The Gathering of the People
Hymn: Blue #318 Rejoice Today with One Accord
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
Gracious Father,
whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came from heaven
to be the true bread which gives life to the world,
evermore give us this bread,
that he may live in us, and we in 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: Numbers 21:4-9
Second Reading: Ephesians 2:1-10
Gradual Hymn: #179 Tree of Life and Awesome Mystery
Gospel: John 3:14-21
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
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 …]
May the presence of the risen Jesus, his body once broken and now made whole, bring peace and direction as we live with one another. 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 hold … in our minds.]
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.
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 #386 When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
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
Giver of life,
you enlighten all who come into the world.
Fill our hearts with the splendour of your grace,
that we may perfectly love you
and worthily praise your holy name,
through Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen.
Hymn: Blue #352 Amazing Grace
Leader: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord
All: Thanks be to God.
Prayer Cycle
We pray for: Jess and George Minett, Autumn, Gabriel and William
Announcements
Easter Lilies
Each Easter Sunday we decorate the church with Easter Lilies to celebrate our Lord’s resurrection. If you would like to contribute to the Easter Lily Fund, please place your cash donations in the envelope inserted into your bulletin and print your name and remembrances clearly on the envelope. The last day for contributing to the fund is Sunday, March 24th.
ALPHA
An introduction to Christian faith for new Christians and those interested in Christianity. Food-video-discussion. Come for lunch and stay for a chat.
Sundays at 12:00 after church.
Childcare provided.
Holy Week Services
PALM SUNDAY
March 24th at 10:30am
Greet Jesus as he enters Jerusalem with waving palms and a procession!
Children’s program provided
Maundy Thursday
March 28th at 6pm
Potluck Supper followed by Holy Eucharist with Foot-washing
Good Friday
March 29th at 10:30am
Liturgy of the Passion with Veneration of the Cross
Easter Vigil
March 30th at 9pm
Candlelight, bells, and Resurrection Party!
EASTER SUNDAY
March 31st at 10:30am
Eucharist of the Resurrection with Procession
Children’s program provided
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
Please direct all enquiries to William Middleton, People’s Warden or Audrey Chan, Rector’s Warden
