Worship Outline and Sermon

Worship Outline: September 28, 2025 - Time after Pentecost - "Friends of Creation" (Worship with the Band)

Introduction to the day

Over the next year, Our Saviour’s will join congregations across Canada in Canadian Lutheran World Relief’s ‘Friends of Creation’ campaign. On four special Sundays, we’ll reflect on God’s call to steward the earth by looking at how climate intersects with food, water, peace, and local economies. Each time, we will receive an invitation to engage in a special congregational project. Our first ‘Friends of Creation’ Sunday is today, as we reflect on ‘Climate + Water’, and are invited to respond through the ‘Lake Chad’ project.

Time for Quiet Reflection and Prayer

Prelude

Welcome and Announcements

(*=stand, as able)

*Opening Song Shine, Jesus, Shine (# 671)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_i-GxtbD54

Lord, the light of your love is shining,

In the midst of the darkness shining;

Jesus, light of the world, shine upon us,

Set us free by the truth you now bring us.

Shine on me,

Shine on me:

Refrain:

Shine, Jesus, shine,

Fill this land with the Father’s glory;

Blaze, Spirit, blaze,

Set our hearts on fire.

Flow, river, flow,

Flood the nations with grace and mercy;

Send forth your Word, Lord,

And let there be light!

As we gaze on your kingly brightness,

So our faces display your likeness,

Ever changing from glory to glory,

Mirrored here, may our lives tell your story.

Shine on me,

Shine on me:

Refrain:

*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 Jesus, We Are Gathered

(# 529, sung 2x)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjeUqdxw0vA

Jesus, we are gathered,

We are gathered, Lord Jesus, for you.

*Prayer of the Day

Creator God, the waters of the earth refresh, revive and nourish your world. We thank you for the beautiful waterfalls, the sparkling blue green oceans, the refreshing fresh water sources, and the rains that nourish our crops and cool our earth. Help us to be better caretakers of these gifts. Help us to remember that all things are interconnected and help us to continue to be strong co-creators with you. In Jesus’ name, we pray.

Amen.

First Reading: Psalm 104:5-16

This Psalm focuses on creation. The theme verse of ‘Friends of Creation comes from it: “When you send forth your spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the ground.” (v.30) Verses 5-16 discuss water.

You set the earth on its foundations,
so that it shall never be shaken.
6 You cover it with the deep as with a garment;
the waters stood above the mountains.
7 At your rebuke they flee;
at the sound of your thunder they take to flight.
8 They rose up to the mountains, ran down to the valleys,
to the place that you appointed for them.
9 You set a boundary that they may not pass,
so that they might not again cover the earth.

10 You make springs gush forth in the valleys;
they flow between the hills,
11 giving drink to every wild animal;
the wild asses quench their thirst.
12 By the streams the birds of the air have their habitation;
they sing among the branches.
13 From your lofty abode you water the mountains;
the earth is satisfied with the fruit of your work.

14 You cause the grass to grow for the cattle
and plants for people to cultivate,
to bring forth food from the earth
15 and wine to gladden the human heart,
oil to make the face shine
and bread to strengthen the human heart.
16 The trees of the field are watered abundantly,
the cedars of Lebanon that he planted.

The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Hymn You are Holy (# 525, sung 2x)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uGkK82QgCY

You are holy, you are whole.

You are always ever more

Than we ever understand.

You are always at hand.

Blessed are you coming near. Blessed are you coming here

To your church in wine and bread, raised from soil,

raised from dead.

You are holy, you are wholeness, you are present.

Let the cosmos praise you, Lord!

Sing hosanna in the highest!

Sing hosanna! Sing hosanna to our God!

Second Reading: 1 Timothy 6:6-19

Timothy is reminded of the confession he made at his baptism and of its implications for daily life. His priorities will be different from those of people who merely want to be rich.

6 Of course, there is great gain in godliness combined with contentment, 7 for we brought nothing into the world, so that we can take nothing out of it, 8 but if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these. 9 But those who want to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and in their eagerness to be rich some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains.

11 But as for you, man of God, shun all this; pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and for which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13 In the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you 14 to keep the commandment without spot or blame until the manifestation of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which he will bring about at the right time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords. 16 It is he alone who has immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see; to him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.

17 As for those who in the present age are rich, command them not to be haughty or to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches but rather on God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 They are to do good, to be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share, 19 thus storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of the life that really is life.

The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

*Gospel Acclamation (# 173)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wd1ODel1DZY

Hallelujah, hallelujah,

Hallelujah, hallelujah.

