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
HABITS OF GRACE - The Word
CALL TO WORSHIP
Oh, how we love your law! We meditate on it all day long. Your commands are always with us.
How sweet are your words to our taste, sweeter than honey to our mouths.
Your word is a lamp for our feet and a light on our paths. Your statutes are wonderful, they are our heritage forever.
The unfolding of your words gives light and understanding. Your word is the joy of our hearts.
(Based on Psalm 119:97-130)
Song: Fountain of Goodness
Song: Come Praise and Glorify
CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE
We've already heard that God's word brings light and understanding, that it is sweet to taste. Psalm 119 goes on to tell us that God's word is life-giving and those who walk according to it are blessed, yet so often we don't see it this way. So often, we don't really believe that when we come to God's word he will meet with us and speak to us through it. Take a moment to reflect on that now, to confess to God the way you might neglect his word, or fail to see the power it can have in our lives.
Without God we have no hope of change so let's pray these words together now, asking that God would help us in this:
Teach us, LORD, the way of your decrees that we may follow it to the end. Direct us in the path of your commands that we would delight in them.
Turn our hearts towards your statutes and not towards selfish gain. Turn our eyes away from worthless things, to you, the one who brings life according to your word.
(Psalm 119:33-37)
Song: Forgiven
PASSING OF THE PEACE
PREACHING OF THE WORD
Gary Aston preached to us this week from Psalm 119 looking at the habit of hearing from God in his word. Click here to listen to that sermon.
Gary mentioned a Gospel Living session that Elspeth did for us on 'Living by the Word'. To listen to this session click here.
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: When I Survey
Song: Jesus Paid It All
COMMITMENT READING
Heavenly Father, help us to seek you with all our hearts and not stray from your commands. Would we meditate on your word and consider your ways.
By your Spirit, help us to delight in your decrees and not neglect your Bible. Open our eyes that we may see wonderful things in your word.
(Based on Psalm 119:15-18)
Song: This I Believe
BENEDICTION
Let the word of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Peace be with you.
And also with you.
Amen.