Welcome to the Sunday Gathering recap (songs, hymns, liturgy and sermon). This blog gives you an opportunity to reflect on what you heard in the gathering or catch up if you weren’t able to be with us.
*The indented sections are responses read aloud by the congregation during the Gathering
EZEKIEL - A New Temple
CALL TO WORSHIP
Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise. Splendour and majesty are before him; strength and glory are in his sanctuary.
Ascribe to the Lord, you heavenly beings, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the glory due to his name; worship the Lord in the splendour of his holiness.
The voice of the Lord is over the waters; it is powerful and majestic. In his temple all cry, ‘Glory!’ The Lord is enthroned as King for ever.
(Based on Psalm 96:1-6 & 29: 1-2;9)
Song: How Great is Our God
Song: All Praise to Him
CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE
We've already heard and sung of God's glory, and yet we are quick to forget this. Quick to forget the faithfulness he's shown us and quick to turn to other things. For many of us, it can be easy to believe God is not present with us anymore, that he's abandoned us. An yet in His word, God promises to never leave, nor forsake us. Take a moment to reflect on that now, to confess to God this tendency in your own heart.
This next song, speaks of this longing we can feel to know God's presence with us. That even though we've seen God's faithfulness, so often our faith can feel frail and weak. Let's sing it together now, asking for God to hear our prayers.
Song: O God of Mercy Hear our Plea
PASSING OF THE PEACE
PREACHING OF THE WORD
Tom Thrower finished off our Ezekiel sermon series this week, preaching to us on the hope of a new temple from Ezekiel 40-48. Click here to listen to that sermon.
COMMUNION
Every week we want to respond to what God has done for us in Jesus. One of the great ways he has provided for us to remember the truth of the gospel is giving us communion. As we take the bread and wine we remember what Jesus has done for us.
POST COMMUNION READING
Jesus’ death brings us life and this meal reminds us that we are fed by Jesus and forgiven because of Jesus.
We rejoice that You have died, rose again, and are now with the Father advocating for us. Amen.
With our money, time, and talent we give generously, knowing that through Your Son, Jesus, You have generously given to us.
We rejoice that You have given everything and we joyfully give everything back to Your care. Amen.
Song: The Power of the Cross
Song: O God
COMMITMENT READING
Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,
“Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God."
And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb.
(Revelation 21:1-3, 22-23)
Song: Revelation Song
BENEDICTION
Brothers and Sisters, go, knowing that one day the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.
Peace be with you.
And also with you.
Amen.