SUNDAY GATHERING (March 22, 2020)

SUNDAY GATHERING 

DATE: 22/03/20  

SERMON: Help In Times of Trouble [Psalm 121]

---

Today is the first time we are not meeting as a church due to the Coronavirus outbreak. Our plan each Sunday is to provide you with a liturgy that you can use at home.

You can use it in a number of ways: on your own, with your family, or with others from our church community via video calls.

Our suggestion is that you take time to slowly move through each of the sections below. Take time to listen to the songs, to read and reflect on the liturgy & hear the word preached exactly as you would do on a Sunday.

As you move  through it why not talk with others or, if you are on your own, message someone from your City Group or DNA Group to share something that really struck you?

As you do this remember that we are still the church even when we can’t gather together as the church. 

CALL TO WORSHIP

It is good to start today by remembering that God is worthy of praise all the time. Sundays are normally a wonderful opportunity for us to gather as the church to praise & worship God. But worship isn’t something that only happens on a Sunday as we sing. Even when we can’t gather we can still worship because worship is about every part of our lives. It includes eating & drinking, working & sleeping. Through Jesus, the whole of life is about worship. So take the encouragement of this Psalm as a call to worship the God who is both good and great.

Oh come, let us sing to the LORD; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods.In his hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are his also. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land.Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker! For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture.

[Psalm 95:1-7]

SONG: 

O God of our Salvation (The Village Church): A song of praise to our great God who has saved us and a call to give him the glory and praise he deserves.

CCLI Song # 5564684

Matt Boswell | Michael Bleecker

© 2009 Curb Dayspring Music (Admin. by / Small Stone Media BV, Holland (Admin. in the UK/Eire by Song Solutions www.songsolutions.org))

Bleecker Publishing (Admin. by Michael Bleecker)

SONG:

Rock of Ages (Dustin Kensrue): A reminder that God is the rock and refuge who cleanses us from our sin.

CCLI Song # 7004664

Augustus Montague Toplady | Dustin Kensrue

© 2013 Dead Bird Theology (Admin. by Song Solutions www.songsolutions.org)

It's All About Jesus Music (Admin. by Song Solutions www.songsolutions.org)

We Are Younger We Are Faster Music (Admin. by Song Solutions www.songsolutions.org)

CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE

It is very easy at times like this to let fear crowd out truth. To let panic overwhelm us and blur our sight of God. But the bible encourages us to cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you [1 Pt 5:7]

So take a moment to speak to God about the fears and anxieties that you are feeling at the moment. As you do that remember the truth that he sees your heart, so be honest as you pray.

As we name our fears to God we need to hear the encouragement of the bible that we can rest in God & put our fears and anxieties before him because he is a Father who loves us.

Hear the reassurance of Jesus: 

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

[Mt 6:25-27] 

SONG: 

Cornerstone (Hillsong): A song reflecting on the wonderful truth of Christ as our Cornerstone. A reminder that our hope and trust should always be built on Jesus and His saving work on the cross.

CCLI Song # 6158927

Edward Mote | Eric Liljero | Jonas Myrin | Reuben Morgan | William Batchelder Bradbury

© 2011 Hillsong Music Publishing Australia (Admin. by Hillsong Music Publishing UK)

PASSING OF THE PEACE

Because of Christ's work on the cross, his death and resurrection, we have been brought back into communion with our God and have been made righteous. We have peace with our creator, our heavenly Father and the Holy Spirit unties us together in Jesus.

We normally express that peace with one another in our gatherings by greeting those around us. In this time where we can’t do that take a moment to pray for someone who is part of our church family instead.

READING: Psalm 121 

Take time to read the bible passage and pray that God would let you hear him speak in his Word.

SERMON Help In Times of Trouble [Psalm 121]

RESPONSE

Take a few minutes to reflect on how God was speaking to you from his Word. Ask that the Holy Spirit would take the truth and use it to change and transform you.

SONG: 

New Again (Sojourn): A song looking forward to the future hope we have in the gospel. We look to the day when all pain and sorrow will be over and Christ will make all things new again!

CCLI Song # 7037768

Brooks Ritter | Mike Cosper

© 2013 Sojourn Community Church

SONG: 

Defender (Kings Kaleidoscope): A song which reminds us that when we cry out to God, he hears us, and that we need not fear because we can place our hope in him.

