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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—based on Hebrews 4:14; Revelation 5:10, 12
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LEADER:

Jesus Christ has come into heaven and is at God’s right hand—

with angels, authorities, and powers in submission to him.

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ALL:

Since we have a great high priest who has gone into heaven—

Jesus, the Son of God—let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.

Let us praise his holy name!

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LEADER:

Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!

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ALL:

Blessing, glory, wisdom, thanks, honour, power, and strength

be to our God forevermore!

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LEADER:

Alleluia, Amen!

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ALL:

Alleluia!

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SONG - AGNUS DEI

(© 1990 Sony/ATV Milene Music. CCLI # 626713)

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Alleluia alleluia

For the Lord God Almighty reigns

Alleluia alleluia

For the Lord God Almighty reigns

Alleluia

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(You are) Holy holy

Are You Lord God Almighty

Worthy is the Lamb

Worthy is the Lamb

You are holy holy

Are You Lord God Almighty

Worthy is the Lamb

Worthy is the Lamb

Amen

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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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SONG -HOLY FOREVER

(© 2022 Brian and Jenn Publishing; Capitol CMG Paragon; S. D. G. Publishing; Be Essential Songs; My Magnolia Music; Phil Wickham Music; Simply Global Songs; Bethel Music Publishing. CCLI Song # 7201044)

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A thousand generations falling down in worship

To sing the song of ages to the Lamb

And all who've gone before us

And all who will believe

Will sing the song of ages to the Lamb

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Your name is the highest

Your name is the greatest

Your name stands above them all

All thrones and dominions

All powers and positions

Your name stands above them all

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And the angels cry Holy

All creation cries Holy

You are lifted high Holy

Holy forever

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If you've been forgiven and if you've been redeemed

Sing the song forever to the Lamb

If you walk in freedom and if you bear His name

Sing the song forever to the Lamb

We'll sing the song forever and amen

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Hear Your people sing Holy

To the King of Kings Holy

You will always be Holy

Holy forever

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You will always be Holy

Holy forever

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GOD CLEANSES

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PRAYER OF CONFESSION

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LEADER:

Almighty God,

you have raised Jesus from death to life

and crowned him Lord of all.

We confess that we have not bowed before him

or acknowledged his rule in our lives.

We have gone along with the ways of the world

and failed to give him glory.

Forgive us

and raise us from sin,

that we may be your faithful people,

obeying the commands of our Lord Jesus Christ,

who rules the world

and is head of the church, his body.

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ALL:

Amen.

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SILENT CONFESSION

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WORDS OF ASSURANCE

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—based on Ephesians 2:4-7, NRSV

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Hear the good news of the gospel:

God, who is rich in mercy,

out of the great love with which he loved us

even when we were dead through our trespasses,

made us alive together with Christ—

by grace you have been saved—

and raised us up with him and seated us with him

in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

so that in the ages to come he might show

the immeasurable riches of his grace

in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

In Christ, by God’s grace, we are saved.

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow!

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SONG OF ASSURANCE - GLORIOUS DAY

(© 2017 KPS 1.0; sixsteps Music; sixsteps Songs; Sounds Of Jericho; Worship Together Music; worshiptogether.com songs; Fellow Ships Music; Hickory Bill Doc; So Essential Tunes. CCLI Song # 7081388)

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I was buried beneath my shame

Who could carry that kind of weight

It was my tomb 'til I met You

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I was breathing but not alive

All my failures I tried to hide

It was my tomb 'til I met You

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You called my name

I ran out of that grave

Out of the darkness into Your glorious day

You called my name (and) I ran out of that grave

Out of the darkness into Your glorious day

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Now Your mercy has saved my soul

Now Your freedom is all that I know

The old made new Jesus when I met You

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I needed rescue my sin was heavy

But chains break at the weight of Your glory

I needed shelter I was an orphan

Now You call me a citizen of Heaven

When I was broken You were my healing

Now Your love is the air that I'm breathing

I have a future my eyes are open

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PRAYER FOR THE CHURCH AND THE CITY

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COMMUNITY LIFE ANNOUNCEMENTS

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INFERTILITY/LOSS BOOK STUDY

• Family Ministry is hosting a 7-week book study for couples experiencing infertility or loss. We will meet on Wednesday nights from 7-9pm, starting May 13th. 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

• SHEPHERDING (Psalm 23:1-4) The Lord is our Shepherd, providing guidance, comfort, and peace. Reflect on how God has been a shepherd in your life. Pray for trust in His leading and for His peace to calm your heart.

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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Acts 1:1-11

Jesus Taken Up Into Heaven

¹ In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach ² until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. ³ After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. ⁴ On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. ⁵ For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

⁶ Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”

⁷ He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. ⁸ But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

⁹ After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.

¹⁰ They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. ¹¹ “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

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SERMON

Dan MacDonald

Q&A

Text your questions to 416-830-0335

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SONG OF RESPONSE -HYMN OF HEAVEN

(© Brian and Jenn Publishing; CDavs Music; Songs For TIM; Phil Wickham Music; Simply Global Songs; Bethel Music Publishing. CCLI Song # 7168994)

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How I long to breathe the air of Heaven

Where pain is gone and mercy fills the streets

To look upon the one who bled to save me

And walk with Him for all eternity

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There will be a day

When all will bow before Him

There will be a day

When death will be no more

Standing face to face

With He who died and rose again

Holy holy is the Lord

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And ev'ry prayer we prayed in desperation

The songs of faith

We sang through doubt and fear

In the end we’ll see that it was worth it

When He returns to wipe away our tears

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And on that day we join the resurrection

And stand beside the heroes of the faith

With one voice a thousand generations

Sing worthy is the Lamb who was slain

Forever He shall reign

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So let it be today

We shout the hymn of Heaven

With angels and the Saints

We raise a mighty roar

Glory to our God

Who gave us life beyond the grave

Holy holy is the Lord

Holy holy is the Lord

Holy holy is the Lord

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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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—Revelation 1:4-5

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Grace to you and peace

from him who is and who was and who is to come,

and from the seven spirits who are before his throne,

and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness,

the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth.

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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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