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 95:6-7, NIV

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LEADER:

Come, let us bow down in worship,

ALL:

Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker;

LEADER:

For he is our God

ALL:

And we are the people of his pasture,

the flock under his care.

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SONG - DOXOLOGY (AMEN)

(© 2016 Phil Wickham Music; Seems Like Music; Sing My Songs. CCLI #7059306)

Praise God from whom all blessings flow

Praise Him all creatures here below

Praise Him above you heav'nly host

Praise Father Son and Holy Ghost

Amen Amen Amen

God we praise You

God we praise You

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SONG - PRAISE

(© Brandon Lake Music; For Humans Publishing; Maverick City Publishing; Capitol CMG Genesis; Capitol CMG Paragon; Housefires Sounds; Writer's Roof Publishing; Music by Elevation Worship Publishing. CCLI Song # 7213077)

Verse 1

I’ll praise in the valley

Praise on the mountain

I’ll praise when I’m sure

Praise when I’m doubting

I’ll praise when outnumbered

Praise when surrounded

'Cause praise is the water

My enemies drown in

Pre-Chorus

As long as I’m breathing

I’ve got a reason to

Chorus 1

Praise the Lord oh my soul

Praise the Lord oh my soul

Verse 2

I’ll praise when I feel it

And I’ll praise when I don’t

I’ll praise 'cause I know

You’re still in control

'Cause my praise is a weapon

It’s more than a sound

My praise is the shout

That brings Jericho down

Chorus 2

Praise the Lord oh my soul

Praise the Lord oh my soul

I won’t be quiet

My God is alive

How could I keep it inside

Praise the Lord oh my soul

Bridge

I’ll praise 'cause You’re sovereign

Praise 'cause You reign

Praise 'cause You rose and defeated the grave

I’ll praise 'cause You’re faithful

Praise 'cause You’re true

Praise 'cause there’s nobody greater than You

Chorus 3

Praise the Lord oh my soul

Praise the Lord oh my soul

Praise the Lord oh my soul

Praise the Lord oh my soul

I won’t be quiet

My God is alive

How could I keep it inside

I won’t be quiet

My God is alive

How could I keep it inside

I won’t be quiet

My God is alive

How could I keep it inside

Praise the Lord oh my soul

Ending

Let everything that has breath

Praise the Lord

Praise the Lord

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SONG - WE FALL DOWN

(© 1998 Rising Springs Music. Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing. CCLI Song # 2437367)

Verse

We fall down

We lay our crowns

At the feet of Jesus

The greatness of mercy and love

At the feet of Jesus

Chorus

And we cry holy holy holy

And we cry holy holy holy

And we cry holy holy holy is the Lamb

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SONG - DOXOLOGY (AMEN)

(© 2016 Phil Wickham Music; Seems Like Music; Sing My Songs. CCLI #7059306)

Praise God from whom all blessings flow

Praise Him all creatures here below

Praise Him above you heav'nly host

Praise Father Son and Holy Ghost

Amen Amen Amen

God we praise You

God we praise You

Praise God for all that He has done

Praise Him for He has overcome

The grave is beaten love has won

Praise God our Savior Christ the Son

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GOD CLEANSES

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PRAYER OF CONFESSION

—Psalm 95:6-7, NIV

LEADER:

Come, let us bow down in worship,

ALL:

let us kneel before the LORD our Maker;

LEADER:

for he is our God

ALL:

and we are the people of his pasture,

the flock under his care.

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SILENT CONFESSION

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WORDS OF ASSURANCE

LEADER:

Almighty God, we confess how hard it is to be your people.

You have called us to be the church,

to continue the mission of Jesus Christ to our lonely and confused world.

Yet we acknowledge we are more apathetic than active,

isolated than involved, callous than compassionate,

obstinate than obedient, legalistic than loving.

Gracious Lord, have mercy upon us and forgive our sins.

Remove the obstacles preventing us

from being your representatives to a broken world.

Awaken our hearts to the promised gift of your indwelling Spirit.

This we pray in Jesus’ powerful name.

ALL:

Amen.

