The Gathering Of The Community
Hymn: Blue #362 Tell Out, My Soul
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
Leader: Kyrie eleison
All: Lord, have mercy
Leader: Christe eleison
All: Christ, have mercy
Leader: Kyrie eleison
All: Lord, have mercy
Collect of the Day
Heavenly Father, who chose the Virgin Mary, full of grace, to be the mother of our Lord and Saviour, now fill us with your grace, that we in all things may embrace your will and with her rejoice in your salvation; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
The Proclamation of the Word
First Reading: 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16
Listen here
Second Reading: Romans 16:25-27
Blue #117 Lo, How A Rose E’er Blooming
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
Watchful at all times, let us pray for strength to stand with confidence before our Maker and Redeemer.
That God may bring in his kingdom with justice and mercy, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
That God may establish among the nations his sceptre of righteousness, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
That we may seek Christ in the Scriptures and recognize him in the breaking of the bread, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
That God may bind up the brokenhearted, restore the sick and raise up all who have fallen, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
That the light of God’s coming may dawn on all who live in darkness and the shadow of death. Let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
That, with all the saints in light, we may shine forth as lights for the world, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
Almighty God, as your blessed Son Jesus Christ first came to seek and to save the lost; so may he come again to find in us the completion of his redeeming work; for he is now alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,God for ever and ever. Amen.
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.
Let us commend ourselves, and all for whom we pray, to the mercy and protection of God. Amen.
The Peace
Leader: The peace of the Lord be always with you.
All: And also with you.
Hymn: Blue #114 Lo, He Comes with Clouds Descending
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: Faithful God, in this sacrament we receive the promise of salvation. May we, like the Virgin Mary, be obedient to your will. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord.
Hymn: Blue #95 O Come, Divine Messiah
Leader: Let us go forth into the world, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit.
All: Thanks be to God.
We pray for: Nell Bradshaw and Natasha Varjacic; Jeff Buchyns; Audrey and Wing Chan, Vivien and Isabel, Jennifer
Announcements
Christmas Services
December 24 at 6:00 p.m – Eucharist with Archbishop Mark McDonald
December 24 at 8:00 p.m – Candlelight Eucharist
December 24 at 10:00 p.m – Candlelight Eucharist
Children’s Service at 4:30 pm: BY ZOOM ONLY (link on the website).
December 27 at 10:30am – The First Sunday After Christmas
*Please sign up if you are interested in attending any of these services.
Virtual Choir Christmas Carol
Our recent recording of Good King Wenceslas is now available to watch on YouTube. We will also be publishing to Facebook on Monday. Please check it out and share with family and friends. A big thank you to all who participated!
An Opportunity to Help
The Mustard Seed was thrilled to receive so much fresh food and clothing for its ministry to street people from St. Matthew’s this Thanksgiving. This year the need is great, since many Out of the Cold programs are not running and people without homes are cautious about staying in shelters during COVID. We would like to help. We will be collecting food, used clothing in good condition, new warm socks, mitts, hats, and sleeping bags to donate to Mustard Seed and to All Saints Community Church on an ongoing basis. Please speak to Mary or Mtr Catherine if you have any questions.
CHANGE OF EMAIL OR POSTAL ADDRESS
Donation receipts for 2020 Income Tax purposes will be mailed/emailed out in February 2021. If you have changed your email or postal address, please email the church office stmatthewsang@outlook.com with your updated information.
Pre-Authorised Monthly Remittances and E-Transfers
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. We are also set up for e-transfers, as follows:
General Fund stmatthewsang@outlook.com
Refugee Fund stmattsang@gmail.com
Please speak to Audrey Chan for more information.
Recorded Music
We will be recording music live from our Sunday morning worship and it will be added to the online service on Sunday afternoons. Check back later on Sunday to hear the latest recordings!
Online Services
We will continue to post our online services so if you cannot come to church you will still be able to worship with the St. Matthew’s family online!
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
