The Gathering of the People
Hymn: Blue #103 On Jordan’s Bank, The Baptist’s Cry
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,
who sent your servant John the Baptist
to prepare your people to welcome the Messiah,
inspire us, the ministers and stewards of your truth,
to turn our disobedient hearts to you,
that when the Christ shall come again to be our judge,
we may stand with confidence before his glory;
who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen
The Proclamation of the Word
First Reading: Isaiah 40:1-11
Psalm 85
Second Reading: 2 Peter 3:8-15a
Gradual Hymn: #102 Prepare the Way, O Zion
Gospel: MARK 1:1-8
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
Watchful at all times, let us pray for strength to stand with confidence before our Maker and Redeemer. That God may bring in his kingdom with justice and mercy, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
That God may establish among the nations his sceptre of righteousness, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
That we may seek Christ in the Scriptures and recognize him in the breaking of the bread, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
That God may bind up the brokenhearted, restore the sick and raise up all who have fallen, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
That the light of God’s coming may dawn on all who live in darkness and the shadow of death, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
That, with all the saints in light, we may shine forth as lights for the world, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
We commend ourselves and all for whom we pray to the mercy and protection of our heavenly Father: Almighty God, as your blessed Son Jesus Christ first came to seek and to save the lost; so may he come again to find in us the completion of his redeeming work; for he is now alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.
The Peace
Leader: Once we were far off, but now in union with Christ Jesus we have been brought near through the shedding of Christ’s blood, for he is our peace (Eph. 2:13, 14).
The peace of the Lord be always with you
All: And also with you.
Offertory Hymn: Blue #106 There’s A Voice In The Wilderness
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
Faithful God,
we thank you for feeding us with this heavenly banquet.
Help us always to hear the prophet’s call
to turn our hearts to you;
in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen
Hymn: Blue #100 Comfort, Comfort Ye My People
Leader: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord
All: Thanks be to God.
Prayer Cycle
We pray for: Nell Bradshaw and Natasha; Lisa and Gracian Jarworski, Olivia and Lucy
Announcements
Newcomers’ Lunch: Learn about Communion
Today at 12:15
Stay after church for pizza and to talk about what Communion is all about. Please let Mtr Catherine know if you are coming so we can order enough pizza for all. Children especially welcome!
Christmas Pageant and Farewell Lunch: Sunday December 17
On Sunday, December 17 our children will enact the story of Jesus’ birth during our 10:30 service. Mary and Joseph, shepherds and magi and angels, and of course wayward sheep: come and be part of the story.
Then stay after church for a festive lunch to celebrate Fr Ephraim and Mtr Annette who are moving to Colorado, their former home and home of their children. We will miss them hugely! Please do join us to thank Fr. Ephraim for all he has given to St. Matthew’s over so many years, and to wish them Godspeed.
Christmas Eve Services
December 24 (Advent 4) – 10:30am
Children’s Service: Journey to Bethlehem – 4:30pm
Carol Sing – 7:30pm
Christmas Candlelight Service of Holy Eucharist – 8:00pm
Poinsettia Fund
Each Christmas, we decorate our chancel with poinsettias to celebrate the birth of the Christ-child. If you wish to contribute to our annual Poinsettia Fund to the glory of God and in memory of a loved one or in thanksgiving, please place your donation in the envelope inserted in your bulletin and place the envelope in the collection plate at the front of the church. Donations can also be made to the church through e-transfer. Ensure that you have printed the information requested on the front of the envelope. The Fund starts this Sunday and ends on Sunday, December 17th.
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 William Middleton, People’s Warden or Audrey Chan, Rector’s Warden
