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

—Psalm 95:6-7, NIV

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LEADER:

Come, let us bow down in worship,

ALL:

Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker;

LEADER:

For he is our God

ALL:

And we are the people of his pasture,

the flock under his care.

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SONG -HOSANNA (PRAISE IS RISING)

(© 2005, 2006 Integrity's Hosanna! Music and Thankyou Music CCLI # 4662491)

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Praise is rising

Eyes are turning to You

We turn to You

Hope is stirring

Hearts are yearning for You

We long for You

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'Cause when we see You

We find strength to face the day

In Your presence

All our fears are washed away

Washed away

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Hosanna hosanna

You are the God who saves us

Worthy of all our praises

Hosanna hosanna

Come have Your way among us

We welcome You here Lord Jesus

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Hear the sound of

Hearts returning to You

We turn to You

In Your Kingdom

Broken lives are made new

You make us new

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SONG - AT THE CROSS (LOVE RAN RED)‍

(© Countless Wonder Publishing, Fots Music, McKittrick Music, Universal Music - Brentwood Benson Songs, Universal Music - Brentwood Benson Tunes, S. D. G. Publishing)

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There's a place

Where mercy reigns and never dies

There's a place

Where streams of grace flow deep and wide

Where all the love I've ever found

Comes like a flood comes flowing down

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At the cross at the cross

I surrender my life

I'm in awe of You I'm in awe of You

Where Your love ran red and my sin washed white

I owe all to You I owe all to You

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There's a place

Where sin and shame are powerless

Where my heart

Has peace with God and forgiveness

Where all the love I've ever found

Comes like a flood comes flowing down

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Here my hope is found

Here on holy ground

Here I bow down here I bow down

Here arms open wide

Here You saved my life

Here I bow down here I bow

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SONG - PROMISES

(© 2020 Bethel Worship Publishing; Maverick City Publishing; Capitol CMG Paragon; ForTheDreamers Publishing; JDW Legacy Publishing; Aaron Moses Chiriboga Music; Heaven Publishing. CCLI Song # 7149439)

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God of Abraham You're the God of covenant

Of faithful promises

Time and time again You have proven

You do just what You say

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Though the storms may come

And the winds may blow

I'll remain steadfast

And let my heart learn when You speak a word

It will come to pass

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Great is Your faithfulness to me

Great is Your faithfulness to me

From the rising sun to the setting same

I will praise Your name

Great is Your faithfulness to me

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God from age to age

Though the earth may pass away

Your word remains the same yeah

Your history can prove

There's nothing You can't do

You're faithful and true

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I put my faith in Jesus

My anchor to the ground

My hope and firm foundation

He'll never let me down

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GOD CLEANSES

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PRAYER OF CONFESSION

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LEADER:

Holy and merciful God,

in your presence we confess

our sinfulness, our shortcomings,

and our offenses against you.

You alone know how often we have sinned

in wandering from your ways,

in wasting your gifts,

in forgetting your love.

Have mercy on us, O Lord,

for we are ashamed and sorry

for all we have done to displease you.

Forgive our sins,

and help us to live in your light

and walk in your ways,

for the sake of Jesus Christ, our saviour.

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ALL:

Amen.

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SILENT CONFESSION

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WORDS OF ASSURANCE

—based on Jeremiah 33:8, NRSV

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I will cleanse you from all the guilt of your sin against me,

and I will forgive all the guilt of your sin and rebellion against me.

