The Gathering Of The Community
Hymn: Blue #89 O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
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.
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
Leader: Kyrie eleison
All: Lord, have mercy
Leader: Christe eleison
All: Christ, have mercy
Leader: Kyrie eleison
All: Lord, have mercy
Collect of the Day
Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness and put on the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to us in great humility, that on the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
The Proclamation of the Word
First Reading: Jeremiah 33:14-16
The Psalm
Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13
Sermon
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
In joyful expectation of his coming to our aid we pray to Jesus.
Come to your Church as Lord and judge. We pray for … Help us to live in the light of your coming and give us a longing for your kingdom. Maranatha: Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
Come to your world as King of the nations.We pray for … Before you rulers will stand in silence. Maranatha: Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
Come to the suffering as Saviour and comforter. We pray for … Break into our lives, where we struggle with sickness and distress, and set us free to serve you for ever. Maranatha: Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
Come to us as shepherd and guardian of our souls. We remember …Give us with all the faithful departed a share in your victory over evil and death. Maranatha: Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
Come from heaven, Lord Jesus, with power and great glory. Lift us up to meet you, that with St Matthew and all your saints and angels we may live and reign with you in your new creation. Maranatha: Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
Come, Lord Jesus, do not delay; give new courage to your people, who trust in your love. By your coming, raise us to share in the joy of your kingdom on earth as in heaven, where you live and reign with the Father and the Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.
We pray to you also 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.
Let us commend ourselves, and all for whom we pray, to the mercy and protection of God. Amen.
The Peace
Leader: The peace of the Lord be always with you.
All: And also with you.
Hymn: Blue #110 “Sleepers, Wake!” A Voice Astounds Us
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…54 Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; 55 for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. 56 Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. 57 Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. (John 6)
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
Leader: God for whom we wait, you have fed us with the bread of eternal life. Keep us ever watchful, that we may be ready to stand before the Son of man. We ask this in the name of Christ the Lord.
Hymn: Blue #88 Come, Thou Long-expected Jesus
Leader: Let us go forth into the world, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit.
All: Thanks be to God.
We pray for: Jeff and Janice Shewchuk, Lyndsay; William and Pushpa Shiri
Announcements
Lift up your voice!
On this first Sunday of Advent we have wonderful news: we are able to sing in church again. The congregation is invited to join in the singing of the hymns and all the service music. We will continue to say the psalm together, as we have been doing. Please keep your masks on and maintain physical distancing. Lift up your voice, rejoice and sing!
Poinsettia Fund
Each Christmas season, our church has a Poinsettia Fund to collect money for the lovely plants that adorn the sanctuary on Christmas Eve. This fund commences next Sunday, December 5th, and ends December 19th. Contributions can be placed in the envelopes inserted in your bulletin. Please ensure that your name and remembrances are printed clearly on the envelope. They are placed in the brass collection tray on the table at the front of the church. Donations are most gratefully received.
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 Bill Middleton, Peoples’ Warden or Audrey Chan, Rector’s Warden
