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 - Dead to sin and alive in Christ
CALL TO WORSHIP
I don't know what kind of week you've had, or where you find yourself this afternoon. Perhaps you feel weighed down by your sin or suffering this afternoon or maybe you come rejoicing in God's goodness. Wherever you are today, God invites you to come to him. Hear these words as we begin our gathering now that speak of the kind of Saviour we have in Jesus:
Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30)
Song: Come Ye Sinners
Song: Jesus is the Lord of All
CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE
God tells us in his word that when we trust and follow Jesus, we gain new life. Our old selves are crucified with him on the cross so that sin no longer needs to have power in our lives. Yet so often we don't live in light of this truth. We live as though sin is still our master. Take a moment to confess that tendency in your own heart to God now...
Heavenly Father, please help us to live in light of this truth. Help us to count ourselves dead to sin and alive in Christ Jesus. Would sin no longer reign in our bodies, but instead would we know the freedom that you bring through grace. Amen.
God has put our sin and shame to death and made us alive in Christ. Let's sing out in the truth of that together now!
Song: Made Alive
PASSING OF THE PEACE
PREACHING OF THE WORD
This week Gary Aston preached to us from Romans 6:1-14 helping us to think through what it means to be dead to sin and alive in Christ. 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: Lamb of God
Song: In Christ Alone
COMMITMENT READING
Thank you heavenly Father that through Jesus, we have been freed from our sin. Thank you that we are united with him in his death and raised to new life through his resurrection. Remind us that sin is no longer our master and help us to know a deeper reality of this truth. Amen.
(Romans 6:14)
Song: Christ is Risen
BENEDICTION
God has made you alive through the death of His son. Step forward today with confidence and faith that He is able to keep and sustain you.
Peace be with you.
And also with you.