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

—based on Psalm 118:26, NRSV

LEADER:

Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest!

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SONG -GLORY

(© 2002 Hillsong Publishing. CCLI # 3744592)

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Great is the Lord God almighty

Great is the Lord on high

The train of His robe

Fills the temple

And we cry out

Highest praise

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Glory to the risen king

Glory to the Son

Glorious Son

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Lift up your heads

Open the doors

Let the king

Of glory come in

And forever be our God

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Holy is the Lord

God almighty

Holy is the Lord on high

Let all the earth

Bow before you

And crown You Lord of all

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SONG - KING OF KINGS‍

(© 2018 Hillsong Music Publishing CCLI Song # 7127647 -- CCLI License # 2821054)

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In the darkness we were waiting

Without hope without light

Till from Heaven You came running

There was mercy in Your eyes

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To fulfil the law and prophets

To a virgin came the Word

From a throne of endless glory

To a cradle in the dirt

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Praise the Father

Praise the Son

Praise the Spirit three in one

God of Glory

Majesty

Praise forever to the King of Kings

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To reveal the kingdom coming

And to reconcile the lost

To redeem the whole creation

You did not despise the cross

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For even in Your suffering

You saw to the other side

Knowing this was our salvation

Jesus for our sake You died

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And the morning that You rose

All of heaven held its breath

Till that stone was moved for good

For the Lamb had conquered death

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And the dead rose from their tombs

And the angels stood in awe

For the souls of all who'd come

To the Father are restored

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And the Church of Christ was born

Then the Spirit lit the flame

Now this Gospel truth of old

Shall not kneel shall not faint

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By His blood and in His Name

In His freedom I am free

For the love of Jesus Christ

Who has resurrected me

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SONG - 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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GOD CLEANSES

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PRAYER OF CONFESSION

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LEADER:

Most merciful God,

we confess that we have sinned against you

in thought, word, and deed,

by what we have done,

and by what we have left undone.

We have not loved you with our whole heart;

we have not loved our neighbour as ourselves.

We are truly sorry and we humbly repent.

For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ,

have mercy on us and forgive us;

that we may delight in your will,

and walk in your ways,

to the glory of your Name.

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ALL:

Amen.

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SILENT CONFESSION

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WORDS OF ASSURANCE

—based on Matthew 21:8-9; John 3:17; Ephesians 5:1-2

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LEADER:

Hosanna to the Son of David!

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!

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ALL:

For Christ came into the world not to condemn the world,

but that the world through him should be saved.

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LEADER:

Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children.

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ALL:

And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us,

a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Hosanna! Amen!

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SONG OF ASSURANCE - YOU ARE MY KING (AMAZING LOVE)

(© 1996 CCLI # 2456623)

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I'm forgiven

Because You were forsaken

I'm accepted

You were condemned

I'm alive and well

Your Spirit is within me

Because You died

And rose again

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Amazing love

How can it be

That You my King

Would die for me

Amazing love

I know it's true

It's my joy to honour You

In all I do I honour You

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You are my King

You are my King

Jesus You are my King

Jesus You are my King

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PRAYER FOR THE CHURCH AND THE CITY

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COMMUNITY LIFE ANNOUNCEMENTS

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HOLY WEEK DAILY ZOOM PRAYER

• Experience the power of prayer and reflection this Holy Week! Join the entire Grace Toronto Church on Zoom from Monday, April 14 to Wednesday, April 16, 12-1 PM (daily), as we come together to seek God’s presence and prepare our hearts for Easter. Don’t miss this opportunity to deepen your faith and pray with your Church! Visit gracetoronto.ca/events for the zoom link.

MAUNDY THURSDAY PRAYER SERVICE

• Join us on April 17 from 7:00-8:30 PM for an evening Prayer Service and Foot Washing to commemorate Maundy Thursday. Following our Prayer Service, to serve as a response and to follow the example of Jesus, Grace Toronto Church Elders will be present to wash the feet of our congregation. Participation is entirely optional. No registration is needed for this event.

