Prepare (October 15, 2017)

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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THE CHURCH - Sent by God

SERMON

Gary Aston will be preaching to us this week on the Church's identity as witnesses from Matthew 28:16-20 and Acts 1:1-11. 

LITURGY

COMMITMENT READING

Father God we ask that as foreigners and exiles, you would help us to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against our souls. Help us to let our light shine before others, so that they might see our good works and give you all the glory. Amen.

(Based on 1 Peter 2:11-12: Matthew 5:16)

MUSIC

• See the Lamb of God (Lou Fellingham): A newer song to us at Redeemer celebrating the glory and majesty of our risen Saviour! 

• Mighty To Save (Hillsong): A reminder that our God is a saving God, and a call for us to live out our lives as witnesses to the Gospel of Jesus. 

Reflect (October 8, 2017)

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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THE CHURCH - God's New People

CALL TO WORSHIP

We are no longer strangers and aliens, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.

We are built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone. In Him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord.

In him we also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

Based on Ephesians 2:19-22

Song: Rock of Ages

Song: O For A Thousand Tongues

CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE

In his word God tells us that the church is the body of Christ, with Jesus as the head. When the Bible uses this language, it tells us that all parts of the body are different and yet necessary in order for it to flourish and grow. I wonder how often we believe this to be true. How often we not only recognise the role we have to play, but also acknowledge the need we have for one another. Take a moment to reflect on that now, to reflect on ways we fail to see our need for each other and also our place in the body of Christ.

Father God, we ask that you would help us in this. Thank you that in trusting in Jesus we are brought into your family. Thank you that we have a new identity as your people and as your church. Help us live out this calling as a response to the generosity you have shown to us in Christ. Amen.

Song: In Tenderness He Sought Me

PASSING OF THE PEACE

Hear these words from Colossians to us now:

And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. (Colossians 3:15)

Because we have peace, we should be thankful not only to God, but for one another as well. Let’s take some time and greet one another with the peace of Christ.

PREACHING OF THE WORD

Gary Aston preached to us from Ephesians 2, on our identity as God's new people. 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: Hallelujah What A Saviour

Song: See the Lamb of God 

COMMITMENT READING

Father God, Thank you that we are united in the gospel. Thank you in believing in Jesus' death and resurrection we are drawn into his family. Help us to love this family. Help us to care and serve those who aren't like us in your family. And would we see it as a joy to be part of your church in Leeds, and across the globe. Amen. The gospel unites us with christians past, present and future. One way we thought it would be great to demonstrate this is by reading the Apostle's creed together as a church.

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth; And in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; the third day he rose from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from there he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Song: This I Believe

BENEDICTION

Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.

Peace be with you.

And also with you. 

Amen.

Prepare (October 8, 2017)

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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THE CHURCH - God's New People

SERMON

Gary Aston will be preaching to us this week on the Church as God's people from Ephesians 2. 

LITURGY

CALL TO WORSHIP

We are no longer strangers and aliens, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.

We are built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone. In Him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord.

In him we also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

Based on Ephesians 2:19-22

MUSIC

• See the Lamb of God (Lou Fellingham): A new song to us at Redeemer celebrating the glory and majesty of our risen Saviour! 

• In Tenderness He Sought Me (Citizens and Saints): A reminder that whilst we were still sinners, Jesus died for us! 

Reflect (October 1, 2017)

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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THE CHURCH - Created to Worship

CALL TO WORSHIP

Our gatherings aren't a time when worship suddenly begins, not a time when we're brought into the presence of God. God is present with us in all our of days and Sundays are a time when we gather as worshippers to continue our worship of God together. It’s a place where we focus on the practices that should fill our days worshiping the Lord, confessing our sins, remembering the Gospel, listening to God’s Word. Every week we gather and we hear a call to worship. We can easily fool ourselves into thinking that worship is something that we’ve started – that our songs are a way of getting God’s attention. But the call to Worship is a reminder that God is the one who has spoken, God has gathered us and invites us to see him and respond with joy and with song.

Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; His greatness no one can fathom. One generation will tell of Your works to another; they speak of Your mighty acts and proclaim Your faithfulness.

Together, we celebrate the glorious splendour of Your majesty—and we will meditate on Your wonderful works. We tell of the power of Your awesome works—and we will proclaim Your great deeds.

We will join with all generations as we celebrate Your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of Your righteousness. (Psalm 145:3-7)

Song: Look and See

Song: This is Amazing Grace

CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE

Even though we've experienced God's saving power in our lives we still choose to love other things before Him. We exchange the glory of God for worldly things. We orientate our lives around possessions, status, security. We love ourselves instead of God and centre lives on our pleasures and reputation. God tells us in his word that we've exchanged the truth about God for a lie, we've worshipped and served created things rather than the Creator. We love so many other things before God, the one who has given us everything.

Take a moment to reflect on that, to reflect on what you love and what you centre your life on. To confess your sin before God and seek his forgiveness.

Whilst we were still sinners, Jesus died for us, he took the wrath of God upon him for our sin, for our rebellion and yet we can now know freedom and salvation because of him. Let's sing out with joy now in light of that truth.

Song: You Alone Can Rescue

PASSING OF THE PEACE

PREACHING OF THE WORD

Gary Aston preached to us from various passages of scripture this week as we looked at the idea that the church was created to worship. 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: There is a Fountain

Song: Nothing but the Blood

COMMITMENT READING

Every week at Redeemer we have a time of commitment, it's a way for us to respond to God's word preached to us with a commitment to live out the invitation of the gospel. It's a sending into the world, a declaration, a commitment to deeper faith, a call to mission with Jesus. A time to be reminded of and re-state our faith in Jesus. Hear this call to go scatter as worshippers:

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:1-2)

Song: Christ is Risen

BENEDICTION

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Peace be with you.

And also with you. 

Amen.