When the Pharisees try to trap Jesus, he tells them to give the emperor what belongs to him and to God what belongs to God. To gather for worship reminds us that our ultimate allegiance is to God rather than to any earthly authority. Created in the image of God, we offer our entire selves in the service of God and for the sake of the world.
The people’s responses are given in bold.
ENTRANCE PROCESSION
The people are invited to stand as they are able as the sacred ministers enter the church from the south-east door.
THE GREETING
We share in the Apostolic Greeting.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
And also with you.
THE COLLECT FOR PURITY
Almighty God,
unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known,
and from whom no secrets are hid:
Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts
by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit,
that we may perfectly love thee,
and worthily magnify your holy name;
through Christ our Lord. Amen.
ACT OF PRAISE
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
THE COLLECT OF THE DAY
The collect is the prayer appointed for the day that reflects the theme of the day or season, and which celebrates the attributes of God revealed in the readings of the day.
Almighty and everliving God,
increase in us your gift of faith,
that forsaking what lies behind
and reaching out to what is before,
we may run the way of your commandments
and win the crown of everlasting joy;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The people may be seated.
THE PROCLAMATION OF THE WORD
THE FIRST READING Exodus 33. 12–23 Roger Beach
Moses successfully interceded with God to accompany Israel to the promised land after their sin with the golden calf. In response to a request to display the divine glory, God recites a sentence that appears frequently in the Hebrew Scriptures: “I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious.” Moses is not allowed to see God’s face, but only God’s back.
Moses said to the Lord, ‘See, you have said to me, “Bring up this people”; but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. Yet you have said, “I know you by name, and you have also found favour in my sight.” Now if I have found favour in your sight, show me your ways, so that I may know you and find favour in your sight. Consider too that this nation is your people.’ He said, ‘My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.’ And he said to him, ‘If your presence will not go, do not carry us up from here. For how shall it be known that I have found favour in your sight, I and your people, unless you go with us? In this way, we shall be distinct, I and your people, from every people on the face of the earth.’
The Lord said to Moses, ‘I will do the very thing that you have asked; for you have found favour in my sight, and I know you by name.’ Moses said, ‘Show me your glory, I pray.’ And he said, ‘I will make all my goodness pass before you, and will proclaim before you the name, “The Lord”; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. But’, he said, ‘you cannot see my face; for no one shall see me and live.’ And the Lord continued, ‘See, there is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock; and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by; then I will take away my hand, and you shall see my back; but my face shall not be seen.’
Following the reading,
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
PSALM Psalm 99
The Psalms form the ancient songbook of God’s people.
1 The Lord is king; let the people tremble; * he is enthroned upon the Cherubim; let the earth shake.
2 The Lord is great in Zion; * he is high above all peoples.
3 Let them confess his name, which is great and awesome; * he is the Holy One.
4 “O mighty King, lover of justice, you have established equity; * you have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob.”
5 Proclaim the greatness of the Lord our God and fall down before his footstool; * he is the Holy One.
6 Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among those who call upon his name, * they called upon the Lord, and he answered them.
7 He spoke to them out of the pillar of cloud; * they kept his testimonies and the decree that he gave them.
8 `
9 Proclaim the greatness of the Lord our God and worship him upon his holy hill; * for the Lord our God is the Holy One.
THE SECOND READING 1 Thessalonians 1. 1–10 Roger Beach
Most likely this letter is the first written by Paul. Paul gives pastoral encouragement and reassurances to new Christians living in an antagonistic environment. Their commitment of faith, love, and hope makes them a model for other new Christian communities.
Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,
To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
Grace to you and peace.
We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in our prayers, constantly remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labour of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know, brothers and sisters beloved by God, that he has chosen you, because our message of the gospel came to you not in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of people we proved to be among you for your sake. And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for in spite of persecution you received the word with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place where your faith in God has become known, so that we have no need to speak about it. For the people of those regions report about us what kind of welcome we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath that is coming.
Following the reading,
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
THE HOLY GOSPEL Matthew 22. 15–22
After Jesus begins teaching in the temple, religious leaders try to trap him with questions. First they ask if God’s people should pay taxes to an earthly tyrant like Caesar.
The Lord be with you.
And with thy spirit.
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew.
Glory to thee, O Lord.
Then the Pharisees went and plotted to entrap [Jesus] in what he said. So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality. Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?’ But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the coin used for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius. Then he said to them, “Whose head is this, and whose title?” They answered, “The emperor’s.” Then he said to them, “Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” When they heard this, they were amazed; and they left him and went away.
Following the reading,
The Gospel of Christ.
Praise be to thee, O Christ.
