**Please note this service is based on the format of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Canada. Unless otherwise indicated, all prayers come from Evangelical Lutheran Worship (ELW). Hymns and other prayers have been sourced to give appropriate credit.
**NRSV translation used for the readings, unless otherwise stated.
Introduction to the day
A little faith goes a long way is Jesus’ point in the gospel. A mustard seed’s-worth of faith has miraculous potential. The patience, tenacity, and endurance required for the life of faith are the blessings received in holy baptism, holy communion, and the word read and proclaimed in this assembly. Anticipate them. Receive them with thanksgiving.
Confession
and Forgiveness
Blessed
be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God,
who
is eager to forgive
and
who loves us beyond our days.
Amen.
Dear
friends, together let us acknowledge
our
failure to love this world as Jesus does.
God
of mercy and forgiveness,
we
confess that sin still has a hold on us.
We
have harmed your good creation.
We
have failed to do justice,
love
kindness,
and
walk humbly with you.
Turn
us in a new direction.
Show
us the path that leads to life.
Be
our refuge and strength on the journey,
through
Jesus Christ, our redeemer and friend.
Amen.
Beloved
of God:
your
sins are forgiven ☩ and you are made whole.
God
points the way to new life in Christ,
who
meets us on the road.
Journey
now in God’s abiding love
through
the power of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Gathering
Song – Day
by Day (ELW #790)
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.
Kyrie
Canticle of Praise
Prayer
of the Day
Let
us pray.
Benevolent,
merciful God: When we are empty, fill us. When we are weak in faith, strengthen
us. When we are cold in love, warm us, that with fervor we may love our
neighbors and serve them for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and
Lord.
Amen.
Readings
A
reading from the Book of Lamentations (1:1-6)
How lonely sits the city
that once was full
of people!
How like a widow she has become,
she that was great
among the nations!
She that was a princess among the provinces
has become a
vassal.
She weeps bitterly in the night,
with tears on her
cheeks;
among all her lovers
she has no one to
comfort her;
all her friends have dealt treacherously with her,
they have become
her enemies.
Judah has gone into exile with suffering
and hard
servitude;
she lives now among the nations,
and finds no
resting-place;
her pursuers have all overtaken her
in the midst of
her distress.
The roads to Zion mourn,
for no one comes
to the festivals;
all her gates are desolate,
her priests groan;
her young girls grieve,
and her lot is
bitter.
Her foes have become the masters,
her enemies
prosper,
because the Lord has made her suffer
for the multitude
of her transgressions;
her children have gone away,
captives before
the foe.
From daughter Zion has departed
all her majesty.
Her princes have become like stags
that find no
pasture;
they fled without strength
before the pursuer.
The
word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Psalm
137
By
the rivers of Babylon—
there we sat down and there we wept
when we remembered Zion.
On
the willows there
we hung up our harps.
For
there our captors
asked us for songs,
and
our tormentors asked for mirth, saying,
‘Sing us one of the songs of Zion!’
How
could we sing the Lord’s song
in a foreign land?
If
I forget you, O Jerusalem,
let my right hand wither!
Let
my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth,
if I do not remember you,
if
I do not set Jerusalem
above my highest joy.
Remember,
O Lord, against the Edomites
the day of Jerusalem’s fall,
how
they said, ‘Tear it down! Tear it down!
Down to its foundations!’
O
daughter Babylon, you devastator!
Happy shall they be who pay you back
what you have done to us!
Happy
shall they be who take your little ones
and dash them against the rock!
A
reading from the Second Letter of Paul to Timothy (1:1-14)
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, for the
sake of the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus,
To Timothy, my beloved child:
Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus
our Lord.
I am grateful to God—whom I worship with a clear conscience,
as my ancestors did—when I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day.
Recalling your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy. I am
reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that lived first in your grandmother
Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, lives in you. For this reason I
remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you through the laying on
of my hands; for God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit
of power and of love and of self-discipline.
Do not be ashamed, then, of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God, who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace. This grace was given to us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Saviour Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. For this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher, and for this reason I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know the one in whom I have put my trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard until that day what I have entrusted to him. Hold to the standard of sound teaching that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Guard the good treasure entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit living in us.
The
word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Gospel
Acclamation
The
Lord be with you.
And
also with you.
The Holy
Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke. (17:5-10)
Glory
to you, O Lord.
The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith!’ The
Lord replied, ‘If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to
this mulberry tree, “Be uprooted and planted in the sea”, and it would obey
you.
‘Who among you would say to your slave who has just come in from ploughing or tending sheep in the field, “Come here at once and take your place at the table”? Would you not rather say to him, “Prepare supper for me, put on your apron and serve me while I eat and drink; later you may eat and drink”? Do you thank the slave for doing what was commanded? So you also, when you have done all that you were ordered to do, say, “We are worthless slaves; we have done only what we ought to have done!”’
The Gospel
of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
Sermon
Guest Speaker - Bishop Jason Zinko
Well, Pastor
Jennifer… let’s try this again.
