The Gathering of the Community
Hymn: Blue #347 The God of Abraham Praise
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,
whose Son was revealed in majesty
before he suffered death upon the cross,
give us faith to perceive his glory,
that being strengthened by his grace
we may be changed into his likeness, from glory to glory;
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
The Proclamation of God’s Word
First Reading: Genesis 12:1-4a
Psalm 121: Assurance of God’s Pardon
Second Reading: Romans 4:1-5, 13-17
Hymn: Blue #179 Tree of Life and Awesome Mystery
The Gospel: John 3:1-17
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 to the Lord for courage to give up other things and to give ourselves to him this Lent. Give your Church the courage to give up her preoccupation with herself and to give more time to your mission in the world. [We pray for …] May the blood and water flowing from the side of Jesus bring forgiveness to your people and help us to face the cost of proclaiming salvation.
Lord, meet us in the silence, give us strength and hear our prayer.
Give your world the courage to give up war, bitterness and hatred, and to seek peace. [We pray for …] May the shoulders of the risen Jesus, once scourged by soldiers, bear the burden of political and military conflict in our world.
Lord, meet us in the silence, give us strength and hear our prayer.
Give us the courage to give up quarrels, strife and jealousy in our families, neighbourhoods and communities. [We pray for …]
Lord, meet us in the silence, give us strength and hear our prayer.
Give us the courage to give up our selfishness as we live for others, and to give time, care and comfort to the sick. [We pray for …] May the wounded hands of Jesus bring his healing touch, and the light of his presence fill their rooms.
Lord, meet us in the silence, give us strength and hear our prayer.
Give us the courage to give up our fear of death and to rejoice with those who have died in faith. [Especially we remember…] May the feet of the risen Lord Jesus, once nailed to the cross, walk alongside the dying and bereaved in their agony, and walk with us and all your Church through death to the gate of glory.
Lord, meet us in the silence, give us strength and hear our prayer, here and in eternity. Amen.
Hymn: Blue #40 O Spirit of the Living God
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
Creator of heaven and earth,
we thank you for these holy mysteries,
which bring us now a share in the life to come,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Hymn: Blue #543 Unto the Hills around Do I Lift Up
Leader: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.
We pray for: Aubrey Duffy and Peter MacMillan, and Alexander; Paul Francis and Heather
Announcements
| Lenten Study: Being Christian Sundays during Lent after church. We’ll share a light lunch as we learn about the Christian faith and about Anglicanism. These classes are for everyone who wants to learn more about being a Christian, and especially for those interested in Baptism or Confirmation. If you’re interested or to find out more, please speak to Mtr Catherine or Fr Trent. |
Refugee Committee: Sunday March 5 – Today! We are delighted to announce that AURA has approved our sponsorship application in principle and is now working with Merhawit, our refugee claimant, to prepare her application to the Canadian government. We will meet after church to begin drafting our settlement plan. |
and our good news…
We have a piano!
It is a beautiful Kawai KG-3D 6’1” grand piano, second-hand but in excellent shape, with a great sound. Heartfelt thanks to all of you from this congregation – and beyond – who gave from your hearts to help us continue to praise God and reach the neighborhood with the gift of sacred music.
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
