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
Unity & Mission [Romans 15:1-13].
CALL TO WORSHIP
The wonderful message of Christianity is a welcome from God!
It is a welcome that isn’t based on what you have done, or what can do for God but on grace
So when we gather as a church like this we don't just do so as a tradition.
Sundays are not a way to be religious people, doing religious things
No- Sundays start with God’s gracious welcome to us
When the church gathers we do so because God has called us
In Jesus he has come to show mercy to us
He started this and Sundays are part of our response to him
So please stand with me & join in reading the underlined portions of this call to worship
When the goodness and loving kindness of God our Saviour appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy.
He washed us by the regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Saviour.
And so we have been justified by his grace so that we might become his heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
(Based on Titus 3:4-7)
SONG: REJOICE
SONG: COME YE SINNERS
CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE
We've experienced the love of God, yet so often we find it difficult to love him and others in the way we should. Instead of loving others, for their good, we love them for what we'll get out of it. We seek our good instead of theirs.
Every week, at this point in our gathering, we take a moment to confess our sin before God. It's a time to admit our failing to him and celebrate the forgiveness we can know in Christ. Let's take a moment, in the quiet of our hearts to confession our lack of love for God and for others.
Let's read these words of assurance and encouragement about our God who has shown us what perfect love looks like:
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God.
This is how God showed his love among us: he sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.
This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loves us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
(Based on 1 John 4:7-12)
Let's sing out with full assurance of what Jesus has done for us.
SONG: ALL I HAVE IS CHRIST
PASSING OF THE PEACE
CHURCH NEWS
PASTORAL PRAYER
READING OF THE WORD
Romans 15:1-13
PREACHING OF THE WORD
Gary Aston preached to us from Romans 15:1-13 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: DOXOLOGY
SONG: CHRIST IS RISEN
COMMITMENT READING
Heavenly Father, our great God of endurance and encouragement, we pray that you would grant us unity together in Christ.
With one voice, united in Jesus, help us to glorify and praise you in our words and actions together.
Empowered by your Spirit, may we welcome one another as you have welcomed us in Christ
Amen
(Based on Romans 15:5-7)
SONG: O FOR A THOUSAND TONGUES
BENEDICTION
Finally, brothers and sisters rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.
(Based on 2 Corinthians 13:11)
Peace be with you
And also with you.