*Gospel: John 4:7-15

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

The Samaritan woman at the well and her meeting with Jesus.

A Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” 8 (His disciples had gone to the city to buy food.) 9 The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samaria?” (Jews do not share things in common with Samaritans.) 10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” 11 The woman said to him, “Sir, you have no bucket, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? 12 Are you greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us the well and with his sons and his flocks drank from it?” 13 Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, 14 but those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life.” 15 The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I may never be thirsty or have to keep coming here to draw water.”

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

Sermon – Pastor Matthew

*Hymn of the Day Bring Forth the Kingdom

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFiDZgJO7JQ

(italics = Singers; bold = all sing)

You are salt for the earth, O people;

Salt for the Kingdom of God!

Share the flavour of life, O people:

Life in the kingdom of God!

Refrain:

Bring forth the Kingdom of mercy.

Bring forth the Kingdom of peace;

Bring forth the Kingdom of justice.

Bring forth the City of God!

You are a light on the hill, O people;

Light for the city of God!

Shine so holy and bright, O people;

Shine for the kingdom of God!

Refrain:

You are a seed of the Word, O people:

Bring forth the Kingdom of God!

Seeds of mercy and seeds of justice,

Grow in the Kingdom of God!

Refrain:

We are a blest and a pilgrim people;

Bound for the Kingdom of God!

Love our journey and love our homeland;

Love is the Kingdom of God!

Refrain:

Offering (please be seated)

As the gifts are collected and brought forward, please join in singing:

Offertory Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ

(# 674, st. 3)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjN3X__3MZo

Jesus calls us in, sends us out

Bearing fruit in a world of doubt,

Gives us love to tell, bread to share:

God (Immanuel) ev’rywhere!

Refrain:

Jesus lives again, earth can breathe again,

Pass the Word around: loves abound!

Jesus lives again, earth can breathe again,

Pass the Word around: loves abound!

Offering Prayer

Lord of the harvest, we return to you a portion of what you have given to us. Multiply what we have gathered to bless all who are suffering and in need, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

*Prayers of Intercession

Gracious God, we come to you in prayer for the church, the world, and all in need.

Yours, Lord Is the Glory (# 849, st. 1, sung)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLb6aLS-5o8

Yours, Lord, is the glory,

And honour as well;

Yours, Lord, now and always. Amen, amen.

We pray for the church, that it would remain faithful to the gospel, always striving to serve those who are in need. God of grace,

receive our prayer.

We pray for the communities in the Lake Chad Basin, where rain is uncertain and both drought and flood bring hardship. Be near to those who walk for hours to find clean water. Protect women and girls who carry this daily weight.

receive our prayer.

Bless the hands restoring the land—with trees, tools, and care. May small actions lead to lasting change. Guide us in this challenge, to honour your creation and uplift our neighbours. God of grace,

receive our prayer.

We pray for those in positions of authority, that they govern with justice and compassion, recognizing the dignity of all people and working to promote peace and prosperity for all. God of grace, receive our prayer.

We pray in remembrance of the Indigenous children who did not return home from residential school; and for the survivors and their families. Help us to continue along the path of truth, healing, and reconciliation, lifting up that every child matters. God of grace,

receive our prayer.

We pray for those who need your assurance and courage when the path forward is not clear. Liberate us from all that binds us, lift us up when we are bowed down, and show us your love. God of grace,

receive our prayer.

We pray for those asking for our prayers, including ... God of grace,

receive our prayer.

We pray silently to you, offering our own concerns and thanksgivings ... God of grace,

receive our prayer.

We remember in thanksgiving the faithful departed … Inspire us by their example to love and serve our neighbours, and bring us to eternal life. God of grace,

receive our prayer.

We entrust these prayers to you, O God, in the name of Jesus Christ, our redeemer and friend.

Amen.

Yours, Lord, is the glory,

And honour as well;

Yours, Lord, now and always. Amen, 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.

*Blessing

The God of righteousness, who gives justice to the oppressed, who gives food to the hungry, who sets the prisoners free, ☩ bless you now and forever. Amen.

*Sending Song We Are Marching in the Light (# 886)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tSolZwova8

We are marching in the light of God,

We are marching in the light of God.

We are marching in the light of God,

We are marching in the light of God.

We are marching, marching, we are marching, oo,

We are marching in the light of God.

We are marching, marching, we are marching, oo,

We are marching in the light of God.

