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
—Psalm 95:1-2, NIV
LEADER:
Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD;
let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
ALL:
Let us come before him with thanksgiving
and extol him with music and song.
Praise the Lord!
SONG - OPEN THE GATES
(© 2018 TIM Tunes Music; Zoom Out Songs; All Essential Music; Fellow Ships Music; HBC Worship Music; Hipgnosis Songs Essential; Jingram Music Publishing; So Essential Tunes; Vertical Church Band Publishing; Integrity Worship Music; One Year Stairs Music. CCLI Song # 7105437)
Our praise awaits You with the dawn
Our souls awake to You and lift a song
We've seen the things that You have done
And still we know the best is yet to come
There's more to come
Open the gates and let Your glory come down
Open our hearts and let our worship pour out
Your presence here is all we need
You break our chains with sounds of victory
You're changing everything
Come flood this space
No one else could take Your place
Come have Your way
No one else could take Your place
SONG - HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD
(© 2004 worshiptogether.com songs, sixsteps Music, and Alletrop Music. CCLI # 4348399)
The splendour of the King
Clothed in majesty
Let all the earth rejoice
All the earth rejoice
He wraps Himself in light
And darkness tries to hide
And trembles at His voice
And trembles at His voice
How great is our God
Sing with me
How great is our God
And all will see how great
How great is our God
And age to age He stands
And time is in His hands
Beginning and the End
Beginning and the End
The Godhead three in one
Father Spirit Son
The Lion and the Lamb
The Lion and the Lamb
Name above all names
Worthy of all praise
My heart will sing
How great is our God
SONG - OCEANS (WHERE FEET MAY FAIL)
(© 2012 Hillsong Music Publishing. CCLI # 6428767)
You call me out upon the waters
The great unknown where feet may fail
And there I find You in the mystery
In oceans deep my faith will stand
And I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine
Your grace abounds in deepest waters
Your sov'reign hand will be my guide
Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me
You've never failed and You won't start now
Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Saviour
I will call upon Your name
Keep my eyes above the waves
My soul will rest in Your embrace
I am Yours and You are mine
GOD CLEANSES
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
—Psalm 25:6-8, 11, 16-18, NRSV
LEADER:
Be mindful of your mercy, O LORD,
and of your steadfast love,
for they have been from of old.
ALL:
Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions;
according to your steadfast love remember me,
for your goodness’ sake, O LORD!
LEADER:
Good and upright is the LORD;
therefore he instructs sinners in the way.
For your name’s sake, O LORD,
pardon my guilt, for it is great.
ALL:
Turn to me and be gracious to me,
for I am lonely and afflicted.
Relieve the troubles of my heart,
and bring me out of my distress.
Consider my affliction and my trouble,
and forgive all my sins.
SILENT CONFESSION
WORDS OF ASSURANCE
—based on Romans 8:34; 2 Corinthians 5:17
LEADER:
Hear the good news!
Who is in a position to condemn?
Only Christ,
and Christ died for us,
Christ rose for us,
Christ reigns in power for us,
Christ prays for us.
Anyone who is in Christ
is a new creation.
The old life has gone;
a new life has begun.
Know that you are forgiven, and be at peace.
ALL:
Thanks be to God
SONG OF ASSURANCE - IT IS SO
(© 2018 Music by Elevation Worship Publishing. Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC. Bethel Music Publishing. CCLI Song # 7124943)
There is a promise
That points beyond my failure
There is a still voice
To silence all my fears
Even the worst of my mistakes
Are miracles in the making
A miracle's in the making
By Your stripes I am healed
With one touch I am made whole
You have spoken
And I know that it is so
In the storm You are peace
And Your love won't let me go
You have spoken
And I know that it is so
In every season
Your purpose is unchanging
In every moment
You're working for my good
Jesus the Rock that never fails
Your kingdom will not be shaken
Your kingdom will not be shaken
Your word is settled in heaven
It will be done Father let it be done
Yours is the kingdom forever
Your will be done let it be done
You have spoken
And I know that it is so
PRAYER FOR THE CHURCH AND THE CITY
COMMUNITY LIFE ANNOUNCEMENTS
MISSIONS MONTH
- This November, we’ll intentionally pray and learn about missions and our church’s work locally and globally. Each Sunday, hear missionary stories and explore how to participate through prayer, giving, and going.
ECHO CONFERENCE
- Today is the last day to get your ticket for Echo Conference! Buy your ticket today at gracetoronto.ca/events.
JOB SEARCH WORKSHOP
- We have designed a career workshop with an HR consultant to help you navigate today's job market with greater confidence and a clearer plan of action. This is for new and experienced professionals who are seeking a new opportunity. Join us on Wednesday, November 18th, from 9 am-12 pm at St Andrews Hall. Registration is $25, and lunch will be provided.
ALWAYS HIS: COMPLETE IN CHRIST
- Single women 25+, join us on Friday, November 13th, 7–9 PM at St. Andrew’s Hall for delicious food, great fellowship, and biblical encouragement as we explore and affirm our identity and fullness in Christ! Register online at gracetoronto.ca/events.
FAMILY TALKS
- Families, join us for our next discipleship seminar on Saturday, November 14th, from 9-11:30 am. This month, we're looking at how families can cultivate healthy rhythms of worship in the home. Breakfast is included! Register online at gracetoronto.ca/events.
AI AT WORK
- ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude. As Christians, how can we draw healthy boundaries for using AI at our workplace? Come join us for our AI at Work seminar with Sanford Liu, CTO and Co-Founder at SoCast Digital, on November 22nd from 11 am-1 pm at Andrews Hall. Register online at gracetoronto.ca/events.
EVENING SERVICE
- Our four-week evening service trial begins November 15 at 5:00 PM! Join us in the sanctuary for musical worship, testimonies, and a series on Jesus’ I AM statements, plus dinner afterward!
MEET THE ELDERS BRUNCH
- We will be hosting a special brunch on Sunday, November 15th from 10:45 am-12:00 pm for members of Grace Toronto to get to know their elders. Register online at gracetoronto.ca/events
PRAYER FOR THE WEEK
- FAITHFULNESS (Hebrews 12:1-2) We are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses who have run the race of faith before us. Reflect on their example and how God is calling you to run your own race. Pray for endurance and a heart fixed on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.
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
Philippians 3:1-11
1 Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you. 2 Watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh. 3 For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh— 4 though I myself have reasons for such confidence.
If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.
7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. 10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.
SERMON
Jeff Pike
Q&A
Text your questions to 416-830-0335
SONG OF RESPONSE - ALL I HAVE IS CHRIST
(© 2008 Sovereign Grace Praise. CCLI# 5174122)
I once was lost in darkest night
Yet thought I knew the way
The sin that promised joy and life
Had led me to the grave
I had no hope that You would own
A rebel to Your will
And if You had not loved me first
I would refuse You still
But as I ran my hell-bound race
Indifferent to the cost
You looked upon my helpless state
And led me to the cross
And I beheld God's love displayed
You suffered in my place
You bore the wrath reserved for me
Now all I know is grace
Hallelujah all I have is Christ
Hallelujah Jesus is my life
Now Lord I would be Yours alone
And live so all might see
The strength to follow Your commands
Could never come from me
O Father use my ransomed life
In any way You choose
And let my song forever be
My only boast is You
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 Corinthians 13:14
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ
and the love of God
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit
be with you all.
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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