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.
Waiting & Future Hope
CALL TO WORSHIP
Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him. Sing to him a new song; play skilfully, and shout for joy.
For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does.
The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love.
We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.
May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you. (Based on Psalm 33)
Song: Indescribable
Song: This Is Amazing Grace
CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE
Even in light of God's glory and his greatness, we can still find ourselves weighed down by the effects of sin in this world. We are surrounded by the brokenness of creation and it is easy for us to forget the hope we have in the gospel. God tells us in his word that:
"If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17)
That is true of us today, even in the midst of the struggles and pain of life. Let's read these words of encouragement to us now about our identity in Christ:
Our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. (Philippians 3:20-21)
Song: Grace Alone
PASSING OF THE PEACE
PREACHING OF THE WORD
Gary Aston finished up our series on Lament, looking at Psalm 130 and how lament helps us while we await the return of Jesus Christ. 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 the 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: Jesus Paid It All
Song: In Christ Alone
COMMITMENT READING
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,
“Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away.”
And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” (Revelation 21:1-5)
Song: New Again
BENEDICTION
Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.
And also with you.
Amen.