THE SERMON The Reverend Canon Dr. David Anderson
The sermon follows the readings and reflects on one or more the readings, relating them to our Christian discipleship and daily life.
The people are seated.
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH The Nicene Creed
Let us confess the faith as we say,
I believe in one God, the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
and of all things visible and invisible;
And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God,
begotten of the Father before all worlds,
God, of God; Light, of Light; very God, of very God;
begotten, not made; being of one substance with the Father;
through whom all things were made:
who for us and for our salvation came down from heaven,
and was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, and was made man,
and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate.
He suffered and was buried, and the third day he rose again
according to the scriptures, and ascended into heaven,
and sitteth on the right hand of the Father.
And he shall come again with glory to judge both the quick and the dead:
whose kingdom shall have no end.
And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceedeth from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified,
who spake by the prophets.
And I believe one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church.
I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins.
And I look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.
The people may be seated for the prayers.
THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE Roger Beach
We pray for the Church throughout the world; the flourishing of creation; the nation, our King and all in authority under him; the needs of the world, the concerns of our community of faith, especially those who have requested our prayers; and for the departed.
The people are seated.
Seeking the Spirit of God who makes all things new, we pray for the church and the world.
A brief silence.
Living and true God, you inspire us to share the message of the gospel. We especially pray for the worldwide Anglican Communion, and in our cycle of prayer, for our Anglican Church of Canada. In our Diocese of Niagara, we pray for All Saints, Ridgeway; The Reverend Dan Bennett, Rector; and the people of that parish. We pray for Susan and Colin our bishops; David, Sarah, and Patrick our priests, for our other parish leaders and all the people. Give your spirit of love to seminarians and those beginning their lives in ordained ministry. We pray your blessing especially upon Adedayo our student minister; Jason, our pastoral intern; and Sarah, our one-time Assistant Curate and Associate Priest, at the beginning of her new ministry at St. George, Georgetown. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
We give you thanks for the majesty of our oceans. Protect the abundant life within them and sustain all those who work to preserve them. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
We seek your wisdom in all things. We pray for Charles our King and all in authority under him, especially Mark, the Prime Minister of Canada; Doug, the Premier of Ontario; Gary, the Chair of Halton Regional Council; and Rob, the mayor of Oakville. We pray for peace in all the world, especially we pray for the Middle East, Ukraine and Russia, Myanmar, and South Sudan. Direct all who hold positions of authority around the world, that they act with compassion, seeking the good of all. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
We pray for all people who work in dangerous or degrading environments. Grant them safety and courage, and heal all those who are injured, sick, or suffering. We pray for all those who have requested our prayers: Bruce, Kevin, Marlene, Moira, Brooke, Kathryn, Peter, Eileen, Madison, Mary, Cheryl, Scott M, Cam, Freda, Melissa, Carter, Andreas, Barence, Sandi, Adam, Glen, Avril, Bob, Chloe, Terry, Clare, Lindsay, Ray, Arthur, Carol, Kathy and Ian, together with those whom we name either silently or aloud (a brief silence is kept for names to be said). Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
We ask your blessing on those who do the quiet, unseen work of the church, for members of the Altar and Garden Guilds, committee members, churchwardens, program volunteers, and administrative staff. Encourage them in their work of faith and labour of love. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
We thank you for our ancestors who have been called home to you, and we pray for those who mourn. We also give thanks for the lives of Irene & Vladimir Zatka and Bertha in whose memory flowers have been given. May the example of their lives guide us in our own life of faith and in following you until we are united with them, St. Jude, and all the saints at the heavenly banquet. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Trusting in your boundless grace, O God, we lift up these spoken prayers and those in our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION
We confess our sins in confidence that God forgives.
Let us humbly confess our sins to almighty God.
Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Maker of all things and judge of all people:
We1acknowledge and confess our manifold sins and wickedness,
Which we from time to time most grievously have committed,
By thought, word and deed,
Against thy divine majesty.
We do earnestly repent, and are heartily sorry for these our misdoings.
Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father;
For thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ’s sake,
Forgive us all that is past; And grant that we may ever hereafter
Serve and please thee In newness of life,
To the honour and glory of thy name;
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Almighty God, our heavenly Father,
who of his great mercy hath promised forgiveness of sins
to all them that with hearty repentance and true faith turn unto him:
have mercy upon you; pardon and deliver you from all your sins;
confirm and strengthen you in all goodness;
and bring you to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE PEACE
As forgiven and reconcile people we exchange words of peace with one another.
The people may stand.
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
And with thy spirit.
The people are invited to share words of peace with one another.
PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS
Eternal God,
your word inspires our faith.
May we who offer you our praise
trust you in all things.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen.
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
The Lord be with you.
And with thy spirit.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up unto the Lord.
