The Gathering of the Community
Hymn: Blue #559 Blessed Jesus, at Your 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 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: Most merciful God, by the death and resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ, you created humanity anew. May the power of his victorious cross transform those who turn in faith to him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
The Kyrie
The Proclamation of the Word
First Reading: Isaiah 43:16-21
Second Reading: Philippians 3:4-14
The Gospel: John 12:1-8
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 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.
In communion with all those who have walked in the way of holiness … let us pray to the Father. Lord of compassion, in your mercy hear us.
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: 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.
The Peace
Leader: The peace of the Lord be always with you.
All: And also with you.
Hymn: Blue #441 Thee Will I Love, My Strength, My Tower
The Holy Eucharist
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: Merciful God,
you have called us to your table
and fed us with the bread of life.
Draw us and all people to your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Hymn: Blue #435 Take My Life and Let It Be
Leader: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.
We pray for: Donald and Cathy Sturrock, Ron Williams, Lilla Wright and Leah and Alison.
Announcements
Lenten Bible Study: Matthew at St. Matthew’s.
Our Lenten study concludes this Tuesday evening at 7:30 p.m. Zoom Link: https://utoronto.zoom.us/j/82792481978 Passcode: 774683.
Easter Lily Fund
On Easter Sunday, the chancel of our church is decorated with Easter lilies to celebrate the resurrection of Christ. The annual Easter Lily Fund, which runs from March 20th to April 10th, provides money for the lilies. You are invited to contribute to the Easter Lily Fund in memory of loved ones or in thanksgiving. Donations may be placed in the envelope inserted in your bulletin or by e-transfer.
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
