The Gathering of the Community
HymnL Blue #175 Forty Days and Forty Nights
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
Almighty God,
whose Son fasted forty days in the wilderness,
and was tempted as we are but did not sin,
give us grace to discipline ourselves
in submission to your Spirit,
that as you know our weakness,
so we may know your power to save;
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: Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7
Psalm 32: The Joy of Forgiveness
Second Reading: Romans 5:12-19
Hymn: Blue #179 Tree of Life and Awesome Mystery
The Gospel: Matthew 4:1-11
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
With confidence and trust let us pray to the Father.
For the one holy catholic and apostolic Church …let us pray to the Father.
Lord of compassion, in your mercy hear us.
For the mission of the Church, that in faithful witness it may preach the gospel to the ends of the earth, let us pray to the Father.
Lord of compassion, in your mercy hear us.
For those preparing for baptism and confirmation … and for their teachers and sponsors, let us pray to the Father.
Lord of compassion, in your mercy hear us.
For peace in the world … that a spirit of respect and reconciliation may grow among nations and peoples, let us pray to the Father.
Lord of compassion, in your mercy hear us.
For the poor, the persecuted, the sick, and all who suffer …for refugees, prisoners, and all in danger; that they may be relieved and protected, let us pray to the Father.
Lord of compassion, in your mercy hear us.
For those whom we have injured or offended, let us pray to the Father.
Lord of compassion, in your mercy hear us.
For grace to amend our lives and to further the reign of God, let us pray to the Father.
Lord of compassion, in your mercy hear us.
God our Father, in your love and goodness you have taught us to come close to you in penitence with prayer, fasting and generosity; accept our Lenten discipline, and when we fall by our weakness, raise us up by your unfailing mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Hymn: Blue #172 Now Let Us All with One Accord
The Holy Eucharist
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
Faithful God,
in this holy bread
you increase our faith and hope and love.
Lead us in the path of Christ
who is your Word of life.
We ask this in his name.
Hymn: Blue #352 Amazing Grace
Leader: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.
We pray for: Suzee Dass; Leslie and David Demson, and Deirdre
Announcements
| Lenten Study: Being Christian Sundays during Lent after church. We’ll share a light lunch as we learn about the Christian faith and about Anglicanism. These classes are for everyone who wants to learn more about being a Christian, and especially for those interested in Baptism or Confirmation. If you’re interested or to find out more, please speak to Mtr Catherine or Fr Trent. Refugee Committee: Sunday March 5 We are delighted to announce that AURA has approved our sponsorship application in principle and is now working with Merhawit, our refugee claimant, to prepare her application to the Canadian government. We will meet after church on Sunday March 5 to begin drafting our settlement plan. |
and our good news…
We have a piano!
It is a beautiful Kawai KG-3D 6’1” grand piano, second-hand but in excellent shape, with a great sound. Heartfelt thanks to all of you from this congregation – and beyond – who gave from your hearts to help us continue to praise God and reach the neighborhood with the gift of sacred music.
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 Trent Pettit – Associate Priest
The Rev Dr Ephraim Radner – Honorary Assistant
Please direct all enquiries to William Middleton, People’s Warden or Audrey Chan, Rector’s Warden