We are dancing …

We are praying …

We are singing …

(Text: South African traditional; tr. ‘Freedom is Coming’, 1984. Music: South African traditional; ‘Freedom is Coming’. Text and music: © 1984 Walton Music Reprinted with permission under OneLicense.net #A-714392. All rights reserved.)

*Dismissal

Go in peace. Live by the Spirit.

Thanks be to God!

Sermon: September 28, 2025 - Time after Pentecost - "Friends of Creation"

Text: John 4:14a

In our gospel reading we encounter a Samaritan woman who comes to the well in the heat of the day and meets a stranger. Not only a stranger, but a Jew—someone with whom she had nothing in common. Someone with whom society said she was not to associate. Someone who had no reason to speak to her and yet asks her for a drink. What business is it of hers that he is thirsty? What business is it of his to offer her life?

Jesus doesn’t need the woman to fetch him water. He uses this request to engage her in conversation. She is surprised by, and perhaps leery of, his question. But she replies. This is where we hear Jesus taking this encounter to a deeper level. He has something to share with this woman. He isn’t simply offering to fill her biological need for water—he’s offering her so much more. “The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life.”

Christians confess this promise to be part of the gift of faith. We have each been immersed in that water through our baptism. So also, we have been given the gift of the living water of which Jesus speaks. First, it flows to us as the gift of grace. We don’t have to keep returning to do the work of hauling up a figurative bucket. Rather, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit offers us that renewal, that refreshment, that nourishment—without strings, and without us having to earn it.

Secondly, when we think of the water of life gushing up, we aren’t to think of a tap that can be turned on and off at will. Rather, this source of water is unstoppable, abundant, and overflowing. Jesus declares to the woman and to us that the grace that has been poured into us is more than we need—more than we can contain.

So, what do we do with it? As Christ-bearers, we are asked to allow that water gushing up within us to both figuratively and literally overflow and fill others. We do this when we care for our family, our friends, and the people we encounter day by day. In our lives, we extend thanksgiving for this gift by applying it to our care of creation. We seek to care for our water ways. We engage in beach cleanups, we’re mindful of microplastics, we conserve water at home by turning off taps and fixing leaks.

Through the ‘Friends of Creation’ campaign, Canadian Lutheran World Relief and our national church are reminding us that our thanksgiving for God’s overflowing gift also can extend to working for water justice and climate care in places far away. Working with friends in Canada, Chad, and Cameroon, we can help restore access to water and to reverse some climate change trends. The Lake Chad area once supported millions of people with its rich water resources, but the lake has shrunk by 90% since the 1960s, primarily due to climate change, unsustainable water use, and deforestation. As the lake recedes, many families struggle to find enough water for daily use —whether it’s for crops, livestock, or personal consumption. Women and girls, in particular, bear the brunt of this burden, as they are traditionally responsible for fetching water, often travelling long distances in dangerous conditions. This puts them at risk of gender-based violence. The lack of clean water means not only thirst, but also increased disease, as families are forced to drink from contaminated sources. Livelihoods connected to water, such as fishing and farming, are also directly impacted, making life increasingly precarious.

The project is using nature-based solutions—like planting native trees that help keep water in the soil and stop erosion. It also supports communities to use simple ways to save and protect water, like building small basins to hold rainwater and digging irrigation channels. These systems help farmers use water more wisely, grow more food, and rely less on unpredictable rain. These give long-term benefits, like food, income, and better soil,.

This is what the gift of grace looks like. It looks like water returning to dry land. Like trees taking root along the banks of the Chari River. Like a Samaritan woman, told that she is worthy of life that overflows. The living water that Christ offers for all people. When we respond to that gift by letting it overflow into acts of justice and love, we take part in God’s vision for a world where no one thirsts.

Each week on the first page of our web site, we include the link to prayers for different countries, as posted by the World Council of Churches. This coming week centres on Bolivia, Brazil, Chili, and Peru.

A prayer from Brazil invites us to focus on these different gifts of water: literal and grace-filled. Let us pray:

And the waters will flow from your altar, Lord

and flood the earth.

And we will be like a garden watered,

cared for,

exposed to life.

Oh! let these waters come,

impetuous and pure,

and destroy the powers

and clean the paths

which my people will take,

singing and rejoicing

in an endless celebration,

the Word, Life, Freedom

and the Resurrection!

And the waters will flow from your altar, Lord,

and clean away the debris

and we will have courage to act,

to serve,

to change the world.

And the waters will flow from your altar, Lord,

life will be rekindled,

and we will see the new creation,

act

of your love.

Amen.

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