The Gathering of the Community

Hymn: Blue #178 Restore in Us, O Lord

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,
your Son came into the world
to free us all from sin and death.
Breathe upon us with the power of your Spirit,
that we may be raised to new life in Christ,
and serve you in holiness and righteousness all our days;
through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord.

The Proclamation of God’s Word

First Reading: Ezekiel 37:1-14

Psalm 130: Waiting for Divine Redemption

Second Reading: Romans 8:6-11

Hymn: Blue #179 Tree of Life and Awesome Mystery

The Gospel: John 11:1-45

Sermon (Download Manuscript)

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

With confidence and trust let us pray to the Father. For the one holy catholic and apostolic Church …let us pray to the Father.

Lord of compassion, in your mercy hear us.

For the mission of the Church, that in faithful witness it may preach the gospel to the ends of the earth, let us pray to the Father.

Lord of compassion, in your mercy hear us.

For those preparing for baptism [and confirmation] … and for their teachers and sponsors, let us pray to the Father.

Lord of compassion, in your mercy hear us.

For peace in the world … that a spirit of respect and reconciliation may grow among nations and peoples, let us pray to the Father.

Lord of compassion, in your mercy hear us.

For the poor, the persecuted, the sick, and all who suffer …for refugees, prisoners, and all in danger; that they may be relieved and protected, let us pray to the Father.

Lord of compassion, in your mercy hear us.

For those whom we have injured or offended, let us pray to the Father.

Lord of compassion, in your mercy hear us.

For grace to amend our lives and to further the reign of God, let us pray to the Father.

Lord of compassion, in your mercy hear us.

In communion with all those who have walked in the way of holiness … let us pray to the Father.

Lord of compassion, in your mercy hear us.

God our Father, in your love and goodness you have taught us to come close to you in penitence with prayer, fasting and generosity; accept our Lenten discipline, and when we fall by our weakness, raise us up by your unfailing mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Hymn: Blue #400 What Wondrous Love Is This

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

God of hope,
in this eucharist we have tasted the promise
of your heavenly banquet
and the richness of eternal life.
May we who bear witness to the death of your Son,
also proclaim the glory of his resurrection,
for he is Lord for ever and ever.

Hymn: Blue #454 Revive Thy Work, O Lord

Leader: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.

All: Thanks be to God. 


We pray for: Miriam John; David and Catherine Hamilton, Sarah and Nicholas



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.
 
Small Group
Pub night! Join Fr. Trent and Kira at a local pub this coming Friday, March 31, for dinner and conversation about faith and life. 6:00-8:00 p.m. at The Roy, Queen and Logan. All welcome.
 
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.

HOLY WEEK AT ST MATTHEW’S

Palm Sunday: 10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist with Procession of the Palms and Passion Reading.

Maundy Thursday: 6 p.m. Potluck Supper, followed by Holy Eucharist with Foot-Washing at 7:30

Good Friday: 10:30 a.m.  Liturgy of the Passion

Holy Saturday: 9:00 p.m. The Great Vigil of Easter: Lighting of the New Fire, Candlelight Vigil, First Eucharist of Easter…and Resurrection Party!

Easter Sunday: 10:30 a.m. Eucharist of the Resurrection with Procession


St. Matthew’s Anglican Church, Riverdale,

135 First Avenue, Toronto ON, M4M 1W9

416-463-9720

www.stmatthewsriverdale.org

stmatthewsang@outlook.com

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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

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.