The Gathering of the Community
Hymn: Blue #619 Fairest Lord Jesus
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
Leader: Almighty God,
All: 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,
your Son Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life.
Give us grace to love one another
and walk in the way of his commandments,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The Proclamation of the Word
First Reading: Acts 8:26-40
Second Reading: 1 John 4:7-21
Gradual Hymn: #336 Masithi: Amen
Gospel: JOHN 15:1-8
Sermon
The Nicene Creed
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified. He has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
The Prayers of the People
We pray to Jesus who is present with us to eternity. Jesus, light of the world, bring the light and peace of your gospel to the nations … Jesus, Lord of life, in your mercy, hear us.
Jesus, bread of life, give food to the hungry … and nourish us all with your word. Jesus, Lord of life, in your mercy, hear us.
Jesus, our way, our truth, our life, be with us and all who follow you in the way … Deepen our appreciation of your truth and fill us with your life. Jesus, Lord of life, in your mercy, hear us.
Jesus, Good Shepherd who gave your life for the sheep, recover the straggler, bind up the injured, strengthen the sick and lead the healthy and strong to new pastures. Jesus, Lord of life, in your mercy, hear us.
Jesus, the resurrection and the life, we give you thanks for all who have lived and believed in you … Raise us with them to eternal life. Jesus, Lord of life, in your mercy, hear us accept our prayers, and be with us always. Amen.
The Peace
Leader: The peace of the Risen Lord be always with you.
All: And also with you.
Offertory Hymn: Blue #508 I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say
The Holy Eucharist
A Prayer for Spiritual Communion
Leader: The Lord be with you.
All: And also with you.
Leader: Jesus said, “Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live forever.” (John 6:54-58)
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
God of love,
in this eucharist we have heard your truth
and shared in your life.
May we always walk in your way,
in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen.
Hymn: Blue #505 Be Thou My Vision
Leader: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord
All: Thanks be to God.
Prayer Cycle
We pray for: Margaret Towers, Ron Williams and his family
Announcements
Pub Night
Thanks to all who came out to our Pub Night this past Friday. Stay tuned for the next one! For more information, speak to Miriam John.
Farewell Luncheon
Sunday, May 5, 12 noon. Join Mtr Catherine and her family to celebrate ten wonderful years of serving Christ together with you here, and to wish them Godspeed as she and David set out into (at least a little!) retirement.
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
Please direct all enquiries to William Middleton, People’s Warden or Audrey Chan, Rector’s Warden
