The Gathering of the People
Hymn: Blue #474 Jesus, Where’er Thy People Meet
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
Leader: Almighty God,
All: 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,
you sent your Son Jesus Christ
to be the light of the world.
Free us from all that darkens and ensnares us,
and bring us to eternal light and joy;
through the power of him
who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The Proclamation of the Word
First Reading: Judges 4:1-7
Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
Gradual Hymn: #559 Blessed Jesus, At Your Word
Gospel: MATTHEW 25:14-30
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
Let us by prayer and intercession with thanksgiving make our requests to God. Gracious God, we pray for peace, justice and reconciliation throughout the world. We pray for the honouring of human rights, and for the relief of the oppressed. We give thanks for all that is gracious in the lives of men, women and children. Lord in your mercy …. hear our prayer
We pray for the renewal of the Church in faith, love and service. We pray for Andrew our bishop and for the life of this parish of St. Matthew’s. We give thanks for the gift of your word, the grace of the sacraments and the fellowship of your people. Lord in your mercy …. hear our prayer
We pray for this local community and for all people in their daily life and work. We pray for the young and the elderly, for families, and all who are alone. We give thanks for human skill and creativity and all that reveals your loveliness. Lord in your mercy …. hear our prayer
We pray for those who are in need; for the sick, sorrowful and bereaved. We pray for all who bring comfort, care and healing. We give thanks for human love and friendship and for all that enriches our daily lives. Lord in your mercy …. hear our prayer
Let us commend ourselves, and all for whom we pray, to the mercy and protection of God. 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.
Offertory Hymn: Blue #438 O Jesus, I Have Promised
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
Gracious God,
in this sacrament
we have shared the body and blood of Christ.
May we who have been nourished by holy things
bear witness to his light,
and share in his eternal priesthood;
for he is Lord for ever and ever. Amen.
Hymn: Blue #601 God, Whose Giving Knows No Ending
Leader: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord
All: Thanks be to God.
Prayer Cycle
We pray for: Pushpa Shiri; Donald and Cathy Sturrock
Announcements
Online Bible Study
We are starting a new online bible study, and we invite you to join! First and third Mondays of each month at 4:00 pm. The next meeting is on Nov 20. All are welcome; come when you can. Please speak to Mtr Catherine for more information and to receive the zoom link. The Zoom link is below and on the St. Matthew’s website.
Zoom Link
Topic: St Matthew’s Bible Study
Time: Nov 20, 2023 04:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Zoom link: https://utoronto.zoom.us/j/86283661698
Welcoming Advent Party – Saturday, December 2 at 5:00 pm
During Advent we ask God to help us prepare our hearts for the coming of the Child who is our light. Come celebrate the beginning of Advent with a family pot-luck supper, and make your own Advent wreath to take home with you, so that your home may be filled this Advent with prayer and candles, and joyful expectation. Please sign up online (find the link on St Matt’s website www.stmatthewsriverdale.org), let us know if you need a wreath form, and what food you will be bringing.
Put up the Christmas tree! Friday, Dec 8 at 6:30 pm.
St. Matt’s small group is meeting at the church on Friday Dec 8 at 6:30 for take-out and to help Mary put up our Christmas tree. There’s no tree like it: tall, wide, and beautiful, and every branch is added individually. We welcome helpers! Especially tall ones! Please let Miriam or Mtr Catherine know if you can join so that we can order enough food for all.
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 William Middleton, People’s Warden or Audrey Chan, Rector’s Warden