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SONG OF ASSURANCE -HYMN OF HEAVEN

(© Brian and Jenn Publishing; CDavs Music; Songs For TIM; Phil Wickham Music; Simply Global Songs; Bethel Music Publishing. CCLI Song # 7168994)

Verse 1

How I long to breathe the air of Heaven

Where pain is gone and mercy fills the streets

To look upon the one who bled to save me

And walk with Him for all eternity

Chorus 1

There will be a day

When all will bow before Him

There will be a day

When death will be no more

Standing face to face

With He who died and rose again

Holy holy is the Lord

Verse 2

And ev'ry prayer we prayed in desperation

The songs of faith

We sang through doubt and fear

In the end we’ll see that it was worth it

When He returns to wipe away our tears

Verse 3

And on that day we join the resurrection

And stand beside the heroes of the faith

With one voice a thousand generations

Sing worthy is the Lamb who was slain

Forever He shall reign

Chorus 2

So let it be today

We shout the hymn of Heaven

With angels and the Saints

We raise a mighty roar

Glory to our God

Who gave us life beyond the grave

Holy holy is the Lord

Holy holy is the Lord

Holy holy is the Lord

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PRAYER FOR THE CHURCH AND THE CITY

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COMMUNITY LIFE ANNOUNCEMENTS

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NEWCOMERS BRUNCH

• New to Grace? Join us for brunch after either service on September 14! Learn about our community and get to know some of our leaders. RSVP at gracetoronto.ca/events.

YOUNG ADULTS KICKOFF

• Fun, friendship, and free food! Join the Young Adults for our speed-friending kickoff on Weds, Sept 10 from 6:30-8:00pm. (For those between 18 and 25).

WOMEN'S MINISTRY BIBLE STUDY

• This Fall, join our Women's Ministry Bible Study as we explore Philippians and learn how Paul found joy in suffering and handled conflict with grace and truth. We'll meet Tuesdays at 7 PM, September 23 to November 25. Register at gracetoronto.ca/events

GTMEN BIBLE STUDY

• Join us as we dive into a 5 week study on Jonah. No registration is needed! Our Bible study on Jonah takes place every other week. For the full schedule and meeting details, visit gracetoronto.ca/ministries/men.

GRACE GATHERINGS REGISTRATION

• Want to join a Grace Gathering Small Group? The Fall 2025 semester will begin on September 1, 2025 Registration will be OPEN between September 1-15, 2025. To register and learn more about our Grace Gatherings,  please go to, https://gracetoronto.ca/grace-gatherings.

KINGDOM COME WORSHIP AND PRAYER

• Come join us on Sept 17 at 7PM at St Paul's Bloor Street as we gather with churches from all over Toronto to worship God and pray for healing in our hearts and in our city.

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.

PRAYER FOR THE WEEK

• COMMITMENT (Colossians 3:23-24) As the new school year and work season begins, we are reminded to do everything as unto the Lord. Reflect on how you can approach your studies, work, and daily tasks with a heart committed to glorifying God.

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, visit gracetoronto.ca/give.

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GOD COMMUNES

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SCRIPTURE READING

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1 Thessalonians 1:1-5

1 Paul, Silas and Timothy,

To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

Grace and peace to you.

2 We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. 3 We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

4 For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake.

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SERMON

Dan MacDonald

Q&A

Text your questions to 416-830-0335

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SONG OF RESPONSE -HOLY SPIRIT

(© 2011 Capitol CMG Genesis CCLI Song # 6087919)

There's nothing worth more that will ever come close

No thing can compare You're our living hope

Your Presence

I've tasted and seen of the sweetest of loves

Where my heart becomes free and my shame is undone

In Your Presence Lord

Holy Spirit You are welcome here

Come flood this place and fill the atmosphere

Your glory God is what our hearts long for

To be overcome by Your Presence Lord

Your Presence Lord

Your Presence Lord

Your Presence

Oh God how we love Your Presence Lord

Let us become more aware of Your Presence

Let us experience the glory of Your goodness (Lord)

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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 5:1-2, 5, NIV

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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PRAYER

Would you like prayer?  Send us an email at prayer@gracetoronto.ca.  We would love to intercede for you!

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