Reflect (November 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
SERVE THE CITY: John 13
CALL TO WORSHIP
Praise the LORD, my soul. I will praise the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.
He 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, the LORD gives sight to the blind, the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down, the LORD loves the righteous.
The LORD watches over the foreigner and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.
The LORD reigns for ever, for all generations. Praise the LORD.
Based on Psalm 146
Song: O For a Thousand Tongues
Song: All Praise to Him
CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE
We've already heard of the generous and compassionate God we have. Bible tells us that He is the giver of every good gift He showers those good gifts down on the world he has made Yet so often we are ungrateful for his gifts We assume that they are things we deserve and have a right to have And instead of using them to love God & love other people. We use them for selfish gain. We are selfish with our time, money, resources and yet God has been so generous towards us. Take a moment to confess to God the ways in which you can be selfish with the gifts God has given you and to reflect on his generosity shown to us in Christ.
Jesus himself tells us:
For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. (Mark 10:45)
God has been generous to us in giving his son to free us and save us from our sin. We are only able to serve others and demonstrate generosity because of the way we have already been served by Christ.
Song: Forgiven
PASSING OF THE PEACE
PREACHING OF THE WORD
Tom Thrower preached from God’s word to us this Sunday as part of our Serve the City gathering from John 13:1-17. Listen to the sermon audio 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: When I Survey
Song: Man of Sorrows (Oh the Rugged Cross)
COMMITMENT READING
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus.
He was in the form of God, but did not count equality with God something to be grasped. He emptied himself, taking on the form of a servant and humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
(Based on Philippians 2:3-8)
Song: Christ is Risen
BENEDICTION
Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
(1 Corinthians 15:58)
Peace be with you.
And also with you.
Reflect (October 6, 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
ONE OFF - Conflict
CALL TO WORSHIP
Ascribe to the LORD, you heavenly beings, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendour of his holiness.
The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is majestic. The LORD rules and reigns as King forever.
The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.
(based on Psalm 29:1-2,4,10-11)
Song: All Praise to Him
Song: Look and See
CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE
When we're reminded of God's purity and majesty, we are humbled to see our place before him. We see how far we fall from his standards. When we see his love and mercy demonstrated to us, we are reminded that we fail to love one another and are slow to forgive each other. Let's pray these words together now, as a confession to God of this tendency in our hearts.
Heavenly Father, forgive us for mistreating one another, for being impatient with one another and seeking to divide your church rather than unite.
Help us to be kind to one another, forgiving each another just as you have forgiven us in Christ. Amen.
(based on Ephesians 4:32)
While we were still weak and in sin, Jesus died for us. Offering us an invite into relationship with God. Let's sing out in light of that truth together now.
Song: In Tenderness He Sought Me
PASSING OF THE PEACE
PREACHING OF THE WORD
Adam Flynt from the Church of the Eleven22 was with us this Sunday and preached to us on conflict within the church from various Bible passages. 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: In Christ Alone
COMMITMENT READING
Without Jesus, we would still know separation from God. We are only restored to God the father, through Christ the son. Let's encourage our hearts with this truth as we prepare to go now:
Because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions, it is by grace we have been saved.
(Ephesians 2:4-5)
The gift of grace, we've received in Christ and the love God has shown us is everlasting. Let's sing out together the truth of that now.
Song: Nothing in All the Earth
BENEDICTION
Brothers and sisters, continue to have unity of mind, loving one another just as Christ loves the church. Go in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Peace be with you.
And also with you.
Reflect (September 15, 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
DEALING WITH ANXIETY
CALL TO WORSHIP
Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his steadfast love endures for ever!
Out of my distress I called on the LORD; the LORD answered me and set me free. The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?
It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. The LORD is our strength and song; he has become our salvation.
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his steadfast love endures for ever!
(Based on Psalm 118)
Song: Nothing in all the Earth
Song: Jesus
CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE
We've already heard that God is on our side and so we have no need to fear. We've sung that nothing can separate us from the love of God. Yet so often we fail to believe these truths. Sometimes we don't believe God cares for us, when trials come we think he's abandoned us. We can so easily put our trust in other things, instead of the one who has promised to be with us.
Take some moments in the silence of your heart to speak with God about where you are struggling to trust & believe him.
Let's pray these words together, asking for God's help in this.
Father God, help us to cast our worries and anxieties upon you, knowing that you care for us and are sovereign over all. Help us to trust you, even in the most difficult situations, knowing that your ways are greater than ours. Amen.
Song: O God
PASSING OF THE PEACE
PREACHING OF THE WORD
This Sunday Gary preached to us on dealing with anxiety from Matthew 6:25-34. 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: Hallelujah What A Saviour
Song: Oceans (where feet may fail)
COMMITMENT READING
The Lord has said to us, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So let's read these words as a commitment with confidence as we prepare to go now:
The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me? The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
(Hebrews 13:6; Psalm 27:1-2)
Song: Nothing in All the Earth
BENEDICTION
"Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand"
Peace be with you.
And also with you.