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 Isaiah 9:2, NIV

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LEADER:

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light;

on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.

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ALL:

Jesus Christ is our life and light.

In his name and in his power, let us worship God!

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SONG - COME THOU LONG EXPECTED JESUS

(© Public Domain. CCLI # 31999)

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Come Thou long expected Jesus

Born to set Thy people free

From our fears and sins release us

Let us find our rest in Thee

Israel's strength and consolation

Hope of all the earth Thou art

Dear desire of every nation

Joy of every longing heart

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Born Thy people to deliver

Born a child and yet a King

Born to reign in us forever

Now Thy gracious Kingdom bring

By Thine own eternal Spirit

Rule in all our hearts alone

By Thine all sufficient merit

Raise us to Thy glorious throne

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SONG - O COME ALL YE FAITHFUL

(© Public Domain. CCLI # 31054)

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O come all ye faithful

Joyful and triumphant

O come ye O come ye to Bethlehem

Come and behold Him

Born the King of angels

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O come let us adore Him

O come let us adore Him

O come let us adore Him

Christ the Lord

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Sing choirs of angels

Sing in exultation

O sing all ye bright

Hosts of heav'n above

Glory to God all

Glory in the highest

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Yea Lord we greet Thee

Born this happy morning

Jesus to Thee be all glory giv'n

Word of the Father

Now in flesh appearing

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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:

O God, in the beginning you spoke,

and creation was born, the object of your loving care.

In the fullness of time you spoke,

and the Word became flesh, Jesus, gift of your love.

We wonder at the miracle of creation;

we stand in awe before the mystery of the incarnation.

Forgive us earthbound creatures, feeble in faith,

empty of hope, lacking in love.

This year let the miracle and mystery of Christmas happen for us again.

We wait upon you with ready hearts, O God,

through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

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ALL:

Amen.

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SILENT CONFESSION

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WORDS OF ASSURANCE

—based on 1 Timothy 1:15, NRSV

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The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance,

that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.

In Christ, we are forgiven! Thanks be to God!

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SONG OF ASSURANCE - COME BEHOLD THE WONDROUS MYST'RY

(© 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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PRAYER FOR THE CHURCH AND THE CITY

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COMMUNITY LIFE ANNOUNCEMENTS

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COMMUNION VOLUNTEERS

• We are seeking 25 volunteers to help prepare Communion elements for the 11:15 AM service, beginning in Janurary. If you are interested in serving, please email communion@gracetoronto.ca for more information.

SLEEPING BAG DRIVE

• Jericho Road Ministry is still collecting NEW winter sleeping bags (-10c or lower) for our homeless neighbours in need. Help us double our goal from 50 to 100! Please drop them off by the entrance to the sanctuary.

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE

• Come celebrate the birth of Jesus with us at our Christmas Eve service! We’ll have a one-hour, family-friendly service from 1:30–2:30 PM. GT Kids won’t be running, but kids are welcome to join in worship with everyone.

‍PRAYER FOR THE WEEK

• LOVE (John 3:16) God so loved the world that He sent His Son. Reflect on the depth of God’s love for you and how you can share it with others. Pray for a heart that radiates His love in your words, actions, and attitudes.

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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Matthew 1:18-25

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Joseph Accepts Jesus as His Son

18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

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SERMON

Dan MacDonald

Q&A

Text your questions to 416-830-0335

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SONG OF RESPONSE - O COME O COME EMMANUEL

(© Public Domain. CCLI # 2678690.)

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O come O come Emmanuel

And ransom captive Israel

That mourns in lonely exile here

Until the Son of God appear

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Rejoice rejoice Emmanuel

Shall come to thee O Israel

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O come Thou Dayspring come and cheer

Our spirits by Thine advent here

Disperse the gloomy clouds of night

And death's dark shadows put to flight

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O come Desire of nations bind

All peoples in one heart and mind

Bid envy strife and quarrels cease

Fill the whole world with heaven's peace

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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 2:16-17, NIV

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May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father,

who loved us and by his grace

gave us eternal encouragement and good hope,

encourage your hearts and strengthen you

in every good deed and word.

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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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