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.
GOD CALLS
CALL TO WORSHIP
—based on Psalm 118:26, NRSV
LEADER:
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest!
SONG - 10,000 REASONS (BLESS THE LORD)
(© 2011 Thankyou Music, Said And Done Music, and SHOUT! Publishing. CCLI # 6016351)
Bless the Lord O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name
The sun comes up it's a new day dawning
It's time to sing Your song again
Whatever may pass and whatever lies before me
Let me be singing when the evening comes
You're rich in love and You're slow to anger
Your name is great and Your heart is kind
For all Your goodness I will keep on singing
Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find
And on that day when my strength is failing
The end draws near and my time has come
Still my soul will sing Your praise unending
Ten thousand years and then forevermore
SONG - DOXOLOGY
Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise Him, all creatures here below
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost
SONG - HOSANNA
(Brooke Ligertwood/© 2006 Hillsong Music Publishing) CCLI #2821054
I see the King of glory
Coming on the clouds with fire
The whole earth shakes
The whole earth shakes yeah
I see His love and mercy
Washing over all our sin
The people sing
The people sing
Hosanna hosanna
Hosanna in the highest
Hosanna hosanna
Hosanna in the highest
I see a generation
Rising up to take their place
With selfless faith
With selfless faith
I see a near revival
Stirring as we pray and seek
We're on our knees
We're on our knees
Heal my heart and make it clean
Open up my eyes to the things unseen
Show me how to love like You have loved me
Break my heart for what breaks Yours
Everything I am for Your Kingdom's cause
As I walk from earth into eternity
GOD CLEANSES
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
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 Savior.
ALL:
Amen.
SILENT CONFESSION
WORDS OF ASSURANCE
—Psalm 32:1-2, NRSV
LEADER:
Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven,
whose sin is covered.
Happy are those to whom the Lord imputes no iniquity,
and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
ALL:
Thanks be to God!
SONG OF ASSURANCE - YOU ALONE CAN RESCUE/NOTHING BUT THE BLOOD
(© 2008 Thankyou Music, Said And Done Music, and SHOUT! Publishing. CCLI# 5376377) (© Words: Public Domain; Music: Public Domain)
Who O Lord could save themselves
Their own soul could heal
Our shame was deeper than the sea
Your grace is deeper still
(REPEAT)
And You alone can rescue
You alone can save
You alone can lift us from the grave
You came down to find us led us out of death
To You alone belongs the highest praise
You O Lord have made a way
The great divide You healed
For when our hearts were far away
Your love went further still
Yes Your love goes further still
O precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow
No other fount I know
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
PRAYER FOR THE CHURCH AND THE CITY
COMMUNITY LIFE ANNOUNCEMENTS
FRIDAY NIGHT AT GRACE
- It's the house party at Grace Toronto! This event is for everyone so come and bring your friends too! There will be snacks, board games, dancing, karaoke, and even a cash bar! See you there on Nov. 8, from 7-10pm!
FAMILY TALKS: EDUCATION AND OUR CHILDREN
- Grace Toronto invites you to our next “Family Talks” Seminar on Saturday, November 9th from 9-11:30 am. This month we're looking at how families can make good and wise decisions about where to send their children to school. Breakfast is included! Register online at gracetoronto.ca/events.
IMPRINT LAUNCH
- Join us for an evening of fellowship and readings as we celebrate the launch of Imprint issue #12: Turn & Return! Hosted in the beautiful St. Andrew’s Hall at Grace Toronto Church, come purchase your copy of the new issue and connect with writers, artists, and fellow readers. Doors open at 7:00pm.
MISSIONS LUNCH
- The Missions Committee welcomes you to have lunch and get to know one of our local missionaries, Kevin Chan on November 10th after second service!
ALL CHURCH PRAYER AND WORSHIP
- We are excited to announce our first united prayer and worship gathering, as churches together, on November 14, from 7-8:30 at St. Paul’s on Bloor. Grace Toronto, Little Trinity, and Stone Church, along with several other partners, invite you to come and pray!
ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL
- Our next church-wide Adult Sunday School course entitled "HOW TO READ THE BIBLE" will be held on November 17 and 24. Classes will be offered during both services to allow for participants to come to a class and worship service. The class will be taught by Rev. Kingsley Lai. In this course, we will explore 4 practical and technical approaches to reading the Bible.
WOMEN'S MINISTRY CHRISTMAS BRUNCH
- Come join Women’s Ministry Christmas event by making potpourri jars you can gift to a friend, singing carols and having lunch together. Bring your friends and neighbours as we celebrate the Gift of Jesus to our world. Sunday December 1st from 11:00am-1:00pm. Register online at gracetoronto.ca/events
PRAYER FOR THE WEEK
- GATHERING BEFORE GOD (Hebrews 12:22-23) When God's people gather to worship, we are gathering before God and God is in our presence. Reflect on what it means as God's people to gather before God and to experience His presence through the means of grace that He has given us: preaching, sacraments, and baptism.
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.
GOD COMMUNES
SCRIPTURE READING
Matthew 5: 3-12
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
SERMON
Dan MacDonald
Q&A
Text your questions to 416-830-0335
SONG OF RESPONSE - COME THOU FONT
(© Public Domain. CCLI # 108389.)
Come Thou fount of every blessing
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace
Streams of mercy never ceasing
Call for songs of loudest praise
Teach me some melodious sonnet
Sung by flaming tongues above
Praise the mount I'm fixed upon it
Mount of God's unchanging love
Here I raise my Ebenezer
Hither by Thy help I come
And I hope by Thy good pleasure
Safely to arrive at home
Jesus sought me when a stranger
Wand'ring from the fold of God
He to rescue me from danger
Interposed His precious blood
Oh to grace how great a debtor
Daily I'm constrained to be
Let thy grace Lord like a fetter
Bind my wand'ring heart to Thee
Prone to wander Lord I feel it
Prone to leave the God I love
Here's my heart Lord take and seal it
Seal it for Thy courts above
COMMUNION
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.
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.
GOD COMMISSIONS
BENEDICTION
—2 Thessalonians 2:16-17, NIV
May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father,
who loved us and by his grace
gave us eternal encouragement and good hope,
encourage your hearts and strengthen you
in every good deed and word.
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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