Prepare (April 30, 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.

---

DNA - Nurture

SERMON

This week is the second week in our mini-series on DNA groups, looking at what they are and why we're launching them as a church. This week we'll be looking at the 'Nurture' aspect of DNA groups, as Tom Thrower preaches to us from Colossians 1:1-12 and Ephesians 4:11-16.

LITURGY

COMMITMENT READING

Father God we ask that you would fill us with the knowledge of your will, that we would walk in a manner worthy of the gospel, bearing fruit in every good work. We ask that you would equip us, by your Spirit, to build one another up in love.

Help us to speak the truth in love to one another, so that we grow up in every way into Jesus, the head of the church, who holds all things together. Amen.

(Based on Colossians 1:9-10, Ephesians 4:15-16).

MUSIC

• Jesus is the Lord of All (Olly Knight): A new song to Redeemer, celebrating Jesus, the saviour we gather to worship, asserting his power and authority over all.

• Come Ye Sinners Poor and Needy (Sojourn):  A call to come to Jesus in repentance, weak and sinful, knowing that he saves us and meets us in our need.

Reflect (April 23, 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

---

DNA - Discover

CALL TO WORSHIP

Your word, Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. Your faithfulness continues through all generations;you established the earth, and it endures.

Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long, your commands are always with me.

How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

(Based on Psalm 119:89-105)

Song: Behold our God

Song: This is Amazing Grace

CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE

In John's Gospel Jesus tells us that he is the true vine from which all life flows. Yet time and time again we go to other sources to find life. Instead of being rooted in Christ and in God's word, we pour our time, energy and resources into lesser things, believing that they will bring us true joy, true life. Take a moment in the quiet of your hearts to confess these ways to God this afternoon. Hear Jesus' call again this afternoon to remain in Him, to root yourself in Him.

"Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. ‘I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."

(John 15: 4-5)

Song: Shine into our Night

PASSING OF THE PEACE

PREACHING OF THE WORD

Gary Aston started our mini-series on DNA groups this week. Using various Bible passages, he helped us see why the Bible is so important and why discovering God in His word will be a key part of DNA groups. Listen to that sermon 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: When I Survey

Song: Cornerstone 

COMMITMENT READING

Heavenly Father, help us to delight in your word, meditating on it day and night. Would we be like trees planted by streams of water, yielding our fruit in season and whose leaf doesn't wither.

Help us to believe that all Scripture is breathed out by you and profitable for teaching, reproof, and correction. By your Spirit, meet us in your word, that we may be competent and equipped for every good work.

(Based on Psalm 1:3 & 2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Song: Be Thou My Vision

BENEDICTION

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Peace be with you.

And also with you. 

Amen.

Prepare (April 23, 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.

---

DNA - Discover

SERMON

We're starting our mini-series on DNA groups this week, looking at what they are and why we're launching them as a church. This week we'll be looking at the 'Discover' aspect of DNA groups as Gary Aston preaches to us from a variety of Bible passages.

LITURGY

BENEDICTION

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossians 3:16-17

MUSIC

• Behold our God (Sovereign Grace): A song declaring the beauty and glory of God, calling us to look again and behold Him afresh.

• Be Thou My Vision (Ascend the Hill):  A plea that Jesus would be our everything, in all circumstances and all situations. 

Reflect (April 16, 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

---

EASTER SUNDAY 

READING

Now after the Sabbath, towards the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.” So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshipped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”

(Matthew 28:1-10)

Song: It is Finished

CALL TO WORSHIP

Hallelujah! Christ is risen!

He is risen indeed! Hallelujah!

This is the good news— the grave is empty! Hallelujah! Christ is risen.

He is risen indeed! Hallelujah!

This is the good news— by His death, Christ has conquered sin; by His resurrection, Christ has given us His righteousness! Hallelujah! Christ is risen.

He is risen indeed! Hallelujah!

This is the good news— Christ has risen from the grave and given us the promise and hope of resurrection, so that we might also rise with Him in new life everlasting! Hallelujah! Christ is risen.

He is risen indeed! Hallelujah!

Song: Christ is Risen

Song: Saviour of the World

PASSING OF THE PEACE

PREACHING OF THE WORD

Alex Passmore preached to us from Luke 24:13-35 showing us the hope of the resurrection. Listen to that sermon here: 

Song: Man of Sorrows 

Song: In Christ Alone

Song: New Again

COMMITMENT READING

Jesus came and stood among [his disciples] and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit" (John 20:19-22)

BENEDICTION

Let us know the peace of the Risen Jesus The power of His Spirit at work in us. And the joy of experiencing the resurrection

Peace be with you.

And also with you. 

Amen.