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

—based on Psalm 27; John 4:23

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LEADER:

Let us worship God, our light and our salvation.

ALL:

The Lord is the stronghold of our lives.

LEADER:

We desire to live in God’s house

and to seek God in his holy temple.

ALL:

We have come with shouts of joy,

to sing and to make music to the Lord.

LEADER:

Let us worship God in spirit and in truth.

ALL:

Teach us your ways and make straight our paths

in this hour of worship and always.

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SONG - BETTER IS ONE DAY

(© 1995 Thankyou Music. CCLI # 1097451)

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How lovely is Your dwelling place

O Lord almighty

For my soul longs and even faints for You

For here my heart is satisfied

Within Your presence

I sing beneath the shadow of Your wings

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Better is one day in Your courts

Better is one day in Your house

Better is one day in Your courts

Than thousands elsewhere

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One thing I ask and I would seek

To see Your beauty

To find You in the place

Your glory dwells

One thing I ask and I would seek

To see Your beauty

To find You in the place

Your glory dwells

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My heart and flesh cry out

For You the living God

Your Spirit's water to my soul

I've tasted and I've seen

Come once again to me

I will draw near to You

I will draw near to You

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Better is one day better is one day

Better is one day than thousands elsewhere

Better is one day better is one day

Better is one day than thousands elsewhere

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SONG - BUILD MY LIFE

(© Said And Done Music, sixsteps Music, Thankyou Music, worshiptogether.com songs. CCLI # 7070345)

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Worthy of ev'ry song we could ever sing

Worthy of all the praise we could ever bring

Worthy of ev'ry breath we could ever breathe

We live for You

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Jesus the name above ev'ry other name

Jesus the only one who could ever save

Worthy of ev'ry breath we could ever breathe

We live for You

We live for You

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Holy there is no one like You

There is none beside You

Open up my eyes in wonder and show me who You are

And fill me with Your heart

And lead me in Your love to those around me

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I will build my life upon Your love

It is a firm foundation

I will put my trust in You alone

And I will not be shaken

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SONG - REST ON US

(© 2019 Bethel Worship Publishing; Brandon Lake Music; Heritage Worship Music Publishing; Heritage Worship Publishing; Maverick City Publishing; Maverick City Publishing Worldwide; Tony Brown Music Designee; Elyssa Marie Music; UR Creative; A New Song For A New Day Music; CCLI Song # 7126736)

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As the Spirit was moving over the water

Spirit come move over us

Come rest on us come rest on us

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Come down Spirit when You move

You make my heart pound

When You fill the room

You're here and I know You are moving

I'm here and I know You will fill me

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Fire and wind come and do it again

Open up the gates let Heaven on in

Come rest on us come rest on us

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Holy Spirit

Come rest on us

You're all we want You're all we want

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GOD CLEANSES

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PRAYER OF CONFESSION

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—based on Psalm 51:10-12

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LEADER:

Merciful God,

you pardon all who truly repent and turn to you.

We humbly confess our sins and ask your mercy.

We have not loved you with a pure heart,

nor have we loved our neighbor as ourselves.

We have not done justice, loved kindness,

or walked humbly with you, our God.

Have mercy on us, O God, in your loving-kindness.

In your great compassion,

cleanse us from our sin.

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ALL:

Create in us a clean heart, O God,

and renew a right spirit within us.

Do not cast us from your presence,

or take your Holy Spirit from us.

Restore to us the joy of your salvation

and sustain us with your bountiful Spirit

through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

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SILENT CONFESSION

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WORDS OF ASSURANCE

—based on Ezekiel 36:24-28, NIV

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“I will take you out of the nations;

I will gather you from all the countries.

I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean.

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you;

I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.

And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees.

You will be my people, and I will be your God.”

Friends in Christ: by the power of the Spirit,

we are united with Christ and given a new spirit.

Live in the joy and peace of that assurance.