After nearly a
year working with the IRSM congregations, and one failed attempt at an
installation, here we are again to officially situate you in the role of Pastor
to several different communities.
And what a reading
you get for this day! Jesus talking about masters and slaves – with the
servants not getting special attention or thanks for the tasks that they are
given to do. I know that pastoral ministry can often seem thankless, but this
seems a bit much.
So maybe we should
talk about some of those roles that you have been called here to fill. There
are the obvious ones: preaching and presiding at the sacraments; presiding at
weddings, funerals, and confirmations; visiting the sick. These are, in fact,
part of your role and spelled out in the Letter of Call. But what else are you
here to do?
A lot of
congregations I talk to seem to think that the pastor’s role also includes:
recruiting new members; increasing giving; doing community outreach; leading
many of the congregation’s programs; youth ministry; and about 100 other
things.
Well, I just
happen to have your Letter of Call right here. And guess what? Most of those
things aren’t on that list.
But do you know
what is? That you “equip, train, and mentor all God’s people for ministry, in
all areas of spiritual renewal and faith formation.”
You are here to
coach God’s people in living out their faith each and every day. You are here
to encourage, teach, and help people as they grow in faith and put that faith
into action in many different ways. Because in the end, it is not the tasks that
you perform that are the most important. What is most important is that the
people you are called to serve hear God’s word and follow Jesus in faith. It is
about faith and discipleship. That has always been the task of the church and
the church’s leaders.
But I’m getting
ahead of myself. Before mentioning tasks, our Gospel reading this morning
starts off with the disciples asking for more faith.
If you have heard
me preach before, then you know that I regularly pick on Jesus’ disciples.
Throughout the gospels they ask the wrong questions, say the wrong things, miss
some pretty obvious signs, and often act as though they haven’t heard anything
Jesus taught them.
It’s not that I
think they were bad people, or that they were especially bad disciples. After
all, they did follow Jesus around the countryside for several years, and they
were instrumental in the formation and continuation of the Christian Church.
I give them a hard
time because, I suppose, I expect better from them. I expect that they should
have stronger faith and understand better who Jesus was. I expect that they
should be the ones to lead by example and blaze the trail for the rest of us –
not to be just like us with our doubts and questions.
But they are a lot
like us. They have their limitations in faith and practice, and this time they
seem to recognize it and ask for more faith.
Do any of you know
why the disciples are asking for faith?
I imagine they are
a bit scared. You see, in the part of Luke’s gospel just before our reading
today, Jesus had finished giving the disciples a warning about not causing
other people to stumble. And Jesus paints a pretty scary picture about the
consequences of doing that. So, they realize that it will take a lot of faith
to lead people on the right path, and they want to avoid any pitfalls. But I
think that the disciples are asking for faith for more than just that reason.
In the last number
of chapters in Luke’s gospel, Jesus has been teaching the disciples all of the
things that are expected of disciples. Not just leaders or pastors, but all disciples. He’s been telling them
that to follow Jesus means a whole lot of things: Putting God’s work first;
spreading the good news that God’s kingdom has come near; caring for God’s
children regardless of who they are; spending time listening to and learning
from Jesus; praying constantly; letting the light of Christ shine through
everything we do; repenting of wrongdoing; being fearless in the face of
oppression; giving up wealth and riches in order to follow God; not worrying;
being alert to see God’s action in our lives; using the gifts God gave to
benefit the world; seeing God’s kingdom in unexpected places; being humble before
God and others; responding to God’s invitation of new life; loving and
forgiving people unconditionally, and repeatedly; listening to the people that
God has sent in the past to guide and teach; and not being a stumbling block to
other people’s faith.
Woah. That’s a lot
of expectation. Who could possibly live up to all that?
Well we can’t. Not
without faith. Not without believing that God is leading us, strengthening us,
and helping us to see what we are called to do.
This isn’t
something that we can just leave to Pastor Jennifer to do for us, or on our
behalf. I know she’s a gifted Pastor, but… discipleship isn’t something that
she can do for us.
What she can do is
help us to walk the path of discipleship. She can encourage us as we all minister
to God’s people who are in need; as we practice praying and reading scripture; as
we look for the face of Christ in everyone we encounter; as we practice mercy,
forgiveness, and grace; and as we carry out the call that God has given us in
baptism each day.
I’m sure many of us are thinking to ourselves; “no wonder the disciples said ‘increase our faith!’” I tend to agree with them. It feels like there’s no way we have enough faith to do all of that.
But what if we do?
What if we have exactly enough faith to be disciples right now? I believe that
Jesus has given us the faith that we need. It might not be fully developed, and
it certainly isn’t perfect, but it is what we need to get started.
Why do I think
that? Because Jesus tells us that even the smallest amount of faith is enough
to do what God calls us to do. Even a speck of faith will allow us to do some
pretty remarkable things that we didn’t think possible. It is our faith that can
help us to trust that Jesus will lead through a tough time, or help us to share
our faith with others. The tiniest bit of faith can help us to serve people in
need and care for our neighbours.
