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
JAMES - True Faith & Words
CALL TO WORSHIP
The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.
The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring for ever.
The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous. They are more precious than gold; they are sweeter than honey. (Psalm 19:7-10)
Song: Come Praise and Glorify
Song: Fountain of Goodness
CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE
As we've seen so far in the book of James, our actions reveal where our heart lies. If we put our roots down in God and abide in Him, God tells us in his word, that we will produce good fruit. That our lives and actions will reflect this. This is true of our words too. In Matthew's gospel Jesus says that "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." How we use our words, reveals our heart. So often we use our words to hurt others rather than to build one another up. We gossip and slander others, instead of encouraging or rebuking each other in love. Let's take a moment now to reflect on that, to confess to God the ways we use our words that do not honour him.
The truth of the Gospel is that even though we have sinned against God we can know forgiveness because of Jesus. His death and resurrection means that we are forgiven and can know the joy of knowing him.
Song: In Tenderness He Sought Me
PASSING OF THE PEACE
PREACHING OF THE WORD
Oli Simmons preached to us this week from James 3, looking at how the gospel shapes our words. 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: I Stand Amazed
COMMITMENT READING
Father God, we ask that you'd help our lips to overflow with praise of you and our tongues to sing of your word. Would no corrupting talk come out of our mouths. Instead help our words be gracious, seasoned with salt and good for building one another up. Amen.
(Based on Psalm 119:171-173; Colossians 4:6; Ephesians 4:29)
Song: Be Thou My Vision
BENEDICTION
Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Peace be with you.
And also with you.
Amen.