out of you abundance...and I say this to you to be a blessing to those in need...
if you aren’t careful with your wealth it can be a root of great evil. And wake up...
be aware...your plate and belly may be full...but others are not...remember
food always tastes better when you share it...sharing reminds us of what is
indeed enough...so that you might avoid gluttony and revel in simplicity...
remember that the material things in your own life require the toil of others...
be food for those hungry in body and spirit. And wake up...be aware...
I revel in the joy in your life...laughter is a great gift...but please do not forget
that there are those who are suffering even as you are filled with joy...naming
that does not have to rob you of your joy...but remember you will be sad one
day too...and then it will be good if someone whose life is going very well...
stops and notices you...cares for you...helps you find your own joy again.
And wake up...be aware when people flatter you and speak well of you...
being appreciated is good...but your worth and value are rooted in my love...
being created in my image...not the estimation of others...your reward is
living in the deep stream of God’s love and truth. By my grace, I have made
you my saints...so indeed may your life reflect such a gift.
Remember that you are blessed, always and everywhere, but also wake up
and remember, as a saint we have been called to a particular sort of life that
reflects God’s love through Jesus Christ in the world.
AMEN

Silence is kept for reflection.

HYMN OF THE DAY – For All the Saints (ELW #422)

ALL SAINTS’ DAY
It is our tradition to mark the first Sunday of November as a day to remember
those who have died in the past year. In Lutheran practice, we thank God for the
lives of the faithful departed, but we do not pray for the dead since they are
already in the hands of God. God remembers us all; this is our way of
remembering also.

REMEMBRANCE OF ALL SAINTS
P: Let us remember all the saints before God. We praise and bless you, O holy
Trinity. You have taught your church that it is an ageless communion of saints.
We thank you for gathering those who faithfully waited in hope for the
redemption you promised, and now for adding us who celebrate the love
of Christ for the redemption of the world. Prepare a place for us among those
who are already with you. Help us remember them as an encouragement to
saintly living, exciting us to love, in anticipation of an eternal reunion.
With them we praise and bless you, O holy Trinity.
C: Amen

P: Jesus says, Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me;
for I am gentle and humble in heart.
C: And you will find rest for your souls.

P: For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
C: And you will find rest for your souls.

P: Today we remember those who have died and have been lovingly entrusted
to God’s care. We light a candle for each one as we read the names:
(Names still to come)
And all those we remember in our hearts.

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 with one voice, we offer our prayers 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 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, the people of St.
Aidan’s Anglican Church, London, and Rev. Rob Henderson, their Rector,
and the Bishop of Huron, Todd Townshend. Hear us, O God.
C: Your mercy is great.

A: God of all that is, delight in the praises of your people and revive the spirit
of your church. Move through us with boldness so that we proclaim the
gospel of Christ throughout the world. Renew and revive pastors, deacons,
and lay leaders. Hear us, O God.
C: Your mercy is great.

A: God of the beginning, give us the courage to advocate for environmental
policy that will ensure a viable future for generations to come. Restore
desolate places to health and flourishing. Hear us, O God.
C: Your mercy is great.

A: God of all our days, guide the leaders of governments, nations,
municipalities, and all those seeking office. Accompany election officials and
volunteers. Dismantle injustice and oppression wherever it is found. Hear
us, O God.
C: Your mercy is great.

A: God of comfort in troubled times, we pray for those in need of protection
and care, especially Beth, Jean, Mary Margaret, Kristine, Karen, Emma,
Cathy, Lene, Heather, Grethe, Lyra, Donna, Adam, Ahlan, Justin and those
others who are in our hearts. Trusting that you are constant in mercy, protect
and sustain those who seek safety, healing, and solace. Hear us, O God.
C: Your mercy is great.

A: God of what is yet to come, encourage and inspire those who give their
time, talent, and treasure in service to your church. By their commitment,
further the work of ministry in this place and uplift your gospel.
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: God of time and space, we give thanks for the faithful departed. Sustain
us in hope of our eternal unity in Christ. Hear us, O God.
C: Your mercy is great.

A: We offer these and all our prayers to you, O God, trusting in your grace
and unyielding love; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
C: Amen.

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

OFFERING PRAYER
A: God of healing and hope, you bless those who are hungry, promising to
fill them with good things. Fulfill that promise through us and these your gifts.
Nourish us with the abundance of your feast and unite us into the blessed
body of Jesus Christ our Saviour, now and forever.
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 love of God the Sovereign strengthen you, God the Son
save you, and God the Holy Spirit anoint you for the week ahead.
The holy Trinity bless you ☩ and grant you
a faithful and courageous heart now and forever.
C: Amen.

SENDING HYMN – Blest Are They (ELW #728)

DISMISSAL
A: Go in peace. Share the harvest.
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)