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
TREASURING THE GOSPEL:
The gospel word - what we do with it
CALL TO WORSHIP
Oh sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth! Sing to the LORD, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvellous works among all the peoples!
Blessed be the LORD, who alone does wondrous things. Blessed be his glorious name for ever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory!
(Psalm 72:17-19, 96:1-3)
Song: Doxology
Song: Look and See
Song: Rejoice
CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE
If we were honest today there is probably a list of things we are struggling with: Maybe areas in which we’ve sinned, or doubts & unbelief, struggling through things happening in our lives, or maybe wondering how God would allow our struggles. In all of this, we have an invitation to come to God. Its not an invitation to get everything straightened out in our lives, then come to God. Rather it is a invitation to come with all our sin and struggles and frustration and lay them at the foot of the cross, To allow the grace of God to bring our souls to rest in the righteousness, the perfection, that Jesus give us! Let's remind our hearts of this truth by reading these words together:
For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when He freed us from the penalty for our sins.
God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed His life, shedding His blood.
(based on Romans 3:23-25)
Song: O God of Mercy Hear our Plea
PASSING OF THE PEACE
PREACHING OF THE WORD
Tom Ingleby preached to us this week from 2 Timothy 4:1-8 on what Paul encourages us to do with the gospel word. To listen to that sermon click here.
COMMUNION
Every week we want to respond to what God has done for us in Jesus. One of the great ways he has provided for us to remember the truth of the gospel is giving us communion. As we take the bread and wine we remember what Jesus has done for us.
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: How Deep the Father's Love for Us
Song: Man of Sorrows (Oh the rugged cross)
COMMITMENT READING
Father God, keep us from looking to the world for fulfilment. Instead, give us strength to continually look to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith.
By your Spirit’s work in our hearts, give us the faith and courage to hold onto the gospel above all else.
Remind us of your love and of your kingdom that we have been brought into.
May we go from this gathering and boldly live out our mission to proclaim Jesus as saviour, redeemer and king. Amen.
Song: Mighty to Save
BENEDICTION
Go and celebrate the Father’s Love, Christ’s victory, and the Holy Spirit’s work in our hearts as we share our hope with the rest of the world.
Peace be with you.
And also with you.