WE’RE GLAD YOU’VE JOINED US TODAY.

WHO WE ARE.

• We are a community of city-centred, gospel-focused people striving to serve and renew Toronto through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

WHO WE WELCOME.

• We welcome people of all races, ethnicities, socio-economic backgrounds and faiths – both religious and irreligious.

WHO WE BELIEVE IN.

• We believe Christ is relevant to every person in every situation, and we want to help you discover him.

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GOD CALLS

CALL TO WORSHIP

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ALL:

Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,

to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength

and honour and glory and praise!

LEADER:

Then every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth

and on the sea, and all that is in them, sang,

ALL:

“To the one who sits on the throne and to the Lamb

be praise and honour and glory and power

for ever and ever!”

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SONG - HOUSE OF THE LORD

(© 2020 Be Essential Songs, Cashagamble Jet Music, Phil Wickham Music, Simply Global Songs. CCLI # 7168995)

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We worship the God who was

We worship the God who is

We worship the God who evermore will be

He opened the prison doors

He parted the raging sea

My God He holds the victory yeah

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There’s joy in the house of the Lord

There’s joy in the house of the Lord today

And we won’t be quiet

We shout out Your praise

There’s joy in the house of the Lord

Our God is surely in this place

And we won’t be quiet

We shout out Your praise

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We sing to the God who heals

We sing to the God who saves

We sing to the God who always makes a way

'Cause He hung up on that cross

Then He rose up from that grave

My God’s still rolling stones away

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('Cause) We were the beggars

Now we’re royalty

We were the prisoners

Now we’re running free

We are forgiven accepted

Redeemed by His grace

Let the house of the Lord sing praise

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SONG - THE LION AND THE LAMB

(© 2015 Meaux Mercy, Thankyou Music, The Devil Is A Liar! Publishing, Bethel Music Publishing. CCLI # 7038281.)

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He's coming on the clouds

Kings and kingdoms will bow down

And every chain will break

As broken hearts declare His praise

For who can stop the Lord Almighty

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Our God is the Lion

The Lion of Judah

He's roaring with power

And fighting our battles

And every knee will bow before Him

Our God is the Lamb

The Lamb that was slain

For the sins of the world

His blood breaks the chains

And every knee will bow before the Lion and the Lamb

Every knee will bow before Him

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So open up the gates

Make way before the King of kings

The God who comes to save

Is here to set the captives free

For who can stop the Lord Almighty

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Who can stop the Lord Almighty

Who can stop the Lord (Almighty)

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SONG -REVELATION SONG

(© 2004 Gateway Create Publishing. CCLI # 4447960)

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Worthy is the Lamb Who was slain

Holy holy is He

Sing a new song to Him Who sits on

Heaven's mercy seat

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Holy holy holy

Is the Lord God Almighty

Who was and is and is to come

With all creation I sing

Praise to the King of kings

You are my ev'rything

And I will adore You

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Clothed in rainbows of living colour

Flashes of lightning rolls of thunder

Blessing and honour strength and glory

And power be to You the only wise King

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Filled with wonder awestruck wonder

At the mention of Your name

Jesus Your name is power breath and living water

Such a marv'lous mystery

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GOD CLEANSES

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PRAYER OF CONFESSION

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LEADER:

Lord, you come to us, but we do not recognize you;

you call, but we do not follow;

you command, but we do not obey,

you bless us, but we do not thank you.

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ALL:

Please forgive and help us.

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LEADER:

Lord, you accept us, but we do not accept others;

you forgive us, but we do not forgive those who wrong us;

you love us, but we do not love our neighbours.

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ALL:

Please forgive and help us.

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LEADER:

Lord, you showed us how to carry out your mission,

but we still insist on our own;

you identified yourself with outcasts, the needy, and the poor,

but we do not bother to find out what is happening to them;

you suffered and died for the sake of all,

but we do not give up our comfortable lives.

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ALL:

Please forgive and help us,

through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

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SILENT CONFESSION

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WORDS OF ASSURANCE

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—Romans 5:1-2, 5, NIV

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Since we have been justified through faith,

we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

through whom we have gained access by faith

into this grace in which we now stand.

And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.

And hope does not disappoint us,

because God has poured out his love into our hearts

by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

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SONG OF ASSURANCE - TO GOD BE THE GLORY

(© 2005 Universal Music - Brentwood Benson Songs. CCLI Song # 4556208)

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To God be the glory great things He hath done

So loved He the world that He gave us His Son

Who yielded His life an atonement for sin

And opened the life gates that all may go in

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Praise the Lord praise the Lord

Let the earth hear His voice

Praise the Lord praise the Lord

Let the people rejoice

O come to the Father through Jesus the Son

And give Him the glory great things He has done

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O perfect redemption the purchase of blood

To ev'ry believer the promise of God

The vilest offender who truly believes

That moment from Jesus a pardon receives

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Great things He hath taught us

Great things He hath done

And great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son

But purer and higher and greater will be

Our wonder our transport when Jesus we see

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Glory glory glory glory

Give Him glory great things He has done

Glory glory glory glory

Give Him glory great things He has done

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PRAYER FOR THE CHURCH AND THE CITY

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COMMUNITY LIFE ANNOUNCEMENTS

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ALPHA

• Curious about Christianity? If you're exploring Christianity, this group is a space to ask questions and explore faith. For Christians, this group offers a chance to connect with others and see how Grace Toronto Church walks alongside those exploring faith. ALPHA is a 10 week course that begins April 9th and ends June 11th. Sign up at gracetoronto.ca/events.

