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 & Israel: Restoration
CALL TO WORSHIP
The LORD is merciful and compassionate, slow to anger and filled with unfailing love. The LORD is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all his creation.
The LORD is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does. The LORD upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.
My mouth will speak in praise of the LORD. Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever.
(Psalm 145:8-14)
Song: Everlasting God
Song: 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)
CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE
Father God as we are reminded of your glory and majesty, we confess that so often we forget how far we are from you. We are quick to build ourselves up and quick to look down on others. Forgive us for judging one another, thinking we are better than one another.
Remind us that all of us have sinned and fallen short of your standards. We are all undeserving of your grace and yet you have lavishly poured it onto us. Amen.
Even though we deserved God's judgement, Jesus took the judgement that was ours on the cross so that we might be freed from the power of sin. God tells us in his word that if we repent and turn to Jesus, we find life. Hear these words of assurance about our great and perfect saviour now:
"He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth." When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.
"He himself bore our sins" in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; "by his wounds we have been healed."
(1 Peter 2:22-24)
Song: Jesus
PASSING OF THE PEACE
PREACHING OF THE WORD
Gary Aston preached to us from Romans 11:11-36 this Sunday as we thought about restoration for God’s people. 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: Hallelujah What a Saviour
Song: Before the Throne
COMMITMENT READING
Heavenly Father help us to entrust ourselves to you with confidence in what Jesus has already done for us in his death and resurrection.
Give us a deep assurance of our salvation as we trust your promises to us. May we find our identity in Jesus' finished work on the cross, not in our works or performance. Amen.
Song: It is Well
BENEDICTION
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen
Peace be with you.
And also with you.