Prepare (August 6, 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

---

JAMES - True Faith & Actions

SERMON

This is the second week in our summer series in the book of James. John McPhilimey will be preaching to us this week, looking at true faith and actions from James 1:19-27.

LITURGY

CALL TO WORSHIP

Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord. Blessed are those who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart, they do no wrong but follow his ways.

Teach me, Lord, the way of your decrees, Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law and obey it with all my heart. Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight.

Psalm 119:1-3;33-35

MUSIC

• Nothing but the Blood: A reminder that our salvation is only found in the blood of Jesus.

• Indescribable: A reflection on God's glory and majesty revealed to us in all of creation. 

Reflect (July 30, 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

---

JAMES -  True Faith & Trials

CALL TO WORSHIP

You are our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear,
though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the sea, though its waters roar and the mountains quake.

You are always with us; you hold us by our right hands. You guide us with your counsel, and
afterwards you will take us into glory.

Who do we have in heaven but you? Earth has nothing we desire besides you. Our flesh and heart may fail, but God is our strength and portion for ever.

(Psalm 46:1-3; 73:23-26)

Song: A Mighty Fortress is our God 

Song: Rock of Ages 

CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE

We've just sung about the character of God, that he is our fortress, our rock and our helper. But so often we fail to believe this is true. We're quick to doubt God and doubt his goodness to us. Let's pray these words as a confession to God now:

Father God, forgive us for doubting you and your character. We confess that we are quick to forget your goodness and grace shown to us in Jesus Christ. Help us in our unbelief and to trust in you even in the midst of trial and difficulty. Amen.

The truth of the Gospel is that in spite of our doubts, God is present with us. Even when we're
struggling or in the midst of suffering, he is close

Song: O God

PASSING OF THE PEACE

PREACHING OF THE WORD

This week Brad Balmer kicked off our new sermon series in the book of James. He preached to us on true faith and trials from James 1:1-18. 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: Hallelujah What A Saviour

COMMITMENT READING

Heavenly Father we ask that you would help us to count it all joy, when we meet trials of various kinds. Would we truly believe that blessed are those who remain steadfast under trial.

Help us not to doubt you or your character, knowing that every good and perfect gift comes from you, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

(Based on James 1:2,12,17)

Song: Be Thou My Vision (Ascend the Hill) 

BENEDICTION

Go, trusting in the unfailing nature of God, knowing his love and comfort, even in the midst of trials.

Peace be with you.

And also with you. 

Amen.

Prepare (July 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

---

JAMES - True Faith & Trials

SERMON

This week we'll be starting our summer sermon series in the book of James. Brad Balmer will be kicking us off looking at true faith and trials from James 1:1-18.

LITURGY

CALL TO WORSHIP

You are our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the sea, though its waters roar and the mountains quake.

You are always with us; you hold us by our right hands. You guide us with your counsel, and afterwards you will take us into glory.

Who do we have in heaven but you? Earth has nothing we desire besides you. Our flesh and heart may fail, but God is our strength and portion for ever.

(Psalm 46:1-3; 73:23-26)

MUSIC

• A Mighty Fortress is Our God: A reminder that God is our fortress and shield even in the midst of trial and difficulty.  

• O God (Dustin Kensrue): A reflection on God's presence with us that is unceasing and unwavering. 

Reflect (July 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

---

EXODUS - Tabernacle Fills with Glory

CALL TO WORSHIP

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in
the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing
made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men.

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

(based on John 1:1-14)

Song: Behold our God

Song: Look and See

CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE

We've just sung that God is deserving of glory, yet so often we fail to treat him like that. We take the glory and worship that belongs to him and give it to other things. The next song we're going to sing, is a song of confession. It confesses to God that in face of his glory, we have turned away from him. Let's sing this now together as a corporate confession, asking that God would draw us back to him again.

Song: Shine into our Night 

PASSING OF THE PEACE

PREACHING OF THE WORD

This week was the last week in our Exodus sermon series. Alex Passmore helped us to see what the Bible teaches on God dwelling with his people. 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: The Power of the Cross

Song: Jesus is the Lord of All

COMMITMENT READING

God tells us in his word that he has revealed his glory to us in the face of Jesus Christ. Let's read this words together now, knowing that this is our real and true hope:

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

(2 Corinthians 3:17-18)

Song: Revelation Song

BENEDICTION

Brothers and Sisters, go, knowing that one day the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.

Peace be with you.

And also with you. 

Amen.