SUNDAY GATHERING (24th May 2020)

THE GOSPEL OF MARK [MARK 1:9-13]


During this time where our public gatherings are not able to meet, each Sunday we are providing you with a liturgy that you can use at home. You can use it in a number of ways: on your own, with your family, or with others from our church community via video conferencing. Our suggestion is that you take time to move through each of the sections below, listening to the songs, reflecting on the liturgy and hearing the word preached exactly as we do on a Sunday. As you move through it why not talk with others or, if you are on your own, message someone from your City Group or DNA Group to share something that really struck you. 

As you do this remember that we are still the church even when we can’t gather together as the church. 

CALL TO WORSHIP 

One of the wonderful truths that we know and enjoy about God is that he is unimaginably great. He is glorious, he is powerful, he is unlike anything or anyone else. But in all of his greatness he is also near to us. Time and time again he calls us to rest in him as our rock and refuge. Start your time of worship today with these words from the Psalmist: 

Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his steadfast love endures for ever! Out of my distress I called on the LORD; the LORD answered me and set me free. The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. The LORD is our strength and song; he has become our salvation. Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his steadfast love endures for ever!

(Based on Psalm 118) 

Remember today that God invites you to enjoy him as your strength and song! So ask him to help you to do that as your begin. 

SONG: Rock of Ages (Dustin Kensrue): A reminder that God is the rock and refuge who cleanses us from our sin.

LYRICS

Rock of ages cleft for me Let me hide myself in Thee
Let the water and the blood
From Thy wounded side which flowed
Be of sin the double cure
Save from wrath and make me pure

Not the labors of my hands
Can fulfill the law's commands
Should my passion never fade
And my efforts all be weighed
All for sin could not atone
You must save and You alone

Rock of ages
No one takes Your life
Yet You died that I might live
Costly grace You freely give
Rock of ages
You have paid the price
You were cleft to cover me
Let me hide myself in Thee

Nothing in my hand I bring
Simply to the cross I cling
Naked come to Thee for dress
Helpless look to Thee for grace
Wretched to the fount I fly
Wash me Savior or I die

Rock of ages
No one takes Your life
Yet You died that I might live
Costly grace You freely give
Rock of ages
You have paid the price
You were cleft to cover me
Let me hide myself in Thee

And while I draw my final breath
I'll rest upon Your grace
And when I close my eyes in death
I'll wake to see Your face

Rock of ages
No one takes Your life
Yet You died that I might live
Costly grace You freely give
Rock of ages
You have paid the price
You were cleft to cover me
Let me hide myself in Thee

CCLI Song # 7004664

Augustus Montague Toplady | Dustin Kensrue

© 2013 Dead Bird Theology (Admin. by Song Solutions www.songsolutions.org)

It's All About Jesus Music (Admin. by Song Solutions www.songsolutions.org)

We Are Younger We Are Faster Music (Admin. by Song Solutions www.songsolutions.org)

SONG: O God of our Salvation (The Village Church): A song of praise to our great God who has saved us and a call to give him the glory and praise he deserves.

CCLI Song # 5564684

Matt Boswell | Michael Bleecker

© 2009 Curb Dayspring Music (Admin. by / Small Stone Media BV, Holland (Admin. in the UK/Eire by Song Solutions www.songsolutions.org))

Bleecker Publishing (Admin. by Michael Bleecker)

CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE 

In the passage we will be thinking about today we see the baptism of Jesus and get a wonderful glimpse into the reality of the Trinity: 

the Spirit descended on Jesus like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

[Mark 1:10-11] 

Within the one being of the triune God there are three persons who have been loving and glorifying one another for all eternity. This is the reality that lies at the heart of the universe- a wonderful outpouring of other centred love. But so often we find ourselves scrambling for our own glory and recognition. Living in ways that make us the centre of the world. Take some moments of confession as you repent of your sinful self centred-ness. 

Use this prayer to ask God to help you: 

Father, we ask that you would reveal to us more of your wonderful other centred love that drives the universe. Jesus, we praise you that in your servant life we see a revelation of the very nature of God. Holy Spirit, reveal to us that our selfishness goes against the grain of the universe and give us the desire and power to love as we have been loved in Christ. Amen 

SONG: Grace Alone (Kings Kaleidoscope): A song celebrating the grace shown to us in Christ. A reminder that it is only by grace we're saved.

CCLI Song # 7004659

Dustin Kensrue

© 2013 Dead Bird Theology (Admin. by Song Solutions www.songsolutions.org)

It's All About Jesus Music (Admin. by Song Solutions www.songsolutions.org)

We Are Younger We Are Faster Music (Admin. by Song Solutions www.songsolutions.org)

PASSING OF THE PEACE 

Because of Christ's work on the cross, his death and resurrection, we have been brought back into communion with our God and have been made righteous. We have peace with our creator, our heavenly Father and the Holy Spirit unites us together in Jesus. 

We normally express that peace with one another in our gatherings by greeting those around us. In this time where we can’t do that take a moment to pray for someone who is part of our church family instead. 

SERMON The Gospel Of Mark- [Mk 1:9-13] Watch the pre-sermon message and then the sermon. 

This week we’re continuing our brand new series ‘The Gospel of Mark’. Click here where you will find this week’s sermon.

RESPONSE 

Take a few minutes to reflect on how God was speaking to you from his Word. Ask that the Holy Spirit would take the truth and use it to change and transform you. 

SONG: Never Alone (Emu Music): A song which reminds us that because of everything Jesus endured on the cross for our sakes, we can live secure in the knowledge that our God will never forsake us.

CCLI Song # 4928159

Philip Percival | Simone Richardson

© Words: 2006 Richardson, Simone

Music: Percival, Philip (Admin. by Philip Gordon Percival)

SONG: Saviour of the World (Ben Cantelon): A celebration of Jesus our saviour who gave his life as a ransom for many. 

CCLI Song # 5742169

Ben Cantelon

© 2010 Thankyou Music (Admin. by Integrity Music)

COMMITMENT READING 

The faith we have in Christ unites us together in a deep and mysterious way. It’s more important than ever in this time where we are not able to see as much of each other for us to remember how much we are united together. 

Pray this prayer to help remind you of this: 

Father God, help Redeemer to grow in every way to be more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. Remind us that he makes the whole body fit together perfectly. 

That from Jesus the whole body, joined and held together, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. Thank you that we are not alone and you have promised to send your Spirit to help us in this. Amen. 

(based on Ephesians 4:15-16) 

SONG: Be Thou My Vision (Ascend the Hill): A plea that Jesus would be our everything, in all circumstances and all situations.

CCLI Song # 7056332

Eleanor Henrietta Hull | Mary Elizabeth Byrne | Russell Mauldin

© Words: Public Domain

BENEDICTION 

Close your time of worship today with this benediction: 

May you go knowing the life giving power of God the Father, the self giving love of God the Son, and the reviving breath of God the Holy Spirit. 

Peace be with you