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 Philippians 4:4-5, NIV

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LEADER:

Rejoice in the Lord always.

ALL:

Let us say it again: Rejoice!

LEADER:

Let your gentleness be evident to all.

The Lord is near.

ALL:

We rejoice in the hope of Christ’s coming.

Let us worship God!

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SONG - DAYS OF ELIJAH

(© 1996 Song Solutions Daybreak. CCLI# 1537904)

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These are the days of Elijah

Declaring the Word of the Lord

And these are the days

Of Your servant Moses

Righteousness being restored

And though these are days

Of great trials

Of famine and darkness and sword

Still we are the voice

In the desert crying

Prepare ye the way of the Lord

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Behold He comes

Riding on the clouds

Shining like the sun

At the trumpet call

So lift your voice

It's the year of Jubilee

And out of Zion's hill

Salvation comes

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And these are the days of Ezekiel

The dry bones becoming as flesh

And these are the days

Of Your servant David

Rebuilding a temple of praise

And these are the days of the harvest

The fields are as white in the world

And we are the labourers

In Your vineyard

Declaring the Word of the Lord

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There is no god like Jehovah

There is no god like Jehovah

There is no god like Jehovah

There is no god like Jehovah (hey)

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SONG - THE SOLID ROCK

(E. Mote, W. Bradbury/Public Domain)

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My hope is built on nothing less

Than Jesus' blood and righteousness

I dare not trust the sweetest frame

But wholly lean on Jesus' name

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On Christ, the solid rock, I stand

All other ground is sinking sand

All other ground is sinking sand

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When darkness seems to hide His face

I rest on His unchanging grace

In every high and stormy gale

My anchor holds within the veil

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His oath, his covenant, his blood

Support me in the whelming flood

When all around my soul gives way

He then is all my hope and stay

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When He shall come with trumpet sound

Oh, may I then, in Him, be found

Dressed in His righteousness alone

Faultless to stand before the throne

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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:

Lord, we have not kept watch for you.

We have occupied ourselves with our own concerns.

We have not waited to find your will for us.

We have not noticed the needs of the people around us.

We have not acknowledged the love that has been shown to us.

Forgive us for our lack of watchfulness.

Help us to wait to know your will.

Help us to look out for the needs of others.

Help us to work and watch for your coming.

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ALL:

Amen.

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SILENT CONFESSION

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WORDS OF ASSURANCE

—Titus 3:4-7, NRSV

When the goodness and loving kindness

of God our saviour appeared,

he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness

that we had done, but according to his mercy,

through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.

This Spirit he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our saviour,

so that, having been justified by his grace,

we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

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SONG OF ASSURANCE - THERE IS A REDEEMER

(© 1982 Ears To Hear Music. CCLI Song # 11483)

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There is a Redeemer

Jesus God's own Son

Precious Lamb of God Messiah

Holy One

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Thank You O my Father

For giving us Your Son

And leaving Your Spirit

Till the work on earth is done

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Jesus my Redeemer

name above all names

Precious Lamb of God Messiah

O for sinners slain

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When I stand in glory

I will see His face

There I'll serve my King forever

In that holy place

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PRAYER FOR THE CHURCH AND THE CITY

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COMMUNITY LIFE ANNOUNCEMENTS

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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.

GUIDED WINE TASTING

• Are you 35+? Join us  on November 14 for a tasting of fine wines! A certified sommelier will guide you, with lots of time to mingle and enjoy good company! Your $25 ticket covers the guided tasting, wine, and refreshments. Register online at gracetoronto.ca/events.

IMPRINT MAGAZINE LAUNCH

• Join us for an evening of fellowship and readings as we celebrate the launch of Imprint issue #13: Taking Shape! Hosted in the St. Andrew’s Hall, come get your copy of the new issue and connect with writers, artists, and fellow readers to celebrate faithful art in our city. (Pre-order discount until Nov. 13.) More info at imprintmagazine.ca.

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.

FRIDAY NIGHT AT GRACE

• It's time for Grace's house party! Board games, ceilidh dancing, and  karaoke - oh my! Grab your friends and make some new ones! Friday, November 21, 7:30-10 PM

‍PRAYER FOR THE WEEK

• TRUST (Isaiah 26:3-4) Perfect peace comes from trusting in the Lord, the Rock eternal. Reflect on areas of your life where you struggle to trust God. Pray for faith to rest in His sovereignty and experience His peace.

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 4:13-18, 5:1-11

13 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 14 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15 According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.

1 Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

4 But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5 You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

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SERMON

Dan MacDonald

Q&A

Text your questions to 416-830-0335

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SONG OF RESPONSE - CHRIST OUR HOPE IN LIFE AND DEATH

(© 2020 Getty Music Hymns and Songs; Getty Music Publishing; Jordan Kauflin Music; Love Your Enemies Publishing; Matthew Merker Music; Messenger Hymns. CCLI Song # 7147502)

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What is our hope in life and death

Christ alone Christ alone

What is our only confidence

That our souls to Him belong

Who holds our days within His hand

What comes apart from His command

And what will keep us to the end

The love of Christ in which we stand

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O sing hallelujah

Our hope springs eternal

O sing hallelujah

Now and ever we confess

Christ our hope in life and death

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What truth can calm the troubled soul

God is good God is good

Where is His grace and goodness known

In our great Redeemer's blood

Who holds our faith when fears arise

Who stands above the stormy trial

Who sends the waves that bring us nigh

Unto the shore the rock of Christ

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Unto the grave what will we sing

Christ He lives Christ He lives

And what reward will heaven bring

Everlasting life with Him

There we will rise to meet the Lord

Then sin and death will be destroyed

And we will feast in endless joy

When Christ is ours forevermore

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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 Timothy 1:17

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Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible,

the only wise God,

be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen

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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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