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
New Relationships: To Friends & Enemies. ROMANS 12:9-21
CALL TO WORSHIP
When we gather together on a Sunday we want to remember the story of the gospel together
The wonderful good news of what God has done for us in Jesus
So every gathering traces that story as we sing, as we pray and as we hear from God
That means our gatherings start where the gospel starts: with God
So let me invite you to stand with me as we declare God’s greatness together
Join with me in reading aloud anything you see that is underlined
Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the LORD is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his ;we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.
(Psalm 100)
SONG: COME PRAISE AND GLORIFY
SONG: GRACE ALONE
CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE
In his word God tells us that the church is the body of Christ, with Jesus as the head. When the Bible uses this language, it tells us that all parts of the body are different and yet necessary in order for it to flourish and grow. God also tells us in his word that our sin, our rejection of him affects our relationships with one another so we fail to love and serve one another as we should.
Take a moment to reflect on that now, to reflect on ways we fail to see our need for each other and how our sin affects our relationships with one another.
Father God, we ask that you would help us in this. Thank you that in trusting in Jesus we are brought into your family. Thank you that we have a new identity as your people and as your church. Help us live out this calling as a response to the generosity you have shown to us in Christ. Amen.
SONG: AND CAN IT BE
PASSING OF THE PEACE
PASTORAL PRAYER
READING OF THE WORD
ROMANS 12:9-21
PREACHING OF THE WORD
Gary Aston preached to us from Romans 12:9-21 this Sunday as we continued our series in Romans for the final time. Click here to listen to that sermon.
PRE-COMMUNION READING
COMMUNION
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: THE POWER OF THE CROSS
SONG: I STAND AMAZED (HOW MARVELLOUS)
COMMITMENT READING
Hear this commitment reading that reminds us of who we are together in Jesus:
Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, you are citizens along with all of God's holy people. You are members of God's family. Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself.
(Ephesians 2:19-20)
SONG: AMAZING GRACE (MY CHAINS ARE GONE)
BENEDICTION
Hear this benediction as we close our gathering:
Go knowing how wide and long and high and deep is the love of God towards us in Christ Jesus
Peace be with you
And also with you.