The Gathering of the Community

Processional Hymn

#1 “Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty”

The Greeting

℣. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.
℟. And also with you.

Collect for Purity

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

Father, we praise you: through your Word and Holy Spirit you created all things. You reveal your salvation in all the world by sending to us Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh. Through your Holy Spirit you give us a share in your life and love. Fill us with the vision of your glory, that we may always serve and praise you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Proclamation of the Word

First Reading

Isaiah 6:1–8

Psalm 29

Epistle

Romans 8:12–17

Gradual Hymn

#560 “God, Whose Almighty Word”

Gospel

St. John 3:1–17

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 come boldly to the throne of grace, praying to the almighty God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit for mercy and grace.

℟. We plead before your throne in heaven.

Father of heaven, whose love profound
a ransom for our souls has found:

We pray for the world, created by your love, for its nations and governments. Extend to them your peace, pardoning love, mercy and grace.

℟. We plead before your throne in heaven.

Almighty Son, incarnate Word,
our Prophet, Priest, Redeemer, Lord:

We pray for the Church, created for your glory, for its ministry to reflect those works of yours. Extend to us your salvation, growth, mercy and grace.

℟. We plead before your throne in heaven.

Eternal Spirit, by whose breath
the soul is raised from sin and death:

We pray for families and individuals, created in your image, for the lonely, the bereaved, the sick and the dying. Breathe on them the breath of life and bring them to your mercy and grace.

℟. We plead before your throne in heaven.

Thrice holy! Father, Spirit, Son,
Mysterious Godhead, Three in One:

We pray for ourselves, for your Church, for all whom we remember before you. Bring us all to bow before your throne in heaven, to receive life and pardon, mercy and grace for all eternity, as we worship you, saying,

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.

℟. Amen.

Act of Penitence

Dear friends in Christ, God is steadfast in love and infinite in mercy; he welcomes sinners and invites them to his table. Let us confess our sins, confident in God’s Forgiveness.

Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbours as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us, that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your name. Amen.

Almighty God have mercy upon us, pardon and deliver us from all our sins, confirm and strengthen us in all goodness, and keep us in eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Peace

℣. The peace of the Lord be always with you.
℟. And also with you.

Offertory Hymn

#329 “Maker, in Whom We Live”

The Holy Eucharist

A Prayer for Spiritual Communion

℣. The Lord be with you.
℟. And also with you.

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.

— St. John 6:54–58

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.

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 love, in this eucharist we have heard your truth and shared in your life. May we always walk in your way, in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen.

Recessional Hymn

#393 “Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise”

℣. Go forth in the name of Christ.
℟. Thanks be to God.


Prayer Cycle

Jacob and Michelle Bhana


Announcements

Our Diocesan Bishop, Kevin Robertson, will be at St. Matt’s on 2 June, 2024, at the 10:30 service. It is his first visit in many years. As St. Matthew’s approaches the appointment of a new priest, it is important that we have the opportunity to show Bishop Kevin who we are as a congregation. This is also an opportunity to greet the bishop and express our concerns and desires for future leadership and parish direction. Please mark this important date in your calendar and join Bishop Kevin for coffee and snacks after the service.


St. Matthew’s Anglican Church, Riverdale

135 First Avenue, Toronto ON, M4M 1W9
416-463-9720

www.stmatthewsriverdale.org
hello@stmatthewsriverdale.org
fb.com/StMatthewsAnglicanChurchRiverdale
@StMatsRiverdale

The Rev Dr Peter M.B. Robinson
Priest-in-Charge (Interim)
416-463-9720 

Please direct all enquiries to:
William Middleton, People’s Warden
Audrey Chan, Rector’s Warden