SUNDAY GATHERING (31st May 2020)

THE GOSPEL OF MARK [MARK 1:14-20]

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 

Everything in this earth is constantly pouring out praise to God. Creation sings to his glory and today we can join that great chorus of praise. Start your time of worship today with the wonderful words of Psalm 8: 

O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. Out of the mouth of babies and infants, you have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger. When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honour. You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet. O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth 

(Psalm 8) 

SONG: 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) (Matt Redman): A song directing our hearts to God, reminding us of the endless reasons we have to offer all of our praise and worship to Him.  

CCLI Song # 6016351

Jonas Myrin | Matt Redman

© 2011 Thankyou Music (Admin. by Integrity Music)

Atlas Mountain Songs (Admin. by SHOUT! Music Publishing UK)

SONG: How Great is our God (Chris Tomlin): A song of praise and worship to our God who is name above all other names and majestic in glory.

CCLI Song # 4348399

Chris Tomlin | Ed Cash | Jesse Reeves

© 2004 sixsteps Music (Admin. by Integrity Music)

worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by Integrity Music)

Wondrously Made Songs (Admin. by Song Solutions www.songsolutions.org)

CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE 

In the passage we will be thinking about today we see Jesus calling his first followers: 

Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men

(Mark 1:17)

We read that Simon and Andrew leave their nets and follow him. To be a Christian is to be a follower of Jesus still. It is to look to his lead and trust him in all he says and does. But we often find ourselves following after other things. Jesus fades in our view as other things capture our hearts. In the words of the hymn we find ourselves ‘prone to wander, prone to leave the God we love’. Take some moments now to confess the sinful ways that you have failed to follow Jesus this week. 

Jesus’ followers in Mark’s gospel all failed him and let him down. Every follower since has done the same. But the wonderful hope of the gospel is that Jesus came to seek and save the lost. There is forgiveness to be found in the gracious arms of our Good Shepherd. 

Rejoice in that truth as you sing the next song. 

SONG: Come Thou Fount: A song of  praise of the God who brings our wandering hearts back to himself.

CCLI Song # 7055916

Chad Gardner | Robert Robinson

© Words: Public Domain

Music: 2012 Asaphs Arrows (Admin. by Song Solutions www.songsolutions.org)

Moms Like Us Too (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 1:14-20] 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: Oh God (Dustin Kensrue): An assurance that God is present with us in our struggles, when we feel alone and far from Him he is with us. A wonderful reminder that nothing can separate us from the love of God. 

LYRICS

In the valley oh God You're near In the quiet oh God You're near
In the shadow oh God You're near
At my breaking oh God You're near

Oh God You never leave my side
Your love stands firm through all my life

In my searching oh God You're near
In my wandering oh God You're near
When I feel alone oh God You're near
At my lowest oh God You're near

Oh God You never leave my side
Your love stands firm through all my life

Height nor depth nor anything else
Could pull us apart
We are joined as one by Your blood
Hope will rise as we become more
Than conquerors through the One who loved the world

Oh God You never leave my side
Oh God Your love will stand firm through all my life

CCLI Song # 6534493

Zach Bolen

© 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: In Tenderness (Citizens): A wonderful reminder that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

CCLI Song # 6536051

Nate Garvey | W. Spencer Walton

© Words: Public Domain

Music: 2013 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)

COMMITMENT READING 

Jesus showed his love for us at the cross, where he freed us from our sin. Jesus gave himself for us and he also gave us his Spirit, to help us and equip us for the christian life. Use this prayer for yourself and our church family today: 

Father God, help us to love you and obey your commandments as a response to the love you have shown to us in Jesus. Thank you that Jesus promises to be with us forever by his Spirit to help us in this. Help us Spirit, to love Jesus with all of our hearts, souls and minds and to be the kind of church community you desire us to be. Amen. 

(based on John 14:15-16) 

SONG: Hear the Call of the Kingdom (Stuart Townend, Keith & Kristyn Getty): A song which calls us to lift our eyes to God, and to go to all the world with his compassion.

CCLI Song # 4930752

Keith Getty | Kristyn Getty | Stuart Townend

© 2006 Thankyou Music (Admin. by Integrity Music)

BENEDICTION 

Every week we close our times of worship with a benediction. A benediction is another word for a blessing. This reminds us of all the promises that we have just heard, sung and prayed. It's a sending into the world with a call to remember the gospel and to go forth with Jesus in our mission. 

May Christ dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 

(Ephesians 3:17-19) 

Peace be with you