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 - God’s Sovereignty & Our Response
CALL TO WORSHIP
Praise the LORD. How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting it is to praise him!
He heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds. He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name.
Great is our LORD and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit.
Sing to the LORD and make music to our God with grateful praise!
(Based on Psalm 147:1-7)
Song: Rejoice
Song: Come Praise and Glorify
CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE
When we encounter the mighty power of God and his holy character, we are confronted with our sin. It's such a stark contrast to our Lord, the creator of all things who is always perfectly loving and giving. God tells us in his word that without him, none of us our righteous, none of us seek him and all of us have turned away from him. But we needn't stay that way. Hear this truth from God's word:
"If he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed." (James 5:15-16)
Let's take a few moments now, in the quietness of our own hearts, to respond to God's invitation to experience healing in Christ as we confess our sins. Through His death and resurrection Christ has made us right with God; he makes us pure and holy and frees us from the power of sin. Let's sing out together now, with thanksgiving, praising God for all he has done for us in Jesus.
Song: Lead us back
PASSING OF THE PEACE
PREACHING OF THE WORD
Gary Aston preached to us from Romans 9:30-10:21 this Sunday as we thought about God’s Sovereignty and our response . 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: Nothing but the Blood
Song: Lamb of God
COMMITMENT READING
Father God, keep us from looking to the world for fulfilment. Instead, give us strength to continually look to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith.
By your Spirit’s work in our hearts, give us the faith and courage to hold onto the gospel above all else.
Remind us of your love and of your kingdom that we have been brought into.
May we go from this gathering and boldly live out our mission to proclaim Jesus as saviour, redeemer and king. Amen.
Song: Be Thou My Vision
BENEDICTION
Go and celebrate the Father’s Love, Christ’s victory, and the Holy Spirit’s work in our hearts as we share our hope with the rest of the world.
Peace be with you.
And also with you.