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

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People of God, worship the living God today!

Remember that out of nothing God created the heavens and earth.

Remember that God raised Jesus

from the powerlessness of death

to the power of his right hand.

Remember that not even the gates of hell

can stand against God’s purposes.

Behold your God, who reigns now and forever!

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SONG - ANCIENT OF DAYS

(© 1992 Integrity's Hosanna! Music. CCLI# 798108)

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Blessing and honor glory and power

Be unto the Ancient of Days

From ev'ry nation all of creation

Bow before the Ancient of Days

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Ev'ry tongue in heaven and earth

Shall declare Your glory

Ev'ry knee shall bow at Your throne

In worship

You will be exalted O God

And Your kingdom shall not pass away

O Ancient of Days

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Your kingdom shall reign

Over all the earth

Sing unto the Ancient of Days

For none can compare

To Your matchless worth

Sing unto the Ancient of Days

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SONG - ALL HAIL THE POWER OF JESUS NAME

(© Public Domain. CCLI # 584594)

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All hail the pow'r of Jesus' name

Let angels prostrate fall

Bring forth the royal diadem

And crown Him Lord of all

Bring forth the royal diadem

And crown Him Lord of all

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Ye chosen seed of Israel's race

Ye ransomed from the fall

Hail Him who saves you by His grace

And crown Him Lord of all

Hail Him who saves you by His grace

And crown Him Lord of all

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Let ev'ry kindred ev'ry tribe

On this terrestrial ball

To Him all majesty ascribe

And crown Him Lord of all

To Him all majesty ascribe

And crown Him Lord of all

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Crown Him ye morning stars of light

Who fixed this earthly ball

Now hail the strength of Israel's might

And crown Him Lord of all

Now hail the strength of Israel's might

And crown Him Lord of all

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SONG - WHAT A BEAUTIFUL NAME

(© 2016 Hillsong Music Publishing. CCLI # 7068424)

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You were the Word at the beginning

One with God the Lord Most High

Your hidden glory in creation

Now revealed in You our Christ

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What a beautiful Name it is

What a beautiful Name it is

The Name of Jesus Christ my King

What a beautiful Name it is

Nothing compares to this

What a beautiful Name it is

The Name of Jesus

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Sent from heaven as our ransom

Making way where there was none

Through Jesus Christ our great Redeemer

Sin and death were overcome

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What a wonderful Name it is

What a wonderful Name it is

The Name of Jesus Christ my King

What a wonderful Name it is

Nothing compares to this

What a wonderful Name it is

The Name of Jesus

What a wonderful Name it is

The Name of Jesus

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Death could not hold You

The veil tore before You

You silence the boast of sin and grave

The heavens are roaring

The praise of Your glory

For You are raised to life again

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You have no rival

You have no equal

Now and forever God You reign

Yours is the kingdom

Yours is the glory

Yours is the Name above all names

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What a powerful Name it is

What a powerful Name it is

The Name of Jesus Christ my King

What a powerful Name it is

Nothing can stand against

What a powerful Name it is

The Name of Jesus

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What a powerful Name it is

The Name of Jesus

What a powerful Name it is

The Name of Jesus

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GOD CLEANSES

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PRAYER OF CONFESSION

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LEADER:

Most gracious and most merciful God,

we confess to you and to one another that time after time

we have entered your presence with countless prayers

but with hearts that have been closed to your grace.

We have lifted our hands to you in praise,

but our feet have still walked in the ways of evil.

We have rehearsed your commandments

but have refused to see your face in the needs of our neighbor.

We pray, Lord, that you forgive our lack of faith

and pardon our acts of injustice.

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ALL:

Grant us the healing that comes from your presence

and the cleansing of your all-powerful Word,

through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

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SILENT CONFESSION

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WORDS OF ASSURANCE

—Romans 5:1-2, 5, NIV

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Since we have been justified through faith,

we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

through whom we have gained access by faith

into this grace in which we now stand.

And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.

And hope does not disappoint us,

because God has poured out his love into our hearts

by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

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SONG OF ASSURANCE - LIVING HOPE

(© 2017 Phil Wickham Music, Simply Global Songs, Sing My Songs, Bethel Music Publishing. CCLI# 7106807.)

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How great the chasm that lay between us

How high the mountain I could not climb

In desperation I turned to heaven

And spoke Your name into the night

Then through the darkness Your loving-kindness

Tore through the shadows of my soul

The work is finished the end is written

Jesus Christ my living hope

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Who could imagine so great a mercy

What heart could fathom such boundless grace

The God of ages stepped down from glory

To wear my sin and bear my shame

The cross has spoken I am forgiven

The King of kings calls me His own

Beautiful Savior I’m Yours forever

Jesus Christ my living hope

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Hallelujah praise the One who set me free

Hallelujah death has lost its grip on me

You have broken every chain

There’s salvation in Your name

Jesus Christ my living hope

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Then came the morning that sealed the promise

Your buried body began to breathe

Out of the silence the Roaring Lion

Declared the grave has no claim on me

(Jesus Yours is the victory)

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Jesus Christ my living hope

Oh God You are my living hope

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PRAYER FOR THE CHURCH AND THE CITY

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COMMUNITY LIFE ANNOUNCEMENTS

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MISSIONS MONTH

• Stick around after service for our Missions Fair in St. Andrew's Hall! Chat with local missionaries, explore opportunities with sending organizations, and find out what stepping into short-term or long-term missions could look like for you.

WOMEN'S MINISTRY CHRISTMAS BRUNCH

• All ladies are warmly invited to the annual Women's Ministry Christmas Brunch on Sunday, December 7th at 11 AM in St. Andrew's Hall (upstairs). Bring a friend (or two!) for this joyful time of fellowship and food as we reflect on the enduring significance of Christ's incarnation in our lives today. Register online at gracetoronto.ca/events.

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.

‍PRAYER FOR THE WEEK

• HOPE (Isaiah 9:2-7) Advent begins with the promise of hope as we await the coming of the Messiah. Reflect on how Christ has brought light into your darkness. Pray for renewed hope as you prepare your heart to celebrate His birth.

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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1 Corinthians 2:1-5

1 And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. 2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. 4 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, 5 so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.

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SERMON

Dan MacDonald

Q&A

Text your questions to 416-830-0335

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SONG OF RESPONSE - HEAL OUR LAND

(© 2016 Kari Jobe Carnes Music; Worship Together Music; Writer's Roof Publishing; SHOUT! Music Publishing Australia. CCLI Song # 7070516)

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You take our lives

Flawed yet beautiful

Restore refine

Lord You're merciful

Redeem revive

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Spirit of God

Breathe on Your church

Pour out Your presence

Speak through Your word

We pray in ev'ry nation Christ be known

Our hope and salvation Christ alone

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New pow'r new wine

As divisions fall

One church one Bride

Jesus Lord of all

With one voice we cry

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So God we pray to You

Humble ourselves again

Lord would You hear our cry

Lord will You heal our land

That ev'ry eye will see

That ev'ry heart will know

The One who took our sin

The One who died and rose

And when Your kingdom comes

And when at last You call

We'll rise to worship You alone

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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 15:13

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May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing,

so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

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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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