WELCOME to St. Ansgar's this fine morning! Blessed are all thy saints, O God and King, who have traveled over the tempestuous sea of this life, and have made the harbour of peace and felicity. Watch over us who are still in our dangerous voyage and remember such as lie exposed to the rough storms of trouble and temptations. Frail is our vessel and the ocean is wide; but, as in thy mercy thou hast set our course, so steer the vessel of our life toward the everlasting shore of peace, and bring us at length to the quiet haven of our hearts' desire, where thou, O our God, art blessed and livest and reignest forever and ever. Amen (St. Augustine)
Call to Worship
Deacon’s Prayer
Organ Prelude: Julia Shantz
Opening Hymn: The Church’s one foundation
The Church’s one foundation Is Jesus Christ, her Lord;
She is his new creation By water and the Word.
From heav’n he came and sought her To be his holy bride;
With his own blood he bought her, And for her life he died.Elect from ev’ry nation, Yet one o’er all the earth;
Her charter of salvation: One Lord, one faith, one birth.
One holy name she blesses. Partakes one holy food,And to one hope she presses With ev’ry grace endued.
Though with a scornful wonder This world sees her oppressed,
By schisms rent asunder, By heresies distressed,
Yet saints their watch are keeping; Their cry goes up: “How long?”
And soon the night of weeping Shall be the morn of song.Through toil and tribulation And tumult of her war,
She waits the consummation Of peace forevermore;
Till with the vision glorious Her longing eyes are blest,
And the great Church victorious Shall be the church at rest.Yet she on earth has union With God, the Three in One,
And mystic sweet communion With those whose rest is won.
O blessed heav’nly chorus! Lord, save us by your grace,
That we, like saints before us, May see you face to face.
Invocation:
P: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
C: And also with you.
P: Salvation comes from our God who is seated on the throne;
C: And from the lamb at the centre of the throne who is our shepherd.
P: All blessing and glory,
C: All thanksgiving and honour,
P: All power and might,
C: All praise and worship,
P: All tributes that heaven and earth can offer,
C: Belong to our God forever and ever. Amen
Confession & Forgiveness:
P: If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
C: But if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (Silence for reflection on God’s Word.)
P: Most merciful God,
C: We come before You in prayer today, asking for forgiveness. We have not loved you as we ought to love, we have not given as we ought to give, and we have fallen short of the mark of truly being your obedient sons and daughters. We recognize our sin and in this moment of silence, we privately remember our shortcomings in love and life.
P: As we have confessed, God in His love forgives us because of Jesus’ death and resurrection.
C: Send us forth now with clean hearts and minds to do Your work and be of service to You. Protect us in our ways and guide us in our steps. Amen.
Kryie:
P: Lord, have mercy: C: Lord, have mercy.
P: Christ, have mercy: C: Christ, have mercy
P: Lord, have mercy: C: Lord, have mercy
P: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.
Let us pray:
P: Holy and Loving God, as the angels and all the saints gather before your throne and proclaim your everlasting praise and glory, so we gather here today in your holy sanctuary to worship and adore you. Stir up, O Lord, your faithful ones to seek more eagerly your living presence and attend us in this time we have set aside so that we may more worthily magnify your most holy name. Grant us grace to follow those who have gone before us in lives of faith and commitment, that we, with them, may know the inexpressible joys you have prepared for those who love you - we ask this through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
C: Amen.
First Lesson: Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-7
15The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it.
16 And the LORD God commanded the man, ‘You may freely eat of every tree of the garden; 17but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall die.’
Now the serpent was more crafty than any other wild animal that the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, ‘Did God say, “You shall not eat from any tree in the garden”?’ 2The woman said to the serpent, ‘We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden; 3but God said, “You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the garden, nor shall you touch it, or you shall die.”‘ 4But the serpent said to the woman, ‘You will not die; 5for God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.’
