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
THE CHURCH - Sent by God
CALL TO WORSHIP
I will praise the LORD at all times. I will constantly speak his praises. I will boast only in the LORD; let all who are helpless take heart.
Come, let us tell of the LORD’s greatness; let us exalt his name together.
I prayed to the LORD, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears. Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces.
Taste and see that the LORD is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!
(Psalm 34:1-8)
Song: How Great is Our God
Song: Come Praise and Glorify
CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE
This time for confession reminds us of our right place before God, our sinfulness, our need for God’s grace and forgiveness The way that God has provided that grace through Jesus. Right at the centre of the gospel is confession, repentance. And as we repent, we turn from moving away from God & instead run to him. As we do this, we experience God moving towards us in grace. When talking about his people, God tells us in his word:
"These people say they are mine. They honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is merely based on human rules they have been taught."
(Isaiah 29:13)
So often our words and our hearts don't match up. We say one thing with our lips and yet our lives speak a different story. God doesn’t want us to just jump through the hoops. He doesn’t want lip-service. He wants our hearts. Let’s take a moment and ask The Lord to turn our hearts toward him, showing us where we might be resisting him... The proof of God’s amazing love is this: While we were sinners, Christ died for us. Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, knowing that, in Jesus, we are forgiven.
Song: Before the Throne of God Above
PASSING OF THE PEACE
PREACHING OF THE WORD
Gary Aston preached to us from Matthew 28:16-20 and Acts 1:1-11 on our identity as witnesses to the Gospel. 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: See the Lamb of God
COMMITMENT READING
Father God we ask that as foreigners and exiles, you would help us to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against our souls. Help us to let our light shine before others, so that they might see our good works and give you all the glory. Amen.
(Based on 1 Peter 2:11-12: Matthew 5:16)
Song: Mighty To Save
BENEDICTION
Go and celebrate the Father’s Love, Christ’s victory, and the Holy Spirit’s work in our hearts as we share our hope with the rest of the world.
Peace be with you.
And also with you.
Amen.