If you think back
to a couple of months ago, we heard a story of Jesus sending out 70 disciples
to share the good news with neighbouring towns and villages. Do you think they
all had a perfect, mature faith? Almost certainly not. But look at how that
small amount of faith from a relatively small number of people has changed the
world. Look how those first ripples have turned into a community of faith that
has started schools, built hospitals, worked at repairing wrongs and
reconciling with people we have harmed, fed the hungry, given shelter to the
homeless, and helped others to find and rely on faith in their lives.
Whether we see it
or not, we are actually living out our faith and following Jesus through the
things we do every day. And look at how just a small amount of faith has had
such a big impact.
I know that we are
here celebrating the ministry that Pastor Jennifer will do with and for the
IRSM. It is important work. But it is not the only work.
The work of
ministry belongs to all of us. It is our faith together that will help our
congregations move forward, trusting that God is leading us and walking beside
us each step of the way.
I hope and pray
that all of you in the IRSM will do that work together so that you can be
witnesses to all that God has done and continues to do in your communities.
Amen.
Hymn
of the Day
– When Peace like a River (It Is Well with My Soul) (ELW #785)
Apostles’
Creed
Let us declare the faith of our baptism as we say together
the 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
As scattered grains of wheat are gathered together into one bread, so let us gather our prayers for the church, those in need, and all of God’s good creation.
Silence
We pray for your holy church in every place and for those
who serve following the example of Christ. We pray for the National Lutheran
Bishop Susan Johnson, the Anglican Primate Linda Nicholls, the Interim
Indigenous Archbishop Sidney Black, the MNO Synod Bishop Jason Zinko, the
Diocese of Rupert’s Land Bishop Geoff Woodcroft, and all clergy and lay leaders
within our parishes. Help them to live by faith and walk by the light of your
gospel.
God of grace,
hear our prayer.
For parts of the world ravaged by natural disaster: relieve
those affected by floods, wildfires, droughts, earthquakes, tornadoes, and
hurricanes.
God of grace,
hear our prayer.
For every nation and for those entrusted with authority:
grant our leaders self-discipline in all things and inspire them with love for
your people.
God of grace,
hear our prayer.
For victims of violence, abuse, and neglect: heal those who
have been harmed and protect those who are vulnerable. For all who are sick.
God of grace,
hear our prayer.
For this and every congregation: rekindle your gifts within
your people, and inspire councils, committees, and individuals to plan and work
together that all may know your love.
God of grace,
hear our prayer.
In thanksgiving that you have abolished death, and for the
saints who have died. Bring us all to eternal life with you.
God of grace,
hear our prayer.
Gathered together in the sweet communion of the Holy Spirit,
gracious God, we offer these and all our prayers to you; through Jesus Christ,
our Savior.
Amen.
Peace
The
peace of Christ be with you always.
And also with you.
Offering
Hymn – Just
As I Am, without One Plea (ELW #592)
Offering
Prayer
Let
us pray.
Gracious
God, in your great love you richly provide for our needs. Make of these gifts a
banquet of blessing, and make us ready to share with all in need; through Jesus
Christ, who sets a table for all.
Amen.
Dialogue
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.
Preface
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:
Holy, Holy, Holy
Thanksgiving at
the Table
Holy
God,
our Bread of life, our Table, and our Food,
you created a world in which all might be satisfied by your
abundance.
You
dined with Abraham and Sarah, promising them life,
and fed your people Israel with manna from heaven.
You
sent your Son to eat with sinners
and to become food for the world.
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.
Remembering,
therefore,
his life given for us
and his rising from the grave,
we await his coming again to share with us the everlasting
feast.
By
your Spirit nurture and sustain us with this meal:
strengthen us to serve all in hunger and want,
and by this bread and cup make of us the body of your Son.
Through
him all glory and honor is yours,
Almighty Father, with the Holy Spirit,
in your holy Church,
both now and forever.
Amen
Lord’s Prayer
Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us.
Our Father
in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us
today our daily bread.
Forgive us
our sins
as we forgive those
who sin against us.
Save us from
the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the
kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and forever. Amen.
Invitation to Communion
Christ
invites you to this table.
Come, taste and see.
Sharing of the Eucharist
Table
Blessing
The
body and blood of our Lord
Jesus
Christ strengthen you
and
keep you in his grace.
Amen.
Prayer
After Communion
As
we have feasted around the table, let us pray.
God
of the abundant table, you have refreshed our hearts in this meal with bread
for the journey.
Give
us your grace on the road that we might serve our neighbors with joy; for the
sake of Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
Blessing
God,
who gives life to all things
and
frees us from despair,
bless
you with truth and peace.
And
may the holy Trinity, ☩ one
God,
guide
you always in faith, hope, and love.
Amen.
Sending
Song – Hallelujah!
We Sing Your Praises (ELW #818)
Dismissal
Go
in peace, with Christ beside you.
Thanks be to God.
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