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
IMPACT - How we impact brokenness
CALL TO WORSHIP
Praise the LORD, my soul. I will praise the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.
He is the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them he remains faithful for ever. He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry.
The LORD sets prisoners free, the LORD gives sight to the blind, the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down, the LORD loves the righteous.
The LORD watches over the foreigner and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.
The LORD reigns for ever, for all generations. Praise the LORD.
(Based on Psalm 146)
Song: Everlasting God
Song: 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)
CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE
We've already heard that God is a compassionate God, we've sung that he defends the weak and comforts those in need. When we're reminded of God's character, we realise how far short we fall from his standards. Instead of looking to serve those in need, we use our time, money and resources for selfish gain. Take a moment to reflect on that now, to confess these ways before God...
Father God, forgive us for using the good gifts you have given us to serve ourselves rather than others. Help us to see the needs of those around us and use all that we have to meet them. Remind us of your generosity, shown to us in Christ, when he gave himself up for us. Help us to show that generosity towards others in how we love and care for them. Amen.
Song: Forgiven
PASSING OF THE PEACE
PREACHING OF THE WORD
This Sunday Tom Thrower preached to us from Mark 15: 16-39 on how we can impact brokenness. Listen to that sermon here.
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: Nothing but the Blood
Song: Here is Love
COMMITMENT READING
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus.
He was in the form of God, but did not count equality with God something to be grasped. He emptied himself, taking on the form of a servant and humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
(Based on Philippians 2:3-8)
Song: Cornerstone
BENEDICTION
Finally, brothers and sisters rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.
Peace be with you.
And also with you.