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

—from Psalm 9:1-2, NRSV

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LEADER:

We will give thanks to you, O LORD, with our whole heart;

we will tell of all your wonderful deeds.

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ALL:

We will be glad and exult in you;

we will sing praise to your name, O Most High.

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SONG - FOREVER

(© 2001 worshiptogether.com songs and sixsteps Music. CCLI # 3148428)

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Give thanks to the Lord

Our God and King

His love endures forever

For He is good He is above all things

His love endures forever

Sing praise sing praise

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With a mighty hand

And an outstretched arm

His love endures forever

For the life that's been reborn

His love endures forever

Sing praise sing praise

Sing praise sing praise

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Forever God is faithful

Forever God is strong

Forever God is with us

Forever forever

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From the rising to the setting sun

His love endures forever

And by the grace of God

We will carry on

His love endures forever

Sing praise sing praise

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SONG - Come People Of The Risen King

(© 2007 Thankyou Music. CCLI # 5232617)

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Come people of the Risen King

Who delight to bring Him praise

Come all and tune your hearts to sing

To the Morning Star of grace

From the shifting shadows of the earth

We will lift our eyes to Him

Where steady arms of mercy reach

To gather children in

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Rejoice rejoice let ev'ry tongue rejoice

One heart one voice

O Church of Christ rejoice

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Come those whose joy is morning sun

And those weeping through the night

Come those who tell of battles won

And those struggling in the fight

For His perfect love will never change

And His mercies never cease

But follow us through all our days

With the certain hope of peace

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Come young and old from ev'ry land

Men and women of the faith

Come those with full or empty hands

Find the riches of His grace

Over all the world His people sing

Shore to shore we hear them call

The truth that cries through ev'ry age

Our God is all in all

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SONG- A Thousand Hallelujahs

(© 2022 City and Vine Music Publishing International; Phil Wickham Music; Simply Global Songs. CCLI Song # 7190270)

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Who else would rocks cry out to worship

Whose glory taught the stars to shine

Perhaps creation longs to have the words to sing

But this joy is ours

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With a thousand hallelujahs

We magnify Your name

You alone deserve the glory

The honor and the praise

Lord Jesus this song is forever Yours

A thousand hallelujahs

And a thousand more

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Who else would die for our redemption

Whose resurrection means we'll rise

There isn't time enough to sing of all You've done

But we have eternity to try

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Praise to the Lord

To the Lamb

To the King of heaven

Praise for He rose

Now He reigns

We will sing forever

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GOD CLEANSES

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

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LEADER:

God of love and justice,

we long for peace within and peace without.

We long for harmony in our families,

for serenity in the midst of struggle.

We long for the day when our homes

will be a dwelling place for your love.

Yet we confess that we are often anxious,

we do not trust each other,

and we harbour violence.

We are not willing to take the risks

and make the sacrifices that love requires.

Look upon us with kindness and grace.

Rule in our homes and in all the world;

show us how to walk in your paths,

through the mercy of our Saviour.

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ALL:

Amen.

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SILENT CONFESSION

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WORDS OF ASSURANCE

—Romans 5:1-2, 5, NIV

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Since we have been justified through faith,

we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

through whom we have gained access by faith

into this grace in which we now stand.

And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.

And hope does not disappoint us,

because God has poured out his love into our hearts

by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

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SONG OF ASSURANCE - STILL

(© 2002 Hillsong Publishing. CCLI # 3940963.)

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Hide me now

Under Your wings

Cover me

Within Your mighty hand

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When the oceans rise

And thunders roar

I will soar with You

Above the storm

Father You are King

Over the flood

I will be still and know

You are God

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Find rest my soul

In Christ alone

Know His power

In quietness and trust

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PRAYER FOR THE CHURCH AND THE CITY

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COMMUNITY LIFE ANNOUNCEMENTS

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MEMBERSHIP CLASS

• Interested in becoming a member of our church? We invite you to attend a membership class on Saturday SEPTEMBER 28 from 9am-2pm in the St. Andrews hall (2nd floor). Lunch is provided. Register at gracetoronto.ca/events

WOMEN’S MINISTRY BIBLE STUDY

• Women of Grace, come join us for a 10 week Bible study on the Gospel of Luke. Walk with Jesus up close from his birth all the way to his death. Every Tuesday at 7:00pm, starting on SEPTEMBER 24. Register online at gracetoronto.ca/events

GRACE GATHERINGS REGISTRATION OPEN

• Want to join a Grace Gathering Small Group?
  The Fall 2024 semester will begin on SEPTEMBER 30. Registration opens between SEPTEMBER 15 - 29.
  To register and learn more about our Grace Gatherings, please go to, gracetoronto.ca/grace-gatherings.

NEWCOMERS BRUNCH & LUNCH

• New to Grace? Join us for brunch or lunch TODAY after either service! Learn about our community and get to know some of our leaders. RSVP at gracetoronto.ca/events

MEN’S FALL SOCIAL

• Men of Grace! You're invited to a Taco Night at Grace Toronto Church on SEPTEMBER 19, from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM. Enjoy great food, games, and fellowship. The cost is $15. Spaces are limited, so sign up today at gracetoronto.ca/events

IMPRINT PRESALE NOW OPEN

• This year's theme, Turn & Return, invites writers, artists, and readers to explore how our lives are formed by experiences of change, choice, the familiar, and the new. Where, what, or who are we turning or returning to—and how does our faith drive or anchor us in seasons of change? Visit tinyurl.com/imprint12 to pre-order your copy today!

PRAYER FOR THE WEEK

• GIVING (Luke 21:1-4) A poor widow came and placed two small copper coins into the offering box. Jesus noticed this and used it as a lesson for His disciples, showing that our giving reflects the depth of our faith. The value of a gift is not determined by its size, but by the proportion of what the giver has. God looks at the heart of the giver. Reflect how your heart is today.

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

Philippians 4:4-7

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

SERMON

Dan MacDonald

Q&A

Text your questions to 416-830-0335

SONG OF RESPONSE - What A Friend We Have In Jesus

(© Public Domain. CCLI# 27714)

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What a friend we have in Jesus

All our sins and griefs to bear

What a privilege to carry

Everything to God in prayer

O what peace we often forfeit

O what needless pain we bear

All because we do not carry

Everything to God in prayer

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Have we trials and temptations

Is there trouble anywhere

We should never be discouraged

Take it to the Lord in prayer

Can we find a friend so faithful

Who will all our sorrows share

Jesus knows our every weakness

Take it to the Lord in prayer

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Are we weak and heavy laden

Cumbered with a load of care

Precious Saviour still our refuge

Take it to the Lord in prayer

Do thy friends despise forsake thee

Take it to the Lord in prayer

In His arms He'll take and shield thee

Thou wilt find a solace there

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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

BENEDICTION

—based on Philippians 4:7

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!

CONNECT WITH US

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