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

—from Matthew 11:28-29, NIV

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LEADER:

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me;

for I am gentle and humble in heart,

and you will find rest for your souls.

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ALL:

Praise the Lord!

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SONG - THIS IS OUR GOD

(© 2008 Hillsong Music Publishing Australia. CCLI Song #5060834)

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Your grace is enough

More than I need

At Your word I will believe

I wait for You

Draw near again

Let Your Spirit make me new

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And I will fall at Your feet

I will fall at Your feet

And I will worship You here

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Your presence in me

Jesus light the way

By the power of Your word

I am restored

I am redeemed

By Your Spirit I am free

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Freely You gave it all for us

Surrendered Your life upon that cross

Great is the love poured out for all

This is our God

Lifted on high from death to life

Forever our God is glorified

Servant and King rescued the world

This is our God

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SONG - I SURRENDER ALL

(© Words: Public Domain. CCLI Song # 23189)

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All to Jesus I surrender

All to Him I freely give

I will ever love and trust Him

In His presence daily live

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I surrender all

I surrender all

All to Thee my blessed Savior

I surrender all

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All to Jesus I surrender

Humbly at His feet I bow

Worldly pleasures all forsaken

Take me Jesus take me now

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All to Jesus I surrender

Make me Savior wholly Thine

Let me feel the Holy Spirit

Truly know that Thou art mine

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All to Jesus I surrender

Lord I give myself to Thee

Fill me with Thy love and power

Let Thy blessing fall on me

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All to Jesus I surrender

Now I feel the sacred flame

O the joy of full salvation

Glory glory to His name

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SONG - MY SOUL WILL WAIT

(© 2021 Sovereign Grace Praise. CCLI Song # 7190363)

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When the enemy surrounds

And my heart grows faint within

When the darkness overwhelms

And my fears are pressing in

I will trust in You O Lord

In the silence I will wait

I will stand upon Your Word

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You're my solid rock and my salvation

My steadfast hope that won't be shaken

My soul will wait my soul will wait for You

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You're my stronghold and my shield

In the midst of every threat

Though the wicked never yield

They will vanish like a breath

Yes I know the outcome's sure

Satan's evil plans will fail

In Your power I'm secure

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You're my solid rock and my salvation

My steadfast hope that won't be shaken

My soul will wait my soul will wait for You

You're my comfort when I feel forsaken

My refuge and my sure foundation

My soul will wait my soul will wait for You

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This is love I can't explain

This is mercy unreserved

Through Your sacrifice so great

I have peace that's undeserved

For the battle has been won

And I fear no shame or loss

Now the sting of death is gone

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Pouring out our hearts before You

We will trust in You

Perfect Savior strong Defender

We will trust in You

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GOD CLEANSES

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PRAYER OF CONFESSION

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—Psalm 130, NRSV

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LEADER:

Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD.

ALL:

Lord, hear my voice!

LEADER:

Let your ears be attentive

to the voice of my supplications!

ALL:

If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities,

Lord, who could stand?

LEADER:

But there is forgiveness with you,

so that you may be revered.

ALL:

I wait for the LORD, my soul waits,

and in his word I hope;

my soul waits for the Lord

more than those who watch for the morning,

more than those who watch for the morning.

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SILENT CONFESSION

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WORDS OF ASSURANCE

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—Psalm 103:8-13, NRSV

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LEADER:

The LORD is merciful and gracious,

slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

He will not always accuse,

nor will he keep his anger forever.

He does not deal with us according to our sins,

nor repay us according to our iniquities.

For as the heavens are high above the earth,

so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;

as far as the east is from the west,

so far he removes our transgressions from us.

As a father has compassion for his children,

so the LORD has compassion for those who fear him.

ALL:

Thanks be to God!

