Prepare (August 20, 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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JAMES - True Faith & Words

SERMON

This week Oli Simmons will be preaching to us from James 3, looking at the Gospel shapes our words. 

LITURGY

CALL TO WORSHIP

The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.

The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring for ever.

The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous. They are more precious than gold; they are sweeter than honey.

(Psalm 19:7-10)

MUSIC

• Come Praise and Glorify (Sovereign Grace): A call to praise and worship God, affirming his character and majesty. 

• Be Thou My Vision: A plea that God would shape our desires, actions and words to glorify him. 

Reflect (August 13, 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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JAMES -  True Faith & Obedience

CALL TO WORSHIP

Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; His greatness no one can fathom. One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts and of your faithfulness.

We speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty and we will meditate on your wonderful works. We tell of the power of your awesome works and we will proclaim your great deeds.

We will join with all generations as we celebrate Your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.

(Based on Psalm 145:3-7)

Song: Doxology

Song: How Great Thou Art

Song: Everlasting God

CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE

We've just sung that God doesn't grow weary, that he is everlasting. Yet so often we choose to do things our own way. We convince ourselves that our way is best and fail to trust God's wisdom and timing. Hear these words from Jesus as he speaks to this:

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 J

(John 15:4-5)

The truth of the Gospel is that if we root ourselves in Christ, we will bear much fruit. If we trust in Him we can receive new life

Song: Made Alive

PASSING OF THE PEACE

PREACHING OF THE WORD

Brad Balmer preached to us this week from James 2, looking at true faith and obedience. 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: Come Ye Sinners 

Song: Saviour of the World 

COMMITMENT READING

Father God, help us, by your Spirit, to live lives worthy of the calling you have given us, pleasing to you in every way: bearing fruit in every good work and growing in our knowledge of you. Strengthen us with all power according to your glorious might so that we would have great endurance and patience, giving thanks in all that we do.

(Based on Colossians 1:10-12)

Song: This I Believe

BENEDICTION

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Peace be with you.

And also with you. 

Amen.

Prepare (August 13, 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 & Obedience

SERMON

This week Brad Balmer will be preaching to us from James 2 on true faith and obedience.

LITURGY

COMMITMENT READING

Father God, help us, by your Spirit, to live lives worthy of the calling you have given us, pleasing to you in every way: bearing fruit in every good work and growing in our knowledge of you. Strengthen us with all power according to your glorious might so that we would have great endurance and patience, giving thanks in all that we do.

(Based on Colossians 1:10-12)

MUSIC

• Made Alive (Citizens and Saints): A song reminding us of the new life we now get to enjoy as part of God's family 

• This I Believe (Hillsong): A song based on the creed, declaring the truths we believe and that form the foundation of our faith.

Reflect (August 6, 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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JAMES -  True Faith & Actions

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

Song: How Great is Our God 

Song: Indescribable

CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE

God has revealed himself in the creation we see around us but also in His word. We are faced
with his reality, yet we are so quick to forget him. In the language of James 1, we have become
people who see our reflection in the mirror, but instantly forget what we look like. We've heard
God's word and yet have failed to do what it says. Take a moment to reflect on that now, to
confess, in your heart, the ways you have forgotten God and failed to live out his word...

Father God, we confess that we are forgetful beings, help us to remember the lengths Jesus went to save us from our sin. Help us to listen to you in your word and live out lives of obedience in response to the grace you've shown us in Christ. Amen.
 

Song: You Alone Can Rescue

PASSING OF THE PEACE

PREACHING OF THE WORD

John McPhilimey preached to us this week from James 1:19-27, looking at true faith and actions. 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: Amazing Grace

Song: Nothing But the Blood

COMMITMENT READING

It is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God not by works, so that no one can boast.

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

(Ephesians 2:8-10)

Song: This is Amazing Grace

BENEDICTION

Therefore, brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work
of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

Peace be with you.

And also with you. 

Amen.