The Gathering of the People
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
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
Heavenly Father,
who chose the Virgin Mary, full of grace,
to be the mother of our
Lord and Saviour,
now fill us with your grace,
that we in all things may embrace your will
and with her rejoice in your salvation;
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: 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16
Second Reading: Romans 16:25-27
Gradual Hymn: #117 Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming
Gospel: LUKE 1:26-38
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
Watchful at all times, let us pray for strength to stand with confidence before our Maker and Redeemer. That God may bring in his kingdom with justice and mercy, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
That God may establish among the nations his sceptre of righteousness, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
That we may seek Christ in the Scriptures and recognize him in the breaking of the bread, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
That God may bind up the brokenhearted, restore the sick and raise up all who have fallen, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
That the light of God’s coming may dawn on all who live in darkness and the shadow of death, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
That, with all the saints in light, we may shine forth as lights for the world, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
We commend ourselves and all for whom we pray to the mercy and protection of our heavenly Father: Almighty God, as your blessed Son Jesus Christ first came to seek and to save the lost; so may he come again to find in us the completion of his redeeming work; for he is now alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.
The Peace
Leader: Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. Give thanks in all things. For this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thess 5:16-18)
The peace of the Lord be always with you
All: And also with you.
Offertory Hymn: Blue #116 “Your Kingdom Come” – On Bended Knee
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
Faithful God,
in this sacrament we receive the promise of salvation.
May we, like the Virgin Mary,
be obedient to your will.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord.
Hymn: Blue #108 Hark, a Herald Voice is Sounding
Leader: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord
All: Thanks be to God.
Prayer Cycle
We pray for: Cleveland Chester, Dominic Chong and Carol Zimmermann, and Maggie and Nicholas
Announcements
Christmas Eve Services: Tonight!
Children’s Service: Journey to Bethlehem – 4:30pm
Carol Sing – 7:30pm
Christmas Candlelight Service of Holy Eucharist – 8:00pm
ALPHA
A wonderful introduction to Christian faith for new Christians and those interested in Christianity. Come for lunch and stay for a chat.
Sundays at 12:00 after church, starting January 7.
2023 DONATIONS
Please be reminded that 2023 donations must be received by the church office by 31 December, 2023. Donations may be made by cheque, cash or etransfers (stmatthewsang@outlook.com)
Tax receipts will be issued in February 2024. All donations received after this date will be included in 2024.
2023 DONATIONS-IN-KIND
Many parishioners purchase many items for the church. If you would like to count them as donations; please submit your receipts by putting them in an envelope, clearly identified by your name and telephone number, in the collection plate..
CONTACT INFORMATION – EMAIL OR MUNICIPAL CHANGES
If there has been any change in your contact information, either email or municipal, please send an email to the church office (stmatthewsang@outlook.com). This information will be critical in forwarding the 2023 donation tax receipts.
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 William Middleton, People’s Warden or Audrey Chan, Rector’s Warden
