Prepare (December 17, 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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ADVENT - The Light

SERMON

This week is our Family Carols which is a chance for all the family to hear the Christmas story and sing some carols. Gary Aston will be preaching a shorter Christmas message from John 1:1-5.

MUSIC

• O Come All Ye Faithful: A call to come and remember the Christmas story, to behold the incarnate God and praise his majesty!

• O Come O Come Emmanuel: A celebration that God came down to this world to be with us and to save us from our sin.

Reflect (December 10, 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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ADVENT - The Life

CALL TO WORSHIP

Long ago, the coming birth of our Saviour Jesus was foretold to the people of Israel and to a world, who like us now, was longing for a Saviour to bring relief from the suffering and sin: The prophets of old proclaimed that the people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine. And today, above the clamor of our darkness and sin, the Word of truth and light resounds. Over nations enshrouded in despair His salvation dawns.

For a child is born to us, a Son is given to us. And He will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

(based on Isaiah 9)

Song: Come Thou Long Expected Jesus

Song: Joy To The World 

READING

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town
of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

(Luke 2:1-7)

Song: Angels from the Realms of Glory

READING

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:  “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him." After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshipped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

(Matthew 2:1-12)

Song: O Come O Come Emmanuel

PREACHING OF THE WORD

Gary Aston preached to us from John 1:1-5 on the life that can be found in Jesus. Click here to listen to the sermon.

Song: O Holy Night

Song: O Come All Ye Faithful

ADVENT PRAYER

God, your steadfast love is precious, may we know it in Jesus this Christmas season. Show us that we can take refuge in the shadow of your wings. In the midst of food and drink teach us to feast on the abundance of your house and drink from the river of your delights. Show us that in Jesus is the fountain of life; that in his light we see light. Amen. 

(Based on Psalm 36:7-10)

Song: Hark the Herald Angels Sing

Reflect (December 3, 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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ADVENT - The Word

CALL TO WORSHIP

The coming birth of our Saviour, Jesus was foretold to the people of Israel and to a world, who like us now, was longing for a Saviour to bring relief from the suffering and sin: Hear these word from the prophet Isaiah:

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined.

And today, above our darkness and sin, the Word of truth and light resounds. Over nations deep in despair His salvation dawns. Let's declare these words together:
 

For a child is born to us, a Son is given to us. And He will be called: Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

(based on Isaiah 9)

Song: Joy To The World

Song: Come Praise and Glorify

CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE

When we're faced with God's glory and majesty, we're reminded of our sin and brokenness. God tells us in his word that all have turned away from him. Without him, all of us are spiritually poor. We reject God and rebel against him, and then wonder why he feels distant from us. Take a moment to reflect on that now, to confess your need for God now.

Heavenly Father, even though we have seen your glory displayed in creation and heard you speak to us in your word, we confess that we are guilty of suppressing the truth. We bury what we know to be true of you and ignore you speaking to us.

We ask that you would open our eyes to see your glory revealed to us and give
us ears to hear all that you are saying to us through your word. Amen.

There is true freedom to be found in Jesus, through him, we have been set free from sin and we can know the joy of relationship with God.

Song: O Come O Come Emmanuel

PASSING OF THE PEACE

PREACHING OF THE WORD

Oli Simmons preached the first in our Advent series from John 1:1-3. Click here to listen to the 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: Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone)

COMMITMENT READING

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.

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and 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 1:1-3;14)

This is the truth we celebrate in this season of Advent. God coming to us in Jesus, dwelling among his people and revealing his glory to us.

BENEDICTION

May Jesus Christ, the sun of righteousness, who comes with healing in his wings, fill you with the joy and peace that passes all understanding in this season of Advent.

Peace be with you.

And also with you. 

Amen.

Prepare (December 3, 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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ADVENT - The Word

SERMON

This is the first Sunday in Advent and Oli Simmons will be kicking off our Advent series in John 1:1-3.  The season of Advent, is a season of waiting, it's designed to cultivate our awareness of God’s actions—past, present, and future. In Advent we heighten our anticipation for the ultimate fulfillment of all Old Testament promises. In this way Advent highlights for us the larger story of God’s redemptive plan. While we remember Israel’s waiting and hoping and we give thanks for Christ’s birth, we also anticipate his second coming at the end of time. 

LITURGY

CALL TO WORSHIP

The coming birth of our Saviour, Jesus was foretold to the people of Israel and to a world, who like us now, was longing for a Saviour to bring relief from the suffering and sin: Hear these word from the prophet Isaiah:

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined.

And today, above our darkness and sin, the Word of truth and light resounds. Over nations deep in despair His salvation dawns. Let's declare these words together:

For a child is born to us, a Son is given to us. And He will be called: Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 

(based on Isaiah 9)

MUSIC

• Joy to the World: A celebration of the joy that dawned when Jesus came into this world.

• Hark the Herald Angels Sing: A glorious reminder that Jesus gave up his rights and glory in heaven, coming down in human form so that we would know him and be raised to new life.