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 Global God
CALL TO WORSHIP
Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth. Sing to the LORD, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvellous deeds among all peoples.
For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the LORD made the heavens. Splendour and majesty are before him; strength and glory are in his sanctuary.
Worship the LORD in the splendour of his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth. Say among the nations, ‘The LORD reigns.’
(Based on Psalm 96:1-10)
Song: All Creatures of our God and King
Song: In Tenderness He Sought Me
CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE
We've just sung that whilst we were sinners, Jesus died for us. We've already celebrated that God is a God who saves. And yet, even though we've experienced this salvation for ourselves, so often we live as though we haven't. We can be quick to turn away from God and let our sin overwhelm us. Take a moment to reflect on that now, in the quiet of your own heart.
In all of this, we have an invitation to come to God. Its not an invitation to get everything straightened out in our lives, then come to God. Rather it is a invitation to come with all our sin and struggles and frustration and lay them at the foot of the cross, to allow the grace of God to bring our souls to rest in the righteousness that Jesus give us!
Song: Come Ye Sinners Poor and Needy
PASSING OF THE PEACE
PREACHING OF THE WORD
Gary Aston preached to us on God as a global God this Sunday from Ezekiel 25-32. 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: Here is Love
Song: Saviour of the World
COMMITMENT READING
After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice,
“Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”
And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshipped God, saying
“Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honour and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”
(Revelation 7:9-12)
Song: The Lion and the Lamb
BENEDICTION
Go in the peace of 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.