The Gathering Of The Community

Hymn: Blue #383 Jesus Shall Reign Where’er the Sun

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.

The Proclamation of the Word

First Reading: Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10

The Psalm

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a

The Gospel

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

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.

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

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

Leader: 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.

Hymn: Blue #362 Tell Out My Soul

Leader: Let us go forth into the world, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit. Alleluia!

All: Thanks be to God. Alleluia!


We pray for: Anthony and Meaghan Granville, Noah and Sophie ;  Catherine and David Hamilton, Caitlin, Nicholas, Sarah and Robert


Announcements

God bless you, Dave and Jenn! Today we bid farewell to our gifted music director David and his lovely wife Jennifer. They have been a blessing to us ever since they arrived to lead the Youth Jam. They have become a beloved part of our family at St. Matthew’s, and we will miss them hugely. Thank you, Dave and Jenn, for all the ways you have given of yourselves quietly and so generously over the years at St. Matthew’s. May God bless you as you go!

Sunday Worship

As COVID numbers increase, our bishops have asked us to return to online worship from January 10-31. For this period churches are closed to congregational worship. Your clergy will continue to celebrate and record the Eucharist on behalf of the whole congregation at St. Matthew’s.


St. Matthew’s Anglican Church, Riverdale,

135 First Avenue, Toronto ON, M4M 1W9

416-463-9720

www.stmatthewsriverdale.org

stmatthewsang@outlook.com

Facebook

The Rev Dr Catherine Sider-Hamilton – Priest-in-charge: 416-463-9720 

The Rev Dr Ephraim Radner – Honorary Assistant

Please direct all enquiries to Bill Middleton, Peoples’ Warden or Audrey Chan, Rector’s Warden

Catherine Sider Hamilton

Catherine Sider Hamilton

Catherine Sider Hamilton is Priest-in-Charge of St. Matthew's Riverdale, and Professor of New Testament and New Testament Greek (part-time) at Wycliffe College. She has served also as Chaplain at Havergal College and Associate Priest at Grace Church on-the-Hill and St. John the Baptist, Norway (Toronto). She enjoys singing around the piano with her kids, her husband's Indian food, all things Italian -- and above all her two little grandchildren. Catherine and David live in Greektown. She blogs occasionally on feasts and fasts at feastfastferia.wordpress.com.