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.

St. Ansgar Lutheran Church, Outline for Worship (with sermon)

FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST, JULY 6, 2025.

St. Ansgar Lutheran Church, Outline for Worship (with sermon)
Sunday, July 6, 2025 Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
Based on ELW Setting Four

GATHERING

WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS

BRIEF ORDER FOR CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
P: In the name of the Father, and of the ☩ Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.

P: Baptized into Christ, let us confess our sin.

Silence is kept for reflection.

P: Merciful God,
C: you free us to love others, but we neglect our neighbours and follow
our own way.
You lead us by the Spirit of joy and peace, but we turn away from the
abundant life you offer.
You surround us with patience, kindness, and generosity, but we grow
weary in doing what is right.
In your mercy, forgive us. Do not give up on us.
Heal us, break our bonds, and show us the path of life.
Amen.

P: You belong to Christ Jesus and you are God’s children through faith.
In the cross of ☩ Christ, and through the power of the Holy Spirit, your sins are
forgiven. Clothed with Christ, you are a new creation.
C: Amen.

ENTRANCE HYMN - Great Is Thy Faithfulness (ELW #733)

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, the Father of our Lord Jesus, you are the city that shelters us,
the mother who comforts us. With your Spirit accompany us on our life’s
journey, that we may spread your peace in all the world, through your Son,
Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord.
C: Amen

WORD

FIRST READING: Isaiah 66:10-14
10 Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad for her, all you who love her; rejoice
with her in joy, all you who mourn over her-- 11 that you may nurse and be
satisfied from her consoling breast; that you may drink deeply with delight
from her glorious bosom. 12 For thus says the LORD: I will extend prosperity
to her like a river, and the wealth of the nations like an overflowing stream;
and you shall nurse and be carried on her arm, and dandled on her knees.
13 As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you; you shall be
comforted in Jerusalem. 14 You shall see, and your heart shall rejoice;
your bodies shall flourish like the grass; and it shall be known that the hand
of the LORD is with his servants, and his indignation is against his enemies.

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

PSALM: 66: 1-9
1 Be joyful in God, all you lands;
be joyful, all the earth.
2 Sing the glory of God’s name;
sing the glory of God’s praise.
3 Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds!
Because of your great strength your enemies cringe before you.
4 All the earth bows down before you,
sings to you, sings out your name.
5 Come now and see the works of God,
how awesome are God’s deeds toward all people.
6 God turned the sea into dry land, so that they went through the water on foot,
and there we rejoiced in God.
7 Ruling forever in might, God keeps watch over the nations;
let no rebels exalt themselves.
8 Bless our God, you peoples;
let the sound of praise be heard.
9 Our God has kept us among the living
and has not allowed our feet to slip.

SECOND READING: Galatians 6:1-16
1 My friends, if anyone is detected in a transgression, you who have
received the Spirit should restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness.
Take care that you yourselves are not tempted. 2 Bear one another's burdens,
and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if those who are nothing
think they are something, they deceive themselves. 4 All must test their own
work; then that work, rather than their neighbour's work, will become a cause
for pride. 5 For all must carry their own loads. 6 Those who are taught the word
must share in all good things with their teacher.7 Do not be deceived;
God is not mocked, for you reap whatever you sow.8 If you sow to your
own flesh, you will reap corruption from the flesh; but if you sow to the Spirit,
you will reap eternal life from the Spirit. 9 So let us not grow weary in doing
what is right, for we will reap at harvest-time, if we do not give up.
10 So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good
of all, and especially for those of the family of faith. 11 See what large
letters I make when I am writing in my own hand! 12 It is those who
want to make a good showing in the flesh that try to compel you to be
circumcised--only that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.
13 Even the circumcised do not themselves obey the law, but they want you
to be circumcised so that they may boast about your flesh. 14 May I never
boast of anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world
has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 For neither circumcision nor
uncircumcision is anything; but a new creation is everything! 16 As for those
who will follow this rule--peace be upon them, and mercy, and upon the
Israel 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 10:1-11, 16-20
C: Glory to you, O Lord.

1 After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead
of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go.
2 He said to them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few;
therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest.
3 Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst
of wolves. 4 Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on
the road. 5 Whatever house you enter, first say, 'Peace to this house!'
6 And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that
person; but if not, it will return to you. 7 Remain in the same house, eating
and drinking whatever they provide, for the labourer deserves to be paid.
Do not move about from house to house. 8 Whenever you enter a town
and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you; 9 cure the sick
who are there, and say to them, 'The kingdom of God has come near to you.'
10 But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into
its streets and say, 11 'Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet,
we wipe off in protest against you. Yet know this: the kingdom of God has
come near.'
16 "Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you rejects
me, and whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me." 17 The seventy
returned with joy, saying, "Lord, in your name even the demons submit
to us!" 18 He said to them, "I watched Satan fall from heaven like a flash
of lightning. 19 See, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and
scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing will hurt you.
20 Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but
rejoice that your names are written in heaven."

