Worship Outline and Sermon 

 Worship Outline:  July 5, 2026 - Time after Pentecost (Holy Communion)

Introduction to the day

The mystery of God’s ways is sometimes hidden from the wise and intelligent. Jesus associates with those often excluded from the religious community. Like Paul, we struggle with our own selfish desires and seek God’s mercy and forgiveness. We gather to be refreshed by Christ’s invitation: “Come to me, all you that are weary.” Gathered around word, water, and meal, we find rest for our souls.

(* = please stand, as able)

Quiet Time for Reflection and Prayer

Prelude

Welcome and Announcements

Confession and Forgiveness

All may make the sign of the cross, the sign that is marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins.

Blessed be the holy Trinity,☩ one God, whose compassion endures forever.

Amen.

Let us confess our sin to God.

Silence is kept for reflection.

Compassionate God,

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.         

Jesus says, “Come to me, all you 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.

Amen.

*Gathering Song All Creatures, Worship God Most High!

(# 835, st. 1-3, 6)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCZbGy_Lfpg

All creatures, worship God most high!

Sound ev’ry voice in earth and sky:

Alleluia! Alleluia!

Sing, brother sun, in splendour bright;

Sing, sister moon and stars of night:

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

Sing, brother wind, with clouds and rain

You grow the gifts of fruit and grain;

Alleluia! Alleluia!

Dear sister water, useful, clear,

Make music for your Lord to hear:

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

Sing, brother fire, so mirthful, strong:

Drive far the shadows, join the throng:

Alleluia! Alleluia!

Dear mother earth, so rich in care,

Praise God in colours bright and rare:

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

O sisters, brothers, take your part,

And worship God with humble heart:

Alleluia! Alleluia!

All creatures, bless the Father, Son,

And Holy Spirit, Three in One:

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

(Text: Francis of Assisi; tr. composite, © 1997, Augsburg Fortress. Reprinted with permission under OneLicense.net #A-714392. All rights reserved. Music: ‘Geistliche Kirchengesänge’, Köln, 1623, public domain)

*Greeting

The grace of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

And also with you.

*Canticle of Praise

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMZrlPTt4a

Refrain:

This is the feast of victory for our God.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Worthy is Christ, the Lamb who was slain,

whose blood set us free to be people of God.

Power and riches, wisdom and strength,

and honor and blessing and glory are his.

Refrain:

Sing with all the people of God,

and join in the hymn of all creation:

Blessing and honor, glory and might

be to God and the Lamb forever. Amen.

Refrain:

For the Lamb who was slain has begun his reign.

Alleluia.

Refrain:

*Prayer of the Day

You are great, O God, and greatly to be praised. You have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you. Grant that we may believe in you, call upon you, know you, and serve you, through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

Amen.

First Reading Psalm 145:8-14

The Lord is gracious and full of compassion. (Ps. 145:8)

8 The Lord is gracious and full of compassion,
  slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
 9 Lord, you are good to all,
  and your compassion is over all your works.
 10 All your works shall praise you, O Lord,
  and your faithful ones shall bless you.
 11 They shall tell of the glory of your kingdom
  and speak of your power,
 12 that all people may know of your power
  and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
 13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom; your dominion endures throughout all ages.

  You, Lord, are faithful in all your words, and loving in all your works.
 14 The Lord upholds all those who fall
  and lifts up those who are bowed down.

   The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Hymn Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty! (# 413)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kzCdghlrGM

Holy, holy, holy, Lord God almighty!

Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee.

Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty!

God in three persons, blessed Trinity!

Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore thee,

Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;

Cherubim and seraphim falling down before thee,

Which wert and art, and evermore shalt be.

Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide thee,

Though the eye of sinfulness thy glory may not see,

Only thou art holy; there is none beside thee,

Perfect in pow’r, in love, and purity.

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!

All thy works shall praise thy name in earth and sky and sea,

Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty!

God in three persons, blessed Trinity!

(Text: Reginald Heber, alt. Music: John B. Dykes. Text and music: public domain.)

