Prepare (August 12, 2018)

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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


TREASURING THE GOSPEL: 

The gospel and endurance

SERMON

This Sunday Alex Passmore will be preaching to us on the gospel and endurance from 2 Timothy 2:1-13

LITURGY

COMMITMENT READING

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

(Hebrews 12:1-2)

MUSIC

  • Rock of Ages (Dustin Kensrue): A modern take on the old hymn that reminds us that God promises to be our rock and refuge in all times. 
  • It is Well: A song that speaks of a peace we can know from God even in the midst of trial and suffering. 

Reflect (August 5, 2018)

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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


TREASURING THE GOSPEL: 

A gospel worth guarding

CALL TO WORSHIP

Praise the Lord, my soul all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits.

Who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbour his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;

As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

(Psalm 103: 1-12)

Song: O God of Our Salvation

Song: In Tenderness He Sought Me 

CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE

At this point in our gathering - each week - we have a time of confession. That might seem strange, You might ask why? Well when we see God’s greatness and recognise his glory, we are faced with our own humanity and how short we fall of God’s requirements. So time for confession reminds us of our right place before God, Reminds us of our sinfulness, our need for God’s grace and forgiveness and also God’s provision of this grace through Jesus. Right at the centre of the gospel is confession, repentance. It's a life giving practice. Because as we repent, turn from moving away from God & instead running to him, we experience God moving towards us in grace.

Throughout history, God's people have turned from him, time and time again. We are no different. Even though we've been called to God through the loving mercy of Jesus, we so often turn from him to follow different paths. In his word God tells us that we exchange truths about him for lies and follow paths that twist the truth about Jesus. Take a moment to reflect on that now, to confess where you see this in your own heart. What are some of the lies you're believing about God today? We need God's help in this so let's sing this next song as a prayer, asking for God's help in this and affirming the hope we have of forgiveness in Jesus.

Song: Forgiven

PASSING OF THE PEACE

PREACHING OF THE WORD

Gary Aston started our summer series in 2 Timothy on treasuring the gospel this week. He preached to us from 2 Timothy 1. 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 (My Chains are Gone)

Song: There is a Fountain

COMMITMENT READING

God has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.

(2 Timothy 1:9-10)

Song: Grace Alone 

BENEDICTION

Brothers and sisters go, through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us and carefully guard the precious truth of the gospel that has been entrusted to you.. (2 Timothy 1:14)

Peace be with you.

And also with you. 

Prepare (August 5, 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


TREASURING THE GOSPEL: 

A gospel worth guarding

SERMON

This week we'll be starting our new series in the book of 2 Timothy looking at what it means to treasure the gospel. Gary Aston will be preaching the first in this series from 2 Timothy 1. 

LITURGY

COMMITMENT READING

God has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace.

This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.

(2 Timothy 1:9-10)

MUSIC

  • Forgiven (Sovereign Grace): A song of confession and assurance that confesses our sin before God yet reminds us that through the blood of Christ we are forgiven. 
  • There is a Fountain: A song with graphic imagery that reminds us of the lengths Jesus went to save us from our sin, the blood that was shed on our behalf.   

Reflect (July 29, 2018)

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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


HABITS OF GRACE - Feeding the Habits

CALL TO WORSHIP

Praise the LORD! Let us give thanks to the LORD with our whole heart, together as one body and voice, let us worship God!

Great are the works of the LORD. We remember and delight in the amazing things he has done!

He is full of splendour and majesty and his righteousness endures forever. The works of his hands are faithful and just; he sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever.

Holy and awesome is his name! Praise be to the LORD!

(Based on Psalm 111)

Song: How Great Thou Art 

Song: All Creatures of our God and King 

CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE

As we've thought through habits of grace these past few weeks, the practices that help us to deepen our love and enjoyment of God, we are reminded that so often we fail. We desire to spend time with God and make him our priority, and yet so quickly we forget this and turn from him. We put our time and energy into other things, other relationships, rather than our relationship with him. Take a moment to confess that to God, to ask him to reveal this tendency in your own heart.

God tells us in his word that if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just. He will forgive our sins and we will no longer be condemned by them. Let's sing out, praising God that in Jesus, our sins are forgiven.

Song: You Alone Can Rescue 

PASSING OF THE PEACE

PREACHING OF THE WORD

This week we finished our 'Habits of Grace' sermon series. Gary Aston preached to us from Psalm 119:9-16;97-104 on how to feed these habits in our lives. 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: Saviour of the World 

COMMITMENT READING

Heavenly father, help us to form and maintain habits that will allow us to enjoy more of the blessing that is ours, by grace, in Jesus.

Help us to meditate on your word and not stray from your commands. Would we delight to speak to you in prayer, knowing that through Jesus you hear us. And would we consider how to stir up one another to love and good works in the body of the church. Amen

Song: Be Thou My Vision 

BENEDICTION

Brothers and Sisters, may you grow in the grace and knowledge and love of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Centering your lives on Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

Peace be with you.

And also with you.