The Gathering of the Community
Hymn: Common Praise #649 Breathe on Me, Breath of God
Leader: Alleluia! Christ is risen.
All: The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!
Leader: May his grace and peace be with you.
All: May he fill our hearts with joy.
Collect of the Day
Leader: Almighty and everliving God, who fulfilled the promises of Easter by sending us your Holy Spirit and opening to every race and nation the way of life eternal, keep us in the unity of your Spirit, that every tongue may tell of your glory; 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: Genesis 11:1-9
Second Reading: Acts 2:1-21
Hymn: Common Praise #637 Come Holy Ghost, Our Souls Inspire
The Gospel: John 14:8-17
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.
Prayers of the People
We pray to God that He may fill us with his Spirit.
Generous God, we thank you for the power of your Holy Spirit. We ask that we may be strengthened to hear you and serve you better. Lord, come to bless us and fill us with your Spirit.
We thank you for the wisdom of your Holy Spirit. We ask you to make us wise to hear and understand your will. Lord, come to bless us and fill us with your Spirit.
We thank you for the peace of your Holy Spirit. We ask you to keep us confident of your love wherever you call us. Lord, come to bless us and fill us with your Spirit.
We thank you for the healing of your Holy Spirit. We ask you to bring your Word, and in it reconciliation where there is division, wholeness and healing where there is sickness and sorrow. Lord, come to bless us and fill us with your Spirit.
We thank you for the gifts of your Holy Spirit. We ask you to equip us by the power of your Word for the work which you have given us. Lord, come to bless us and fill us with your Spirit.
We thank you for the fruit of your Holy Spirit. We ask you to reveal in our lives the living word of Jesus. Lord, come to bless us and fill us with your Spirit.
We thank you for the breath of your Holy Spirit, given us by the risen Lord. We ask you to keep the whole Church, living and departed, in the joy of eternal life. Lord, come to bless us and fill us with your Spirit.
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.
Generous God, you sent your Holy Spirit upon your Messiah at the river Jordan, and upon the disciples in the upper room: in your mercy fill us with your Spirit, hear our prayer, and make us one in heart and mind to serve you with joy for 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: Common Praise 423 How Great Thou Art
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
Leader: Father, may we who have received this eucharist live in the unity of your Holy Spirit, that we may show forth his gifts to all the world. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Hymn: Common Praise #645 Come Down, O Love Divine
Leader: Let us go in peace to love and serve the Lord. Alleluia!
All: Thanks be to God. Alleluia!
We pray for: Lisa and Gracjan Jaworski and Olivia and Lucy; Miriam John
Announcements
Today! Sunday June 5: Young Adult/Family Small Group Lunch
A warm invitation to our young adults and families to join Fr Trent and Kira, Mtr Catherine and David for lunch at Mtr Catherine’s home, right after church. This is a get-to-know-you lunch, and an information meeting for our new small group for young adults and families. The new small group is a time to share a meal together and talk about faith and life, starting Wed. June 15 at Kira’s place.
Doors Open Toronto: Thank you to all the volunteers!
This was a wonderful event: people came to see our church from near and far throughout the city. Many thanks to all who made the weekend such a success: to our welcomers and guides, to our singers and musicians, and above all to Meaghan and Anthony, who made it all possible.
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
