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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—based on Luke 24:34

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LEADER:

Alleluia! Christ is risen!

ALL:

The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia!

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SONG - THIS IS AMAING GRACE

(© 2012 Bethel Music, Phil Wickham Music, Seems Like Music, Sing My Songs, and WB Music Corp. CCLI # 6333821)

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Who breaks the power of sin and darkness

Whose love is mighty and so much stronger

The King of Glory, the King above all kings

Who shakes the whole earth with holy thunder

Who leaves us breathless in awe and wonder

The King of Glory, the King above all kings

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This is amazing grace

This is unfailing love

That You would take my place

That You would bear my cross

You would lay down Your life

That I would be set free

Jesus, I sing for

All that You’ve done for me

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Who brings our chaos back into order

Who makes the orphan a son and daughter

The King of Glory, the King above all kings

Who rules the nations with truth and justice

Shines like the sun in all of its brilliance

The King of Glory, the King above all kings

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Worthy is the Lamb who was slain

Worthy is the King who conquered the grave

Worthy is the Lamb who was slain

Worthy is the King who conquered the grave

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SONG - CHRIST THE LORD IS RISEN TODAY

(© Words: Public Domain; Music: Public Domain. CCLI Song # 27965)

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Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!

Earth and heaven in chorus say, Alleluia!

Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!

Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply, Alleluia!

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Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!

Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!

Once he died our souls to save, Alleluia!

Where's thy victory, boasting grave? Alleluia!

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Love's redeeming work is done, Alleluia!

Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!

Death in vain forbids him rise, Alleluia!

Christ has opened paradise, Alleluia!

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Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia!

Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!

Made like him, like him we rise, Alleluia!

Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!

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Hail the Lord of earth and heaven, Alleluia!

Praise to thee by both be given, Alleluia!

Thee we greet triumphant now, Alleluia!

Hail the Resurrection, thou, Alleluia!

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King of glory, soul of bliss, Alleluia!

Everlasting life is this, Alleluia!

Thee to know, thy power to prove, Alleluia!

Thus to sing, and thus to love, Alleluia!

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SONG -BECAUSE HE LIVES

(© 1971 William J. Gaither, Inc. CCLI # 16880)

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God sent His Son they called Him Jesus

He came to love heal and forgive

He bled and died to buy my pardon

An empty grave is there to prove

My Savior lives

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Because He lives I can face tomorrow

Because He lives all fear is gone

Because I know He holds the future

And life is worth the living

Just because He lives

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And then one day I'll cross that river

I'll fight life's final war with pain

And then as death gives way to vict'ry

I'll see the lights of glory

And I'll know He reigns

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GOD CLEANSES

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PRAYER OF CONFESSION

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LEADER:

Almighty God, you have raised Jesus from the grave

and crowned him Lord of all.

We confess that we have not bowed before him

or acknowledged his rule in our lives.

We have gone along with the way of the world

and failed to give him glory.

Forgive us and raise us from sin,

that we may be your faithful people,

obeying the commands of our Lord Jesus Christ,

who rules the world and is head of the church, his body.

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ALL:

Amen.

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SILENT CONFESSION

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WORDS OF ASSURANCE

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—1 Corinthians 15:54-57, NRSV

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“Death has been swallowed up in victory.”

“Where, O death, is your victory?

Where, O death, is your sting?”

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory

through our Lord Jesus Christ.

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SONG OF ASSURANCE - FOREVER (WE SING HALLELUJAH)

(© 2013 Bethel Worship Publishing; Kari Jobe Carnes Music; Worship Together Music; Bethel Music Publishing. CCLI Song # 7001228)

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The moon and stars they wept

The morning sun was dead

The Savior of the world was fallen

His body on the cross

His blood poured out for us

The weight of every curse upon Him

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One final breath He gave

As heaven looked away

The Son of God was laid in darkness

A battle in the grave

The war on death was waged

The power of hell forever broken

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The ground began to shake

The stone was rolled away

His (perfect) (reckless) love could not be overcome

Now death where is your sting

Our resurrected King has rendered you defeated

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Now forever He is glorified

Forever He is lifted high

And forever He is risen

He is alive and He is alive

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We sing hallelujah we sing hallelujah

We sing hallelujah the Lamb has overcome

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We sing hallelujah we sing hallelujah

We sing hallelujah

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And now death where is your sting

Our resurrected King has overcome

He's overcome oh

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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.

FAITH AND WORK

• Are you working in the fields of healthcare or business? We invite you to attend one of two networking gatherings tailored for professionals in these sectors. Healthcare will be on March 31st from 5:30-7:30 PM, and Business will gather on April 1st from 5:30 - 7:30 PM. Both events at Dineen Coffee (140 Yonge).

HOT CROSS BUNS TODAY

• We have a special Easter treat for you today: hot cross buns from Cobs Bakery! Please enjoy with your coffee or tea after service.

VBS REGISTRATION

• Join us for VBS! This year's theme is "Rainforest Falls: Exploring the Nature of God. We will be running a joint VBS with St. Paul's on Bloor from July 6th to 10th from 9 am to 4 pm. Registration is now open at gracetoronto.ca/events.

‍PRAYER FOR THE WEEK

• RESURRECTION (Matthew 28:5-6) “He is not here; He has risen, just as He said.” Easter celebrates the victory of life over death. Reflect on the hope of the resurrection in your life. Pray for joy and boldness to proclaim Christ’s victory to the world.

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 24:1-12

Jesus Has Risen

1 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” 8 Then they remembered his words.

9 When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. 10 It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. 11 But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. 12 Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.

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SERMON

Dan MacDonald

Q&A

Text your questions to 416-830-0335

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SONG OF RESPONSE -HE WHO IS TO COME

(© 2023 Capitol CMG Paragon; KPS 1.0; sixsteps Music; sixsteps Songs; worshiptogether.com songs; Writer's Roof Publishing. CCLI Song # 7228694)

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There is a day coming

When the old will pass away

Every wrong will be made right

No darkness no night

The Son will light the way

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There is a king coming

The one who conquered death and grave

No more pain and no more sorrow

This hope for tomorrow

Is our hope for today

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He who was He who is

He who was He who is

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He who is to come

Christ the Son of man

Riding on the clouds with a crown upon His head

Every eye will see Him

With the nail scars in His hands

Hallelujah hallelujah

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There's only One worthy

Of all glory and all praise

All wealth and all honor

Strength wisdom and power

To the Lamb that was slain oh

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Hallelujah hallelujah

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He is surely coming

Oh can you feel it too

All this tension growing stronger

It's just a sign He's getting closer

He's already on the move

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Yeah the story has been written

We all know how it ends

My future has an anchor

My eyes are on the Savior

He's coming back again

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He who is to come

Christ the Son of man

Riding on the clouds with a crown upon His head

Every eye will see Him

With the nail scars in His hands

Hallelujah hallelujah

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Hallelujah hallelujah

Hallelujah hallelujah

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Lord we wait oh we pray

We're waiting on You

With our eyes on the horizon

We are hungry we are thirsty

Would You come

We pray we pray

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Come Lord Jesus come

Come Lord Jesus come

Come Lord Jesus come

Come Lord Jesus come (we wait we pray)

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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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—based on Hebrews 13:20-21

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Now may the God of peace,

who raised to life the great shepherd of the sheep,

make us ready to do his will in every good thing,

through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

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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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