Second Reading:  Romans 7:15-25a

Life captive to sin is a catch-22 existence in which we know good but do not do it and do things we know to be wrong. Through Jesus Christ, God has set us free from such a futile existence.

15 I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. 16 Now if I do what I do not want, I agree that the law is good. 17 But in fact it is no longer I who do it but sin that dwells within me. 18 For I know that the good does not dwell within me, that is, in my flesh. For the desire to do the good lies close at hand, but not the ability. 19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do. 20 Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it but sin that dwells within me.            

21 So I find it to be a law that, when I want to do what is good, evil lies close at hand. 22 For I delight in the law of God in my inmost self, 23 but I see in my members another law at war with the law of my mind, making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. 24 Wretched person that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? 25a Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!

The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

*Gospel Acclamation (p. 102, sung)

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Lord, to whom shall we go?

You have the words of eternal life.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

*Gospel:   Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30

The Holy Gospel according to Matthew. Glory to you, O Lord.

Jesus chides people who find fault with both his ministry and that of John the Baptist. He thanks God that wisdom and intelligence are not needed to receive what God has to offer.

  [Jesus spoke to the crowd saying:] 16 “To what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to one another,

  17 ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;
  we wailed, and you did not mourn.’

18 “For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon’; 19 the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.”

  25 At that time Jesus said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; 26 yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. 27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
  28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.

Sermon – Pastor Matthew 

*Hymn of the Day I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say (# 611)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJ6MdwrXblQ

I heard the voice of Jesus say,

“Come unto me and rest;

Lay down, O weary one, lay down

Your head upon my breast.”

I came to Jesus as I was,

So weary, worn, and sad;

I found in him a resting place,

And he has made me glad.

I heard the voice of Jesus say,

“Behold, I freely give

The living water, thirsty one;

Stoop down and drink and live.”

I came to Jesus, and I drank

Of that life-giving stream;

My thirst was quenched, my soul revived,

And now I live in him.

I heard the voice of Jesus say,

I am this dark world’s light;

Look unto me, your morn shall rise,

And all your day be bright.”

I looked to Jesus, and I found

In him, my star, my sun;

And in that light of life I’ll walk

Till trav’ling days are done.

(Text: Horatius Bonar. Music: English folk tune. Text and music: public domain.)

*Apostles’ Creed (p. 105)

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

Trusting in God’s steadfast love for all God has made, let us pray for the church, the world, and all of creation.

A brief silence.

God our unity, you have bound us together in the body of your Son Jesus Christ and strengthened us through the gifts we share with one another. We thank you for 25 years of full communion between Lutherans and Anglicans in Canada. By your Holy Spirit, deepen our fellowship, renew our common witness, and lead us into ever greater partnership in your mission. And in all these things, may they be for the life of the world. God of grace,

hear our prayer.

God our life-giver, we grieve the pains placed upon our common home through war and neglect. What you have lovingly crafted, guide us to lovingly tend. Help us to see you in the beauty and programmes of Luther Village. God of grace,

hear our prayer.

God our comfort, liberate all in our community who are captive to fear, who have become isolated or ill, or who are in any need. Those we remember include ... God of grace,

hear our prayer.

God our guide, we do not always have the strength to speak aloud to you. Hear our silent prayers … God of grace,

hear our prayer.

God our home, you model freedom through the love shared across communities of trust and goodwill. As we remember those now gone to eternal rest, including Joan, Chris, and Edward, we thank you for the gifts of life together. God of grace,

hear our prayer.

Grateful for your abundant provision and trusting in your goodness, we cast all our cares upon you, through the abundant grace of Christ Jesus.

Amen.

*Peace

The peace of Christ be with you always.

And also with you.

Offering (please be seated)

As our offerings are being collected by passing plates down the pews, please join in singing: 

Offertory I Love to Tell the Story (# 661, st. 1)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-YgXvw4cJU

I love to tell the story,

Of unseen things above,

Of Jesus and his glory,

Of Jesus and his love.

I love to tell the story,

Because I know it’s true;

It satisfies my longings

As nothing else would do.     

Refrain:

I love to tell the story;

‘twill be my theme in glory

To tell the old, old story

Of Jesus and his love.