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SONG OF ASSURANCE - CONSUMING FIRE

(© 2002 Thankyou Music Ltd. CCLI Song # 3818569)

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There must be more than this

O breath of God come breathe within

There must be more than this

Spirit of God we wait for You

Fill us anew we pray

Fill us anew we pray

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Consuming fire fan into flame

A passion for Your name

Spirit of God would You fall in this place

Lord have Your way

Lord have Your way with us

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Come like a rushing wind

Clothe us with power from on high

Now set the captives free

Leave us abandoned to Your praise

Lord let Your glory fall

Lord let Your glory fall

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Stir it up in our hearts Lord

Stir it up in our hearts Lord

Stir it up in our hearts

A passion for Your name

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PRAYER FOR THE CHURCH AND THE CITY

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COMMUNITY LIFE ANNOUNCEMENTS

GT MEN PUB NIGHT

• Here is an opportunity for GTMen to reconnect and fellowship before summer ends! Join us on Thursday, August 27th from 6–8 PM. Register online at gracetoronto.ca/events.

EAST END PARISH

• Do you live in the East End? Come join us for a BBQ potluck on Sunday, August 30th from 4-6PM! Register online at gracetoronto.ca/events.

UPTOWN PARISH

• Do you live uptown? We're going to have a time of prayer and fellowship at Tyndale University from 2-4pm on Sunday, August 30th! Register online at gracetoronto.ca/events.

REGISTRATION FOR A GRACE GATHERING SMALL GROUP FALL 2026

• Want to join a Grace Gathering Small Group? The Fall 2026 semester will begin on September 27! Registration will be open from August 16th to September 20th.

YOUNG ADULTS SPEED FRIENDING

• Are you between the ages of 18 and 25? Then join the Young Adults Group on Sept 9 at 6:30 PM in the Neighbours Hall for Speed-Friending! Start off the year right by finding your crew. Fun, food, and friendship.

AN EVENING WITH JEN POLLOCK MICHEL

• Ladies, join us Tuesday, Sept 15, at 7:00 PM in St. Andrew’s Hall as award-winning author Jen Pollock Michel shares from A Rule for the Rest of Us, introducing a five-step framework for creating a rule of life to follow Jesus faithfully.

GT MEN'S FALL SOCIAL

• Men of Grace! You're invited to a Taco Night on Tuesday, September 15, from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM.  We'll have some games, food, and fellowship. The cost is $10. Sign up today at gracetoronto.ca/events.

‍PRAYER FOR THE WEEK

• PERSEVERANCE (James 1:2-4) Trials test our faith, but they also produce perseverance, leading to maturity in Christ. As you navigate the challenges of this season, reflect on how God is at work in your life. Pray for the strength to endure and grow, trusting in His good purposes.

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, visit gracetoronto.ca/give.

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GOD COMMUNES

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SCRIPTURE READING

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Acts 2: 42-47

⁴² They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. ⁴³ Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. ⁴⁴ All the believers were together and had everything in common. ⁴⁵ They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. ⁴⁶ Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, ⁴⁷ praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

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SERMON

Rex Law

Q&A

Text your questions to 416-830-0335

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SONG OF RESPONSE - HOLY SPIRIT LIVING BREATH OF GOD

(© 2006 Thankyou Music. CCLI # 4779872)

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Holy Spirit living Breath of God

Breathe new life into my willing soul

Let the presence of the risen Lord

Come renew my heart and make me whole

Cause Your word to come alive in me

Give me faith for what I cannot see

Give me passion for Your purity

Holy Spirit breathe new life in me

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Holy Spirit come abide within

May Your joy be seen in all I do

Love enough to cover ev'ry sin

In each thought and deed and attitude

Kindness to the greatest and the least

Gentleness that sows the path of peace

Turn my strivings into works of grace

Breath of God show Christ in all I do

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Holy Spirit from creation's birth

Giving life to all that God has made

Show Your power once again on earth

Cause Your church to hunger for Your ways

Let the fragrance of our pray'rs arise

Lead us on the road of sacrifice

That in unity the face of Christ

May be clear for all the world to see

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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

—1 Thessalonians 3:12

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May the Lord make you increase and abound in love

for one another and for all

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PRAYER

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

CONNECT WITH US

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