The Gathering of the Community
Hymn: Blue #487 Where Charity and Love Prevail
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
Leader: Almighty God,
your Son revealed in signs and miracles
the wonder of your saving love.
Renew your people with your heavenly grace,
and in all our weakness
sustain us by your mighty power;
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: Genesis 45:3-11, 15
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-50
The Gospel: Luke 6:27-38
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
We pray for the coming of God’s kingdom.
You sent your Son to bring good news to the poor, sight to the blind, freedom to the captives and salvation to your people: anoint us with your Spirit; rouse us to work in his name…Father, by your Spirit, bring in your kingdom.
Send us to bring help to the poor and freedom to the oppressed…Father, by your Spirit, bring in your kingdom.
Send us to tell the world the good news of your healing love…Father, by your Spirit, bring in your kingdom.
Send us to those who mourn, to bring joy and gladness instead of grief…Father, by your Spirit, bring in your kingdom.
Send us to proclaim that the time is here for you to save your people… Father, by your Spirit, bring in your kingdom.
Father, use us, unworthy as we are, to bring in your kingdom of mercy, justice, love and peace. Empower us by your Spirit and unite us in your Son, that all our joy and delight may be to serve you, now and for 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.
Leader: 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 #372 Praise to the Holiest in the Height
The Holy Eucharist
A Prayer for Spiritual Communion
Leader: The Lord be with you.
All: And also with you.
Leader: Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty… 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: Gracious God,
in the eucharist we celebrate your love
for us and for all people.
Grant that strengthened by these holy gifts,
we may show your love in our lives,
and know its fulfilment in your presence.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Hymn: Blue #383 Jesus Shall Reign Where’er the Sun
Leader: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.
Postlude:
We pray for: Bill and Claire Middleton, Sam, Kate and Mairi; Stacey and Tony Mores, Simon and Lewis.
Announcements
Sunday Worship
We are open for worship! The bishops have given the churches permission to meet as of February 1 for in-person worship at 50% capacity. We continue to observe all safety protocols, including masks and physical distancing. If you are not able to come to church, we invite you to join us in our online service.
Vestry Meeting – February 27th
St. Matthew’s Annual Vestry meeting begins immediately after church on February 27, by Zoom. The Vestry list and nomination forms for parish officers are available at the back of the church or by email from Audrey Chan, Rector’s Warden.
Bible Study: Matthew at St Matthew’s
Tuesday Evenings during Lent at 7:30 beginning March 1, by Zoom
Explore the Gospel of Matthew with Mtr Catherine as we delve into questions of life, faith and God in the pages of the First Gospel.
Please register by email to Mtr Catherine.
All are welcome!
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