The Gathering Of The Community
Hymn: Blue #355 All Creatures of Our God and King
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: Almighty God, you call your Church to witness that in Christ we are reconciled to you. Help us so to proclaim the good news of your love, that all who hear it may turn to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
The Proclamation of the Word
First Reading: Proverbs 1:20-33
The Psalm
St Matthew’s Riverdale · Psalm 19
Second Reading: James 3:1-12
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. We pray this morning for the victims of 9/11 and their family and friends. We pray also for the people of Afghanistan in challenging circumstances under the rule of the Taliban. Lord of life …. In your mercy hear us
We pray for the renewal of the Church in faith, love and service. We pray for Andrew our Diocesan bishop and Kevin our area bishop. We pray for Catherine and the wardens and for the life of our church. We give thanks for the gift of your word, the grace of the sacraments and the fellowship of your people. Lord of life …. In your mercy hear us
We pray for Riverdale and for all people in their daily life and work. We pray particularly for students and teachers at the start of a new term and for the Matthew John Daycare. 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 of life … in your mercy hear us.
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 of life … in your mercy hear us
Let us commend ourselves, and all for whom we pray, to the mercy and protection of God. 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.
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.
Hymn: Blue #372 Praise to the Holiest in the Height
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 of peace, in this eucharist we have been reconciled to you and to our neighbours. May we who have been nourished by holy things always have the courage to forgive. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord.
Hymn: Blue #386 When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
Leader: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.
We pray for: Paul Francis, Heather; David and Wendy Geer, Jonathan and Clifford; Anthony Granville and Meaghan Candy, Noah and Sophie
Announcements
Farewell to the Oakes
Sunday September 19, on the lawn after church: Come say good-bye and God be with you to Ruth and Peter Oakes, as we send them on their way to Winnipeg after many years of faithful service to this church. We love you and we will miss you, Peter and Ruth!
Opportunity to serve: Property Committee
We have a new Property Committee to look after our beautiful old building. If you have an interest in building and property matters, we would love to have you join the committee. Please speak to Mtr Catherine if you are interested.
Special Vestry
On Sunday Sep 29 we will hold a special vestry for the purpose of electing a new People’s Warden and deputy warden. The Vestry meeting will be held right after church, in person. It will be brief, 15 minutes or so. All members of St. Matthew’s are welcome to attend and vote.
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 Peter Oakes, Peoples’ Warden or Audrey Chan, Rector’s Warden