Let us give thanks unto our Lord God.
It is meet and right so to do.
It is very meet, right, and our bounden duty, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto thee, O Lord, holy Father, almighty, everlasting God, creator and preserver of all things, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who by water and the Holy Spirit hast made us a holy people in Jesus Christ our Lord; thou dost renew that mystery in bread and wine and nourish us, to show forth thy glory in all the world. Therefore with angels and archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify thy glorious name; evermore praising thee and saying:
Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Hosts,
heaven and earth are full of thy glory.
Glory be to thee, O Lord most high.
Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord:
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessing and glory and thanksgiving be unto thee, almighty God, our heavenly Father, who of thy tender mercy didst give thine only Son Jesus Christ to take our nature upon him, and to suffer death upon the cross for our redemption; who made there, by his one oblation of himself once offered, a full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice, oblation, and satisfaction, for the sins of the whole world; and did institute, and in his holy Gospel command us to continue, a perpetual memorial of that his precious death, until his coming again.
Hear us, O merciful Father, we most humbly beseech thee; and grant that we receiving these thy creatures of bread and wine, according to thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ’s holy institution, in remembrance of his death and passion, may be partakers of his most blessed body and blood; who, in the same night that he was betrayed, took bread; and, when he had given thanks, he brake it; and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you: Do this in remembrance of me.”
Likewise after supper he took the cup; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink ye all, of this; for this is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the remission of sins: Do this, as oft as ye shall drink it, in remembrance of me.”
Wherefore, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, we thy humble servants, with all thy holy Church, remembering the precious death of thy beloved Son, his mighty resurrection, and glorious ascension, and looking for his coming again in glory, do make before thee, in this sacrament of the holy bread of eternal life and the cup of everlasting salvation, the memorial which he hath commanded:
We praise thee, we bless thee, we thank thee,
and we pray to thee, Lord our God.
And we entirely desire thy fatherly goodness mercifully to accept this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, most humbly beseeching thee to grant, that by the merits and death of thy Son Jesus Christ, and through faith in his blood, we and all thy whole Church may obtain remission of our sins, and all other benefits of his passion; And we pray that by the power of thy Holy Spirit, all we who are partakers of this holy communion may be fulfilled with thy grace and heavenly benediction; through Jesus Christ our Lord, by whom and with whom, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honour and glory be unto thee, O Father Almighty, world without end.
Amen.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Rejoicing in God’s new creation and gathering our prayers and praises into one, let us pray as our Saviour taught us,
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.
BREAKING OF THE BREAD
We do not presume to come to this thy table, O merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in thy manifold and great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under thy table. But thou art the same Lord, whose property is always to have mercy: grant us therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of thy dear Son Jesus Christ, and to drink his blood, that we may evermore dwell in him, and he in us. Amen.
FRACTION ANTHEM Agnus Dei
O Lamb of God, that takest away the sin of the world: have mercy upon us.
O Lamb of God, that takest away the sin of the world: have mercy upon us.
O Lamb of God, that takest away the sin of the world: grant us thy peace.
THE COMMUNION OF THE PEOPLE
All people who seek to follow Jesus are welcome to receive the Holy Communion. The Holy Communion is distributed at the altar rail. You are welcome to kneel or stand to receive. You may receive Holy Communion in either, or both the bread and the wine. Gluten free bread is available; if you prefer gluten free, please ask the priest distributing the bread. Receive the bread in your open and outstretched hands, responding, Amen. The wine is offered from a common cup. To receive please assist by helping guide the cup to your lips. If you prefer not to receive the cup, cross your arms across your chest. If you prefer to receive a blessing rather than the bread and wine of communion, again, cross your arms over your chest as the priest comes to distribute the bread and the priest will bless you.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
The people may stand.
God of peace,
you have nourished us in this sacrament
with the body and blood of Christ.
May we who have taken holy things
keep faith in our hearts and lives,
in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen.
DOXOLOGY
Glory to God,
whose power, working in us,
can do infinitely more
than we can ask or imagine.
Glory to God from generation to generation,
in the Church and in Christ Jesus,
for ever and ever. Amen.
BLESSING
The peace of God which passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God and of his Son, Jesus Christ; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
If it is needful that any announcements concerning the life and work of the church be made, they are given at this time.
DISMISSAL
The assisting minister dismisses the people to go forth to share in God’s mission in the world.
Go in peace.
Tend the earth, care for God’s good creation;
as you have received freely, so freely give.
Thanks be to God.
As you are able, please remain standing as the sacred ministers make their way from the church.
