Prepare (February 19, 2017)

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.

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JONATHAN GILMORE

SERMON

This week Jonathan Gilmore from Acts 29 Italy will be joining us for our gathering and will be preaching to us from God's word. 

LITURGY

COMMITMENT READING

After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice,

“Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”

And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshipped God, saying

“Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”

(Revelation 7:9-12)

MUSIC

• O For A Thousand Tongues (Zach Sprowls): A new take on the old hymn, reminding us of the hope we have in the Gospel, that one day the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory.

• See His Love (Tom Lockley): A reminder of the love God has shown to us on the cross of Christ. A call to look again at the cross and respond to Jesus' great sacrifice for us. 

Reflect (February 12, 2017)

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

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EXODUS - The Passover

CALL TO WORSHIP

I will sing of the Lord’s great love for ever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations. I will declare that your love stands firm for ever, that you have established your faithfulness in heaven itself.

The heavens praise your wonders, Lord, your faithfulness too, in the assembly of the holy ones. For who in the skies above can compare with the Lord? Who is like the Lord among the heavenly beings? Who is like you, Lord God Almighty? 

You, Lord, are mighty, and your faithfulness surrounds you.

Psalm 89:1-8

Song: Rock of Ages 

Song: Jesus

CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE

By nature we are forgetful beings. Quick to forget God's grace shown to us, quick to forget his faithfulness to us. More than that, we minimise our sin, thinking we're not that bad, forgetting that it took Jesus his life to save us. Take a moment to reflect on that now, to confess to God ways in which you forget his grace and forget the cost Jesus paid for our sin. 

The truth of the gospel is that in Christ we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace. Let's sing out in light of that truth now. 

Song: In Tenderness He Sought me

PASSING OF THE PEACE

PREACHING OF THE WORD

Gary Aston preached to us from Exodus 11&12, pointing us to our passover lamb, Jesus Christ. 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: How Deep the Father's Love for us

Song: The Power of the Cross

COMMITMENT READING

For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 

He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for our sake. Through him we believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so our faith and hope are in God.

1 Peter 1:18-21

Song: Revelation Song 

BENEDICTION

Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honour and glory and blessing! …To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honour and glory and might forever and ever! 

Peace be with you.

And also with you. 

Amen.

Prepare (February 12, 2017)

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.

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EXODUS - The Passover

SERMON

As Exodus is a big book we won’t read all of the Bible text in our Sunday gathering. Each week we will give you the full section of Exodus here on the blog for you to read in your own time. This is a great way to prepare your heart to hear from God’s word on a Sunday. This week Gary Aston will be preaching to us from Exodus 11 and 12. 

COMMITMENT READING

For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.

He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him we believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so our faith and hope are in God.

1 Peter 1:18-21

MUSIC

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

• Rock of Ages (Dustin Kensrue): A new take on the traditional hymn affirming God as our rock and refuge, in whom we find grace. 

Prepare (February 5, 2017)

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.

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STEVE ROBINSON

SERMON

This week Steve Robinson from Cornerstone Church Liverpool will be joining us for our gathering and preaching to us from God's word. 

LITURGY

COMMITMENT READING

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.

Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy that was set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:1-2

MUSIC

• Rejoice (Dustin Kensrue): A call to praise God and gaze upon His glory. A reminder that, even in the midst of our trials and suffering we still have reasons to rejoice in the Gospel. 

• Boldly I Approach (Rend Collective Experiment): A wonderful reminder that in Christ, we can approach the throne of God with confidence, knowing we have been saved from the condemnation of sin.