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
ENCOUNTERS - Nature
CALL TO WORSHIP
Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory in the heavens. Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.
When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?
You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honour. You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet: all flocks and herds, and the animals of the wild, the birds in the sky, and the fish in the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas.
Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
(Psalm 8)
Song: All creatures of our God and King
Song: Indescribable
CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE
Singing about the glory of God, about his majesty revealed to us in creation, reminds us of our standing before Him, how small we are in comparison, yet God cares for us. Let's pray these words together as a confession to God now.
Heavenly father when we see your glory revealed in the world around us, we fail to believe that you would care for us. When trials come, we think you've abandoned us and we don't believe that you are present in them. We see your authority over all that you have made, but don't give you authority over our lives. Help us to cast our worries and anxieties upon you knowing that you do care for us and are sovereign over all.
Song: O God
PASSING OF THE PEACE
PREACHING OF THE WORD
Gary Aston preached the second sermon in our Encounters series from Mark 4:35-41. Here we witness the disciples' fear and wonder at Jesus who displays his power and authority over creation. We have had some technical problems recording the sermon this week so a link to the sermon audio will be available shortly. Click here to listen to the other sermons in the Encounters series.
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: The Power of The Cross
Song: Jesus Paid it All
COMMITMENT READING
Hear John's response as he's faced with the reality of Christ in Revelation.
"I turned round to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash round his chest. The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance. When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: ‘Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever!"
(Revelation 1:12-18)
When we really see Christ for who he is., his glory, splendour, majesty and authority, this should always be our response.
Song: Revelation Song
BENEDICTION
May Christ dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Peace be with you.
And also with you.
Amen.
