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
FAITHFULNESS, GENTLENESS & SELF CONTROL
CALL TO WORSHIP
One of the beautiful truths about God is that he is changeless. That he remains faithful, even when we're faithless. That we can always come to him as the one who can be trusted & depended upon. So, wherever your heart is today, fragile, shaking, unstable, allow God to draw you with the truth of who he is.
I will sing of the Lord’s great love for ever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations. I will declare that your love stands firm for ever, that you have established your faithfulness in heaven itself.
The heavens praise your wonders, Lord, your faithfulness too, in the assembly of the holy ones. For who in the skies above can compare with the Lord? Who is like the Lord among the heavenly beings? Who is like you, Lord God Almighty?
You, Lord, are mighty, and your faithfulness surrounds you.
(Psalm 89:1-8)
Song: How Great Thou Art
Song: Come Praise and Glorify
CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE
We've already heard that God is faithful to us and his love stands firm forever. Even though God is faithful to us, so often we fail to be faithful to him and to others. Instead of being loyal, we are unreliable and can't be depended upon by others. Time and time again, we seek the approval of others over pleasing God. When we turn from God, the Bible calls this sin. He tells us in his word that:
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But, if we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
(based on 1 John 1:8-9)
In humility and faith then let us confess our sin to God now, knowing that, because of Jesus our sins are forgiven. Take a moment to do that now, in the quiet of your own heart. The truth of the Gospel is that God has pursued us, even though we've turned from Him. His faithfulness stands firm, when ours feels weak. Let's sing out, with assurance and thanksgiving that God has rescued us from the sin that once separated us from him.
Song: Grace Alone
PASSING OF THE PEACE
PREACHING OF THE WORD
Gary Aston preached to us this week from Galatians 5:16-26 looking at the last three characteristics the Spirit produces: faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. 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: Shine into our Night
Song: Oceans (Where feet may fail)
COMMITMENT READING
In Jesus, we see the perfect example of what a life lived in step with Spirit looks like. Hear these words about our wonderful Saviour now:
Jesus, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
(Philippians 2:6-11)
God has promised us, that if we choose to follow him, he will grow us to become more and more like Jesus, by his Spirit. We can't do any of this apart from him. Let's sing out in celebration of that truth together now!
Song: Jesus
BENEDICTION
Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. (1 Thess 5:23)
Peace be with you.
And also with you.
Amen.