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

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—Psalm 100, NIV

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LEADER:

Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.

ALL:

Worship the LORD with gladness;

come before him with joyful songs.

LEADER:

Know that the LORD is God.

It is he who made us and we are his;

ALL:

we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

LEADER:

Enter his gates with thanksgiving

and his courts with praise;

give thanks to him and praise his name.

ALL:

For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;

his faithfulness continues through all generations.

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SONG - PRAISE THE LORD (PSALM 150)

(L. Vermeulen-Roberts, E. Vos/©2010 The Psalm Project)

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Praise God in His holy place

Praise Him for His wondrous ways

Praise Him under open skies

Praise Him for His pow'r and might

Praise the Lord of all creation.

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Praise the Lord

Praise the Lord

Praise the Lord our God and Saviour

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Praise God with a trumpet blast

Praise Him with a cymbal crash

Praise Him with your tambourines

Praise Him, dance with flutes and strings

Praise the Lord with celebration.

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Ev'ry creature with a voice

Praise the living God, rejoice

All creation far and near

Make your joyful noise and cheer

Praise the Lord our God and Saviour.

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SONG - HERE I AM TO WORSHIP

(© 2000 Thankyou Music. CCLI # 3266032)

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Light of the world

You stepped down into darkness

Opened my eyes let me see

Beauty that made

This heart adore You

Hope of a life spent with You

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So here I am to worship

Here I am to bow down

Here I am to say that You're my God

And You're altogether lovely

Altogether worthy

Altogether wonderful to me

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King of all days

Oh so highly exalted

Glorious in heaven above

Humbly You came

To the earth You created

All for love's sake became poor

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And I'll never know how much it cost

To see my sin upon that cross

And I'll never know how much it cost

To see my sin upon that cross

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SONG - ALL GLORY LAUD AND HONOUR

(© 2021 Reawaken Hymns. CCLI Song # 7197291)

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All glory laud and honour

To Thee Redeemer King

To Whom the lips of children

Made sweet hosannas ring

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Thou art the King of Israel

Thou David’s royal Son

Who in the Lord’s Name comest

The King and Blessed One

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The company of angels

Are praising Thee on High

And mortal men and all things

Created make reply

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To Thee before Thy passion

They sang their hymns of praise

To Thee now high exalted

Our melody we raise

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GOD CLEANSES

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PRAYER OF CONFESSION

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LEADER:

Merciful God,

we confess our sin and the sin of this world.

Although Christ is among us as our peace,

we are a people divided against ourselves

as we cling to the values of a broken world.

The fears and jealousies that we harbour

set neighbour against neighbour

and nation against nation.

We abuse your good gifts of imagination and freedom,

of intellect and reason,

and turn them into bonds of oppression.

Lord, have mercy upon us;

heal and forgive us.

Set us free to serve you in the world

as agents of your reconciling love in Jesus Christ.

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ALL:

Amen.

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SILENT CONFESSION

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WORDS OF ASSURANCE

—based on 1 Timothy 1:15, 17

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Here are words you may trust,

words that merit full acceptance:

Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.

To all who confess their sins and resolve to lead a new life,

he says, “Your sins are forgiven.”

He also says, “Follow me.”

Now to the one who rules all worlds,

immortal, invisible, the only God,

be honour and glory forever and ever.

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ALL:

Thanks be to God.

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SONG OF ASSURANCE - WORTHY IS THE LAMB

(© 2000 Hillsong Publishing. CCLI # 3217555)

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Thank You for the cross Lord

Thank You for the price You paid

Bearing all my sin and shame

In love You came

And gave amazing grace

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Thank You for this love Lord

Thank You for the nail pierced hands

Washed me in Your cleansing flow

Now all I know

Your forgiveness and embrace

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Worthy is the Lamb

Seated on the throne

Crown You now with many crown

You reign victorious

High and lifted up

Jesus Son of God

The Darling of Heaven crucified

Worthy is the Lamb

Worthy is the Lamb

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PRAYER FOR THE CHURCH AND THE CITY

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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.

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!

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.

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

GT KIDS GALA

• GTKids Winter Gala returns for a 6th year! Come enjoy festive activities and carols with your friends and family. Saturday December 5th from 4:00 pm-7:0pm. Register online at gracetoronto.ca/events

GT KIDS ADVENT TOY DRIVE AND CELEBRATION

• GTKids is collecting new toys for families in need! Have your kids buy and bring a toy to our special Advent Celebration for families, on Sunday, November 29th , after first service. Register at gracetoronto.ca/events.

‍PRAYER FOR THE WEEK

• HOPE (Romans 8:24-25) Hope anchors our souls, even in seasons of waiting and uncertainty. Reflect on the hope you have in Christ. Pray for patience and faith as you wait for God’s promises to unfold in your life.

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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Philippians 3:12-21

¹² Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. ¹³ Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

¹⁵All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. ¹⁶ Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

¹⁷ Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. ¹⁸ For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. ¹⁹ Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. ²⁰ But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, ²¹ who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

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SERMON

Dan MacDonald

Q&A

Text your questions to 416-830-0335

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SONG OF RESPONSE - YET NOT I BUT THROUGH CHRIST IN ME

(© 2018 CityAlight Music. CCLI # 7121852)

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What gift of grace is Jesus my redeemer

There is no more for heaven now to give

He is my joy my righteousness and freedom

My steadfast love my deep and boundless peace

To this I hold my hope is only Jesus

For my life is wholly bound to his

Oh how strange and divine I can sing all is mine

Yet not I but through Christ in me

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The night is dark but I am not forsaken

For by my side the Saviour he will stay

I labour on in weakness and rejoicing

For in my need his power is displayed

To this I hold my Shepherd will defend me

Through the deepest valley he will lead

Oh the night has been won and I shall overcome

Yet not I but through Christ in me

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No fate I dread I know I am forgiven

The future sure the price it has been paid

For Jesus bled and suffered for my pardon

And he was raised to overthrow the grave

To this I hold my sin has been defeated

Jesus now and ever is my plea

Oh the chains are released I can sing I am free

Yet not I but through Christ in me

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With every breath I long to follow Jesus

For he has said that he will bring me home

And day by day I know he will renew me

Until I stand with joy before the throne

To this I hold my hope is only Jesus

All the glory evermore to him

When the race is complete still my lips shall repeat

Yet not I but through Christ in me

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When the race is complete still my lips shall repeat

Yet not I but through Christ in me

Yet not I but through Christ in me

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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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—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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