6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate. 7Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made loincloths for themselves.
http://www.devotions.net/bible/00bible.htm
Psalm 32
1 Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
2 Happy are those to whom the LORD imputes no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
3 While I kept silence, my body wasted away through my groaning all day long.
4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah
5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not hide my iniquity; I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD," and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah
6 Therefore let all who are faithful offer prayer to you; at a time of distress, the rush of mighty waters shall not reach them.
7 You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with glad cries of deliverance. Selah
8 I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.
9 Do not be like a horse or a mule, without understanding, whose temper must be curbed with bit and bridle, else it will not stay near you.
10 Many are the torments of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds those who trust in the LORD.
11 Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart.
http://www.devotions.net/bible/00bible.htm
Special Music: Hand Bells “There Is a Balm in Gilead”
Second Lesson: Romans 5:12-19
12Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death came through sin, and so death spread to all because all have sinned— 13sin was indeed in the world before the law, but sin is not reckoned when there is no law. 14Yet death exercised dominion from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sins were not like the transgression of Adam, who is a type of the one who was to come. 15But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died through the one man’s trespass, much more surely have the grace of God and the free gift in the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abounded for the many. 16And the free gift is not like the effect of the one man’s sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brings justification. 17If, because of the one man’s trespass, death exercised dominion through that one, much more surely will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness exercise dominion in life through the one man, Jesus Christ. 18Therefore just as one man’s trespass led to condemnation for all, so one man’s act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all. 19For just as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.
http://www.devotions.net/bible/00bible.htm
Gospel Acclamation:
C: Return to the Lord, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and a-bounding in steadfast love.
P: The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the sixth chapter
C: Glory to you, O Lord.
Gospel: Luke 6:20-26
Then he looked up at his disciples and said: "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. "Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. "Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. "Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man.
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. "But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. "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. "Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets.
C: Praise to you, O Christ.
Hymn: When Peace, like a River
When peace like a river, attendeth my way;
When sorrows, like sea billows, roll;
Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.
It is well...with my soul... It is well, it is well, with my soul...
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
It is well...with my soul... It is well, it is well, with my soul...
He lives--oh, the bliss of this glorious thought;
My sin, not in part, but the whole,
Is nailed to His cross, and I bear it no more.
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, Oh my soul.
It is well...with my soul... It is well, it is well, with my soul...
And, Lord, haste the day when our faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll,
The trumpet shall sound, and the Lord shall descend;
Even so, it is well with my soul...
It is well...with my soul... It is well, it is well, with my soul...
Message of the Day: Well, Done Faithful Servant
Hymn of the Day: Geh aus, mein Herz, und suche Freud
(Go out, my heart, and look for joy)
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Geh aus, mein Herz, und suche Freud In dieser lieben Sommerzeit An deines Gottes Gaben; Schau an der schönen Gärten Zier Und siehe, wie sie mir und dir Sich ausgeschmücket haben. Ich selbsten kann und mag nicht ruhn; Des großen Gottes großes Tun Erweckt mir alle Sinnen; Ich singe mit, wenn alles singt,Und lasse, was dem Höchsten klingt,Aus meinem Herzen rinnen. Ach, denk ich, bist du hier so schön Und läßt du uns so lieblich gehn Auf dieser armen Erden,Was will doch wohl nach dieser Welt Dort in dem festen Himmelszelt Und güldnen Schlosse werden! Welch hohe Lust, welch heller Schein Wird wohl in Christi Garten sein!Wie muß es da wohl klingen, Da so viel tausend Seraphim Mit eingestimmtem Mund und Stimm Ihr Halleluja singen! Erwähle mich zum Paradeis Und laß mich bis zur letzten Reis An Leib und Seele grünen; So vill ich dir und deiner Her Allein und sonsten keinem mehr Hier und dort ewig dienen. |
Go out, my heart, and look for joy, in this lovely summer-time, in all the gifts from God. Look at the beautiful gardens, and wonder how they decorated themselves for you and me. I myself cannot and will not rest; the great works of the great God awake in me all my senses. I sing along when all nature sings, and flow everything out of my heart for the glory of the Highest. When I reflect on the beauty of Your works and Your lovely ways for us on this poor earth, I wonder about the world hereafter and how it will be in the rich heaven and golden castle. What wonderful pleasure, what glorious light will there be in Christ’s garden. What a sound it will make when so many thousands of Seraphim Will sing their Hallelujah with loud and joyful voices. Choose me for Your paradise, and let me grow in body and soul Towards the last journey, and then I will serve You and only You For Your glory here and there in all eternity. |
Apostle’s Creed:
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into hell. On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again 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
Special Music: Hand Bells "Beautiful Saviour"
Dedication of Sacred Hand Bells: In loving memory of Süster Petersen
P: St. Ansgar's, like many Christian communities across the world have experienced the loss of its' saints. Today is an occasion to bring together a cross section of our past and future. These Sacred Hand Bells have been placed intentionally in this sanctuary for two reasons: one, to present the example of service above self which Süster Petersen represented. What a lesson for the coming generations who come to worship here and, two, because in this church building we have encapsulated all the hopes for a bright and prosperous future in God's kingdom.
