The Gathering of the Community
Hymn: Blue #374 Alleluia! Sing to Jesus
Alleluia! sing to Jesus, His the scepter, his the throne
Alleluia! His the triumph, His the victory alone
Hark! the songs of peaceful Zion thunder like a mighty flood
Jesus out of every nation hath redeemed us by his blood.
Alleluia! not as orphans are we left in sorrow now
Alleluia! He is near us, faith believes nor questions how
Though the cloud from sight received him when the forty days were o’er
Shall our hearts forget his promise, I am with you evermore?
Alleluia! bread of heaven, here on earth our food and stay
Alleluia! here the sinful flee to thee from day to day
Intercessor, Friend of sinners, earth’s Redeemer, plead for me
Where the songs of all the sinless sweep across the crystal sea.
Alleluia! King eternal, thee the Lord of Lords we own
Alleluia! born of Mary, earth thy footstool, heaven thy throne
Thou within the veil hast entered, robed in flesh, our great High Priest
Thou on earth both Priest and Victim in the Eucharistic Feast.
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.
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 Jesus Christ ascended to the throne of heaven that he might rule over all things as Lord. Keep the Church in the unity of the Spirit and in the bond of his peace, and bring the whole of creation to worship at his feet, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Children’s Song
Jesus is our Good Shepherd. When we are lost, he finds us and carries us home. When we are sick or sad, he cares for us. He loves us always. And he wants us to love him, and listen to him, and walk with him. This is a song about walking with Jesus. Sing along with Mother Catherine!
The Lord is my shepherd, I'll walk with him always. (Repeat)
Always! Always! I'll walk with him always. (Repeat)
He leads to green pastures; I'll walk with him always. (Repeat)
Always! Always! I'll walk with him always. (Repeat)
He loves me forever, I'll walk with him always. (Repeat)
Always! Always! I'll walk with him always. (Repeat)
The Proclamation of the Word
First Reading: Acts 1:1-11
Second Reading: Ephesians 1:15-23
The Gospel
Good Christians All Rejoice and Sing
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
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, you have exalted your Son Christ Jesus to your right hand, and made him the head over all things for his body the Church: hear us as we pray for the Church throughout the world … Make us and all your people receptive to the gifts he pours upon us, that we may use them to your glory, and the building up of the body of Christ. Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer.
Lord God Almighty, the Ancient of Days, you have given your Son all authority in heaven and on earth: hear us as we pray for the world he came to redeem … Grant that we may know even in this time the things that make for peace, and may strive for the reconciliation of all people in his kingdom of justice and love. Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer.
Father of all, whose Son has promised to be with us always, to the end of the age: hear us as we pray for those among whom we live and work … Grant that we may be so aware of his presence with us, that people may take note of us, that we have been with Jesus. Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer.
O God our Redeemer, whose Son ever lives to make intercession for us: hear us as we pray for those in any kind of need … May he who has borne our infirmities strengthen and heal them, that they may find grace to help in time of need, and rejoice in his salvation. Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer.
Heavenly Father, whose Son has borne our humanity into the heavenly realms, and gone before us to prepare a place for us: hear us as we remember before you those whose earthly sojourn is over, and whose life is now hidden in him with you … Make us joyful and expectant, that at his coming with all his own we too may go forth to meet him, and share in his eternal joy.
We pray to the Father through the Son for the forgiveness of our sins.
Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father. In your compassion forgive us our sins, known and unknown, things done and left undone, and so uphold us by your Spirit that we may live and serve you in newness of life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
The Peace
Leader: Once we were far off, but now in union with Christ Jesus we have been brought near through the shedding of Christ’s blood, for he is our peace (Eph. 2:13, 14).
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
All: And also with you.
Hymn: Blue #247 Hail the Day That Sees Him Rise
Hail the day that sees him rise, Alleluia!
to his throne above the skies; Alleluia!
Christ, the Lamb for sinners given, Alleluia!
enters now the highest heaven! Alleluia!
There for him high triumph waits; Alleluia!
lift your heads, eternal gates! Alleluia!
he hath conquered death and sin; Alleluia!
take the King of glory in! Alleluia!
Lo! the heaven its Lord receives, Alleluia!
yet he loves the earth he leaves; Alleluia!
though returning to his throne, Alleluia!
still he calls mankind his own. Alleluia!
See! he lifts his hands above; Alleluia!
See! he shows the prints of love: Alleluia!
Hark! his gracious lips bestow, Alleluia!
blessings on his Church below. Alleluia!
Still for us he intercedes, Alleluia!
his prevailing death he pleads, Alleluia!
near himself prepares our place, Alleluia!
he the first fruits of our race. Alleluia!
Lord, though parted from our sight, Alleluia!
far above the starry height, Alleluia!
grant our hearts may thither rise, Alleluia!
seeking thee above the skies. Alleluia!
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. … Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and anyone who comes to me I will never drive away; 38 …I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.” (John 6:35-40; 51)
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.
Silence
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
Leader: Father, you restored us to life
by raising your Son from death.
May we who receive this sacrament
always be strengthened to do your will,
in the name of Jesus Christ the risen Lord. Amen.
Hymn: Blue #378 Crown Him with Many Crowns
Leader: Let us go in peace to love and serve the Lord. Alleluia!
All: Thanks be to God. Alleluia!
We pray for: David King and Jennifer Bolender King; Hiro Kishibe; Mary and Kaye Kishibe
Announcements
Prayer: Tuesday Afternoons and Friday Mornings
Join Susie and Aubrey on Tuesday afternoons from 5-5:30pm for an online Zoom prayer meeting. You will find a link in today’s Call to Worship email that you can click on Tuesday afternoon to join.
On Fridays follow along with Susie as she leads a short service of Morning Prayer starting at 8:30am on Facebook Live at the St. Matthew’s page.
Mid-Week Meditation with Mtr Catherine
A weekly encouragement to help us stay strong in our faith. Check your inbox for it each Wednesday and read the latest instalment here.
Don’t fear, Pre-Authorized Giving is here!
Your generosity allows St. Matthew’s to maintain the church building as well as minister to our parishioners, refugees and the Riverdale neighbourhood. We have a monthly pre-authorised remittance system, through the United Church of Canada which allows for ease of giving. Please contact Audrey Chan for more information. Her email is: ahtchan@gmail.com
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 Dr Ephraim Radner – Honorary Assistant
Please direct all enquiries to Peter Oakes, Peoples’ Warden or Audrey Chan, Rector’s Warden
