The Gathering of the Community
Prelude: Jesus Christ is Risen Today (Violin Solo)
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.
Hymn: Common Praise #203 Jesus Christ Is Risen Today
Collect of the Day
Leader: Lord of life and power, through the mighty resurrection of your Son, you have overcome the old order of sin and death and have made all things new in him. May we, being dead to sin and alive to you in Jesus Christ, reign with him in glory, who with you and the Holy Spirit is alive, one God, now and for ever.
The Proclamation of the Word
First Reading: Isaiah 25:6-9
Psalm 118:A Song of Victory
Violin Solo: Come Ye Faithful, Raise the Strain
Second Reading: Acts 10:34-43
Hymn: Blue #211 Good Christians All
The Gospel: Mark 16:1-8
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
In joy and hope let us pray to the Father.
That our risen Saviour may fill us with the joy of his glorious and life-giving resurrection … we pray to the Father. Hear our prayer.
That isolated and persecuted churches may find fresh strength in the good news of Easter … we pray to the Father. Hear our prayer.
That God may grant us humility to be subject to one another in Christian love … we pray to the Father. Hear our prayer.
That he may provide for those who lack food, work or shelter … we pray to the Father. Hear our prayer.
That by his power war and famine may cease through all the world … we pray to the Father. Hear our prayer.
That he may reveal the light of his presence to the sick, the weak and the dying, to comfort and strengthen them … we pray to the Father. Hear our prayer.
That, according to his promises, all who have died in the faith of the resurrection may be raised on the last day … we pray to the Father. Hear our prayer.
That he may send the fire of the Holy Spirit upon his people, so that we may bear faithful witness to his resurrection, we pray to the Father. Hear our prayer.
Heavenly Father, you have delivered us from the power of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of your Son: grant that, as his death has recalled us to life, so his continual presence in us may raise us to eternal joy; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Peace
The peace of the Risen Lord be always with you!
All: And also with you.
Offertory Hymn: Blue #215 Come Ye Faithful, Raise the Strain
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
God of life,
bring us to the glory of the resurrection
promised in this Easter sacrament.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ the risen Lord.
Hymn: Common Praise #212 Alleluia! The Strife Is O’er
Leader: Let us go forth in the name of the risen Christ. Alleluia! Alleluia!
All: Thanks be to God. Alleluia! Alleluia!
Postlude: Glory to God in the Highest
Announcements
The Easter Lilies are given to the glory of God and In Loving Memory of
Marjorie Bradshaw, Marion Cox, Colin Cox, Cynthia Ames from Nell Bradshaw
Evelyn and Kaz Buchyns from Jeff Buchyns
Eleanor Rae from Leslie and David Demson
Patricia John and Eleanor Owen from Miriam John
Kaye, Ko, Aki, Mohammed, Nasmun, Cam, Barry, Marjory, Mavis from Mary Kishibe
Robert, Virginia, David Miracle, Blake, Sue, Scott and Adrienne MacDonald from Mark and Virginia MacDonald
Myrna May Moore from Myrna Kay Moore
Ken Ritz from Melissa Ritz Saulnier
In Thanksgiving for:
Mother Catherine
Family from Suzee Dass
St. Matthew’s from the Hamilton family
Empty Nest from Mark and Virginia MacDonald
Nancy Moore from Myrna Kay Moore
Happy Easter! from the Minett family
Lilies given by: Japheth, Wilfrid, Anthony and Meaghan, Ryan and Marcy
Sunday April 7 Farewell Luncheon
Join us to bid ‘Godspeed’ to Mark and Virginia, and to celebrate all that they and their family have given to St Matthew’s over the years. Next Sunday, immediately after church. We are honoured to have as our guest preacher on April 7 Bishop Stephen Andrews, Principal of Wycliffe College.
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