"I would like to say a word or two before the dedication. We are gathered here for a very special purpose. This gathering is firstly a dedication service to show our affection for Süster Petersen who has passed on to new life. We remember and cherish her memories. We knew, respected and loved her. Secondly, this is a Christian gathering in which we are taking part this day. In the New Testament, we read such words “I would not have you be ignorant brethren to mourn as those without hope, those who died in Christ Jesus."
These Sacred Hand Bells have been given to St. Ansgar’s Church in loving memory of Süster Petersen for the glory of God. We praise You, O Lord in this dedication service. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Prayers:
(The Prayers proceed, each petition ending with...)
P: God, forgive the guilt of our sin.
C: Let your mercy embrace us
P: Into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
C: Amen
Sharing of Peace:
P: The peace of the Lord be with you always.
C: And also with you.
Special Music: Hand Bells “What Wondrous Love Is This”
Offertory:
Let the vineyards be fruitful, Lord, and fill to the brim our cup of blessing.
Gather a harvest from the seeds that were sown,
that we may be fed with the bread of life.
Gather the hopes and the dreams of all; unite them with the prayers we offer now.
Grace our table with your presence, and give us a foretaste of the feast to come.
Offertory Prayer:
P: Merciful Father,
C: we offer with joy and thanksgiving what you have first given us—our selves, our time, and our possessions, signs of your gracious love. Receive them for the sake of him who offered himself for us, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
The Great Thanksgiving:
P: The Lord be with You
C: And also with you
P: Lift up your hearts
C: We lift them to the Lord.
P: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God
C: It is right to give him thanks and praise.
P: It is indeed right and salutary that we should at all times and in all places offer thanks and praise to you, O Lord, holy Father, through Christ our Lord. Sharing our life, he lived among us to reveal your glory and love, that our darkness should give way to his own brilliant light. And so, with the Church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join in your unending hymn:
C: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might: Heaven and earth are full of your
glory. Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in
the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
P: Holy God, mighty Lord, Gracious Father: Endless in your mercy and eternal your reign. You have filled all creation with light and life: heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Through Abraham you promised to bless all nations. You rescued Israel, your chosen people.
Through the prophets you renewed your promise; And at this end of all the ages, you sent your Son, who in words and deeds proclaimed your kingdom and was obedient to your will, even to giving his life.
In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, And gave thanks; and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.
Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this in remembrance of me.
For as often as we eat of this bread and drink from this cup, we proclaim the Lord's death, until he comes.
C: Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.
P: Therefore, gracious Father, with this bread and cup we remember the life our Lord offered for us. And, believing the witness of his resurrection, we await his coming in power
to share with us the great and promised feast.
C: Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
P: Send now, we pray, your Holy Spirit, the spirit of our Lord and of his resurrection,
that we who receive the Lord's body and blood may live the to the praise of your glory
and receive our inheritance with all your saints in light.