TODAY’S MINISTERS. Presiding Celebrant: The Reverend Sarah Grondin, Priest-in-Charge, St. George, Georgetown. Preacher: The Reverend Canon Dr. David Anderson, Rector. Reader & Greeter: Roger Beach. Altar Guild: Sonja Buckland, Barb Norman.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. This liturgy is in the tradition of the Book of Common Prayer (Canada, 1962), and is adapted from the Book of Alternative Services, The General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada (1984), and from other sources as follows. ‘The Prayers of the People’ are adapted from Sundays and Seasons, Augsburg Fortress, © 2025, used by permission. This liturgy is used at St. Jude’s Church by permission of the Bishop of Niagara.
ALTAR FLOWERS
The flowers on the reredos are to the Glory of God in loving memory of our parents, Irene & Vladimir Zatka, given by the Payne & Zatka families.
The flowers on the right stand are given to the Glory of God in loving memory of my mother, Bertha, from Joan Price.
All are invited to make a gift to support
St. Jude’s ministry of sharing God’s love.
As the plate is passed or by scanning the QR code at the left or
online at stjudeschurch.net/give.
Thank you for your generosity.
St. Jude’s Church
www.stjudeschurch.net
office@stjudeschurch.net
905-844-3972
Clergy and Staff
The Right Reverend Dr. Susan J.A. Bell, Bishop of Niagara
The Reverend Canon Dr. David Anderson, Rector anderson@stjudeschurch.net
The Reverend Canon Dr. Patrick Patterson, Priest Assistant pat.macrae.pat@gmail.com
The Reverend Deacon Adedayo Olomodosi, Student Minster
Jason Dockeray, Pastoral Intern
Sebastian Moreno, Director of Music choir@stjudeschurch.net
Dr. Andrei Streliaev, Associate Organist
Corinne DeJong, Choral Lead and Youth Chorus Director choir@stjudeschurch.net
Grace D’Mello, Choral Scholar
Carmen Almeida, Coordinator of Youth and Children’s Ministry carmen@stjudeschurch.net
Amanda Judd, Operations Manager manager@stjudeschurch.net
Bea Malik, Parish Secretary office@stjudeschurch.net
Churchwardens
Kevin Coleman, People’s Warden peopleswarden@stjudeschurch.net
Nancy Coombs, Rector’s Warden rectorswarden@stjudeschurch.net
Dave Haslett, Deputy People’s Warden
Matt Stevenson, Deputy Rector’s Warden
Nick Choules-Burbidge, Treasurer nwrburbidge@gmail.com
ANNOUCEMENTS & UPCOMING EVENTS
Choral Evensong: Sunday, Oct 18 @ 4 PM
Experience the beauty and serenity of Choral Evensong, a cherished tradition of the Anglican Church. This contemplative service of Evening Prayer brings together Scripture, prayer, and glorious choral music in an atmosphere of beauty, reflection, and reverence.
This is My Story: Testimony Workshop
We all have stories of how we have experienced and come to know God. Join us for a small-group workshop exploring the tradition of testimony through prayerful reflection, guided conversation, and listening.
3 more sessions available • 8 participants per session
Tuesday, October 20 @ 7 PM
Saturday, October 24 @ 10 AM
Sunday, October 25 @ 12:30 PM
Choose the session that works best for you and visit our website to register.
Rag Dolls and Rage — Sheila Tucker’s Memoir: A Book Talk - Mon, Oct 26
A Fundraiser for Home Suite Hope
Join us for an inspiring and moving book talk in Victoria Hall with Sheila Tucker, author of Rag Dolls and Rage, her memoir of surviving a turbulent childhood and finding healing, resilience, and hope. All women of St. Jude’s are warmly welcome to attend.
Books are available for $25 cash at the St. Jude’s office or through e-transfer. Purchasing a book also enters your name into a raffle, even if you are unable to attend the talk.
All proceeds from book sales will be donated to Home Suite Hope.
Tea, coffee, and light refreshments will be available.
Nosferatu (1922): Silent Film Fundraiser – Fri, Oct 30 @ 7:00pm
A special screening of Nosferatu (1922), one of the most influential horror films ever made, will take place in Victoria Hall at St. Jude’s Church. Experience the haunting story of Count Orlok accompanied live by acclaimed silent film pianist William O’Meara, who has accompanied more than 300 silent films across Europe, North America, China, and Japan.
All proceeds from the fundraiser will support St. Jude’s Choral Scholarship Program.
Tickets: $25 per person. Enjoy cinema-style concessions available for purchase throughout the evening. Tickets may be purchased through the Parish Office or online.
St. Jude’s Christmas Bazaar: Saturday November 21 @ 8:30AM-12:30PM
Details to follow.
Please note that jewellery can be dropped off in the office at any time!
If you have a questions, please contact Sally or Jenny.