The Gathering Of The Community
Hymn: Blue #103 On Jordan’s Bank, the Baptist’s Cry
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
Almighty God, who sent your servant John the Baptist to prepare your people to welcome the Messiah, inspire us, the ministers and stewards of your truth, to turn our disobedient hearts to you, that when the Christ shall come again to be our judge, we may stand with confidence before his glory; who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
The Proclamation of the Word
First Reading: Malachi 3:1-4
The Benedictus
Second Reading: Philippians 1:3-11
Sermon
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.
We commend ourselves and all for whom we pray to the mercy and protection of our heavenly Father:
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.
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 #104 Joy Shall Come
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, we thank you for feeding us with this heavenly banquet. Help us always to hear the prophet’s call to turn our hearts to you; in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord.
Hymn: Blue #100 Comfort, Comfort Ye My People
Leader: Let us go forth into the world, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit.
All: Thanks be to God.
We pray for: Donald and Cathy Sturrock; Ron Williams; Lilla Wright, Leah and Alison; Dianne Young
Announcements
Poinsettia Fund
Each Christmas season, our church has a Poinsettia Fund to collect money for the lovely plants that adorn the sanctuary on Christmas Eve. This fund commences on December 5th, and ends December 19th. Contributions can be placed in the envelopes inserted in your bulletin. Please ensure that your name and remembrances are printed clearly on the envelope. They are placed in the brass collection tray on the table at the front of the church. Donations are most gratefully received.
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 Bill Middleton, Peoples’ Warden or Audrey Chan, Rector’s Warden
