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

—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!

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SONG - FAIREST LORD JESUS

(© Words: Public Domain; Music: Public Domain. CCLI Song # 27800)

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Fairest Lord Jesus Ruler of all nature

O Thou of God and man the Son

Thee will I cherish Thee will I honor

Thou my soul's glory joy and crown

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Fair are the meadows fairer still the woodlands

Robed in the blooming garb of spring

Jesus is fairer Jesus is purer

Who makes the woeful heart to sing

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Fair is the sunshine fairer still the moonlight

And all the twinkling starry host

Jesus shines brighter Jesus shines purer

Than all the angels heav'n can boast

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Beautiful Savior Lord of the nations

Son of God and Son of Man

Glory and honor praise adoration

Now and forevermore be Thine

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SONG - SING TO THE KING

(© 2003 CCLI # 4010902)

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Sing to the King Who is coming to reign

Glory to Jesus the Lamb that was slain

Life and salvation His empire shall bring

And joy to the nations when Jesus is King

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Come let us sing a song

A song declaring that we belong to Jesus

He is all we need

Lift up a heart of praise

Sing now with voices raised to Jesus

Sing to the King

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For His returning we watch and we pray

We will be ready the dawn of that day

We'll join in singing with all the redeemed

'Cause Satan is vanquished and Jesus is King

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SONG - FROM THE INSIDE OUT

(© 2005 Hillsong Publishing. CCLI # 4705176)

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A thousand times I've failed

Still Your mercy remains

And should I stumble again

Still I'm caught in Your grace

Everlasting

Your light will shine when all else fades

Never-ending

Your glory goes beyond all fame

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Your will above all else

My purpose remains

The art of losing myself

In bringing You praise

Everlasting

Your light will shine when all else fades

Never-ending

Your glory goes beyond all fame

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In my heart in my soul

Lord I give You control

Consume me from the inside out Lord

Let justice and praise

Become my embrace

To love You from the inside out

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Everlasting

Your light will shine when all else fades

Never-ending

Your glory goes beyond all fame

And the cry of my heart

Is to bring You praise

From the inside out

Lord my soul cries out (Lord)

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GOD CLEANSES

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PRAYER OF CONFESSION

LEADER:

Awesome and compassionate God,

you have loved us with unfailing, self-giving mercy,

but we have not loved you.

You constantly call us, but we do not listen.

You ask us to love, but we walk away from neighbors in need,

wrapped in our own concerns.

We condone evil, prejudice, warfare, and greed.

God of grace, as you come to us in mercy,

we repent in spirit and in truth,

admit our sin, and gratefully receive your forgiveness

through Jesus Christ, our Redeemer. Amen.

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ALL:

Amen.

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SILENT CONFESSION

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WORDS OF ASSURANCE

—Ezekiel 36:25-26, NRSV

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I will sprinkle clean water upon you,

and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses,

and from all your idols I will cleanse you.

A new heart I will give you,

and a new spirit I will put within you;

and I will remove from your body the heart of stone

and give you a heart of flesh.

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SONG OF ASSURANCE - CHANGE MY HEART OH GOD

(©1982 Mercy/Vineyard Publishing (ASCAP). CCLI#1565)

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Change my heart oh God

Make it ever true

Change my heart oh God

May I be like You

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You are the potter

I am the clay

Mold me and make me

This is what I pray

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PRAYER FOR THE CHURCH AND THE CITY

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COMMUNITY LIFE ANNOUNCEMENTS

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NEWCOMERS BRUNCH

• New to Grace? Join us for brunch after either service TODAY! Learn about our community and get to know some of our leaders.

MINISTRIES AND VOLUNTEER FAIR

• We’re looking to recruit new greeters, coffee baristas, prayer warriors, A/V wizards, musicians, and GT Kids teachers. Come upstairs to the St. Andrews Hall and find out what it’s like to serve in any of these meaningful ministries! Not ready to volunteer? Visit our Young Adults, Men’s Ministry, and Outreach booths in the Neighbours Hall where you can find your tribe!

WOMEN'S MINISTRY BIBLE STUDY

• This Fall, join our Women's Ministry Bible Study as we explore Philippians and learn how Paul found joy in suffering and handled conflict with grace and truth. We'll meet Tuesdays at 7 PM, September 23 to November 25. Register at gracetoronto.ca/events

GTMEN BIBLE STUDY

• Join us as we dive into a 5 week study on Jonah. No registration is needed! Our Bible study on Jonah takes place every other week. For the full schedule and meeting details, visit gracetoronto.ca/ministries/men.

GRACE GATHERINGS REGISTRATION

• Want to join a Grace Gathering Small Group? The Fall 2025 semester will begin on September 1, 2025 Registration will be OPEN between September 1-15, 2025. To register and learn more about our Grace Gatherings,  please go to, https://gracetoronto.ca/grace-gatherings.

KINGDOM COME WORSHIP AND PRAYER

• Come join us on Sept 17 at 7PM at St Paul's Bloor Street as we gather with churches from all over Toronto to worship God and pray for healing in our hearts and in our city.

ALPHA

• What is the meaning and purpose of life? Is there a God? Who is Jesus?Come join us as we explore these important questions of faith over the next 10 weeks together (October 9th - December 11th). Sign up online at gracetoronto.ca/events.

KIDS CAFE

• Join us for a kid-friendly coffee hour on Sunday, October 5th in the St Andrews Hall, after the first service. Enjoy fellowship, delicious baked goods, and specialty hot drinks!

PRAYER FOR THE WEEK

• PERSEVERANCE (James 1:2-4) Trials test our faith, but they also produce perseverance, leading to maturity in Christ. As you navigate the challenges of this season, reflect on how God is at work in your life. Pray for the strength to endure and grow, trusting in His good purposes.

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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1 Thessalonians 1:6-10

6 You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. 7 And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. 8 The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, 9 for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.

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SERMON

Tarak George

Q&A

Text your questions to 416-830-0335

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SONG OF RESPONSE -HOLY SPIRIT LIVING BREATH OF GOD

(© 2006 Thankyou Music. CCLI # 4779872)

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Holy Spirit living Breath of God

Breathe new life into my willing soul

Let the presence of the risen Lord

Come renew my heart and make me whole

Cause Your word to come alive in me

Give me faith for what I cannot see

Give me passion for Your purity

Holy Spirit breathe new life in me

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Holy Spirit come abide within

May Your joy be seen in all I do

Love enough to cover ev'ry sin

In each thought and deed and attitude

Kindness to the greatest and the least

Gentleness that sows the path of peace

Turn my strivings into works of grace

Breath of God show Christ in all I do

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Holy Spirit from creation's birth

Giving life to all that God has made

Show Your power once again on earth

Cause Your church to hunger for Your ways

Let the fragrance of our pray'rs arise

Lead us on the road of sacrifice

That in unity the face of Christ

May be clear for all the world to see

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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

—based on Hebrews 13:20-21, NIV

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Now may the God of peace

equip you with everything good for doing his will,

and may he work in us what is pleasing to him,

through Jesus Christ,

to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

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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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