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 105:1-2; Romans 5:5; Revelation 4:8

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The love of God has been poured into our hearts

through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us;

we dwell in him and he in us.

Give thanks to the Lord and call upon his name;

make known his deeds among the peoples.

Sing to him, sing praises to him,

and speak of all his marvelous works.

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God almighty,

who was and is and is to come!

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SONG - FOREVER

(© 2001 worshiptogether.com songs and sixsteps Music. CCLI # 3148428)

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Give thanks to the Lord

Our God and King

His love endures forever

For He is good He is above all things

His love endures forever

Sing praise sing praise

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With a mighty hand

And an outstretched arm

His love endures forever

For the life that's been reborn

His love endures forever

Sing praise sing praise

Sing praise sing praise

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Forever God is faithful

Forever God is strong

Forever God is with us

Forever forever

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From the rising to the setting sun

His love endures forever

And by the grace of God

We will carry on

His love endures forever

Sing praise sing praise

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SONG - HOLY IS THE LORD

(© 2003 sixsteps Music, worshiptogether.com songs. CCLI# 4158039)

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We stand and lift up our hands

For the joy of the Lord is our strength

We bow down and worship Him now

How great, how awesome is He

Pre-Chorus

And together we sing

Everyone sing

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Holy is the Lord God Almighty

The earth is filled with His glory

Holy is the Lord God Almighty

The earth is filled with His glory

The earth is filled with His glory

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It's rising up all around

It's the anthem of the Lord's renown

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SONG - LOVE OF GOD

(© 2024 Also Also Industries Publishing; Capitol CMG Paragon; Writer's Roof Publishing; Brandon Lake Music; Phil Wickham Music; Simply Global Songs. CCLI Song # 7241154)

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It’s so good I almost can’t believe it

Far beyond what hearts could ever dream

The God who set the galaxies in motion

Would descend to give His life for me

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For what could make perfection bleed for sinners

What leads a King to pay so great a cost

All my life my heart will sing the answer

Only the love of God

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Singing oh how great is the love of God

He paid our debt on that rugged cross

For all our days we will sing our Savior's praise

How great is the love of God

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It’s so kind it leads us to repentance

It’s so bright the darkness has to flee

Hallelujah it cleared my guilty sentence

For I was bound but now I stand redeemed

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For what could break the chains of any prison

What force could rob the power from the grave

What would trade my rags for heaven's riches

Only the love of God

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Though I try my mind can’t comprehend it

It’s so high too marvelous for words

I could sing a million songs about it

And barely scratch the surface of Your worth

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This all my life the banner I’ll be waving

My anthem cry no matter what may come

And when I rise to walk the streets of heaven

I’ll still be singing this song (oh my song)

For everything that You’ve done

How great the love of God hey

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Singing oh how great is the love of God

He paid our debt on that rugged cross

For all our days we will sing our Saviour's praise

How great is the love of God

How great is the love of God

Thank You Jesus

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GOD CLEANSES

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PRAYER OF CONFESSION

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LEADER:

Lord God, we have given more weight to our successes

and our happiness than to your will.

We have eaten without a thought for the hungry.

We have spoken without an effort to understand others.

We have kept silence instead of telling the truth.

We have judged others, forgetful that you alone are the Judge.

We have acted rather in accordance with our opinions

than according to your commands.

Within your church we have been slow to practice love of our neighbors.

And in the world we have not been your faithful servants.

Forgive us and help us to live as disciples of Jesus Christ,

your Son, our saviour.

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ALL:

Amen.

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SILENT CONFESSION

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WORDS OF ASSURANCE

—from Romans 8:1-2, 11, NIV

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There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,

because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life

sets us free from the law of sin and death.

And if the Spirit of God who raised Jesus from the dead lives in us,

God who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to our mortal bodies through

the Spirit, who lives in us.

