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 - Inside out
CALL TO WORSHIP
I will praise you, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done. I will be filled with joy because of you. I will sing praises to your name.
The LORD reigns forever, executing judgment from his throne. He will judge the world with justice and rule the nations with fairness.
The LORD is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.
Sing praises to the LORD who reigns. Tell the world about his unforgettable deeds.
(Based on Psalm 9:1-11)
Song: Behold our God
Song: Look What God Has Done
CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE
We've just sung that God is worthy of all the glory and praise and yet so often our hearts don't match our words. Hear these words from Isaiah that speak of this:
“These people honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules."
(Isaiah 29:13)
So often our mouths say one thing, yet our hearts tell a different story. We say we love God, but the desires of our heart are so far from him. God doesn't want our empty words, he wants our hearts. Let's take a moment to ask God to turn our hearts towards him, showing us where we might be resisting him.
Even though we turn from God and our hearts can be far from him, he doesn't turn away from us. Jesus came down into this world so that sin could no longer separate us from God. If we trust in Jesus' death and resurrection we can know forgiveness from sin and relationship with God.
Song: I Stand Amazed
PASSING OF THE PEACE
PREACHING OF THE WORD
Gary Aston preached to us this week from Romans 2:17-29 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: Before the Throne of God Above
Song: Cornerstone
COMMITMENT READING
We are no longer strangers and aliens, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.
We are built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone. In Him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord.
In him we also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
Based on Ephesians 2:19-22
Song: Mighty to Save
BENEDICTION
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20)
Peace be with you.
And also with you.