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
ROMANS - People of the gospel
CALL TO WORSHIP
Oh come, let us sing to the LORD; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!
For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods.
In his hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are his also. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land.
Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker! For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture.
(Psalm 95:1-7)
Song: Look What God Has Done
Song: This is Amazing Grace
CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE
We've already heard that we have so much to thank God for. We've sung of the grace that has been shown to us in Christ, that we've been saved and redeemed from our sin. God tells us in his word that those who seek him, lack no good thing. Not only do we lack no good thing, but in Christ all of our deepest needs can be met. So often, though, we don't believe this and we live as though we have nothing to be thankful for. Instead of treasuring the gospel, we take our salvation for granted. We become dissatisfied and ungrateful of God, thinking he owes us, when he has given us everything in Jesus. Take a moment to reflect on that now, to confess to God where you have become dissatisfied or ungrateful of him. Let's read these words together now asking for God's help in this:
Father God, help us to be thankful for who you are and all that you have done for us. Would we truly believe that in Christ you will meet all of our needs and that if we seek you, we will lack no good thing. Amen.
(Based on Philippians 4:19, Psalm 34:10)
Song: Forgiven
PASSING OF THE PEACE
PREACHING OF THE WORD
Gary Aston preached the second sermon in our new series in the book of Romans this week from Romans 1:1-15. 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: How Deep the Father’s Love
Song: See His Love
COMMITMENT READING
Father God, thank you that you have loved us with an everlasting love, sending Jesus into this world to save us from our sin. Thank you that we can know relationship with you and eternal life through him.
We pray that by your Spirit, you would grow our faith and our love for Christ. As we grow, help us to be an encouragement to one another and to build one another up in love. Amen.
Song: Cornerstone
BENEDICTION
May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word. (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17)
Peace be with you.
And also with you.