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

—Psalm 96:1-2, NIV

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LEADER:

Sing to the LORD a new song;

ALL:

Sing to the LORD, all the earth.

LEADER:

Sing to the LORD, praise his name;

ALL:

Proclaim his salvation day after day.

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SONG - I WILL CELEBRATE

(© 1990 Universal Music - Brentwood Benson Publishing. CCLI Song # 443123)

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I will celebrate

Sing unto the Lord

Sing to the Lord a new song

I will celebrate

Sing unto the Lord

Sing to the Lord a new song

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With my heart rejoicing within

With my mind focused on Him

With my hands raised to the heavens

All I am worshiping Him

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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 - TURN YOUR EYES UPON JESUS

(© Words: Public Domain, Music: 2018 Centricity Music Publishing , CentricSongs, See You At The Pub , Flychild Publishing, and So EssentialTunes)

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Turn your eyes upon Jesus

Look full in His wonderful face

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim

In the light of His glory and grace

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O soul are you weary and troubled

No light in the darkness you see

There's light for a look at the Savior

And life more abundant and free

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Through death into life everlasting

He passed and we follow Him there

Over us sin no more hath dominion

For more than conquerors we are

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His word shall not fail you He promised

Believe Him and all will be well

Then go to a world that is dying

His perfect salvation to tell

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GOD CLEANSES

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PRAYER OF CONFESSION

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LEADER:

Our Father, forgive us for thinking small thoughts of you and for ignoring your immensity and greatness.

Lord Jesus, forgive us when we forget that you rule

the nations and our small lives.

Holy Spirit, we offend you in minimizing your power and squandering your gifts.

We confess that our blindness to your glory, O triune God, has resulted in shallow confession,

tepid conviction, and only mild repentance.

Have mercy upon us.

In Jesus’ name.

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ALL:

Amen.

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SILENT CONFESSION

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WORDS OF ASSURANCE

—from 1 John 1:5, 7, NRSV

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This is the message we have heard from God

and proclaim to you,

that God is light and in God there is no darkness at all.

If we walk in the light, as God is in the light,

we have fellowship with one another,

and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

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SONG OF ASSURANCE - SHINE JESUS SHINE

(© 1987 Make Way Music. CCLI # 30426.)

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Lord the light of Your love is shining

In the midst of the darkness shining

Jesus Light of the World shine upon us

Set us free by the truth You now bring us

Shine on me shine on me

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Shine Jesus shine

Fill this land with the Father's glory

Blaze Spirit blaze

Set our hearts on fire

Flow river flow

Flood the nations with grace and mercy

Send forth Your word

Lord and let there be light

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Lord I come to Your awesome presence

From the shadows into Your radiance

By the blood I may enter Your brightness

Search me try me consume all my darkness

Shine on me shine on me

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As we gaze on Your kingly brightness

So our faces display Your likeness

Ever changing from glory to glory

Mirrored here may our lives tell Your story

Shine on me shine on me

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PRAYER FOR THE CHURCH AND THE CITY

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COMMUNITY LIFE ANNOUNCEMENTS

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GT MEN CHRISTMAS DINNER

• Join us for a festive night of fellowship, food, and encouragement! Come enjoy a delicious turkey dinner, fun games with prizes, and hear a testimony of God's work. Purchase your ticket online at gracetoronto.ca/events.

SLEEPING BAG DRIVE

• Jericho Road Ministry is collecting NEW winter sleeping bags (-10c or lower) for our homeless neighbours in need. 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.

CHRISTMAS EVE PRE-SERVICE LUNCH

• Join us for a Christmas Eve lunch at noon before our 1:30pm service. Share good food, friendship, and festive joy as we prepare our hearts to celebrate Christ's birth. Invite your friends and neighbours - the more the merrier! RSVP is required. Adults are $10. Children 12 and under are free! Register online at gracetoronto.ca/events.

‍PRAYER FOR THE WEEK

• PEACE (Micah 5:2-5) Jesus, the Prince of Peace, was promised as the ruler who would shepherd His people. Reflect on how His peace reigns in your heart and life. Pray for His peace to extend to relationships, your community, and the world.

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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Psalm 96

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1 Sing to the Lord a new song;

sing to the Lord, all the earth.

2 Sing to the Lord, praise his name;

proclaim his salvation day after day.

3 Declare his glory among the nations,

his marvelous deeds among all peoples.

4 For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;

he is to be feared above all gods.

5 For all the gods of the nations are idols,

but the Lord made the heavens.

6 Splendor and majesty are before him;

strength and glory are in his sanctuary.

7 Ascribe to the Lord, all you families of nations,

ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.

8 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;

bring an offering and come into his courts.

9 Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness;

tremble before him, all the earth.

10 Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns.”

The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved;

he will judge the peoples with equity.

11 Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad;

let the sea resound, and all that is in it.

12 Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them;

let all the trees of the forest sing for joy.

13 Let all creation rejoice before the Lord, for he comes,

he comes to judge the earth.

He will judge the world in righteousness

and the peoples in his faithfulness.

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SERMON

Kingsley Lai

Q&A

Text your questions to 416-830-0335

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SONG OF RESPONSE - 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

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

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

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

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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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

—Psalm 96:1-2, NIV

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Sing to the LORD a new song;

Sing to the LORD, all the earth.

Sing to the LORD, praise his name;

Proclaim his salvation day after day.

Go rejoice and let the earth be glad

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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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