The Gathering of the People
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
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
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. Amen
The Proclamation of the Word
First Reading: Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11
Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
Gradual Hymn: #88 Come, Thou Long-expected Jesus
Gospel: JOHN 1:6-8, 19-28
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
In joyful expectation of his coming to our aid we pray to Jesus. Come to your Church as Lord and judge. We pray for … Help us to live in the light of your coming and give us a longing for your kingdom. Maranatha: Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
Come to your world as King of the nations. We pray for … Before you rulers will stand in silence. Maranatha: Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
Come to the suffering as Saviour and comforter. We pray for … Break into our lives, where we struggle with sickness and distress, and set us free to serve you for ever. Maranatha: Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
Come to us as shepherd and guardian of our souls. We remember … Give us with all the faithful departed a share in your victory over evil and death. Maranatha: Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
Come from heaven, Lord Jesus, with power and great glory. Lift us up to meet you, that with [N and] all your saints and angels we may live and reign with you in your new creation. Maranatha: Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
Come, Lord Jesus, do not delay; give new courage to your people, who trust in your love. By your coming, raise us to share in the joy of your kingdom on earth as in heaven, where you live and reign with the Father and the Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.
The Peace
Leader: Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. Give thanks in all things. For this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thess 5:16-18)
The peace of the Lord be always with you
All: And also with you.
Offertory Hymn: Blue #91 People, Look East
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
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 #95 O Come, Divine Messiah
Leader: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord
All: Thanks be to God.
Prayer Cycle
We pray for: Jeff Buchyns, Audrey and Wing Chan, and Vivien and Isabel, and Jennifer
Announcements
Many thanks to all our children for bringing us the Christmas pageant, and to Claire and Bill Middleton for their love and care in leading it.
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
Farewell Luncheon
Join us for lunch after church today to celebrate Fr. Ephraim and bid him and Annette Godspeed! In the parish hall.
Christmas tree thanks
Thankyou from Mary to all who helped assemble our church Christmas tree. The children were amazing. Special thanks to Miriam who organized the delicious pizza supper with salads and brownies and even ice cream for dessert! The congregation is invited to decorate the tree after the service.
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. Make sure to include your loved one’s name on the envelope. The Fund ends today, December 17th.
2023 DONATIONS
Please be reminded that 2023 donations must be received by the church office by 31 December, 2023. Donations may be made by cheque, cash or etransfers (stmatthewsang@outlook.com)
Tax receipts will be issued in February 2024. All donations received after this date will be included in 2024.
2023 DONATIONS-IN-KIND
Many parishioners purchase many items for the church. If you would like to count them as donations; please submit your receipts by putting them in an envelope, clearly identified by your name and telephone number, in the collection plate..
CONTACT INFORMATION – EMAIL OR MUNICIPAL CHANGES
If there has been any change in your contact information, either email or municipal, please send an email to the church office (stmatthewsang@outlook.com). This information will be critical in forwarding the 2023 donation tax receipts.
Save the Date: ALPHA
A wonderful introduction to Christian faith for new Christians and those interested in Christianity. Come for lunch and stay for a chat.
Sundays at 12:00 after church, starting January 7.
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
