Prepare (August 19, 2018)

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


TREASURING THE GOSPEL: 

A gospel-shaped life

SERMON

Ed Preston will be preaching to us this Sunday from 2 Timothy 2:14-26 looking at what a gospel-shaped life looks like. 

LITURGY

CALL TO WORSHIP

When the goodness and loving kindness of God our Saviour appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy.

He washed us by the regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Saviour.

And so we have been justified by his grace so that we might become his heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

(Based on Titus 3:4-7)

MUSIC

  • Jesus (Citizens and Saints): A song of praise and celebration of our saviour Jesus who is to be exalted over all. 
  • Before the Throne of God Above (Sovereign Grace): A song that speaks of our identity before God and that affirms our cleansing through the death and resurrection of Jesus. 

Reflect (August 12, 2018)

Reflect.png

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


TREASURING THE GOSPEL: 

The gospel and endurance

CALL TO WORSHIP

Keep us safe, O God, for in you we take refuge. Lord, you alone are our portion and cup; you make our lots secure.

We keep our eyes always on the Lord. With him at our right hand, we will not be shaken.

Therefore our hearts are glad and our tongues rejoice; our bodies also will rest secure, because you will not abandon us.

We have trusted in your steadfast love; our hearts will rejoice in your salvation. We will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with us.

(Based on Psalm 13 and 16)

Song: Rock of Ages 

Song: Behold our God 

CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE

Each time we gather, we confess together. It’s not because we believe that God is only present with us here and will only hear us when we gather. But we confess together to remind our hearts that we’re all guilty of rebellion. All of us have rejected God and turned away from Him to lesser things. Let's pray these words together as a confession to God now.

Awesome and compassionate God, you have loved us with unfailing, self-giving mercy, but we have not loved you. You are a faithful God, yet we are unfaithful, time and time again.

Forgive us for running after other things to find joy and satisfaction, remind us that in doing this we take the cross for granted. Show us that it cost Jesus his life to save us from our sin.

As you come to us in mercy, we repent in spirit and in truth, admit our sin, and gratefully receive your forgiveness through Jesus Christ, our Redeemer. Amen.

(Adapted from the Worship Sourcebook)

Song: Come Ye Sinners Poor and Needy

PASSING OF THE PEACE

PREACHING OF THE WORD

Alex Passmore preached to us this week from 2 Timothy 2:1-13 on the gospel and endurance. 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: The Power of the Cross

Song: O God 

COMMITMENT READING

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

(Hebrews 12:1-2)

Song: It is Well

BENEDICTION

Go, trusting in the unfailing nature of God, knowing his love and comfort, even in the midst of trial and suffering.

Peace be with you.

And also with you. 

Prepare (August 12, 2018)

Prepare.png

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


TREASURING THE GOSPEL: 

The gospel and endurance

SERMON

This Sunday Alex Passmore will be preaching to us on the gospel and endurance from 2 Timothy 2:1-13

LITURGY

COMMITMENT READING

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

(Hebrews 12:1-2)

MUSIC

  • Rock of Ages (Dustin Kensrue): A modern take on the old hymn that reminds us that God promises to be our rock and refuge in all times. 
  • It is Well: A song that speaks of a peace we can know from God even in the midst of trial and suffering. 

Reflect (August 5, 2018)

Reflect.png

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


TREASURING THE GOSPEL: 

A gospel worth guarding

CALL TO WORSHIP

Praise the Lord, my soul all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits.

Who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbour his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;

As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

(Psalm 103: 1-12)

Song: O God of Our Salvation

Song: In Tenderness He Sought Me 

CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE

At this point in our gathering - each week - we have a time of confession. That might seem strange, You might ask why? Well when we see God’s greatness and recognise his glory, we are faced with our own humanity and how short we fall of God’s requirements. So time for confession reminds us of our right place before God, Reminds us of our sinfulness, our need for God’s grace and forgiveness and also God’s provision of this grace through Jesus. Right at the centre of the gospel is confession, repentance. It's a life giving practice. Because as we repent, turn from moving away from God & instead running to him, we experience God moving towards us in grace.

Throughout history, God's people have turned from him, time and time again. We are no different. Even though we've been called to God through the loving mercy of Jesus, we so often turn from him to follow different paths. In his word God tells us that we exchange truths about him for lies and follow paths that twist the truth about Jesus. Take a moment to reflect on that now, to confess where you see this in your own heart. What are some of the lies you're believing about God today? We need God's help in this so let's sing this next song as a prayer, asking for God's help in this and affirming the hope we have of forgiveness in Jesus.

Song: Forgiven

PASSING OF THE PEACE

PREACHING OF THE WORD

Gary Aston started our summer series in 2 Timothy on treasuring the gospel this week. He preached to us from 2 Timothy 1. 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: There is a Fountain

COMMITMENT READING

God has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.

(2 Timothy 1:9-10)

Song: Grace Alone 

BENEDICTION

Brothers and sisters go, through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us and carefully guard the precious truth of the gospel that has been entrusted to you.. (2 Timothy 1:14)

Peace be with you.

And also with you.