Reflect (November 20, 2016)

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


REDEEMER VISION - Witnesses

CALL TO WORSHIP

You, Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.

As for God, his way is perfect: the Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him. For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God?

It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he causes me to stand on the heights.

(Psalm 18:28-33)

 

Song: All Creatures of our God and King

SongJesus

CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE

God tells us in his word that the world in which we live is a dark place, sin has distorted the good and perfect creation God has made and it took his own son, Jesus Christ, dying on a cross to bring light into the darkness. Even though as Christians we believe this to be true, we still, daily, choose the darkness over light. Here's an opportunity to take a moment to reflect on that now, to confess these ways before our God. Hear these words that assure our hearts from Jesus to us now:

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

This is the truth of the Gospel that we can know and experience in light of Jesus' death and resurrection. This next song is a prayer; it's a request that asks God to reveal more of his light into our lives today.

Song: Shine into our Night

PASSING OF THE PEACE

PREACHING OF THE WORD

Gary Aston preached to us from Matthew 5:13-16, helping us think through what it means for Jesus to call us to be salt and light in this world. Click here to listen to that sermon.

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: Hallelujah What a Saviour

SongMighty to Save

COMMITMENT READING

Heavenly Father we ask that you would help us to bring your light into our homes, work places, families and friendships. Would our relationships be life-giving rather than joy-sapping. Help us to boldly share the gospel with our words and with our actions. And would we act against injustice and oppression in our city, living lives that demonstrate the Gospel to a watching world.

Song: Jesus

BENEDICTION

Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works
and give glory to your Father who is in heaven

Peace be with you.

And also with you. 
Amen.

Prepare (November 20, 2016)

This blog gives you a glimpse into the upcoming Sunday Gathering. It's an opportunity to read through the passage we'll be studying together, pray through some of the liturgy we'll be using, and listen to a selection of the songs we’ll be singing.


REDEEMER VISION - Witnesses

SERMON

Gary Aston will be preaching to us from Matthew 5:13-16 helping us think through how the Bible calls us to live our lives as witnesses to the live-changing power of the Gospel. 

LITURGY

COMMITMENT READING

Heavenly Father we ask that you would help us to bring your light into our homes, work places, families and friendships. Would our relationships be life-giving rather than joy-sapping. Help us to boldly share the gospel with our words and with our actions. And would we act against injustice and oppression in our city, living lives that demonstrate the Gospel to a watching world.

MUSIC

  • Jesus (Citizens and Saints): A glorious celebration of the Saviour we gather to worship, his majesty, power and dominion over all things. 

  • Shine into our Night (Sovereign Grace): A plea for God to cast out our darkness by revealing the light of Jesus Christ into our hearts again.  

Reflect (November 13, 2016)

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


REDEEMER VISION - Disciples

CALL TO WORSHIP

Hear these truths about the Saviour we gather to worship today:

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.

He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church.

He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be pre-eminent.

For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, making peace by the blood of his cross. Colossians 1:15-20

Song: Look What God Has Done

Song: I Stand Amazed

CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE

God tells us in his word that we were once alienated from Him and were enemies of his because of our sin. Take a moment to reflect on that. To confess to God the ways you sin can separate you from Him. Hear these words of assurance to us now:

But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation.

Colossians 1:21-22

Song: Made Alive

PASSING OF THE PEACE

PREACHING OF THE WORD

Tom Thrower preached to us from Philippians 2:1-13, helping us reflect on how we can grow in living our lives as disciples of Jesus Christ. Click here to listen to that sermon.

Here are some helpful questions to think through as you reflect on this sermon: 

Question 1 - What am I Worshipping?

In that moment, what was I most longing for?

In that moment, what was my greatest fear?

What did I want from others?

 

Question 2 - What am I believing?

What did I want in that situation and why?

Why did I think that things should be different?

What did I want others to do/say differently?  Why?

Why did I feel/act in a bad way?

 

Question 3 - What does the Gospel say?

How does the news of Jesus dying on the cross for our Sin, and rising to Resurrection life relate to my bad fruit?

How does it expose my Sin?

How does Jesus save and offer better news?

 

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: The Power of the Cross

Song: Christ is Risen 

COMMITMENT READING

I pray that Christ would dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Ephesians 3:17-19

Song: Revelation Song

BENEDICTION

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

Peace be with you.

And also with you. 
Amen.

RESOURCES

You Can Change - Tim Chester

Ordinary Hero - Tim Chester

Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands - Paul Tripp

Prepare (November 13, 2016)

This blog gives you a glimpse into the upcoming Sunday Gathering. It's an opportunity to read through the passage we'll be studying together, pray through some of the liturgy we'll be using, and listen to a selection of the songs we’ll be singing.


REDEEMER VISION - Disciples

SERMON

Tom Thrower will be preaching to us this week from Philippians 2:1-13, helping us think through what it means to live our lives as disciples of Jesus Christ. 

LITURGY

BENEDICTION

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness

MUSIC

  • Look What God Has Done (Ghost Ship): A call for us to look again at what God has done for us in Jesus Christ. To remind our hearts of the identity we have in the Gospel and to give God all the glory.  

  • Defender (King's Kaleidoscope): A new song to us at Redeemer, reminding us of the glory and majesty of our Saviour, Redeemer and Defender: Jesus Christ.