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 124:8

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ALL:

“Our help is in the name of the Lord,

who made heaven and earth.”

LEADER:

What did God do to help us?

ALL:

God chose the people of Israel to make a new beginning.

LEADER:

They received God’s covenant and prepared the way

for Jesus to come as our saviour.

ALL:

Let us worship the God of the covenant, the God of heaven and earth.

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SONG - HOSANNA (PRAISE IS RISING)

(© 2005, 2006 Integrity's Hosanna! Music and Thankyou Music

CCLI # 4662491)

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Praise is rising

Eyes are turning to You

We turn to You

Hope is stirring

Hearts are yearning for You

We long for You

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'Cause when we see You

We find strength to face the day

In Your presence

All our fears are washed away

Washed away

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Hosanna hosanna

You are the God who saves us

Worthy of all our praises

Hosanna hosanna

Come have Your way among us

We welcome You here Lord Jesus

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Hear the sound of

Hearts returning to You

We turn to You

In Your Kingdom

Broken lives are made new

You make us new

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Hosanna hosanna

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SONG - NOTHING BUT THE BLOOD

(© Public Domain. CCLI # 21332.)

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What can wash away my sin

Nothing but the blood of Jesus

What can make me whole again

Nothing but the blood of Jesus

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O precious is the flow

That makes me white as snow

No other fount I know

Nothing but the blood of Jesus

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For my pardon this I see

Nothing but the blood of Jesus

For my cleansing this my plea

Nothing but the blood of Jesus

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Nothing can for sin atone

Nothing but the blood of Jesus

Naught of good that I have done

Nothing but the blood of Jesus

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This is all my hope and peace

Nothing but the blood of Jesus

This is all my righteousness

Nothing but the blood of Jesus

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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

Pre-Chorus

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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‍GOD CLEANSES

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PRAYER OF CONFESSION

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LEADER:

God of everlasting love,

we confess that we have been unfaithful

to our covenant with you and with one another.

We have worshiped other gods: money, power, greed, and convenience.

We have served our own self-interest

instead of serving only you and your people.

We have not loved our neighbor as you have commanded,

nor have we rightly loved ourselves.

ALL:

Forgive us, gracious God,

and bring us back into the fullness

of our covenant with you and one another.

Through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

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SILENT CONFESSION

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WORDS OF ASSURANCE

—Psalm 103:8, 13-14, 17-18, NRSV

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The LORD is merciful and gracious,

slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

As a father has compassion for his children,

so the LORD has compassion for those who fear him.

For he knows how we were made;

he remembers that we are dust.

But the steadfast love of the LORD is from

everlasting to everlasting

on those who fear him

and his righteousness to children’s children,

to those who keep his covenant

and remember to do his commandments.

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SONG OF ASSURANCE - GIVE US CLEAN HANDS

(© 2000 CCLI # 2060208.)

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We bow our hearts we bend our knees

Oh Spirit come make us humble

We turn our eyes from evil things

Oh Lord we cast down our idols

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Give us clean hands give us pure hearts

Let us not lift our souls to another

Give us clean hands give us pure hearts

Let us not lift our souls to another

And oh God let us be a generation that seeks

That seeks Your face oh God of Jacob

And oh God let us be a generation that seeks

That seeks Your face oh God of Jacob

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PRAYER FOR THE CHURCH AND THE CITY

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COMMUNITY LIFE ANNOUNCEMENTS

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PIZZA AT THE PLAYGROUND

• We invite families with young children to join us for some pizza and play time at the Allan Gardens Playground, located just south of the church. We will meet right after the service on Sunday, August 17th. Register online at gracetoronto.ca/events.

SUMMER EATS

• All are invited to walk to a nearby affordable restaurant for lunch today after the 2nd service! Meet by the Welcome Desk in the lobby, and we'll depart together at 12:45 pm. All you need is your wallet and a willingness to make new friends.

CALL FOR WORSHIP LEADERS

• We are currently looking for worship leaders who are experienced in drums, bass, electric guitar or piano to audition for the Worship Ministry. If you're interested, please contact Chun at chun@gracetoronto.ca.

FAMILY MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES

• If you are an expecting family or a mother on maternity leave, Family Ministries have a few opportunities for you! Please contact alisha@gracetoronto.ca to learn more about our baby gift box program and Fall Mom's Group.

AUGUST PARISH SOCIALS

• Throughout August, each Parish will host an event in its area. This is a great opportunity to reconnect with people from your neighbourhood and meet new people. Visit gracetoronto.ca/events for details on the Parish event near you. West End - August 10 Downtown - August 23 East End - August 24

GTMEN PUB NIGHT

• Back by popular demand! Here is an opportunity for GTMen to reconnect and fellowship before summer ends! Join us on Thursday, August 28th from 6–8 PM at Pogue Mahone (777 Bay St.). Register online at gracetoronto.ca/events

PRAYER FOR THE WEEK

• PEACE (Philippians 4:6-7) God’s peace surpasses all understanding and guards our hearts and minds in Christ. Reflect on areas where you need His peace. Pray for trust to bring your anxieties to Him and receive His calming presence.

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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Genesis 22:1-18

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1 Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!”

“Here I am,” he replied.

2 Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.”

3 Early the next morning Abraham got up and loaded his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about. 4 On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. 5 He said to his servants, “Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.”

6 Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, 7 Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, “Father?”

“Yes, my son?” Abraham replied.

“The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?”

8 Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together.

9 When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10 Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. 11 But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!”

“Here I am,” he replied.

12 “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.”

13 Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.”

15 The angel of the Lord called to Abraham from heaven a second time 16 and said, “I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, 18 and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.”

SERMON

Tarak George

Q&A

Text your questions to 416-830-0335

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SONG OF RESPONSE -HOW DEEP THE FATHER'S LOVE FOR US

(© 1995 Thankyou Music. CCLI # 1558110)

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How deep the Father's love for us

How vast beyond all measure

That He should give His only Son

To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss

The Father turns His face away

As wounds which mar the Chosen One

Bring many sons to glory

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Behold the Man upon a cross

My sin upon His shoulders

Ashamed I hear my mocking voice

Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held Him there

Until it was accomplished

His dying breath has brought me life

I know that it is finished

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I will not boast in anything

No gifts no pow’r no wisdom

But I will boast in Jesus Christ

His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward

I cannot give an answer

But this I know with all my heart

His wounds have paid my ransom

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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

—Numbers 6:24-26

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The Lord bless you and keep you;

the Lord make his face to shine upon you

and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his

countenance upon you and give you peace.

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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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