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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—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.

ALL:

Praise the Lord!

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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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Hosanna hosanna

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SONG - BLESSED BE YOUR NAME

(© 2002 Thankyou Music. CCLI # 3798438.)

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Blessed be Your name

In the land that is plentiful

Where Your streams of abundance flow

Blessed be Your name

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Blessed be Your name

When I'm found in the desert place

Though I walk through the wilderness

Blessed be Your name

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Ev’ry blessing You pour out I’ll

Turn back to praise

When the darkness closes in Lord

Still I will say

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Blessed be the name of the Lord

Blessed be Your name

Blessed be the name of the Lord

Blessed be Your glorious name

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Blessed be Your name

When the sun's shining down on me

When the world's all as it should be

Blessed be Your name

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Blessed be Your name

On the road marked with suffering

Though there's pain in the offering

Blessed be Your name

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You give and take away

You give and take away

My heart will choose to say

Lord blessed be Your name

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SONG - 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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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.

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ALL:

Lord, hear my voice!

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LEADER:

Let your ears be attentive

to the voice of my supplications!

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ALL:

If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities,

Lord, who could stand?

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LEADER:

But there is forgiveness with you,

so that you may be revered.

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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

—Psalm 147:2-3, 5, NRSV

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The LORD builds up Jerusalem;

he gathers the outcasts of Israel.

He heals the brokenhearted, and binds up their wounds.

Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure.

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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 Saviour

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

ECHO CONFERENCE

• How do we glorify God in the ordinary rhythms of everyday life? Join us for a one-day conference on Saturday, November 7th, designed to equip and encourage students and young professionals to see how the gospel shapes our approach to life. Buy your ticket at gracetoronto.ca/events.

MEMBERSHIP CLASS

• Interested in becoming a member of our church? We invite you to attend a membership class on Saturday October 17th from 9 am-2 pm in the St. Andrews hall (2nd floor). Lunch is provided.

KIDS CAFE

• Join us for a special coffee hour for GTKids families on Sunday, October 4th after the first service. Enjoy fellowship, delicious baked goods, and specialty hot drinks!

THANKSGIVING BRUNCH

• No Thanksgiving plans? No problem! Stick around after the 1st service for a Thanksgiving brunch! The cost is $10. Kids 12 and under are free! October 11, 10:30  AM - 12 PM in the St. Andrew's Hall. Register online at gracetoronto.ca/events.

THE PROBLEM OF EVIL AND SUFFERING

• Why do evil and suffering exist? Join us as we unpack this important question with Wes Huff and Ben MacDonald from Apologetics Canada. Grab your ticket now before they're gone at gracetoronto.ca/events.

GRACE ON TAP

• Grab some friends or colleagues and unwind with us after a week of work! We'll be meeting at Hemingway's at 7 pm on Friday, October 16th. RSVP at gracetoronto.ca/events.

TRIVIA NIGHT

• Grab some friends for Trivia Night! Fri, Oct 30, 8:00-9:30 pm in the St. Andrew's Hall. Tickets are $10. Come ready to play! Register online at gracetoronto.ca/events.

‍PRAYER FOR THE WEEK

• TRUST (Isaiah 26:3-4) Perfect peace comes from trusting in the Lord, the Rock eternal. Reflect on areas of your life where you struggle to trust God. Pray for faith to rest in His sovereignty and experience His peace.

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 1:27-30

²⁷ Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel ²⁸ without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. ²⁹ For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, ³⁰ since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.

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SERMON

Dan MacDonald

Q&A

Text your questions to 416-830-0335

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SONG OF RESPONSE - IN CHRIST ALONE

(© 2001 Thankyou Music. CCLI # 3350395)

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In Christ alone my hope is found

He is my light my strength my song

This Cornerstone this solid Ground

Firm through the fiercest drought and storm

What heights of love what depths of peace

When fears are stilled when strivings cease

My Comforter my All in All

Here in the love of Christ I stand

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In Christ alone who took on flesh

Fullness of God in helpless babe

This gift of love and righteousness

Scorned by the ones He came to save

Till on that cross as Jesus died

The wrath of God was satisfied

For every sin on Him was laid

Here in the death of Christ I live

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There in the ground His body lay

Light of the world by darkness slain

Then bursting forth in glorious Day

Up from the grave He rose again

And as He stands in victory

Sin's curse has lost its grip on me

For I am His and He is mine

Bought with the precious blood of Christ

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No guilt in life no fear in death

This is the power of Christ in me

From life's first cry to final breath

Jesus commands my destiny

No power of hell no scheme of man

Can ever pluck me from His hand

Till He returns or calls me home

Here in the power of Christ I'll stand

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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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—2 Thessalonians 3:16

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Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace

at all times in every way.

The Lord be with you all.

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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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