GT KIDS PANCAKE BREAKFAST

• Family Ministry is hosting a pancake breakfast for all interested GT Kids families on April 19th at 10:45 AM. Register online at gracetoronto.ca/events.

BIBLICAL MASCULINITY AND FEMININITY CONFERENCE

• Join us on May 23rd for our third annual one day conference! This year, our guest speaker, Robert Cunningham, will unpack the theological glory of male and female and help us to embody that biblical vision in practical ways. Early bird registration is now open at gracetoronto.ca/events.

WOMEN'S PRAYER BREAKFAST

• Ladies, you're invited to the WM Prayer Breakfast on Sunday, May 3rd at 11 AM in St. Andrew's Hall. We'll explore prayer as our spiritual language, pray together, and enjoy breakfast!

PCC ANNUAL RELAY

• Join us on May 9th for the Pregnancy Care Centre's 5km relay at The Peoples Church to celebrate God's provision as we walk/run 5km together! Fundraising starts now! Visit gracetoronto.ca/events to join our team.

‍PRAYER FOR THE WEEK

• BELIEF (John 20:24-29) Thomas struggled to believe until he saw the risen Christ. Are there doubts or fears you need to bring before God? Pray for the faith to trust in what you cannot see, confident in His love and power.

SUPPORT

• If you are in any form of need or if you are able to help others, please visit http://www.gracetoronto.ca/help  or visit http://www.gracetoronto.ca/prayer  to submit your prayers.

DIACONATE

• The Diaconate exists to contribute to the flourishing of gospel-centered community by meeting the practical needs of our church community, and extending help and compassion to those experiencing hardship or difficult circumstances. Click here for more information.

OFFERING

• To set up your online giving or to learn more about giving options, visitgracetoronto.ca/give.

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GOD COMMUNES

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SCRIPTURE READING

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Luke 24:13-35

¹³ Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. ¹⁴ They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. ¹⁵ As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; ¹⁶ but they were kept from recognizing him.

¹⁷ He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”

They stood still, their faces downcast. ¹⁸ One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”

¹⁹ “What things?” he asked.

“About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. ²⁰ The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; ²¹ but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. ²² In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning ²³ but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. ²⁴ Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.”

²⁵ He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! ²⁶ Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” ²⁷ And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

²⁸ As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. ²⁹ But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.

³⁰ When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. ³¹ Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. ³² They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”

³³ They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together ³⁴ and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” ³⁵ Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.

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SERMON

Tarak George

Q&A

Text your questions to 416-830-0335

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SONG OF RESPONSE - BENEATH THE WATERS (I WILL RISE)

(© 2011 Hillsong Music Publishing Australia. CCLI Song # 6179573)

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This is my revelation

Christ Jesus crucified

Salvation through repentance

At the cross on which He died

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Now here my absolution

Forgiveness for my sin

And I sink beneath the waters

That Christ was buried in

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I will rise

I will rise

As Christ was raised to life

Now in Him

Now in Him I live

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I stand a new creation

Baptized in blood and fire

No fear of condemnation

By faith I'm justified

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I rise as You are risen

Declare Your rule and reign

My life confess Your Lordship

And glorify Your Name

Your word it stands eternal

Your kingdom knows no end

Your praise goes on forever

And on and on again

No pow'r can stand against You

No curse assault Your throne

No one can steal Your glory

For it is Yours alone

I stand to sing Your praises

I stand to testify

For I was dead in my sin

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But now I rise

I will rise

As Christ was raised to life

Now in Him

Now in Him I live

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COMMUNION
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PRAYER FOR THOSE SEARCHING FOR TRUTH

Lord Jesus, you claim to be the way, the truth, and the life.  Grant that I might be undaunted by the cost of following you as I consider the reasons for doing so. If what you claim is true, please guide me, teach me, and open me to the reality of who you are.  Give me an understanding of you that is coherent, convincing and that leads to the life you promise.  Amen.

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PRAYER OF BELIEF

Lord Jesus Christ, I admit that I am weaker and more sinful than I ever dared admit, but through you I am more loved and accepted than I ever dared hope.  I thank you for paying my debt on the cross, taking what I deserved in order to offer me complete forgiveness. Knowing that you have been raised from the dead, I turn from my sins and receive you as my Saviour and Lord.  Amen.

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GOD COMMISSIONS

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BENEDICTION

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—Romans 15:13

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing,

so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

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PRAYER

Would you like prayer?  Send us an email at prayer@gracetoronto.ca.  We would love to intercede for you!

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