The Gathering Of The Community
Hymn: Blue #89 O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
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
Leader: Kyrie eleison
All: Lord, have mercy
Leader: Christe eleison
All: Christ, have mercy
Leader: Kyrie eleison
All: Lord, have mercy
Collect of the Day
God of power and mercy, you call us once again to celebrate the coming of your Son. Remove those things which hinder love of you, that when he comes, he may find us waiting in awe and wonder for him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
The Proclamation of the Word
First Reading: Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11
Listen here
Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
Blue #104 Joy Shall Come
The Gospel
Listen here
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
O Wisdom, from the mouth of the Most High, you reign over all things to the ends of the earth: come and teach us how to live. Lord Jesus, come soon!
O Lord, and head of the house of Israel, you appeared to Moses in the fire of the burning bush and you gave the law on Sinai: come with outstretched arm and ransom us. Lord Jesus, come soon!
O Branch of Jesse, standing as a sign among the nations, all kings will keep silence before you and all peoples will summon you to their aid: come, set us free and delay no more. Lord Jesus, come soon!
O Key of David and sceptre of the house of Israel, you open and none can shut; you shut and none can open: come and free the captives from prison. Lord Jesus, come soon!
O Morning Star, splendour of the light eternal and bright Sun of righteousness: come and enlighten all who dwell in darkness and in the shadow of death. Lord Jesus, come soon!
O King of the nations, you alone can fulfil their desires: Cornerstone, you make opposing nations one: come and save the creature you fashioned from clay. Lord Jesus, come soon!
O Emmanuel, hope of the nations and their Saviour: come and save us, Lord our God. Lord Jesus, come soon!
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.
Let us commend ourselves, and all for whom we pray, to the mercy and protection of God. Amen.
The Peace
Leader: The peace of the Lord be always with you.
All: And also with you.
Hymn: Blue #101 Hail to the Lord’s Anointed
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
Leader: Merciful God, may this eucharist free us from our sins, fill us with unending joy, and prepare us for the birthday of our Saviour. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, who is Lord now and for ever.
Hymn: Blue #98 Hark the Glad Sound! The Saviour Comes
Leader: Let us go forth into the world, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit.
All: Thanks be to God.
We pray for: Jacob and Michelle Bhana; Japheth Bhana, Cylus; Jessie Bhana; Victor and Saleem Bana; Jonathan Bhana
Announcements
Poinsettia Fund
Each Christmas, we decorate our church with poinsettias. They are given in memory of a loved one or in thanksgiving. If you would like to contribute to our Poinsettia Fund, please place your cash only contribution in the envelope inserted into your bulletin and print your name and remembrances clearly where indicated. Envelopes are placed in the collection plate during the offering. The last day to contribute is Sunday, December 20th. Any donations beyond what we need for the poinsettias will go to The Mustard Seed and Sanctuary to help people in need at Christmas.
An Opportunity to Help
The Mustard Seed was thrilled to receive so much fresh food and clothing for its ministry to street people from St. Matthew’s this Thanksgiving. This year the need is great, since many Out of the Cold programs are not running and people without homes are cautious about staying in shelters during COVID. We would like to help. We will be collecting food, used clothing in good condition, new warm socks, mitts, hats, and sleeping bags to donate to Mustard Seed and to All Saints Community Church on an ongoing basis. Please speak to Mary or Mtr Catherine if you have any questions.
CHANGE OF EMAIL OR POSTAL ADDRESS
Donation receipts for 2020 Income Tax purposes will be mailed/emailed out in February 2021. If you have changed your email or postal address, please email the church office stmatthewsang@outlook.com with your updated information.
Pre-Authorised Monthly Remittances and E-Transfers
Your generosity allows St. Matthew’s to maintain the church building as well as minister to our parishioners, refugees and the Riverdale neighbourhood. We have a monthly pre-authorised remittance system, through the United Church of Canada which allows for ease of giving. We are also set up for e-transfers, as follows:
General Fund stmatthewsang@outlook.com
Refugee Fund stmattsang@gmail.com
Please speak to Audrey Chan for more information.
Recorded Music
We will be recording music live from our Sunday morning worship and it will be added to the online service on Sunday afternoons. Check back later on Sunday to hear the latest recordings!
Online Services
We will continue to post our online services so if you cannot come to church you will still be able to worship with the St. Matthew’s family online!
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 Peter Oakes, Peoples’ Warden or Audrey Chan, Rector’s Warden
