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 Psalm 89:1-4, NRSV

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LEADER:

I will sing of your steadfast love, O LORD, forever;

ALL:

with my mouth I will proclaim your faithfulness

to all generations.

LEADER:

I declare that your steadfast love is established forever;

ALL:

your faithfulness is as firm as the heavens.

LEADER:

You said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one,

I have sworn to my servant David:

‘I will establish your descendants forever,

and build your throne for all generations.’”

ALL:

Praise the Lord!

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SONG - GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS

(© 1923. Renewed 1951 Hope Publishing Company, Words: Hope Publishing Company, and Music: 1923. Renewed 1951 Hope Publishing Company. CCLI # 18723)

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Great is Thy faithfulness

O God my Father

There is no shadow

Of turning with Thee

Thou changest not

Thy compassions they fail not

As Thou hast been

Thou forever wilt be

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Great is Thy faithfulness

Great is Thy faithfulness

Morning by morning

New mercies I see

All I have needed

Thy hand hath provided

Great is Thy faithfulness

Lord unto me

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Summer and winter

And springtime and harvest

Sun moon and stars

In their courses above

Join with all nature

In manifold witness

To Thy great faithfulness

Mercy and love

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Pardon for sin

And a peace that endureth

Thine own dear presence

To cheer and to guide

Strength for today

And bright hope for tomorrow

Blessings all mine

With ten thousand beside

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SONG - PRAISE

(© Brandon Lake Music; For Humans Publishing; Maverick City Publishing; Capitol CMG Genesis; Capitol CMG Paragon; Housefires Sounds; Writer's Roof Publishing; Music by Elevation Worship Publishing. CCLI Song # 7213077)

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I’ll praise in the valley

Praise on the mountain

I’ll praise when I’m sure

Praise when I’m doubting

I’ll praise when outnumbered

Praise when surrounded

'Cause praise is the water

My enemies drown in

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As long as I’m breathing

I’ve got a reason to

Praise the Lord oh my soul

Praise the Lord oh my soul

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I’ll praise when I feel it

And I’ll praise when I don’t

I’ll praise 'cause I know

You’re still in control

'Cause my praise is a weapon

It’s more than a sound

My praise is the shout

That brings Jericho down

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Praise the Lord oh my soul

Praise the Lord oh my soul

I won’t be quiet

My God is alive

How could I keep it inside

Praise the Lord oh my soul

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I’ll praise 'cause You’re sovereign

Praise 'cause You reign

Praise 'cause You rose and defeated the grave

I’ll praise 'cause You’re faithful

Praise 'cause You’re true

Praise 'cause there’s nobody greater than You

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Praise the Lord oh my soul

Praise the Lord oh my soul

Praise the Lord oh my soul

Praise the Lord oh my soul

I won’t be quiet

My God is alive

How could I keep it inside

I won’t be quiet

My God is alive

How could I keep it inside

I won’t be quiet

My God is alive

How could I keep it inside

Praise the Lord oh my soul

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Let everything that has breath

Praise the Lord

Praise the Lord

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SONG - WORTHY OF IT ALL

(© 2012 Common Hymnal Publishing; Innerland; Underground Treasure; Wayfinder Music.CCLI Song # 6280644)

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All the saints and angels

Bow before Your throne

All the elders cast their crowns

Before the Lamb of God and sing

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You are worthy of it all

You are worthy of it all

For from You are all things

And to You are all things

You deserve the glory

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Day and night night and day let incense arise

Day and night night and day let incense arise

Day and night night and day let incense arise

Day and night night and day let incense arise

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GOD CLEANSES

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PRAYER OF CONFESSION

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Our God, we come in humility, confessing who and what we are.

We are often unresponsive, for we are afraid.

When your Spirit speaks, we turn deaf ears,

for we fear what you might call us to do.

When your Spirit touches our lips,

we close our mouths,

embarrassed to speak your Word.

When the wind of your Spirit blows,

we close the windows of our hearts,

afraid the breeze will disrupt our ordered lives.

When the fire of your Spirit touches us,

we quench the flame, afraid of the new life it might bring.

Forgive us, O Lord. Amen.

