The Gathering of the Community
Hymn: Blue #393 Immortal, Invisible, God only Wise
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,
through the waters of baptism
your Son has made us children of light.
May we ever walk in his light
and show forth your glory in the world;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
The Proclamation of God’s Word
First Reading: 1 Samuel 16:1-13
Psalm 23: The Divine Shepherd
Second Reading: Ephesians 5:8-14
Hymn: Blue #179 Tree of Life and Awesome Mystery
The Gospel: John 9:1-41
Sermon (Manuscipt)
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. 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. 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. May the wounded hands of Jesus bring his healing touch, and the light of his presence fill their homes.
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. 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 #520 The King of Love My Shepherd Is
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
Father,
through your goodness
we receive your Son in word and sacrament.
May we always have faith in him,
Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen.
Hymn: Blue #353 My God, How Endless Is Your Love
Leader: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.
We pray for: Paul Hancock, and Sophie and Charlotte; Glenn Kerrigan
Announcements
| Lenten Study: Being Christian 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. We meet Sundays after church; grab a coffee and some food and come join us! If you’re interested or to find out more, please speak to Mtr Catherine or Fr Trent. Easter Lily Fund Each Easter we decorate our church with Easter lilies. If you wish to donate to the Easter Lily Fund in memory of a loved one or in thanksgiving, please put your donation in the envelope inserted in your bulletin or donate through e-transfer. Print your name and remembrances clearly on the envelope and leave it in the offering plate at the front of the church. All donations are gratefully received. The last day to donate is Palm Sunday, April 2nd. |
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
