The Gathering of the Community
Hymn: Blue #300 Christ is Made the Sure Foundation
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, who through your Son called Matthew to be your apostle and evangelist, free us from all greed and selfish love, that we may follow in the steps of 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: Proverbs 3:1-6
Second Reading: 2 Timothy 3:14-17
Gradual Hymn: Blue #282 Let Saints on Earth in Concert Sing
The Gospel: Matthew 9:9-13
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
The risen Christ is here in the midst of us. We bring our prayers to him as Lord of the Church. For the Church universal, of which these buildings are a visible symbol, Lord, receive our thanks and prayer.
For this congregation, as we remember your promise that when two or three are gathered in your name you are there in the midst of them, Lord, receive our thanks and prayer.
For this place, that we may be still and know that you are God, Lord, receive our thanks and prayer.
For the fulfilling of our desires and petitions as you see best for us, Lord, receive our thanks and prayer.
For your blessings in the past and for a vision for the future, Lord, receive our thanks and prayer.
For the gift of the Holy Spirit and new life in baptism, Lord, receive our thanks and prayer.
For the pardon of our sins when we fall short of your glory, Lord, receive our thanks and prayer.
For a foretaste of your eternal kingdom in the sacrament of the Eucharist, Lord, receive our thanks and prayer.
For the blessing of our vows and the crowning of our years with your goodness, Lord, receive our thanks and prayer.
For the faith of those who have gone before us and for grace to persevere like them, Lord, receive our thanks and prayer.
For the benefactors of this place who have died in the peace of Christ and are at rest, Lord, receive our thanks and prayer.
For our fellowship with St. Matthew and all your saints, Lord, receive our thanks and prayer.
God, from living stones you prepare an everlasting dwelling-place for your majesty. Grant that in the power of the Holy Spirit those who serve you here may always be kept within your presence. This we pray 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.
Offertory Hymn: Blue #286 Give Me the Wings of Faith
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 of mercy and compassion, we have shared the joy of salvation that Matthew knew when Jesus called him. May this food renew our life in him who came not to call the righteous but sinners to salvation in his kingdom, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.
Hymn: Blue #602 Lift High the Cross
Leader: Let us go in peace, to love and serve the Lord. Alleluia!
All: Thanks be to God. Alleluia!
We pray for: Dominic Chong and Carol Zimmerman, Maggie and Nicholas, Suzee Dass
Announcements
Anniversary cake – TODAY after church!
Join us to celebrate St. Matthew, and to welcome our Music Director, Dr. Samuel Tam.
Refugee Sponsorship: Opportunity to help
We have an opportunity to help a Christian Eritrean woman who fled her country because of religious persecution and seeks a home in Canada. She is a UNHCR refugee and needs a sponsor. Can we help her? If you feel a call to help give this woman a home, please speak to Mtr Catherine. We are looking especially for someone to head up a sponsorship team.
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 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