TGA GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE

• We are excited to host our 13th joint Good Friday Service with the Toronto Gospel Alliance on April 18th at St. Paul's Bloor Street! Join us for a service with other churches around Toronto as we commemorate Christ's journey to the cross through prayer, scripture reading, and song. Doors open at 6:15 PM and service starts at 7 PM.

THE GOSPEL AND TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE

• Join us on Saturday, May 3, from 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM for a one-day conference as we welcome back special guest speaker Robert Cunningham and explore the connection between the Gospel and technology. Registration is now open, sign up at gracetoronto.ca/events.

FAMILY MINISTRY PANCAKE BREAKFAST

• Family Ministry is hosting a pancake breakfast for all interested GT Kids families and volunteers on April 27th at 10:45 AM. Our goal is to help connect families with the volunteers who serve in their classes. Register online at gracetoronto.ca/events

ALPHA & JOINT SUMMER GG REGISTRATION OPEN

• Curious about Christianity or looking to join a summer small group? This Spring/Summer, we’re hosting a joint ALPHA/Summer Grace Gathering. 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. Sign up at gracetoronto.ca/events

PCC FUNDRAISING RELAY

• Join us on May 10th for the Pregnancy Care Centre's 5km relay to help families with unexpected pregnancies thrive! Fundraising starts now! Visit gracetoronto.ca/events to join our team.

WOMEN'S MINISTRY PICNIC AND HIKE

• Ladies it's spring and time for a picnic and hike! Bring your own lunch and join us as we hike Riverdale Park trails at 12 pm Sat. May, 10 2025. Register online at gracetoronto.ca/events.

PRAYER FOR THE WEEK

• SACRIFICE (Isaiah 53:4-6) Jesus bore our sins on the cross, taking our punishment upon Himself. Reflect on the magnitude of His sacrifice. Pray with gratitude for His love and the salvation He secured for you.

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

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Matthew 21: 1- 17

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1 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”

4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:

5 “Say to Daughter Zion,

‘See, your king comes to you,

gentle and riding on a donkey,

and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”

6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. 8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,

“Hosanna to the Son of David!”

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”

11 The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

12 Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. 13 “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’”

14 The blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them. 15 But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple courts, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they were indignant.

16 “Do you hear what these children are saying?” they asked him.

“Yes,” replied Jesus, “have you never read,

“‘From the lips of children and infants

you, Lord, have called forth your praise’?”

17 And he left them and went out of the city to Bethany, where he spent the night.

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SERMON

Kingsley Lai

Q&A

Text your questions to 416-830-0335

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SONG OF RESPONSE - COME BEHOLD THE WONDROUS MYSTERY

(© 2012 © Dayspring Music, LLC, Bleecker Publishing, and Centricity Music Publishing CCLI # 7026028)

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Come behold the wondrous myst'ry

In the dawning of the King

He the theme of heaven's praises

Robed in frail humanity

In our longing in our darkness

Now the light of life has come

Look to Christ who condescended

Took on flesh to ransom us

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Come behold the wondrous myst'ry

He the perfect Son of Man

In His living in His suff'ring

Never trace nor stain of sin

See the true and better ADAM

Come to save the hell-bound man

Christ the great and sure fulfillment

Of the law in Him we stand

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Come behold the wondrous myst'ry

Christ the Lord upon the tree

In the stead of ruined sinners

Hangs the Lamb in victory

See the price of our redemption

See the Father's plan unfold

Bringing many sons to glory

Grace unmeasured love untold

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Come behold the wondrous myst'ry

Slain by death the God of life

But no grave could e'er restrain Him

Praise the Lord He is alive

What a foretaste of deliv'rance

How unwavering our hope

Christ in power resurrected

As we will be when He comes

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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

—2 Thessalonians 3:18

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The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

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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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