SUNDAY GATHERING (14th June 2020)

THE GOSPEL OF MARK [MARK 2:1-12]

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

Over the past few months a truth we have often reflected on is that, in Jesus, God is a refuge for Christians in times of distress. He is our bedrock and foundation; an un-moving source of confidence in a world that changes so rapidly. But a truth like that is designed not to simply be known but to be felt and enjoyed. The Psalms encourage us to know God as our refuge and rejoice in the security and hope that brings. 

So use the words of the Psalmist to call your heart to rejoice in the reality of God as your refuge today.

Keep us safe, O God, for in you we take refuge. LORD, you alone are our portion and cup; you make our lots secure.

We keep our eyes always on the LORD. With him at our right hand, we will not be shaken.

Therefore our hearts are glad and our tongues rejoice; our bodies also will rest secure, because you will not abandon us.

We have trusted in your steadfast love; our hearts will rejoice in your salvation. We will sing to the LORD, because he has dealt bountifully with us.

(Based on Psalm 13 and 16)

SONG: Everlasting God (Brenton Brown): A song affirming the eternal, unchanging nature of God who never tires or grows weary.

CCLI Song # 4556538

Brenton Brown | Ken Riley

© 2005 Thankyou Music (Admin. by Integrity Music)

SONG: You Alone Can Rescue (Matt Redman):  A reminder that it is Jesus who saves us from our sin, he came into this world to rescue the lost and is worthy of all of our praise.

CCLI Song # 5376377

Jonas Myrin | Matt Redman

© 2008 Thankyou Music (Admin. by Integrity Music)

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

CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE

In the passage from Mark we will be thinking about today we see a wonderful picture of faith. We see a group of people who believe so completely that Jesus can help their paralysed friend that they dig through a roof and lower him down to meet Jesus. They are utterly committed to drawing close to Jesus believing that he can meet their needs. And we see the wonderful truth that as Jesus sees their faith he responds:

when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

[Mark 2:5]

But when faced with difficulties and trouble we so often find our need drawing us away from Jesus. Instead of drawing close to him in his word and prayer, we find that we turn to other sources for help and security.

Take some moments now to confess the ways that your need has led you away from Jesus this week.

The wonderful truth of the gospel is that in Jesus we can draw near to God. That he cares and is concerned for all of our needs and that faith always can move towards him. Hear the assurance of the New Testament:

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.

[James 4:8]

Rejoice in that truth as you sing the next song.

SONG: Forgiven (Sovereign Grace): A song of confession and assurance that reminds us we are forgiven through the blood of Christ, despite the ways we fail God and fail one another.

CCLI Song # 7096634

Brittany Kauflin | Kate DeGraide | Rebecca Elliott

© Sovereign Grace Praise (Admin. by Integrity Music)

Sovereign Grace Worship (Admin. by Integrity Music)

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 2:1-12] Watch the pre-sermon message and then the sermon.

This week we’re continuing our 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: Hallelujah What a Saviour (Ascend the Hill): A celebration of the Saviour we have in Jesus Christ, the man of sorrows, who took our pain upon Himself so that we might be healed.

CCLI Song # 29530

Philip Paul Bliss

© Words: Public Domain

Music: Public Domain

SONG: Jesus (Citizens): A song that celebrates our saviour Jesus, who sacrificed himself, giving up his crown to save us from our sin.

LYRICS

The King of all Creation Set aside His crown
A servant to the father's love
Descended from His throne above

Author of Salvation
Giver of new life
Crucified to pay for sin
Our righteousness is in the name of

Jesus every heart and tongue confess
Your name above all names
All things of this earth belong to You
Forever you will reign

God of Resurrection
Conqueror of death
Ruler over everything
The Lord of lords and King of kings is

Jesus every heart and tongue confess
Your name above all names
All things of this earth belong to You
Forever you will reign

Highly exalted is the name of Jesus Christ
Heaven and earth declare all praise to Jesus Christ

Highly exalted is the name of Jesus Christ
Heaven and earth declare all praise to

Jesus every heart and tongue confess
Your name above all names
All things of this earth belong to You
Forever you will reign

Jesus every heart and tongue confess
Your name above all names
All things of this earth belong to You
Forever you will reign

CCLI Song # 6534448

Brian Eichelberger | Zach Bolen

© 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 was so committed to us that he was willing to go to the cross to deal with our sin. There could be no greater demonstration of his love and utter devotion to secure our salvation. Read the words of [Heb 12] to remind you of Christ’s unstoppable love:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

[Heb 12:1-2]

SONG: In Christ Alone (Kings Kaleidoscope): A glorious reminder that it is only in Christ that our hope can be found. In him our sin has been taken away, we are free from the grip of death and we stand secure.

CCLI Song # 3350395

Keith Getty | Stuart Townend

© 2001 Thankyou Music (Admin. by Integrity Music)

BENEDICTION

End your time of worship with this benediction:

May you grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. 

[2 Peter 3:18]

Peace be with you