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SONG OF ASSURANCE - WHEN I SURVEY THE WONDROUS CROSS

(© 2000 Rising Springs Music. Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing. Isaac Watts and Lowell Mason/Public Domain. CCLI Song # 3148435)

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When I survey the wondrous cross

On which the Prince of glory died,

My richest gain I count but loss,

And pour contempt on all my pride.

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Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,

Save in the death of Christ my God;

All the vain things that charm me most,

I sacrifice them to His blood.

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Oh the wonderful Cross

Oh the wonderful Cross

Bids me come and die

And find that I may truly live

Oh the wonderful Cross

Oh the wonderful Cross

All who gather here, by grace draw near

And bless your name

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See from His head, His hands, His feet,

Sorrow and love flow mingled down;

Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,

Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

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Were the whole realm of nature mine,

That were a present far too small:

Love so amazing, so divine,

Demands my soul, my life, my all.

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PRAYER FOR THE CHURCH AND THE CITY

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COMMUNITY LIFE ANNOUNCEMENTS

GT MEN PUB NIGHT

• Here is an opportunity for GTMen to reconnect and fellowship before summer ends! Join us on Thursday, August 27th from 6–8 PM. Register online at gracetoronto.ca/events.

EAST END PARISH

• Do you live in the East End? Come join us for a BBQ potluck on Sunday, August 30th from 4-6PM! Register online at gracetoronto.ca/events.

UPTOWN PARISH

• Do you live uptown? We're going to have a time of prayer and fellowship at Tyndale University from 2-4pm on Sunday, August 30th! Register online at gracetoronto.ca/events.

REGISTRATION FOR A GRACE GATHERING SMALL GROUP FALL 2026

• Want to join a Grace Gathering Small Group? The Fall 2026 semester will begin on September 27! Registration will be open from August 16th to September 20th.

YOUNG ADULTS WELCOME LUNCH

• Between 18 and 25? Join the Young Adults for a pizza lunch in the St. Andrew's Hall following 2nd service on Sept 6th. Make some new friends before classes even start! Newcomers eat free! Regulars are only $5.

AN EVENING WITH JEN POLLOCK MICHEL

• Ladies, join us Tuesday, Sept 15, at 7:00 PM in St. Andrew’s Hall as award-winning author Jen Pollock Michel shares from A Rule for the Rest of Us, introducing a five-step framework for creating a rule of life to follow Jesus faithfully.

BIBLE STUDIES

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

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. Sign up today at gracetoronto.ca/events.

‍PRAYER FOR THE WEEK

• CONTENTMENT (Philippians 4:11-13) Paul learned to be content in all circumstances through Christ’s strength. Reflect on areas in your life where contentment is hard to find. Pray for a heart that rests in God’s provision and strength, no matter your situation.

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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Matthew 9: 9-14

⁹ As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.

¹⁰ While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. ¹¹ When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

¹² On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. ¹³ But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

¹⁴ Then John’s disciples came and asked him, “How is it that we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?”

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SERMON

Dan MacDonald

Q&A

Text your questions to 416-830-0335

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SONG OF RESPONSE - TAKE MY LIFE

(© 2003 sixsteps Music | worshiptogether.com songs. CCLI# 4162843)

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Take my life and let it be

Consecrated Lord to Thee

Take my moments and my days

Let them flow in ceaseless praise

Take my hands and let them move

At the impulse of Thy love

Take my feet and let them be

Swift and beautiful for Thee

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Take my voice and let me sing

Always only for my King

Take my lips and let them be

Filled with messages from Thee

Take my silver and my gold

Not a mite would I withhold

Take my intellect and use

Ev'ry power as You choose

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Here am I all of me

Take my life it's all for Thee

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Take my will and make it Thine

It shall be no longer mine

Take my heart it is Thine own

It shall be Thy royal throne

Take my love my Lord I pour

At Your feet its treasure store

Take myself and I will be

Ever only all for Thee

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Take myself and I will be

Ever only all for Thee

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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 15:5, NIV

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May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ

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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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