Prepare (November 12, 2017)

This blog gives you a glimpse into the upcoming Sunday Gathering. It's an opportunity to read through the passage we'll be studying together, pray through some of the liturgy we'll be using, and listen to a selection of the songs we’ll be singing

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THE CHURCH - A Place to Belong

SERMON

Tom Thrower will be preaching to us from Psalm 133 looking at what it means to belong to the church.  

LITURGY

CALL TO WORSHIP

How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts! My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord; My heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.

Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God.

Blessed are those who dwell in your house, ever singing your praise! For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere.

(Psalm 84:1-4;10)

MUSIC

• O For A Thousand Tongues: A song of longing for the day when we will have eternity with God and his people. 

• Lead Us Back (Sojourn Music): A song of confession, confessing to God the ways we have turned away from him and a plea that he would lead us back to life in him. 

Reflect (November 5, 2017)

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

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THE CHURCH - Equipped by God

CALL TO WORSHIP

We gather today not as individuals, but as a church – a single body made up of many members. Each week we gather to remember that God has united us as His people, and has called us to remember His promises and celebrate what He’s done for us. Join with me in this call to worship that speaks of the new identity we have in Jesus:

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: Look What God Has Done

Song: 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)

CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE

In his word God tells us that the church is the body of Christ, with Jesus as the head. When the Bible uses this language, it tells us that all parts of the body are different and yet necessary in order for it to flourish and grow. I wonder how often we believe this to be true. How often we not only recognise the role we have to play, but also acknowledge the need we have for one another. Take a moment to reflect on that now, to reflect on ways we fail to see our need for each other and also our place in the body of Christ.

Father God, we ask that you would help us in this. Thank you that in trusting in Jesus we are brought into your family, we are part of his body. Help us to love and treasure one another and use the gifts you have given us to grow and nurture the body of Christ . Amen.

Song: Made Alive

PASSING OF THE PEACE

PREACHING OF THE WORD

Gary Aston preached to us this week from 1 Corinthians 12, helping us to understand what it means for the church to be equipped by God. 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: Here is Love

Song: See His Love

COMMITMENT READING

Father God, help us to live out our identity as the body of Christ. Equip us, by your Spirit, to use the gifts you have given us to grow and build up the body. 

In all these things, equip us to help one another grow up into Christ, who is the head and who holds the whole body together. Amen.

(based on 1 Corinthians 12; Ephesians 4:15)

Song: It is Well

BENEDICTION

Go as the family of God, adopted through the Son, empowered and equipped by the Holy Spirit, living as a child of God.

Peace be with you.

And also with you. 

Amen.

Prepare (November 5, 2017)

This blog gives you a glimpse into the upcoming Sunday Gathering. It's an opportunity to read through the passage we'll be studying together, pray through some of the liturgy we'll be using, and listen to a selection of the songs we’ll be singing

---

THE CHURCH - Equipped by God

SERMON

Gary Aston will be preaching to us this week from 1 Corinthians 12, helping us to understand what it means for the church to be equipped by God.    

LITURGY

COMMITMENT READING

Father God, help us to live out our identity as the body of Christ. Equip us, by your Spirit, to use the gifts you have given us to grow and build up the body.

When one suffers, would we suffer alongside them. When one is honoured, would we rejoice with them. 

In all these things, equip us to help one another grow up into Christ, who is the head and who holds the whole body together. Amen.

(based on 1 Corinthians 12; Ephesians 4:15)

MUSIC

• Look What God Has Done (Ghost Ship): A call to look again and remember all that God has done for us in Christ.

• Made Alive (Citizens and Saints): A celebration of our new identity in Jesus, that we have been brought from death to life. 

Reflect (October 29, 2017)

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

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THE CHURCH - Led by Elders

CALL TO WORSHIP

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.

He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church.

He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be pre-eminent.

For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, making peace by the blood of his cross.

(Colossians 1:15-20)

Song: Jesus

Song: Fountain of Goodness

CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE

So often our hearts wander and desire to bow down to other masters. We seek the security of prosperity, the false comforts and the pleasures of this world. Christ speaks of this when he tells us:

“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other.”

Let’s take a moment to silently confess our false gods to the Lord now...Only by the blood of Christ can we be declared righteous in God's eyes. He raised us to new life, a life that breaks the power of sin and trusts in the name of Jesus Christ, our Saviour. Jesus tells us:

"I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." (John 10:10b-11)

Today we rejoice in a good Saviour who loves and has given his life for us. Let’s rejoice in that today as we sing out.

Song: It is Finished

PASSING OF THE PEACE

PREACHING OF THE WORD

Tom Thrower preached to us this week from Mark 10:35-45 and Titus 1 on what it means for the church to be led by elders. 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: Amazing Grace

Song: Cornerstone

COMMITMENT READING

Father God, help us to no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, help us to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.

From him the whole body is joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped. When each part is working properly, the body grows, so that it builds itself up in love.

(Ephesians 4:14-16)

Song: Be Thou My Vision

BENEDICTION

To Him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Saviour be glory, majesty, power, and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen!

(Jude 24-25)

Peace be with you.

And also with you. 

Amen.