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

SERMON
Rev. Carmen Ramirez
Assistant to the National Bishop of the ELCIC,
with responsibility for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
Luke 10:1-11, 16-20
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
Sent in Grace
In Luke 10, Jesus sends seventy-two followers—not spiritual elites, but
everyday people—out into a world in need of healing, peace, and hope.
He sends them with little more than each other, His word, and a blessing:
“Peace to this house.”
This is not a story of triumphalism or heroism. It’s a story of humble,
vulnerable vocation. Jesus sends them as lambs among wolves—
not to conquer, but to bear witness.
We truly believe that our vocation—as baptized children of God—
is lived not in the spotlight but in the everyday: in homes, in hospitality,
in conversations marked by compassion. We are called to speak peace
and to proclaim that “the kingdom of God has come near.”
When the seventy-two are welcomed, they share life, eat what is offered,
heal the sick, and declare God’s nearness. And when they’re not welcomed?
Jesus doesn’t say “argue with them” or “defend God because he
needs defending.” Instead, he says, “shake the dust from your feet.”
In other words, don’t carry rejection like a burden. They are not rejecting
you so do not take it personally. The end result of our work is sometimes
not seen by us. There are people who at that moment rejected God’s word
but later in a time of need will remember what they heard.
God's work is not limited to our success or reception. God’s presence and
power are often hidden, unfolding quietly in ordinary, even resistant, places.
When the seventy-two return with joy—rejoicing that even demons submit—
Jesus grounds them: He tells them not to rejoice that the spirits submit to them,
but instead to rejoice that their names are known to God. In other words,
your identity is not in your results. Your identity is in God’s grace.
That’s the heart of the gospel: not what we accomplish for God, but what
God has done—and continues to do—in us and through us, by grace.
Some reflection questions to consider:

Where is God sending you in your everyday life?
How can you be a bearer of peace in this imperfect, divided,and anxious world?
What helps you trust that God is at work—even in the placesthat don’t receive you?
So, siblings in Christ, as you go—into conversations, communities,
and ordinary moments—remember this: you are sent, not to fix the world,
but to witness to the One who has already done that.
You go not in your own strength, but in the peace and promise of Christ.
And whether you're received or rejected, whether the harvest feels full
or empty, God knows your name. That’s the grace we carry.
That’s the joy we live.
AMEN

Silence is kept for reflection.

HYMN OF THE DAY – Will You Let Me Be Your Servant (ELW #659)

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: Drawn into the embrace of the holy Trinity, we lift our prayers for the
wholeness of the church, the world, and all creation.
A: God of our church, send forth your Spirit as we pray for our Bishops
Susan and Carla. Empower them with your wisdom to lead the church.
We also pray for the Thames Ministry area, especially Pastor Chris Krejlgaard
and the people of Trinity Lutheran Church, Windsor. God of grace,
C: hear our prayer.

A: You send your church into the world with a message of peace.
Center the whole church in this peace, and strengthen our faith by
the example of all those who creatively and faithfully proclaim your
good news. God of grace,
C: hear our prayer.

A: All the earth sings out your name. Inspire your people to drink deeply
from the beauty of all your creation. When ecosystems are wounded,
bring your healing. When our actions endanger the survival of
other species, curb our greed and waste. God of grace,
C: hear our prayer.

A: You call us to work for the good of all. Give resolve to those who lead,
that they do not grow weary in doing what is right. Guide them to seek
peace between nations and freedom for all people. God of grace,
C: hear our prayer.

A: As a mother comforts her child, so you comfort us. Bring this comfort to
those in any pain, especially Beth, Jean, Mary Margaret, Kristine, Karen,
Emma, Cathy, Lene, and those others who are in our hearts. Carry your
people when grief is heavy, and lift burdens of shame and self-doubt.
God of grace,
C: hear our prayer.

A: Your harvest is plentiful, O God. Make us labourers and companions
with one another in this assembly. Send your peace to rest upon us,
heal divisions among us, and open our hearts to receive one another
as gifts from you. God of grace,
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. God of grace,
C: hear our prayer.

A: You have written our names in heaven, O God, and we rejoice. We thank
you for those who have lived and died in your love. Accompany us on our
life’s journey and draw us at last to life forever in you. God of grace,
C: hear our prayer.

A: Gather all our prayers in your mercy, O God, through Jesus Christ,
our Saviour.
C: Amen.

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

OFFERING PRAYER
A: Creator God, in your wisdom you bring forth all that is good and the
harvest is plentiful. Strengthen us at your table with these gifts of the earth
and our labour, that we may work for the good of all, through Jesus Christ,
our Saviour.
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 abound in you; the grace of our Saviour Jesus Christ
fill your hearts; and the life of the Spirit ☩ bless you and give you peace.
C: Amen.

SENDING HYMN – Lord, You Give the Great Commission (ELW #579)

DISMISSAL
A: Go in peace. Live by the Spirit.
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)