Reflect (October 29, 2017)

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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 - Led by Elders

CALL TO WORSHIP

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.

He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church.

He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be pre-eminent.

For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, making peace by the blood of his cross.

(Colossians 1:15-20)

Song: Jesus

Song: Fountain of Goodness

CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE

So often our hearts wander and desire to bow down to other masters. We seek the security of prosperity, the false comforts and the pleasures of this world. Christ speaks of this when he tells us:

“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other.”

Let’s take a moment to silently confess our false gods to the Lord now...Only by the blood of Christ can we be declared righteous in God's eyes. He raised us to new life, a life that breaks the power of sin and trusts in the name of Jesus Christ, our Saviour. Jesus tells us:

"I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." (John 10:10b-11)

Today we rejoice in a good Saviour who loves and has given his life for us. Let’s rejoice in that today as we sing out.

SongIt is Finished

PASSING OF THE PEACE

PREACHING OF THE WORD

Tom Thrower preached to us this week from Mark 10:35-45 and Titus 1 on what it means for the church to be led by elders. 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

SongCornerstone

COMMITMENT READING

Father God, help us to no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, help us to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.

From him the whole body is joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped. When each part is working properly, the body grows, so that it builds itself up in love.

(Ephesians 4:14-16)

Song: Be Thou My Vision

BENEDICTION

To Him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Saviour be glory, majesty, power, and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen!

(Jude 24-25)

Peace be with you.

And also with you. 
Amen.

Prepare (October 29, 2017)

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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


THE CHURCH - Led by Elders

SERMON

This week Tom Thrower will be preaching to us on the idea that the church is led from Titus 1 and Mark 10:35-45.   

LITURGY

COMMITMENT READING

Father God, help us to no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, help us to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ. 

From him the whole body is joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped. When each part is working properly the body grows, so that it builds itself up in love.

(Ephesians 4:14-16)

MUSIC

  • Jesus (Citizens and Saints): A glorious celebration of the Saviour we gather to worship, his majesty, power and dominion over all things
  • It is Finished (Dustin Kensrue): A reminder that we can do nothing to earn our salvation, only by the blood of Jesus can we know true forgiveness, true salvation.  

Reflect (October 22, 2017)

Reflect.png

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 - Fed by the Word

CALL TO WORSHIP

Oh, how we love your law! We meditate on it all day long. How sweet are your words to our taste, sweeter than honey to our mouths!

Accept, LORD, the willing praise of our mouths, and teach us your laws. Your statutes are our heritage for ever; they are the joy of our hearts.

Your word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. (Based on Psalm 119:97-111)

Song: How Great Thou Art

Song: Behold our God

CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE

God tells us in his word that:

Blessed is the one whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither, whatever they do prospers.

(Psalm 1:1-3)

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, 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)

SongCome Ye Sinners

PASSING OF THE PEACE

PREACHING OF THE WORD

Gary Aston preached to us from 2 Timothy 3:16-4:2 looking at the church being fed by the Word of God. Click here to listen to that sermon (Unfortunately the first part of the sermon did not record this week). 

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 

SongIn Christ Alone

COMMITMENT READING

We've already heard that God speaks to us in His word, so we must continue rooted in it. Hear these words as we close now:

Brothers and Sisters, continue, rooted in the word, asking that God would fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.

(Based on Colossians 1:9-10)

Song: Revelation Song 

BENEDICTION

Just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

Peace be with you.

And also with you. 
Amen.

Prepare (October 22, 2017)

Prepare.png

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


THE CHURCH - Fed by the Word

SERMON

Gary Aston will be preaching to us this week on the idea that the church is fed by God's word. He'll be looking at 2 Timothy 3:16-4:2 to help us with this. 

LITURGY

CALL TO WORSHIP

Oh, how we love your law! We meditate on it all day long. How sweet are your words to our taste, sweeter than honey to our mouths! 

Accept, LORD, the willing praise of our mouths, and teach us your laws. Your statutes are our heritage for ever; they are the joy of our hearts.

Your word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path.

(Based on Psalm 119:97-111)

MUSIC

  • Come ye Sinners Poor and Needy (Sojourn Music): An invite to come to God even though we are weary in our sin and find salvation for our souls! 
  • Behold our God (Sovereign Grace Music): A call to behold and look upon the glory of God, giving him the praise and worship he deserves.