Prepare (March 25, 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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THE FINAL DAYS OF JESUS - The Garden

SERMON

This week Gary Aston will be preaching to us from Matthew 26:36-46 where we see Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. 

LITURGY

COMMITMENT READING

Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.

“He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds we have been healed.” (1 Peter 2:21-24)

MUSIC

• Jesus Paid it All: A hymn that centers on the price Jesus paid to save us from our sin and the new life we are raised to in Christ. 

• Lamb of God (Vertical Church Band): A new song to us at Redeemer that reflects on Jesus, the Lamb of God, slain for our sin. 

Reflect (March 18, 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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THE FINAL DAYS OF JESUS - The Supper

CALL TO WORSHIP

Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth! Serve the LORD with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!

Know that the LORD, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!

For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations. Psalm 100

Song: Look What God Has Done 

Song: In Tenderness He Sought Me

CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE

By nature we are forgetful beings. We've just sung of the grace that brought us into the fold of God, yet we are quick to forget God's grace shown to us, quick to forget his faithfulness to us. More than that, we minimise our sin, thinking we're not that bad, forgetting that it took Jesus his life to save us. Every week at Redeemer, we take a moment to confess to God together, it's a way to come before God in humility, and remember our standing before him. Let's pray these words together as a confession to God now.

Awesome and compassionate God, you have loved us with unfailing, self-giving mercy, but we have not loved you. You are a faithful God, yet we are unfaithful, time and time again.

Forgive us for running after other things to find joy and satisfaction, remind us that in doing this we take the cross for granted. Show us, once again, that it cost Jesus his life to save us from our sin.

As you come to us in mercy, we repent in spirit and in truth, admit our sin, and gratefully receive your forgiveness through Jesus Christ, our Redeemer. Amen.

(Adapted from the Worship Sourcebook) 

The truth of the gospel is that in Christ we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace. 

Song: Made Alive

PASSING OF THE PEACE

TESTIMONY

PREACHING OF THE WORD

Gary Aston preached to us this week from Matthew 26: 26-29. To listen to that sermon click 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.

Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. (Matthew 26:26-28)

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 

Song: See the Lamb of God

COMMITMENT READING

For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.

He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him we believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so our faith and hope are in God.

(1 Peter 1:18-21)

Song: Man of Sorrows

BENEDICTION

Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing! …To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!

Peace be with you.

And also with you. 

Amen.

Prepare (March 18, 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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THE FINAL DAYS OF JESUS - The Supper

SERMON

This week Gary Aston will be preaching to us from Matthew 26:17-35 as we take a look at the last supper together.

LITURGY

COMMUNION

Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

(Matthew 26:26-28)

MUSIC

• When I Survey: A reflection on the cross of Jesus, focusing on the blood shed for to save us from our sin. 

• See the Lamb of God: A celebration of Jesus, the lamb who was sacrificed for us, who will one day return. 

Reflect (March 11, 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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THE FINAL DAYS OF JESUS - The Cleansing

CALL TO WORSHIP

Everything in this earth is constantly pouring out praise to God. Creation sings to his glory and today we want to join that chorus of praise. 

O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

You have set your glory above the heavens. Out of the mouth of babies and infants, you have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger.

When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?

Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honour. You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet. 

O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth

(Psalm 8)

Song: Behold our God 

Song: Come Thou Fount

CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE

We've just sung that we're prone to wander, prone to leave the God we love. And that's something that's true of all of us. God tells us in his word that we've worshipped and served created things rather than him, our creator God. The truth is that if we look to these things to give us meaning, hope and happiness, they will ultimately fail us. God himself, is the only one who can provide us with these things. But we forget this and end up creating idols in our hearts, that take our worship and attention away from God. Every week at Redeemer, we take a moment to confess to God together, let's pray these words now, asking that God would direct our worship back to him.

Merciful God, we confess that in our longing, we have worshipped the idols of this world instead of worshipping you, the one true God. We realise the sin in our own hearts and ask for your forgiveness and mercy. In your grace, would you direct our eyes back to you.

God tells us in His word that if we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Song: Lead us Back

PASSING OF THE PEACE

TESTIMONY

PREACHING OF THE WORD

Gary Aston preached to us this week from Matthew 21:12-17 looking at Jesus as he cleanses the temple. 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: Nothing but the Blood

Song: See His Love

COMMITMENT READING

When the goodness and loving kindness of God our Saviour appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy.

He washed us by the regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Saviour.

So that being justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

(Titus 3:4-7)

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.