Prepare (January 14, 2018)

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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SABBATICAL REFLECTIONS

SERMON

This Sunday Gary Aston will be sharing some reflections from his 2017 Sabbatical. He will be speaking from 2 Corinthians 4:7-18.

LITURGY

CONFESSION/ASSURANCE

Father God, in light of a world that is filled with sin and hate, we confess our own weakness, the sin in our heart, and our need for a Saviour.

We lament and mourn the effects of sin in our lives and in our world. In our confession and lament, lead us to repentance, remind us of the grace that You have given us through the work of Jesus Christ.

Cause us to trust, rest in, and join with Your Spirit’s reconciling and restoring work through the Gospel of Jesus in our world and in our hearts. Amen. 

MUSIC

• O God (Dustin Kensrue): A reminder that God is present with us in times of joy and those of sorrow. 

• Cornerstone (Hillsong): A song celebrating Christ our rock and foundation, the one on whom our hope is built. 

Reflect (January 7, 2018)

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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COLOSSIANS 2:6-7

CALL TO WORSHIP

As we approach a New Year we are often faced with a mix of emotions: Excitement at new possibilities; fear over what we don’t know; anticipation over what’s to come; anxiety over questions we can’t answer. But we remind our hearts, as we start this new year, that God is faithful that he is constant & he is good. Join me in this call to worship. 

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning.

Great is your faithfulness.

“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”

Great is your faithfulness.

The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.

Great is your faithfulness.

(Based on Lamentations 3:22-25)

Song: Doxology

Song: Rock of Ages

Song: You Alone Can Rescue

CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE

We've just sung that it is God alone who saves us, yet we are quick to forget this. As we approach a new year, we're often quick to doubt God's goodness and his sovereignty. We so desperately want to know what lies ahead that we fail to trust him, the unfailing one. Take a moment to reflect on that now, to confess to God the tendency to rely on your plans and purposes rather than on his.

Father God, you tell us in your word to fear not, for you are with us; to not be dismayed, for you are our God. Remind us of this at the start of a new year we pray. Help us to have faith that rests in who you are and what you have done for us in Christ. Would we cling to your promise that you will never leave us nor forsake us. Amen.

Even though we doubt God and his character, he never turns us away. Because of Jesus we are still welcomed into God's family. Let's sing of that welcome together now.

Song: Come Ye Sinners

PASSING OF THE PEACE

PREACHING OF THE WORD

John McPhilimey preached to us from Colossians 2:6-7 at the beginning of this new year. Listen to that sermon here: 

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

Song: Jesus Paid it All

COMMITMENT READING

We need God's help in this, let's pray these words together now, asking that God, by the Spirit would help us as we go now.

Father God, we know that we can't do any of this without you. Just as we received Christ Jesus the Lord, help us to walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith. Help us to abound in thanksgiving, giving glory to you in all that we do. Amen.

Colossians 2:6-7

BENEDICTION

May we enter this New Year knowing the security that comes from being in Christ. The deep joy that comes from being a child of God. And the certainty of knowing God's presence with us through the Holy Spirit.

Peace be with you.

And also with you. 

Amen.

Prepare (January 7, 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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COLOSSIANS 2:6-7

SERMON

This week is our first gathering of 2018. John McPhilimey will be preaching to us from Colossians 2:6-7. 

LITURGY

CALL TO WORSHIP

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning.

Great is your faithfulness.

“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”

Great is your faithfulness.

The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.

Great is your faithfulness.

Based on Lamentations 3:22-25

MUSIC

• Rock of Ages (Dustin Kensrue): A reminder that God is the rock and refuge who cleanses us from our sin.

• Be Thou My Vision (Ascend the Hill): A plea for God to be the centre of all that we do, to be our delight and vision for this coming year. 

Reflect (December 17, 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 Light

Song: Joy To The World

Song: O Come All Ye Faithful

INTERACTIVE KIDS STORY

Song: Once in Royal David's City 

Song: O Come O Come Emmanuel 

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. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

(John 1:1-5)

PREACHING OF THE WORD

Gary Aston preached to us from John 1:1-5 on the light that Jesus brings into this dark world. Click here to listen to the sermon.

Song: Silent Night

ADVENT PRAYER

Song: Hark the Herald Angels Sing