The Gathering of the Community
Hymn: Blue #160 As With Gladness Men of Old
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
Almighty God, by grace alone you call us and accept us in your service. Strengthen us by your Spirit, and make us worthy of your call; through Jesus Christ our Lord, 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 9:1-4
Psalm 27: The Lord is my light and my salvation
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:10-18
Hymn: Blue #484 In Christ There Is No East or West
The Gospel: Matthew 4:12-23
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.
Prayers of the People
We pray for the coming of God’s kingdom.
You sent your Son to bring good news to the poor, sight to the blind, freedom to the captives and salvation to your people: anoint us with your Spirit; rouse us to work in his name.
Father, by your Spirit bring in your kingdom.
Send us to bring help to the poor and freedom to the oppressed.
Father, by your Spirit bring in your kingdom.
Send us to tell the world the good news of your healing love.
Father, by your Spirit bring in your kingdom.
Send us to those who mourn, to bring joy and gladness instead of grief.
Father, by your Spirit bring in your kingdom.
Send us to proclaim that the time is here for you to save your people.
Father, by your Spirit bring in your kingdom.
Father, use us, unworthy as we are, to bring in your kingdom of mercy, justice, love and peace. Empower us by your Spirit and unite us in your Son, that all our joy and delight may be to serve you, now and for ever. Amen.
The Peace
Leader: The peace of the Lord be always with you.
All: And also with you.
Hymn: Blue #432 Jesus Calls Us! O’er the Tumult
The Holy Eucharist
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
Gracious God,
our hands have taken holy things;
our lives have been nourished by the body of your Son.
May we who have eaten at this holy table
be strengthened for service in your world.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord. AMEN.
Hymn: Blue #383 Jesus Shall Reign Where’er the Sun
Leader: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.
We pray for: Mark Curfoot-Mollington (grandson of Annie and John Gidlow) and his adoptive sons, Joshe, and Chanthorn and Navy, and Sophie, Levi and Amara
The flowers on the altar are given to the Glory of God and in loving memory of Annie Maud and John Gidlow, married in this church on January 22, 1913.
Announcements
Trinity Bach Project Concert: Saturday January 28th, 7:30 p.m. An evening of music by Bach and Mendelssohn, right here at St. Matthew’s. This new and talented group on Toronto’s musical scene wants to bring sacred music to people in sacred spaces – to sing Bach in the church for which he wrote his music, and to make it accessible to everyone. Their concerts are free so that all can come. Come out and support this wonderful endeavour; bring your friends to enjoy great music in our beautiful church. Admission free; donations gratefully accepted. Grand Piano Needed Our grand piano makes these concerts possible. Our current piano has been on a 5-year loan to the church and is going back to its home in June. We are seeking leads on a grand piano in good repair to replace it: if you know someone who might have a piano to donate, or be willing to help purchase one for donation, please speak to Mtr Catherine or Sam Tam. |
| Cold Toenails 2023 Refugee Run Our annual Cold Toenails Run is back! Run, walk, or crawl a 10 k or half-marathon distance and raise money for our refugee fund. We are working toward bringing an Eritrean refugee to Canada. To Register or Learn More: Contact Aubrey Duffy amdwoodlawn@gmail.com or Glenna Kramer kramergj@gmail.com Date: Saturday, February 25, 2023, 1:00 p.m start. To Donate: Online at https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/119190247RR0001-st-matthews-church/ For Donation Type, select Refugees |
Save the Date
Candlemas: Friday, February 3rd, 6-8pm
This beautiful short service celebrating the Presentation of our Lord Jesus Christ in the Temple includes candlelight (and the blessing of the candles), night music and a procession. You are invited to come for a pot-luck supper in the parish hall, and then to celebrate Candlemas together.
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 Trent Pettit – Associate Priest
The Rev Dr Ephraim Radner – Honorary Assistant
Please direct all enquiries to William Middleton, People’s Warden or Audrey Chan, Rector’s Warden
