Reflect (October 7, 2018)

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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


REDEEMER VISION - Plant

CALL TO WORSHIP

Oh sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth! Sing to the LORD, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvellous works among all the peoples!

Blessed be the LORD, who alone does wondrous things. Blessed be his glorious name for ever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory!

(Psalm 72:17-19, 96:1-3)

Song: Look What God Has Done

Song: Come Praise and Glorify

CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE

Although we can see God's goodness and majesty in creation, God tells us in his word that the world in which we live is a dark place. Sin has distorted the good and perfect creation God has made and it took his own son, Jesus Christ, dying on a cross to bring light into this dark world. Even though as Christians we know this to be true, so often keep this truth to ourselves.

Instead of sharing the light of Jesus with others, we hide it in fear of what others might think. Take a moment to reflect on that now, to confess before God where you see this in your own heart. The only way we can truly and joyfully share the good news with others is if we know more of Jesus light in our own lives. Hear this encouragement to us now:

“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."

(Matthew 5:14-16)

SongShine into our Night

PASSING OF THE PEACE

PREACHING OF THE WORD

Gary preached to us on the second aspect of our vision: to plant. He took us to different parts of Acts to help us in this. To listen to that sermon click 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: Here is Love

SongSaviour of the World

COMMITMENT READING

After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice,

“Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”

And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshipped God, saying

“Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”

(Revelation 7:9-12)

Song: Revelation Song

BENEDICTION

Go in the peace of knowing that one day the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.

Peace be with you.

And also with you.

Prepare (October 7, 2018)

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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


REDEEMER VISION - Plant

SERMON

This Sunday Gary Aston will be preaching to us on the second aspect of our vision to ‘plant’. He’ll be looking at selected texts from Acts to help us in this.

LITURGY

ASSURANCE

“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."

Matthew 5:14-16

MUSIC

  • Shine into our Night (Sovereign Grace): A song of confession, that asks for Jesus to shine his light into our darkness.

  • Saviour of the World (Ben Cantelon): A celebration of Jesus, our saviour, who came to redeem a lost and broken world. A song of encouragement to share this news with those around us.

Reflect (September 30, 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


REDEEMER VISION - Grow

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: How Great Thou Art

Song: Made Alive

CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE

We've just sung that we've been made alive by God's grace, we've been saved from sin and brought back to life. Even though we've been given new life in Jesus, it can be easy for us to forget this, to live as though we'd never been saved. We can become comfortable and static in our faiths. Rather than desiring growth, we desire comfort and security. Let's take a moment to quietly confess that tendency in our hearts now...

Heavenly father, forgive us for becoming comfortable in our faiths, for putting our comfort above your plans and purposes in our lives. Grow us by your Spirit, we ask, that we would look more and more like Christ. Amen.

The truth of the Gospel is that God is committed to growing us, in the midst of our sin and failing. When we're weak, God invites us to come to him. You may be feeling that weakness today. Come to God again, know the welcome and grace he offers in Jesus.

This next song reminds us that it is not through our efforts that we can know God, but through the work of Jesus on the cross. Let's sing out with assurance of that truth together now.

SongCome Ye Sinners

PASSING OF THE PEACE

PRAYER FOR CAP

We took some time to pray for the upcoming BBC documentary on the work of Christians Against Poverty. Here are some ways you can continue to pray this week:

Pray that:
- As many people as possible watch the documentary

- The documentary would spark conversations around faith and encourage people to connect with their local church

- People would be inspired to get involved in supporting and partnering with us to start up their own CAP services locally

- Those watching who are struggling with debt, poverty and its causes would find the courage to seek the help they need

- The brave clients featured in the programme would know the impact they’re having by sharing their personal stories

- Churches would be energised and inspired in their outreach to the poor

- God would be glorified through this amazing opportunity

Also, be sure to watch the documentary on Friday 5th October at 9pm on BBC 2.

PREACHING OF THE WORD

This week we started our Redeemer Vision series, looking at the 3 areas in which we seek to live out our mission as a church. Gary Aston preached to us on the first area ‘grow’ from Acts 2:42-47. To listen to that sermon click 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: Lamb of God

SongYou Alone Can Rescue

COMMITMENT READING

Father God, we ask that you would help us to grow in every way to be more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.

Remind us that it Jesus who fits the whole body together perfectly, so that it can grow and be built up in love, as each part does its work.

(Based on Ephesians 4:15-16)

Song: New Again

BENEDICTION

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

(Ephesians 3:20)

Peace be with you.

And also with you.