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SONG OF ASSURANCE - O COME TO THE ALTAR

(© 2015 © Be Essential Songs. CCLI # 7051511)

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Are you hurting and broken within

Overwhelmed by the weight of your sin

Jesus is calling

Have you come to the end of yourself

Do you thirst for a drink from the well

Jesus is calling

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O come to the altar

The Father's arms are open wide

Forgiveness was bought with

The precious blood of Jesus Christ

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Leave behind your regrets and mistakes

Come today there's no reason to wait

Jesus is calling

Bring your sorrows and trade them for joy

From the ashes a new life is born

Jesus is calling

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Oh what a Savior

Isn't he wonderful

Sing alleluia Christ is risen

Bow down before him

For he is Lord of all

Sing alleluia Christ is risen

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Bear your cross as you wait for the crown

Tell the world of the treasure you've found

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PRAYER FOR THE CHURCH AND THE CITY

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COMMUNITY LIFE ANNOUNCEMENTS

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GRACE GATHERINGS REGISTRATION

• Want to join a Grace Gathering Small Group? The Winter 2026 semester will begin on January 19.Registration will be OPEN between January 4-18 this year. To register and learn more about our Grace Gatherings, please go to, gracetoronto.ca/grace-gatherings.

WOMEN'S BIBLE STUDY

• Join us every Tuesday from January 20 to March 17 at 7pm in St. Andrew’s Hall as we explore the book of Ecclesiastes and discover what the Bible reveals about life’s true meaning. Register online at gracetoronto.ca/events.

NEWCOMER'S BRUNCH

• Are you new to Grace Toronto? This brunch is for you! Join us in the St. Andrew's Hall after either service on January 18th to get to know some of our pastors and lay leaders. Register online at gracetoronto.ca/events to help us know how much food to order.

GTMEN'S HUB

• GTMen's Hub returns on January 20th! We meet every Tuesday at 7PM. We will be taking a 12-week journey on studying the Psalms.

KIDS CAFE

• Join us for a kid-friendly coffee hour on Sunday, January 25th after the first service. Enjoy fellowship, delicious baked goods, and specialty hot drinks! Cost of entrance is one canned food item per person.

KINGDOM COME

• Join us for an evening of encounter, worship, and praying for revival in Toronto. We will be gathering with churches across the city at St. Paul's Bloor Street on January 30th at 7 PM.

‍PRAYER FOR THE WEEK

• CALLING (1 Samuel 3:1–10) God called to young Samuel in the quiet of the night. He still calls today, sometimes in quiet ways. Reflect on how God may be calling you to serve, speak, or obey. Pray for a heart ready to respond, “Here I am.”

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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James 1:1-8

¹ James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,

To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations:

Greetings.

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Trials and Temptations

₂ Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ⁴ Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. ⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. ⁶ But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. ⁷ That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. ⁸ Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

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SERMON

Kingsley Lai

Q&A

Text your questions to 416-830-0335

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SONG OF RESPONSE - HYMN OF HEAVEN

(© Brian and Jenn Publishing; CDavs Music; Songs For TIM; Phil Wickham Music; Simply Global Songs; Bethel Music Publishing. CCLI Song # 7168994)

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How I long to breathe the air of Heaven

Where pain is gone and mercy fills the streets

To look upon the one who bled to save me

And walk with Him for all eternity

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There will be a day

When all will bow before Him

There will be a day

When death will be no more

Standing face to face

With He who died and rose again

Holy holy is the Lord

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And ev'ry prayer we prayed in desperation

The songs of faith

We sang through doubt and fear

In the end we’ll see that it was worth it

When He returns to wipe away our tears

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And on that day we join the resurrection

And stand beside the heroes of the faith

With one voice a thousand generations

Sing worthy is the Lamb who was slain

Forever He shall reign

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So let it be today

We shout the hymn of Heaven

With angels and the Saints

We raise a mighty roar

Glory to our God

Who gave us life beyond the grave

Holy holy is the Lord

Holy holy is the Lord

Holy holy is the Lord

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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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