Worship and Devotions
Fifth Sunday After Pentecost
June 28, 2026
Welcome visitors and old friends. Welcome regardless of belief, ethnic background, sexual orientation, gender, socio-economic status, marital status, age, abilities, or life situation. Welcome believers and doubters as well as doubting believers. Welcome to share the fullness of Christ's love for the world!(Adapted from The welcome message from the Thomas Community in Finland. "Celebrating milestone moments" by Rev. Jukka Joensuu. Canada Lutheran January/February 2024 Vol. 39 No. 1; chorus of ELW 523)
The welcome of baptism is for all God’s children. This baptismal gift sets us free from the power of sin and death. In today’s gospel, Christ promises that the disciple who gives a cup of cold water to the little ones serves Christ himself. From worship we are sent on our baptismal mission: to serve the little ones of this world and to be a sign of God’s merciful welcome.
Music
All Are Welcome
All are welcome. Lyric video (StF 409)
Prayer
O God, you direct our lives by your grace, and your words of justice and mercy reshape the world. Mold us into a people who welcome your word and serve one another, through Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord. Amen.
Music
Oh, Praise the Gracious Power
Oh, Praise the Gracious Power - ELW 651
Readings
Semicontinuous Readings
Genesis 22:1-14; Psalm 13; Romans 6:12-23
Alternate Readings
Jeremiah 28:5-9; Psalm 89:1-4, 15-18; Romans 6:12-23
Gospel - Matthew 10:40-42
Glory to you, O Lord.
When Jesus sends his disciples out as missionaries, he warns them of persecution and hardships they will face. He also promises to reward any who aid his followers and support their ministry.
[Jesus said to the twelve:] 40 “Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. 41 Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive the reward of the righteous, 42 and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple — truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.”
The Gospel of Our Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
Sermon
Music
Welcome Table
Welcome Table (with lyrics) - ELW/ACS 969 - YouTube
Prayers of Intercession
Gathered together by the Holy Spirit, let us pray for the church and the needs of the world.
A brief silence.
Faithful God, establish your church to offer welcome and proclaim your peace. Nourish us so that we can proclaim your hope to the world. Grant wisdom, courage, and joy to all our leaders, lay and ordained. God of grace, hear our prayer.
Creator God, bring life to places experiencing drought, deforestation, and pollution. Help us to cultivate and care for the natural world around us. God of grace, hear our prayer.
Loving God, please bring an end to conflict and division in so many places in our world. Sustain the work of prophets in our time, and work through world leaders to foster understanding, justice and peace. Please bring to repentance and justice those leaders whose actions destroy peace and harm the most vulnerable. God of grace, hear our prayer.
Provider God, give your children what they need physically, emotionally, spiritually and relationally. Grant healing and comfort to all in need. Bless caregivers as they show your hospitality through their generous service. God of grace, hear our prayer.
Living God, lead us from death to life. Inspire new ministries and endeavours, renew established ones, and strengthen our welcoming presence to our neighbours. God of grace, hear our prayer.
Here other intercessions may be offered.
Eternal God, we remember the faithful departed of this community and of the wider church and world. We give thanks for saints of all times and places. God of grace, hear our prayer.
Trusting you receive all our prayers, we commend our spoken and unspoken prayers to you, O God, through Jesus our Saviour.
Amen.
(Adapted From Sundays and Seasons © 2026 Augsburg Fortress)
Music
This Is My Father’s World
This is My Father's World ~ Amy Grant ~ lyric video
Build A Longer Table
Build a Longer Table (with Lyrics) All Creation Sings 1062 - YouTube
Season of Pentecost Devotional Practices
Sunday, July 5, 2026
Semicontinuous Readings
Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67; Psalm 45:10-17or Song of Songs 2:8-13; Romans 7:15-25a
Alternate First Two Readings
Zechariah 9:9-12; Psalm 145:8-14
Gospel - Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30
During this week, you may wish to read them ahead of time especially the Gospel.
Where did you stop? What questions, thoughts arose as you read?
Where may the Spirit be nudging you?
Music to Enjoy During the Week
Hymn of the week #76 | Take the Name of Jesus with You
Hymn – My Song Forever Shall Record
Come Thou Fount | Classic Christian Hymn
God is Still Speaking - Marty Haugen