(Text: Katherine Hankey. Music: William E. Fischer.  Text and music: public domain.)

Offering Prayer

Loving God, we offer at your table the gifts of our hearts. Help us take heart in you and share freely of your love, so that all creation can taste your abundance. Amen.

*Great Thanksgiving (p.107, sung)

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Lift up your hearts.

We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give our thanks and praise.

It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God, through our Savior Jesus Christ; who on this day overcame death and the grave, and by his glorious resurrection opened to us the way of everlasting life. And so, with all the choirs of angels, with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hG49pxojgjk

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,

heaven and earth are full of your glory.

Hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

Hosanna in the highest.

In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; 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 for the remembrance of me.

Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us.

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, Amen.

Invitation to Communion

Heaven has come near. Come, share in the feast! The body and blood of Christ given and shed for you.

If watching online, when the presiding minister says, ‘The body and blood of Christ, given and shed for you,’ we welcome all to take and eat a piece of bread, remembering and giving thanks for the promises given us in Christ Jesus. Please also do so, taking a glass of wine or another beverage.

During Communion, please join in singing,

Come to Me, All Pilgrims Thirsty (# 777, st. 2 and 3)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-YgXvw4cJU

“Come to me, all trav’lers weary;

Come that I may give you rest.

Drink the cup of life I offer;

At this table be my guest.”

Refrain:

Jesus, ever flowing fountain,

Give us water from your well.

In the gracious gift you offer

There is joy no tongue can tell.

“Come to me, believers, burdened,

Find refreshment in this place.

Come, receive the gift I offer,

Turn to me and seek my face.”

Refrain:

(Text Delores Dufner, © 2008, GIA Publications, Inc. Music: ‘The Sacred Harp’, 1844; arr. ‘Selected Hymns’, 1985, © 1978, Augsburg Fortress. Text and arr. reprinted with permission under OneLicense.net #A-714392. All rights reserved.)

Prayer after Communion

Compassionate God, through the gifts of bread and wine our hearts are filled with the abundance of your love. Strengthen us that we, through this holy meal, may share your love freely, as you have shared with us. Amen.

*Blessing

Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer, ☩ one God, bless, heal, and hold you today and always. Amen.

*Sending Song Lord of All Hopefulness (# 765)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k--Mq2xz6r4

Lord of all hopefulness, Lord of all joy,

Whose trust, ever childlike, no cares could destroy:

Be there at our waking, and give us, we pray,

Your bliss in our hearts, Lord, at the break of the day.

Lord of all eagerness, Lord of all joy,

Whose trust, ever childlike, no cares could destroy:

Be there at our labours, and give us, we pray,

Your strength in our hearts, Lord, at the noon of the day.

Lord of all kindliness, Lord of all grace,

Your hands swift to welcome, your arms to embrace:

Be there at our homing, and give us, we pray,

Your love in our hearts, Lord, at the eve of the day.

Lord of all gentleness, Lord of all calm,

Whose voice is contentment, whose presence is balm:

Be there at our sleeping, and give us, we pray,

Your peace in our hearts, Lord, at the end of the day.

(Text: Jan Struthers, from ‘Enlarged Songs of Praise’. 1931, Oxford University Press.   Reprinted with permission under OneLicense.net #A-714392. All rights reserved. Music: Irish traditional, public domain.)

*Dismissal

Go in peace. Share the good news!

Thanks be to God.

From sundaysandseasons.com. Copyright © 2026 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.

Sermon:  July 5, 2026 - Time after Pentecost

Text: Matthew 11:16-30 (inspired by Matt Skinner, Working Preacher)

       Many years ago, Sarma Eglite served Our Saviour’s as a student Pastor. Pastor Sarma was one year ahead of me in seminary.  I might have shared the story of when she strode into the study room where I was working.  Apparently, she had had enough of my sour moods.  Plopping a little stuffed bear down on the desk, she announced that I was to keep that cute toy by my side when I was at school.  Whenever I found my self being too serious, or too stressed out, or too cranky,  I was to stop what I was doing, look at it, take a deep breath, and relax.  Next, I was to smile, just like that bear. 