CCLI Song # 7032881

Chad Gardner | Zach Bolen

© 2014 Asaphs Arrows (Admin. by Song Solutions www.songsolutions.org)

Moms Like Us Too (Admin. by Song Solutions www.songsolutions.org)

Remaining portion is unaffiliated

COMMITMENT READING

In times where we feel afraid and uncertain we need to remember that God is Sovereign and that, somehow, he uses all things as part of his great plan. Read this wonderful truth from [Eph 1:11]

In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will

[Eph 1:11]

SONG: 

It is Well: A hymn that speaks of the true joy and peace we can know in Christ, regardless of circumstance or situation.

CCLI Song # 5875665

Ben Fielding | Horatio Gates Spafford | Philip Paul Bliss | Reuben Morgan

© 2011 Hillsong Music Publishing Australia (Admin. by Hillsong Music Publishing UK)

BENEDICTION 

May you remember that even when the world seems upside down, when all that we know quakes and trembles, God is holding all things together.

Peace be with you.

[Based on Psalm 75:3]

Church Planting 2020

While you listen, reflect on the gathering this sermon is from.

While you listen, reflect on the gathering this sermon is from.

While you listen, reflect on the gathering this sermon is from.

While you listen, reflect on the gathering this sermon is from.

While you listen, reflect on the gathering this sermon is from.

Reflect (January 5, 2020)

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

---

NEW YEAR: Change

CALL TO WORSHIP

As we approach a New Year we are often faced with a mix of emotions: Excitement at new possibilities; fear over what we don't know; anticipation over what's to come; anxiety over questions we can't answer. But we remind our hearts, as we start this new year, that God is faithful that he is constant & unchanging. Join me in this call to worship:

You, LORD, sit enthroned forever; your fame endures through all generations.

In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment.

Like clothing you will change them and they will be discarded. But you remain the same, and your years will never end.

[Psalm 102: 12, 25-27]

Song: Everlasting God

Song: Rock of Ages

CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE

As we approach a new year, we're often quick to doubt God's goodness and his sovereignty. We so desperately want to know what lies ahead that we fail to trust him, the unfailing one. Take a moment to think about that now, to confess to God where you are replying on your own plans and purposes rather than on his.

Father God, you tell us in your word to fear not, for you are with us; to not be dismayed, for you are our God. Remind us of this at the start of a new year we pray. Help us to have faith that rests in who you are and what you have done for us in Christ. Would we cling to your promise that you will never leave us nor forsake us. Amen.

Song: Jesus is the Lord of All

PASSING OF THE PEACE

PREACHING OF THE WORD

Tom Thrower preached from God’s word to us this Sunday as we thought about change at the beginning of a new year. 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: Cornerstone

COMMITMENT READING

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning.

Great is your faithfulness.

 "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in him”

Great is your faithfulness.

The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.

Great is your faithfulness.

[Based on Lamentations 3:22-25]

Song: Be Thou My Vision

BENEDICTION

May we enter this New Year knowing the security that comes from being in Christ. The deep joy that comes from being a child of God. And the certainty of knowing God's presence with us through the Holy Spirit.

Peace be with you.

And also with you.

Reflect (December 1, 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

---

HOG ROAST & CAROLS

CALL TO WORSHIP

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined...For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

(Isaiah 9:2;6)

Song: Joy to the World

READING

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

(Luke 2:1-7)

Song: O Come O Come Emmanuel

READING

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. (Luke 2:8-20)

Song: Angels from the Realms of Glory

Song: Hark the Herald Angels Sing

PREACHING OF THE WORD

Gary Aston preached a shorter message to us from Luke 2:8-20 as we thought about the true joy that can be found this Christmas. Listen to that message here:

Song: O Holy Night

Song: O Come All Ye Faithful

PRAYER

O Christ, our Morning Star, Splendour of Light Eternal, shining with the glory of the rainbow, come & waken us from the greyness of our apathy, and renew in us your gift of hope [The Venerable Bede, 672-735]

Father shine light into our darkness Bring joy into our lives Help each of us to know the joy of Jesus for ourselves this Christmas Amen