The Gathering of the Community
Hymn: Blue #537 In The Cross of Christ I Glory
In the cross of Christ I glory,
Tow’ring o’er the wrecks of time;
All the light of sacred story
Gathers round its head sublime.
When the woes of life o’ertake me,
Hopes deceive, and fears annoy,
Never shall the cross forsake me,
Lo! it glows with peace and joy.
When the sun of bliss is beaming
Light and love upon my way,
From the cross the radiance streaming
Adds more luster to the day.
Bane and blessing, pain and pleasure,
By the cross are sanctified;
Peace is there that knows no measure,
Joys that through all time abide.
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, who in the passion of your blessed Son made an instrument of painful death to be for us the means of life and peace: grant us so to glory in the cross of Christ that we may gladly suffer for his sake; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
The Proclamation of the Word
First Reading: Numbers 21:4b-9
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:18-24
Hymn: Blue #361 Surely It Is God Who Saves Me
The Gospel
Listen here
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
Let us pray to the Father through his Son, who suffered on the cross for the world’s redemption. Fill with your Spirit Christ’s broken body, the Church …Give to Christian people everywhere a deep longing to take up the cross and to understand its mysterious glory. By the Saviour’s cross and passion, Lord, save us and help us.
Bless those who lead the Church’s worship …In the preaching of the word and the celebration of the sacraments, draw your people close to you. By the Saviour’s cross and passion, Lord, save us and help us.
Give your grace to those who preach your word to the nations …Help us to witness to the faith we have received by our words and in our deeds, and daily conform us more and more to Christ, that we may glory in his cross. By the Saviour’s cross and passion, Lord, save us and help us.
Look in your mercy upon the world you loved so much that you sent your Son to suffer and to die … Strengthen those who work to share the reconciliation won at such a cost upon the cross. By the Saviour’s cross and passion, Lord, save us and help us.
Bring healing by the wounds of Christ to all who are weighed down by pain and injustice … Help the lonely and the betrayed, the suffering and the dying, to find strength in the companionship of Jesus, and in his passion to know their salvation. By the Saviour’s cross and passion, Lord, save us and help us.
Welcome into paradise all who have left this world in your friendship …According to your promises, bring them with all your saints to share in the benefits of Christ’s death and resurrection. By the Saviour’s cross and passion, Lord, save us and help us.
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.
Merciful God, through the death of your beloved Son you transformed an instrument of shame into a sign of hope and glory. Forgive us our sins and renew in us the mystery of his love, through the same Jesus Christ, the Lord of Glory.
The Peace
Leader: The peace of the Lord be always with you.
All: And also with you.
Offertory Hymn: Blue #386 When I Survey The Wondrous Cross
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: Father, your word and sacrament gives us food and life. May we who have shared in holy things bear fruit to your honour and glory, in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord.
Hymn: Blue #602 Lift High The Cross
Leader: Let us go forth into the world, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit.
All: Thanks be to God.
We pray for: Aubrey Duffy and Peter McMillian, Alexander; Paul Francis and Heather
Announcements
Do you play a musical instrument?
If so, please consider being part of the musical worship for our adapted Sunday services. Due to the threat of COVID-19 we will be doing a lot less singing and a lot more listening at church. If you play an instrument and would like to participate please contact David King at stmattsonline@gmail.com.
Online Services
We will continue to post our online services after September 13. If you cannot come to church you will still be able to worship with the St. Matthew’s family online!
Mid-Week Meditation with Mtr Catherine
A monthly encouragement to help us stay strong in our faith. Check your inbox for it each Wednesday and read the latest instalment here.
Don’t fear, Pre-Authorized Giving is here!
Your generosity allows St. Matthew’s to maintain the church building as well as minister to our parishioners, refugees and the Riverdale neighbourhood. We have a monthly pre-authorised remittance system, through the United Church of Canada which allows for ease of giving. Please contact Audrey Chan for more information. Her email is: ahtchan@gmail.com
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
