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 24:7-10, NIV

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LEADER:

Lift up your heads, O you gates;

be lifted up, you ancient doors,

that the King of glory may come in.

Who is this King of glory?

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ALL:

The LORD strong and mighty,

the LORD mighty in battle.

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LEADER:

Who is he, this King of glory?

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ALL:

The LORD Almighty—

he is the King of glory.

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SONG - COME NOW IS THE TIME TO WORSHIP

(© 1998 Vineyard Songs (UK/Eire). CCLI # 2430948)

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Come now is the time to worship

Come now is the time to give your heart

Come just as you are to worship

Come just as you are before your God

Come

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One day every tongue

Will confess You are God

One day every knee will bow

Still the greatest treasure remains

For those who gladly choose You now

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Willingly we choose to surrender our lives

Willingly our knees will bow

With all our heart soul mind and strength

We gladly choose You now

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Come come just as you are come come

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SONG - ANCIENT OF DAYS

(© 1992 Integrity's Hosanna! Music. CCLI# 798108)

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Blessing and honor glory and power

Be unto the Ancient of Days

From ev'ry nation all of creation

Bow before the Ancient of Days

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Ev'ry tongue in heaven and earth

Shall declare Your glory

Ev'ry knee shall bow at Your throne

In worship

You will be exalted O God

And Your kingdom shall not pass away

O Ancient of Days

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Your kingdom shall reign

Over all the earth

Sing unto the Ancient of Days

For none can compare

To Your matchless worth

Sing unto the Ancient of Days

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SONG -THE SOLID ROCK

(E. Mote, W. Bradbury/Public Domain)

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My hope is built on nothing less

Than Jesus' blood and righteousness

I dare not trust the sweetest frame

But wholly lean on Jesus' name

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On Christ, the solid rock, I stand

All other ground is sinking sand

All other ground is sinking sand

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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

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His oath, his covenant, his blood

Support me in the whelming flood

When all around my soul gives way

He then is all my hope and stay

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When He shall come with trumpet sound

Oh, may I then, in Him, be found

Dressed in His righteousness alone

Faultless to stand before the throne

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GOD CLEANSES

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PRAYER OF CONFESSION

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ALL:

Gracious God,

our sins are too heavy to carry,

too real to hide,

and too deep to undo.

Forgive what our lips tremble to name,

what our hearts can no longer bear,

and what has become for us

a consuming fire of judgment.

Set us free from a past that we cannot change;

open to us a future in which we can be changed;

and grant us grace

to grow more and more in your likeness and image;

through Jesus Christ, the light of the world.

Amen.

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SILENT CONFESSION

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WORDS OF ASSURANCE

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—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 - JESUS MESSIAH

(© 2008 Vamos Publishing and Alletrop Music. CCLI # 5183443)

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He became sin who knew no sin

That we might become His righteousness

He humbled Himself and carried the cross

Love so amazing love so amazing

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Jesus Messiah Name above all names

Blessed Redeemer Emmanuel

The Rescue for sinners

The Ransom from heaven

Jesus Messiah Lord of all

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His body the bread His blood the wine

Broken and poured out all for love

The whole earth trembled and the veil was torn

Love so amazing love so amazing

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All our hope is in You

All our hope is in You

All the glory to You God

The Light of the world

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Jesus Messiah

Lord of all

The Lord of all

The Lord of all

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PRAYER FOR THE CHURCH AND THE CITY

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COMMUNITY LIFE ANNOUNCEMENTS

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ALPHA

• Curious about Christianity? If you're exploring Christianity, this group is a space to ask questions and explore faith. For Christians, this group offers a chance to connect with others and see how Grace Toronto Church walks alongside those exploring faith. ALPHA is a 10 week course that begins April 9th and ends June 11th. Sign up at gracetoronto.ca/events.

INFERTILITY/LOSS BOOK STUDY

• Family Ministry is hosting a 7-week book study that is geared towards couples experiencing infertility or loss. We will meet on Wednesday nights from 7-9pm. Interested in joining? Please email tarak@gracetoronto.ca. Spots are limited.

BIBLICAL MASCULINITY AND FEMININITY CONFERENCE

• Join us on May 23rd for our third annual one day conference! This year, our guest speaker, Robert Cunningham, will unpack the theological glory of male and female and help us to embody that biblical vision in practical ways. Early bird registration is now open at gracetoronto.ca/events.

WOMEN'S PRAYER BREAKFAST

• Ladies, you're invited to the WM Prayer Breakfast on Sunday, May 3rd at 11 AM in St. Andrew's Hall. We'll explore prayer as our spiritual language, pray together, and enjoy breakfast!

PCC ANNUAL RELAY

• Join us on May 9th for the Pregnancy Care Centre's 5km relay at The Peoples Church to celebrate God's provision as we walk/run 5km together! Fundraising starts now! Visit gracetoronto.ca/events to join our team.

‍PRAYER FOR THE WEEK

• RESTORATION (John 21:15-19) Jesus restored Peter after his denial, commissioning him to care for His sheep. Reflect on areas in your life where you need Christ’s restoration. Pray for courage to accept His forgiveness and step into His calling.

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, visitgracetoronto.ca/give.

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GOD COMMUNES

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SCRIPTURE READING

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Luke 24:36-49

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Jesus Appears to the Disciples

³⁶ While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

³⁷ They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. ³⁸ He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? ³⁹ Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”

⁴⁰ When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. ⁴¹ And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” ⁴² They gave him a piece of broiled fish, ⁴³ and he took it and ate it in their presence.

⁴⁴ He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”

⁴⁵ Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. ⁴⁶ He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, ⁴⁷ and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. ⁴⁸ You are witnesses of these things. ⁴⁹ I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

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SERMON

Dan MacDonald

Q&A

Text your questions to 416-830-0335

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SONG OF RESPONSE -MAN OF SORROWS

(© 2012 Hillsong Music Publishing. CCLI # 6476063)

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Man of sorrows Lamb of God

By His own betrayed

The sin of man and wrath of God

Has been on Jesus laid

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Silent as He stood accused

Beaten mocked and scorned

Bowing to the Father's will

He took a crown of thorns

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Oh that rugged cross my salvation

Where Your love poured out over me

Now my soul cries out hallelujah

Praise and honour unto Thee

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Sent of heaven God's own Son

To purchase and redeem

And reconcile the very ones

Who nailed Him to that tree

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Now my debt is paid

It is paid in full

By the precious blood

That my Jesus spilled

Now the curse of sin

Has no hold on me

Whom the Son sets free

Oh is free indeed

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See the stone is rolled away

Behold the empty tomb

Hallelujah God be praised

He's risen from the grave

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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 2 Corinthians 4:6, NIV

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May almighty God,

who caused light to shine out of darkness,

shine in our hearts, cleansing us from all our sins,

and restoring us to the light of the knowledge of God’s glory, in the face of Jesus Christ, our saviour. 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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