The Gathering of the Community
Hymn: Blue #207 At the Lamb’s High Feast We Sing
At the Lamb's high feast we sing,
Praise to our victorious King,
Who hath washed us in the tide
Flowing from his piercèd side;
Praise we Him, Whose love divine
Gives His sacred blood for wine,
Gives His body for the feast,
Love the victim, love the priest.
Where the Paschal blood is poured,
Death's dark angel sheathes his sword;
Israel's hosts triumphant go
Through the wave that drowns the foe.
Christ, the Lamb, whose blood was shed,
Paschal victim, paschal bread;
With sincerity and love
Eat we manna from above.
Mighty victim from the sky,
Powers of hell beneath Thee lie;
Death is conquered in the fight;
Thou hast brought us life and light;
Now thy banner thou dost wave;
Vanquished Satan and the grave;
Angels join his praise to tell
See o'erthrown the prince of hell
Paschal triumph, paschal joy,
Only sin can this destroy;
From the death of sin set free
Souls reborn, dear Lord, in Thee.
Hymns of glory songs of praise,
Father, unto Thee we raise.
Risen Lord, all praise to Thee,
Ever with the Spirit be.
Leader: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.
All: And also with you.
Collect for Purity
All: Almighty God to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hidden. Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name; through Christ our Lord. Amen
Collect of the Day
Stir up, O Lord, the wills of your faithful people, that richly bearing the fruit of good works, we may by you be richly rewarded; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
The Proclamation of the Word
First Reading: Exodus 12:1-14
Listen here
Second Reading: Romans 13:8-14
Hymn: Blue #620 How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds
How sweet the name of Jesus sounds in a believer’s ear!
It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds, and drives away his fear.
It makes the wounded spirit whole and calms the troubled breast;
’Tis manna to the hungry soul, and to the weary, rest.
Dear Name! the Rock on which I build, my Shield and Hiding Place,
My never-failing Treas’ry filled with boundless stores of grace!
Jesus! my Shepherd, Brother , Friend, my Prophet, Priest, and King;
My Lord, my Life, my Way, my End, accept the praise I bring.
Weak is the effort of my heart, and cold my warmest thought;
But when I see Thee as Thou art, I’ll praise Thee as I ought.
The Gospel
Listen here
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He 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, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again 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.
The Prayers of the People
For the Church of the living God throughout the world. and for the churches of this diocese as we go back to church next Sunday, let us ask the riches of his grace. Lord, hear and have mercy.
For all who proclaim the word of truth, let us ask the infinite wisdom of Christ. Lord, hear and have mercy.
For all who have consecrated their lives to the kingdom of God, and for all struggling to follow the way of Christ, let us ask the gifts of the Spirit. Lord, hear and have mercy.
For Elizabeth our Queen, for Justin the Prime Minister of this country, and for all who govern the nations, that they may strive for justice and peace, let us ask the strength of God. Lord, hear and have mercy.
For scholars and research-workers, that their studies may benefit humanity; for students and teachers as they go back to school in a challenging time, let us ask the light of the Lord. Lord, hear and have mercy.
For all who have passed from this life in faith and obedience and for the family who died tragically in Oshawa on Friday, let us ask the peace of Christ. Lord, hear and have mercy.
We pray to you also for the forgiveness of our sins
Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father. In your compassion forgive us our sins, known and unknown, things done and left undone, and so uphold us by your Spirit that we may live and serve you in newness of life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Peace
Leader: The peace of the Lord be always with you.
All: And also with you.
A Prayer for Spiritual Communion
Leader: The Lord be with you.
All: And also with you.
Leader: Jesus said, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry; whoever believes in me will never thirst…54 Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; 55 for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. 56 Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. 57 Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. (John 6)
All: 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, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
All: Dear Jesus, I believe that you are truly present in the Holy Sacrament. I love you above all things, and I desire to possess you within my soul. And since I cannot now receive you sacramentally, I beseech you to come spiritually into my heart. I unite myself to you, together with all your faithful people gathered around every altar of your Church, and I embrace you with all the affections of my soul. Never permit me to be separated from you. Amen.
Concluding Prayer
Leader: Father, your word and sacrament gives us food and life. May we who have shared in holy things bear fruit to your honour and glory, in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord.
Hymn: Blue #486 Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
Leader: Let us go forth into the world, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit.
All: Thanks be to God.
We pray for: Suzeena Dass; David and Leslie Demson; Deirdre Demson
Announcements
Back To Church!
We will gather for worship together again NEXT SUNDAY September 13, at 10:30 a.m. Thanks be to God! You will need to wear a mask and be mindful of social distancing. There will be directions and guidance provided at the church on Sunday morning, and by email on Wednesday. It will be different, but it will be a joy to be praising God together, face to face.
Do you play a musical instrument?
If so, please consider being part of the musical worship for our adapted Sunday services. Due to the threat of COVID-19 we will be doing a lot less singing and a lot more listening at church. If you play an instrument and would like to participate please contact David King at stmattsonline@gmail.com.
Online Services
We will continue to post our online services after September 13. If you cannot come to church you will still be able to worship with the St. Matthew’s family online!
Mid-Week Meditation with Mtr Catherine
A weekly encouragement to help us stay strong in our faith. Check your inbox for it each Wednesday and read the latest instalment here.
Don’t fear, Pre-Authorized Giving is here!
Your generosity allows St. Matthew’s to maintain the church building as well as minister to our parishioners, refugees and the Riverdale neighbourhood. We have a monthly pre-authorised remittance system, through the United Church of Canada which allows for ease of giving. Please contact Audrey Chan for more information. Her email is: ahtchan@gmail.com
St. Matthew’s Anglican Church, Riverdale,
135 First Avenue, Toronto ON, M4M 1W9
416-463-9720
The Rev Dr Catherine Sider-Hamilton – Priest-in-charge: 416-463-9720
The Rev Dr Ephraim Radner – Honorary Assistant
Please direct all enquiries to Peter Oakes, Peoples’ Warden or Audrey Chan, Rector’s Warden