C: Amen, Come, Holy Spirit.
P: Join our prayers with those of your servants of every time and every place, and unite them with the ceaseless petitions of our great high priest until he comes as victorious Lord of all
.Lord’s Prayer:
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
Lamb of God:
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; grant us peace.
(Distribution of Communion)
Post-Communion Canticle:
Lord, now you let your servant go in peace; your word has been fulfilled. My own eyes have seen the salvation which you have prepared in the sight of every people: A light to reveal you to the nations and the glory of your people Israel, Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
Post-Communion Prayer:
P: Let us pray…Pour out upon us the spirit of your love, O Lord, and unite the wills of those whom you have fed with one heavenly food; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
C: Amen
Benediction:
P: God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ, the great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working within you that which is well pleasing in His sight; through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever.
The Lord bless us and keep us.
The Lord make his face shine on us and be gracious to us.
The Lord look upon us with favour and give us peace.
C: Doxology: "Praise God"
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise him, all creatures here below;
Praise him above, ye heav'nly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen
Closing Hymn: "Crown Him with Many Crowns"
Crown Him with many crowns The Lamb upon His throne;
Hark, how the heavenly anthem drowns All music but its own.
Awake, my soul, and sing Of Him who died for thee
And hail Him as thy matchless King Through all eternity.
Crown Him the Virgin's Son, The God incarnate born,
Whose arm those crimson trophies won Which now His brow adorn;
Fruit of the mystic rose, Yet of that rose the stem,
The root whence mercy ever flows, The Babe of Bethlehem.
Crown Him the Lord of Love--- Behold His hands and side,
Rich wounds, yet visible above, In beauty glorified.
No angels in the sky Can fully bear that sight,
But downward bend their burning eyes At mysteries so bright.
Crown Him the Lord of Life, Who triumphed o'er the grave
And rose victorious in the strife For those He came to save.
His glories now we sing, Who died and rose on high,
Who died, eternal life to bring, And lives that death may die.
Crown Him the Lord of years, The potentate of time,
Creator of the rolling spheres, Ineffably sublime,
All hail, Redeemer hail! For Thou hast died for me
Thy praise and glory shall not fail Throughout eternity
Deacon’s Prayer ?
Dismissal
P: The worship is over, the service begins. In the power of the Holy Spirit, we now go forth into the world, to fulfil our calling as the people of God, the body of Christ.
C: Thanks be to God.
Worship Bells
Organ Postlude: Julia Shantz
Eternal God, Creator of years, of centuries, Lord of whatever is beyond time,
Maker of all species and master of all history --
How shall we speak to You From our smallness and inconsequence?
Except that You have called us to worship You In spirit and in truth;
You have dignified us with loves and loyalties;
You have lifted us up with Your loving kindnesses.
Therefore we are bold to come before You without groveling And without fear.
We sing with spirit and pray with courage Because you have dignified us;
You have redeemed us from the aimlessness Of things' going meaninglessly well.
God, lift the hearts of those For whom this holiday is not just diversion,
But painful memory and continued deprivation.
Bless those whose dear ones have died
We remember with compassion those who have died
There is none of us but must come to bereavement and separation,
When all the answers we are offered Fail the question death asks of each of us.
We believe that You will provide for us
As others have been provided with the fulfillment of
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted."
- Author Unknown
Our beloved Süster passed away on June 11, 2004 in Montreal. She was the beloved wife of the late Capt. Hans Petersen, mother of Frauke Petersen-Smith (Steven Smith) and Jens Petersen, grandmother of James, Tait and Emma Smith.
She will also be missed by the rest of her family and many friends. A funeral service to celebrate her life was held at St. Ansgar’s Lutheran Church (4020 Grand Blvd.) on Thursday, June 17, 2004.
The handbells we are dedicating today are the result of the generous donations that were given in Süster’s memory. We will always remember her, especially when the handbells ring!