August 20, 2023: The Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost

The Gathering of the People

Hymn: Blue #560 God Whose Almighty Word

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 of the Day

Almighty God,
you have broken the tyranny of sin
and sent into our hearts the Spirit of your Son.
Give us grace to dedicate our freedom to your service,
that all people may know the glorious liberty
of the children of God;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

The Proclamation of God’s Word

First Reading: Genesis 45:1-15

Psalm 105

Second Reading: Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32

Hymn: Blue #360 Bless the Lord, My Soul

GOSPEL: MATTHEW 15:10-28

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

For our diocesan bishop, Andrew, for Catherine and Ephraim, our priests, and for all clergy and people, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For our prime minister Justin, our premier Doug and our mayor John, for the leaders of the nations, and for all in authority, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For this city Toronto and this neighbourhood of Riverdale, for every city and community, and for those who live in them, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For seasonable weather, and for an abundance of the fruits of the earth, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For the good earth which God has given us, and for the wisdom and will to conserve it, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For those who travel on land, on water, or in the air, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For the aged and infirm, for the widowed and orphans, and for the sick and the suffering, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For the poor and the oppressed, for the unemployed and the destitute, for prisoners and captives, and for all who remember and care for them, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For all who have died in the hope of the resurrection, and for all the departed, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

Offertory Hymn: #401 My Life Flows On in Endless Song

St Matthew's Riverdale · How Can I Keep From Singing

The Holy Eucharist

St Matthew's Riverdale · Eucharistic Prayer #1

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…⁵⁴Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; ⁵⁵for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. ⁵⁶Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. ⁵⁷Just 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

Eternal God,
we have received a token of your promise.
May we who have been nourished by holy things
live as faithful heirs of your promised kingdom,
in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord

Hymn: Blue #606 There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy