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 24:1-4, NRSV

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LEADER:

The earth is the LORD’s and all that is in it,

the world, and those who live in it;

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ALL:

for he has founded it on the seas,

and established it on the rivers.

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LEADER:

Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD?

And who shall stand in his holy place?

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ALL:

Those who have clean hands and pure hearts,

who do not lift up their souls to what is false,

and do not swear deceitfully

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SONG -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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SONG - HOLY FOREVER

(© 2022 Brian and Jenn Publishing; Capitol CMG Paragon; S. D. G. Publishing; Be Essential Songs; My Magnolia Music; Phil Wickham Music; Simply Global Songs; Bethel Music Publishing. CCLI Song # 7201044)

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A thousand generations falling down in worship

To sing the song of ages to the Lamb

And all who've gone before us

And all who will believe

Will sing the song of ages to the Lamb

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Your name is the highest

Your name is the greatest

Your name stands above them all

All thrones and dominions

All powers and positions

Your name stands above them all

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And the angels cry Holy

All creation cries Holy

You are lifted high Holy

Holy forever

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If you've been forgiven and if you've been redeemed

Sing the song forever to the Lamb

If you walk in freedom and if you bear His name

Sing the song forever to the Lamb

We'll sing the song forever and amen

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Hear Your people sing Holy

To the King of Kings Holy

You will always be Holy

Holy forever

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You will always be Holy

Holy forever

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SONG - REFINER'S FIRE

(© 1990 Mercy / Vineyard Publishing; Vineyard Songs Canada. CCLI Song #426298)

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Purify my heart

Let me be as gold

And precious silver

Purify my heart

Let me be as gold

Pure gold

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Refiner's fire

My heart's one desire

Is to be holy

Set apart for You Lord

I choose to be holy

Set apart for You my Master

Ready to do Your will

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Purify my heart

Cleanse me from within

And make me holy

Purify my heart

Cleanse me from my sin

Deep within

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GOD CLEANSES

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PRAYER OF CONFESSION

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LEADER:

Almighty and merciful God,

we have erred and strayed from your ways like lost sheep.

We have followed too much

the devices and desires of our own hearts.

We have offended against your holy laws.

We have left undone those things which we ought to have done;

and we have done those things which we ought not to have done.

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ALL:

O Lord, have mercy upon us.

Spare those who confess their faults.

Restore those who are penitent,

according to your promises declared to the world

in Christ Jesus, our Lord.

And grant, O merciful God, for his sake,

that we may live a holy, just, and humble life

to the glory of your holy name.

Amen.

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SILENT CONFESSION

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WORDS OF ASSURANCE

—John 3:16-17, NRSV

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God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him

may not perish but may have eternal life.

Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world,

but in order that the world might be saved through him

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SONG OF ASSURANCE - BEFORE THE THRONE OF GOD ABOVE

(© 1997 Sovereign Grace Worship. CCLI # 2306412)

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Before the throne of God above

I have a strong and perfect plea

A great High Priest whose name is Love

Who ever lives and pleads for me

My name is graven on His hands

My name is written on His heart

I know that while in heav'n He stands

No tongue can bid me thence depart

No tongue can bid me thence depart

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When Satan tempts me to despair

And tells me of the guilt within

Upward I look and see Him there

Who made an end to all my sin

Because the sinless Saviour died

My sinful soul is counted free

For God the Just is satisfied

To look on Him and pardon me

To look on Him and pardon me

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Hallelujah hallelujah

Praise the One, the risen Son of God

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Behold Him there the risen Lamb

My perfect spotless righteousness

The great unchangeable I Am

The King of glory and of grace

One with Himself I cannot die

My soul is purchased with His blood

My life is hid with Christ on high

With Christ my Saviour and my God

With Christ my Saviour and my God

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PRAYER FOR THE CHURCH AND THE CITY

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COMMUNITY LIFE ANNOUNCEMENTS

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ALPHA

• What is the meaning and purpose of life? Is there a God? Who is Jesus?Come join us as we explore these important questions of faith over the next 10 weeks together (October 9th - December 11th). Sign up online at gracetoronto.ca/events.

WORSHIP NIGHT

• Come join us on Oct 22nd at 7PM for a night of worship and prayer as we reflect on how the Lord has been the Good Shepherd in our lives.

MEMBERSHIP CLASS

• Interested in becoming a member of our church? We invite you to attend a membership class on Saturday, October 25th from 9am-2pm in the St. Andrews hall (2nd floor). Lunch is provided. Register online at gracetoronto.ca/events.

FAMILY TALKS

• Join us for our next Family Talks Seminar on Saturday, November 1st from 9-11:30 am. This month we're looking at how parents should raise their children “in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). Breakfast is included! Register online at gracetoronto.ca/events.

GOSPEL LIVING IN THE AGE OF AI

• On Thursday, November 6, Grace Toronto will be hosting a talk on the topic of Gospel and AI, where we will explore the world of AI through the lens of the Christian faith. Join us at 7 PM in the sanctuary.

YA & CGF THANKSGIVING POTLUCK

• All young adults and grad students are invited to a Thanksgiving Potluck on Weds, October 15, 6:30-8:00pm in the Neighbours Hall. RSVP online at gracetoronto.ca/events to let us know what you're bringing to share!

PCC FALL FUNDRAISER

• PCC Toronto is having their annual fall fundraiser on November 1st. Come join them as they celebrate God's faithfulness this past year in an evening of music, stories, dessert, and fellowship. In support, Grace Toronto has purchased 20 seats! So sign up while you can by emailing stephen@gracetoronto.ca.

PRAYER FOR THE WEEK

• COMMUNITY (Acts 2:42-47) The early church devoted themselves to fellowship, breaking bread, and prayer, building a strong community of faith. Pray for opportunities to deepen your relationships and serve others in love.

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 Thessalonians 3:11-13, 4:1-8

11 Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. 12 May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. 13 May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.

1 As for other matters, brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. 2 For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.

3 It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, 5 not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God; 6 and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister. The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins, as we told you and warned you before. 7 For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. 8 Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit.

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SERMON

Kingsley Lai

Q&A

Text your questions to 416-830-0335

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SONG OF RESPONSE - I SURRENDER ALL

(© Words: Public Domain. CCLI Song # 23189)

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All to Jesus I surrender

All to Him I freely give

I will ever love and trust Him

In His presence daily live

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I surrender all

I surrender all

All to Thee my blessed Savior

I surrender all

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All to Jesus I surrender

Humbly at His feet I bow

Worldly pleasures all forsaken

Take me Jesus take me now

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All to Jesus I surrender

Make me Savior wholly Thine

Let me feel the Holy Spirit

Truly know that Thou art mine

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All to Jesus I surrender

Lord I give myself to Thee

Fill me with Thy love and power

Let Thy blessing fall on me

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All to Jesus I surrender

Now I feel the sacred flame

O the joy of full salvation

Glory glory to His name

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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

—1 Thessalonians 3:13

May the Lord strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.

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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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