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SONG OF ASSURANCE - HOW GREAT THOU ART

(© 1949 and 1953 Manna Music, Inc., Stuart Hine Trust. CCLI # 14181)

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O Lord my God

When I in awesome wonder

Consider all the worlds

Thy hands have made

I see the stars

I hear the rolling thunder

Thy pow'r thru'out

The universe displayed

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Then sings my soul

My Savior God to Thee

How great Thou art

How great Thou art

Then sings my soul

My Savior God to Thee

How great Thou art

How great Thou art

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When through the woods

And forest glades I wander

And hear the birds

Sing sweetly in the trees

When I look down

From lofty mountain grandeur

And hear the brook

And feel the gentle breeze

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And when I think

That God His Son not sparing

Sent Him to die

I scarce can take it in

That on the cross

My burden gladly bearing

He bled and died

To take away my sin

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When Christ shall come

With shout of acclamation

And take me home

What joy shall fill my heart

Then I shall bow

In humble adoration

And there proclaim

My God how great Thou art

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PRAYER FOR THE CHURCH AND THE CITY

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COMMUNITY LIFE ANNOUNCEMENTS

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MAUNDY THURSDAY PRAYER SERVICE

• Join us on April 17 from 7:00-8:30 PM for an evening Prayer Service and Foot Washing to commemorate Maundy Thursday. Following our Prayer Service, to serve as a response and to follow the example of Jesus, Grace Toronto Church Elders will be present to wash the feet of our congregation. Participation is entirely optional. No registration is needed for this event.

TGA GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE

• We are excited to host our 13th joint Good Friday Service with the Toronto Gospel Alliance on April 18th at St. Paul's Bloor Street! Join us for a service with other churches around Toronto as we commemorate Christ's journey to the cross through prayer, scripture reading, and song. Doors open at 6:15 PM and service starts at 7 PM.

GT MEN TALKS: THE WAR WITHIN - PURSUING FREEDOM AND PURITY

• Join us for a half-day event to provide men with biblical truths, practical strategies, and encouraging testimony on pursuing freedom and purity.  Saturday April 12 from 8:30AM-12PM. Breakfast is provided. Please register using the link.

WOMEN'S MINISTRY STEP INTO SPRING

• Ladies, Join our "Step into Spring" event Sunday April 13 at 11 AM upstairs in St. Andrews Hall. Enjoy mingling with other women as we explore stepping out in faith and seeing God at work in this new season. Light brunch provided. Register online at gracetoronto.ca/events

THE GOSPEL AND TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE

• Join us on Saturday, May 3, from 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM for a one-day conference as we welcome back special guest speaker Robert Cunningham and explore the connection between the Gospel and technology. Registration is now open, sign up at gracetoronto.ca/events

ALPHA & JOINT SUMMER GG REGISTRATION OPEN

• Curious about Christianity or looking to join a summer small group? This Spring/Summer, we’re hosting a joint ALPHA/Summer Grace Gathering. 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. Sign up at gracetoronto.ca/events

PRAYER FOR THE WEEK

• HUMILITY (Philippians 2:5-11) Jesus entered Jerusalem as a humble King, willing to serve and sacrifice for us. Reflect on His example of humility. Are there areas where pride needs to give way to service? Pray for a heart that follows Christ’s humility.

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

SCRIPTURE READING

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Matt 16:13-25

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13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”

14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”

16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” 20 Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.

Jesus Predicts His Death

21 From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.

22 Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!”

23 Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”

24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.

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SERMON

Stephen Ahn

Q&A

Text your questions to 416-830-0335

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SONG OF RESPONSE - MAN OF SORROWS

(© 2012 Hillsong Music Publishing. CCLI # 6476063)

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Man of sorrows Lamb of God

By His own betrayed

The sin of man and wrath of God

Has been on Jesus laid

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Silent as He stood accused

Beaten mocked and scorned

Bowing to the Father's will

He took a crown of thorns

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Oh that rugged cross my salvation

Where Your love poured out over me

Now my soul cries out hallelujah

Praise and honour unto Thee

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Sent of heaven God's own Son

To purchase and redeem

And reconcile the very ones

Who nailed Him to that tree

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Now my debt is paid

It is paid in full

By the precious blood

That my Jesus spilled

Now the curse of sin

Has no hold on me

Whom the Son sets free

Oh is free indeed

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See the stone is rolled away

Behold the empty tomb

Hallelujah God be praised

He's risen from the grave

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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

—based on Philippians 4:7

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May the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,

guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

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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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