The Gathering of the People
Hymn: Blue #383 Jesus Shall Reign Where’er the Sun
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 and everlasting God,
whose will it is to restore all things
in your well-beloved Son, our Lord and King,
grant that the peoples of the earth,
now divided and enslaved by sin,
may be freed and brought together
under his gentle and loving rule;
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The Proclamation of the Word
First Reading: Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24
Second Reading: Ephesians 1:15-23
Gradual Hymn: #500 Sister Let Me be Your Servant
Gospel: MATTHEW 25:31-46
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
Loving God, Let us with confidence present our prayers and supplications to the throne of grace.
We pray for all those in positions of power, that they may govern with wisdom and integrity, serving the needs of their people. May your reign come; Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for the Church, the sign of your reign, that it may extend your welcome to people of every race and background. May your kingdom come; Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for Christians of every denomination, that together we may come to understand the royal priesthood you bestowed on us in baptism. May your dominion come; Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for those whose commitment to truth brings them into conflict with earthly powers, that they may have the courage to endure. May your rule come; Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for this community of faith, that attentive to your word we may always worship in spirit and in truth. May your reign come; Lord, hear our prayer.
Loving God, you have taught us that the power of the heart is greater than the power of wealth and might. Hear us as we pray for the fulfilment of your reign. We ask this through Jesus Christ our King; to him be glory and power for ever. 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 #379 Rejoice, the Lord Is King
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
Almighty God,
you have made us a royal priesthood
in the kingdom of your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Make known his victory through us, we pray,
that all the world may see his light.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen.
Hymn: Blue #378 Crown Him with Many Crowns
Leader: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord
All: Thanks be to God.
Prayer Cycle
We pray for: Margaret Towers; Ron Williams; Lilla Wright and Leah and Allison
Announcements
Welcoming Advent – Saturday Dec 2nd at 5pm
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.
Reverse Advent Calendar
“I was hungry and you gave me food; I was naked and you clothed me.” Jesus calls us to love and serve the least of his brothers and sisters, just as he did. We invite you to take home our Reverse Advent Calendars and bags next Sunday and fill your Advent with giving! Our gifts will be donated to a local shelter.
Newcomers’ Lunch: Learn about Communion
Sunday December 10 at 12:15
Stay after church for pizza and to talk about what Communion is all about. Please let Mtr Catherine know if you are coming so we can order enough pizza for all. Children especially welcome!
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 (miriamjoh@gmail.com) 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
