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
THE WORKS OF THE FLESH
CALL TO WORSHIP
Our gatherings are our opportunity to hear and remember together Who our God is: We raise our voices, to sing to rejoice in that truth together. We love to declare together- by reading parts of the bible- the truth & beauty of God. Let's join with the psalmist in praise of our God together now, join in the underlined sections.
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.
They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.
In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun. It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, like a champion rejoicing to run his course.
It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is deprived of its warmth.
(Psalm 19:1-6)
Song: Indescribable
Song: Fountain of Goodness
CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE
In John's Gospel Jesus tells us that he is the true vine from which all life flows. Yet time and time again we go to other sources to find life. Instead of being rooted in Christ, we pour our time, energy and resources into lesser things, believing that they will bring us true joy, true life. Take a moment in the quiet of your hearts to confess these ways to God this
afternoon. Hear Jesus' call again this afternoon to remain in Him, to root yourself in
Him.
"Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. ‘I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."
(John 15: 4-5)
Song: Lead us Back
PASSING OF THE PEACE
PREACHING OF THE WORD
This week we started our new sermon series on the Fruit of the Spirit. Gary Aston preached to us from Galatians 5:16-26. 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: When I Survey
Song: Revelation Song
COMMITMENT READING
Let's read these words, with full assurance that God is growing us by his Spirit.
Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into his image from one degree of glory to another. And this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
(2 Corinthians 3:17-18)
Song: In Christ Alone
BENEDICTION
Brothers and Sisters, continue, rooted in the word, asking that God would fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work.
Peace be with you.
And also with you.
Amen.