The Gathering of the Community

Hymn: Blue #132 Of the Father’s Love Begotten

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

Collect of the Day

Eternal Father, who at the baptism of Jesus revealed him to be your Son, anointing him with the Holy Spirit,keep your children, born of water and the Spirit, faithful to their calling; 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: Isaiah 42:1-9

Psalm 29

Second Reading: Acts 10:34-43

Hymn: Blue #162 Sing of God Made Manifest

The Gospel: Matthew 3:13-17

Sermon: (download manuscript)

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.

Prayers of the People

Jesus calls us out of darkness into his marvellous light. Washed clean by the waters of baptism, let us pray that we may live the life to which he has called us.

Lord Jesus, eternal Word, proclaimed as the Christ by John the forerunner, hear us as we pray for all who proclaim your word …

Lord of truth, hear our prayer.

Lord Jesus, baptizing with the Spirit and with fire, strengthen us to withstand all the trials of our faith … Lord of truth, hear our prayer.

Lord Jesus, bringing forgiveness to all who repent, teach your Church dependence on your grace

Lord of truth, hear our prayer.

Lord Jesus, fulfilment of the promises of old, give hope to all who suffer or are ignored …

Lord of truth, hear our prayer.

Lord Jesus, beloved Son of the Father, anoint us with the gifts of your Holy Spirit …

Lord of truth, hear our prayer.

Lord Jesus, bringer of hope, share with all the faithful the riches of eternal life …

Lord of truth, hear our prayer.

Lord Jesus Christ, in you the Father makes us and all things new. Transform the poverty of our nature by the riches of your grace, and in the renewal of our lives make known your heavenly glory. Amen.

The Peace

Leader: The peace of the Lord be always with you.

All: And also with you.

Hymn: Blue #139 The First Nowell

The Holy Eucharist

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: Gracious God, lover of all, by this sacrament you make us one family in Christ your Son, one in the sharing of his body and blood, one in the communion of his Spirit.
Help us to grow in love for one another and come to the full maturity of the Body of Christ. We ask this in his name. Amen.

Hymn: Blue #154 Joy to the World

Leader: Go forth in the name of Christ. Alleluia!

All: Thanks be to God. Alleluia!


Postlude: In Dulci Jubilo


We pray for: Svetlana, newly arrived in Canada, and the Berberian family as they celebrate Christmas: Marika and Aroush, Tereza and Narod, Shiraz, and Mother Tereza.



Announcements

JANUARY 28, 7:30 p.m. at St. Matthew’s: The Trinity Bach Project
St. Matthew’s welcomes The Trinity Bach Project on Saturday January 28 for a concert of Bach and Mendelssohn. Admission is free; donations gratefully accepted to support the work of this new musical group, devoted to bringing sacred music to people in the church’s sacred space.

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.