The Gathering of the Community

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

Leader: Lord God our redeemer, who heard the cry of your people and sent your servant Moses to lead them out of slavery, free us from the tyranny of sin and death, and by the leading of your Spirit bring us to our promised land;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. AMEN.

The Proclamation of the Word

First Reading: Joel 2:23-32

Psalm 65

Second Reading: 2 Timothy 4:6-8; 16-18

Gradual Hymn: Blue #511 Lord Jesus, Think on Me

The Gospel: LUKE 18:9-14

Sermon (download manuscript)

St Matthew’s Riverdale · Sermon for the 20th Sunday after Pentecost

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 #159 Brightest and Best of the Stars of the Morning

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

Leader: God our guide, you have fed us with bread from heaven as you fed the people of Israel. May we who have been inwardly nourished be ready to follow you all our days; we ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.

Hymn: Blue #310 Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above

Leader: Let us go in peace, to love and serve the Lord.

All: Thanks be to God.


We pray for: Miriam John, Hiro Kishibe, Teruko Kishibe and Sunny Gafur, and Madoka, Kaye and Mary Kishibe


Announcements


Halloween Open Doors – Monday, October 31st

Join Mtr. Catherine and Fr. Trent at 6:00 pm to hand out treats and hot drinks to the neighborhood children. This is a great opportunity to welcome our neighbours to St. Matthew’s.

Pumpkin and Pizza Party!

Sunday October 30, right after church. We are carving pumpkins to delight the children on Halloween night. All invited to come and help. Light lunch provided.


St. Matthew’s Anglican Church, Riverdale,

135 First Avenue, Toronto ON, M4M 1W9

416-463-9720

www.stmatthewsriverdale.org

stmatthewsang@outlook.com

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The Rev Dr Catherine Sider-Hamilton – Priest-in-charge: 416-463-9720 

The Rev Trent Pettit – Associate Priest

The Rev Dr Ephraim Radner – Honorary Assistant

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


Catherine Sider Hamilton

Catherine Sider Hamilton

Catherine Sider Hamilton is Priest-in-Charge of St. Matthew's Riverdale, and Professor of New Testament and New Testament Greek (part-time) at Wycliffe College. She has served also as Chaplain at Havergal College and Associate Priest at Grace Church on-the-Hill and St. John the Baptist, Norway (Toronto). She enjoys singing around the piano with her kids, her husband's Indian food, all things Italian -- and above all her two little grandchildren. Catherine and David live in Greektown. She blogs occasionally on feasts and fasts at feastfastferia.wordpress.com.