Worship and Devotions

Sixth Sunday After Pentecost

July 5, 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 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.

Prayer

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 Saviour and Lord. Amen.

Music

Come, Bring Your Burdens to God

Come, Bring Your Burdens to God - ELW/ACS 1009 - YouTube

What a Friend We Have in Jesus

Readings

Semicontinuous Readings

Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67; Psalm 45:10-17or Song of Songs 2:8-13; Romans 7:15-25a

Gospel - Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30

Alternate First Two Readings

Zechariah 9:9-12; Psalm 145:8-14

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.

I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree that the law is good. But in fact it is no longer I who do it but sin that dwells within me. 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. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it but sin that dwells within me. So I find it to be a law that, when I want to do what is good, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God in my inmost self, 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. Wretched person that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Gospel - Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30

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:] "To what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to one another, 'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn.' "For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon'; 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."

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; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. 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. "Come to me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 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. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

The Gospel of Our Lord.

Praise to you, O Christ.

Music

Come to Me, O Weary Traveler

Come to Me, O Weary Traveler - ELW/ACS 1017

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 of unity and grace, 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 unity, your church flourishes in different languages, cultures, and movements. Grant us wisdom to discern when our yokes are too heavy, that we may live and serve in the freedom of your rest. God of grace, hear our prayer.

God of all the worlds, we give you thanks for our nation of Canada as we celebrate our 159^th anniversary. Forgive us our sins and guide us into a future where all our peoples live in peace, well-being and harmony. 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. 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. God of grace, hear our prayer.

God our guide, we do not always have the strength to do the good we wish to do. Free us from the cycles of violence that bind us, that all know your liberation. God of grace, hear our prayer.

Here other intercessions may be offered.

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, 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.