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
ROMANS - Freedom
CALL TO WORSHIP
The LORD is the maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them, he remains faithful for ever.
He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry.
The LORD sets prisoners free and gives sight to the blind.
The LORD lifts up those who are bowed down and loves the righteous.
The LORD reigns for ever.
(Based on Psalm 146:6-10)
Song: Look and See
Song: Come Praise and Glorify
CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE
We've already sung of the freedom we can know in Jesus. God tells us in his word that if we're Christians, we are no longer slaves to sin instead we can know real freedom. Yet so often we don't live as though this were true. Instead of living as free people, we live as though sin was still enslaving us. We choose to put on the chains that God has already freed us from. Take a moment to reflect on that now in the quiet of you own heart, to confess where you see that in your own life this afternoon...
The truth of the Gospel is that God's grace is sufficient for us, even in our weakness. Even when we turn from him to lesser things, his grace is sufficient. It is by his grace, shown to us in Jesus, that we can know true freedom from sin. Let's sing out in the truth of that together now!
Song: Grace Alone
PASSING OF THE PEACE
PREACHING OF THE WORD
This week Gary Aston preached to us from Romans 6:15-23 looking at the freedom we can know in Christ. 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: The Lion and the Lamb
COMMITMENT READING
But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.
(Romans 6:22)
Song: Man of Sorrows
BENEDICTION
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Go in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
(Based on Galatians 5:1)
Peace be with you.
And also with you.
