Prepare (March 10, 2019)

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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ROMANS - Justification & Joy

SERMON

This Sunday Gary Aston will be preaching to us from Romans 5:1-11, pointing us to the joy we can know through justification.

LITURGY

CONFESSION/ASSURANCE

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Jesus Christ died for us.

(Romans 5:6-8)

MUSIC

• A God Who Saves (Sovereign Grace): We’re going to be singing a new song this week out of our passage that reminds us that whilst we were weak and still sinners, Jesus died for us.

• Before the Throne of God Above: A reminder that we have a new identity in Christ. We can now approach God with confidence because of what Jesus has done for us.

Reflect (March 3, 2019)

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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ROMANS - Saving Faith pt.2

CALL TO WORSHIP

Praise the LORD! Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures for ever! Who can utter the mighty deeds of the LORD, or declare all his praise?

I will remember the deeds of the LORD; I will remember your wonderful deeds of long ago. I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds.

Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God? You are the God who works wonders;you have made known your might among the peoples.

(Based on Psalm 77 and 106)

Song: Rejoice

Song: Look and See

CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE

Father God, as we hear of your faithfulness to us and sing of the redemption we have known in Jesus, we confess that so often we forget this. We confess that so often we forget grace is a gift from you. Forgive us for believing it is our actions that make us right with you. Forgive us being self-righteous, believing our performance has earned our salvation. Remind us that our salvation rests on what Jesus has already done for us, not what we have done. Thank you for the gift of salvation. Help us to have humility with one another, not thinking ourselves better than each other. Instead, remind us that we are all sinners who have been given the gift of grace. Amen. In Jesus, God has achieved all that is needed for us to be made right with him. Let's sing out in light of that truth together now!

Song: In Tenderness

PASSING OF THE PEACE

LENT RESOURCE

Elspeth shared Tim Chester’s new Lent resource The Beauty of the Cross to help you as you prepare for Easter. Click here to purchase the hard copy or Ebook.

PREACHING OF THE WORD

This week Gary Aston preached to us from Romans 4:9-25. 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: The Power of the Cross

COMMITMENT READING

Heavenly Father help us to entrust ourselves to you with confidence in what Jesus has already done for us. Give us a deep assurance of our salvation as we trust your promises to us. May we find our identity in Jesus' finished work on the cross, not in our works or performance. Amen.

Song: Man of Sorrows

BENEDICTION

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)

Peace be with you.

And also with you.

Prepare (March 3, 2019)

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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ROMANS - Saving Faith pt. 2

SERMON

This Sunday Gary Aston will be preaching to us from Romans 4:9-25, helping us as we continue to look at justification through saving faith.

LITURGY

COMMITMENT READING

Heavenly Father help us to entrust ourselves to you with confidence in what Jesus has already done for us.

Give us a deep assurance of our salvation as we trust your promises to us. May we find our identity in Jesus' finished work on the cross, not in our works or performance. Amen.

MUSIC

• In Tenderness He Sought Me (Citizens): A reminder that it is only grace that saves us and brings us back into relationship with God.

• Nothing But the Blood: A hymn that affirms our salvation through the blood of Christ and his sacrifice on our behalf.

Reflect (February 24, 2019)

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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ROMANS - Saving Faith pt. 1

CALL TO WORSHIP

By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth. He gathers the waters of the sea into jars; he puts the deep into storehouses.

Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the people of the world revere him. For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.

(Psalm 33:6-9)

Song: Indescribable

Song: 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)

CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE

When we come before God and hear of his glory and majesty, it reminds us how small we are in comparison. When we see the holiness of God we are reminded that we are flawed and broken. Our sin separates us from God and this can leave us feeling guilty and ashamed. God tells us in his word that we needn't hide our guilt from him, he encourages to confess our sins to him, and to come and know forgiveness in Christ. We no longer need to carry our guilt, instead we can know freedom from sin. Take a moment to do that now, to confess your sin to God and seek his forgiveness.

Hear these words of assurance to us now, this can be true for us because of Jesus:

Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit.

(Psalm 32:1-2)

Song: You Alone Can Rescue

PASSING OF THE PEACE

PREACHING OF THE WORD

This week Gary Aston preached to us on saving faith from Romans 4:1-8. 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: When I Survey

Song: See the Lamb of God

COMMITMENT READING

Once you were alienated from God and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation.

Help us Lord to continue in our faith, established and firm, not moving from the hope of the gospel we have heard and which has been proclaimed in all creation. Amen.

(Based on Colossians 1:21-23)

Song: This I Believe

BENEDICTION

So then, 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.

(Colossians 2:6-7)

Peace be with you.

And also with you.