       That little bear did its magic many times, ending up in Thunder Bay.  I’d like to say I know where it is, but hopefully when I unpack after retirement I will rediscover it.  So, also, after reading Jesus’ initial words here this past week, the thought captured my imagination that if I had been there I would have thought of sharing that bear with him.  Either that, or I would have waited until he finished, and then, quietly backing away, would have suggested that I leave him for a while until he was in a better mood. 

Matt Skinner, professor at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, echoes this impression, suggesting that ‘we might detect a note of frustration in Jesus’s voice in this passage … He has misperceptions to correct about himself and his ministry, and he’s irked by resistance to his visions of God’s way. If only people could grasp the depth of his eagerness to bring relief to those who need it most.’  He needs a bear.  More than that, however, he needs us to listen.  Jesus shares not only his unhappiness here, but in spite of it all continues to offer good news for you and me, and to smile.

Prior to this scene Jesus’s has received a visit from disciples of John the Baptizer. They posed a rather pointed question from their teacher, who appears to be contending with uncertainty about whether Jesus really was the one for whom he had been getting the people ready.  Jesus answers John’s question by noting the ways he is changing the world, not in an immediate grandiose manner, but through one act of mercy at a time. But now we hear Jesus’ frustrations coming to the surface, as he further reflects on the refusal of the people to recognize and heed both John and him.  Indeed, he seems to write off the entire ‘generation’.  He declares that there is no one at all ready to embrace their message.  Nothing is working out according to God’s plan.

We hear this exasperation in Jesus likening the people of that time ‘to children who refuse to go along with the rules of a game. When urged to act joyfully, they won’t dance. When the situation calls for gloom, they won’t mourn. Whether they’re foolish, immature, or haughty, they choose to be hardheaded for the sake of hardheadedness.

[Skinner suggests that then] Jesus cracks open his general maxim to make it more specific: John conducted his ministry with righteous intensity and asceticism, yet his opponents belittled him as deranged and demonic … By contrast, Jesus conducts his ministry with joy and inclusion, yet his detractors label him vulgar, unserious, and soft on sin. It doesn’t matter what kind of messengers God sends; no one wants to hear.’ (WP)

The good news is that these expressions of judgement do not get the final word.

‘First, … Jesus acknowledges that there’s something about him and his ministry that confounds conventional wisdom. At the same time, [he trusts that] God will make God’s ways known. Humanity may want to pretend that things are more difficult than they need to be, and we may use our own brands of wisdom and practicality to keep God and justice at bay. Jesus remains nevertheless authorized by God … to reveal God to the world. In the shadow of frustration … Jesus’s words here communicate resolve and confidence. He will be known, and the good news he proclaims will come to fruition.’

       Next we hear Jesus offering ‘relief and rest’ from weighty burdens and heavy yokes. ‘Elsewhere, … Jesus rails against leadership that makes religious devotion oppressive … Jesus is in the business of removing the heavy burdens that our societies and systems inflict on certain people.’  Chesley Harmon imagines Jesus calling us here ‘to rest from the ways of “wisdom and intelligence” in this world and to learn how to be, think, and feel with and from him. Jesus, who goes to dinner parties with anyone who welcomes him. Jesus, who makes sure that little kids can have front row seats. Jesus, who does cry with others. Jesus, who saved the best wine for last at the wedding party. Jesus, who lets people rest with him, letting down their guards, experimenting with being someone new, learning to be yoked to his ways and walking alongside God in trust that the way he is guiding them is good, and beautiful, and true.’ (Calvin)

       Jesus here echoes the description of God in our reading from Psalm 145. ‘The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love’. There can be times when we reject Creator and Creator’s messengers. We can hear, but then turn away, or refuse to play.  When we do listen and follow, we can do so wondering what it’s all about, worrying that Jesus is the real thing.  In the midst of this, God could just turn away in frustration. Yet, again we hear, ‘The Lord upholds all those who fall and lifts up those who are bowed down’.  God continues among us,  helping us to carry and proclaim the good news. In the midst of all the noise and no’s,  God continues to say yes, and smile.  Amen.