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SILENT CONFESSION

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WORDS OF ASSURANCE

—based on Ezekiel 36:24-28, NIV

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“I will take you out of the nations;

I will gather you from all the countries.

I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean.

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you;

I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.

And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees.

You will be my people, and I will be your God.”

Friends in Christ: by the power of the Spirit,

we are united with Christ and given a new spirit.

Live in the joy and peace of that assurance.

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SONG OF ASSURANCE - CORNERSTONE

(© 2011 Hillsong Music Publishing. CCLI # 6158927)

My hope is built on nothing less

Than Jesus' blood and righteousness

I dare not trust the sweetest frame

But wholly trust in Jesus' Name

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Christ alone cornerstone

Weak made strong in the Saviour's love

Through the storm He is Lord

Lord of all

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When darkness seems to hide His face

I rest on His unchanging grace

In every high and stormy gale

My anchor holds within the veil

My anchor holds within the veil

When He shall come with trumpet sound

Oh may I then in Him be found

Dressed in His righteousness alone

Faultless stand before the throne

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PRAYER FOR THE CHURCH AND THE CITY

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COMMUNITY LIFE ANNOUNCEMENTS

NEWCOMER'S BRUNCH

• New to Grace? Join us for brunch after either service on Sept 20th. Learn about our community and get to know some of our leaders. RSVP at gracetoronto.ca/events to save your seat!

GT MEN'S FALL SOCIAL

• Men of Grace! You're invited to a Taco Night on Tuesday, September 15, from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM.  We'll have some games, food, and fellowship. The cost is $10. Register online at gracetoronto.ca/events.

MEMBERSHP CLASS

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

NEWCOMER'S BRUNCH

• New to Grace? Join us for brunch after either service on Sept 20th. Learn about our community and get to know some of our leaders. RSVP at gracetoronto.ca/events to save your seat!

BIBLE STUDIES

• Men's and Women's Bible studies are launching on September 22nd! Head over to gracetoronto.ca/events to learn more.

ALPHA

• Questions about Christianity? Come join us at St. Andrew's Hall on Wednesday evenings at 7 PM, starting on September 30th, as we explore these important questions together. Register online at gracetoronto.ca/events.

GT KIDS APPLE PICKING

• We invite all GTKids Families to join us for apple picking at Applewood Farm in Whitchurch-Stouffville. We will meet at 10 AM at the farm's play area. Email tarak@gracetoronto.ca for more info!

PCC FALL FUNDRAISER

• PCC Toronto is having their annual fundraiser on Saturday October 3rd here at GTC. This will be an inspiring evening of stories, desserts, candlelight, and live jazz. Sign up while you can by emailing stephen@gracetoronto.ca.

‍PRAYER FOR THE WEEK

• COMMUNITY (Acts 2:42-47) The early church devoted themselves to fellowship, breaking bread, and prayer, building a strong community of faith. Pray for opportunities to deepen your relationships and serve others in love.

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 1:12-18

¹² Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. ¹³ As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. ¹⁴ And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.

¹⁵ It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. ¹⁶ The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. ¹⁷ The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. ¹⁸ But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.

Yes, and I will continue to rejoice.

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SERMON

Dan MacDonald

Q&A

Text your questions to 416-830-0335

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SONG OF RESPONSE - REMEMBRANCE

(© 2017 Hillsong MP Songs; Hillsong Music Publishing Australia. CCLI Song # 7102398)

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I take the bread of life

Broken for all my sin

Your body crucified

To make me whole again

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I will recall the cup

Poured out in sacrifice

To trade this sinner's end

For Your new covenant

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Hallelujah

I'll live my life in remembrance

Hallelujah

Your promise I won't forget

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I'll walk salvation's road

With fear and trembling

Your way borne as my own

As Christ is formed in me

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If ever I should lose my way

If ever I deny Your grace

Remind me of the price You paid

Hallelujah

I'll live in remembrance

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You've been so so good to me

You've been so so good to me

Oh to think where I would be

If not for You

If not for You

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As far as heights reach from the depths

As far as east is from the west

So far Your grace has carried me

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Until I see You face to face

Until at last I've won my race

Remind me You're not finished yet

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Hallelujah

Hallelujah

Hallelujah I'll live in remembrance

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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

—Romans 15:13

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing,

so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

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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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