Prepare (February 3, 2019)

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

---

ROMANS - The faithfulness of God

SERMON

This Sunday Gary Aston will be preaching to us from Romans 3:1-8 looking at the faithfulness of God.

LITURGY

CONFESSION

I will sing of the LORD’s great love for ever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations. I will declare that your love stands firm for ever, that you have established your faithfulness in heaven itself.

The heavens praise your wonders, LORD, your faithfulness too, in the assembly of the holy ones. For who in the skies above can compare with the LORD? Who is like the LORD among the heavenly beings? Who is like you, LORD God Almighty? 

You, LORD, are mighty, and your faithfulness surrounds you.

Psalm 89:1-8.

MUSIC

• Rock of Ages (Dustin Kensrue): A song of praise to God our rock and refuge. A reminder that we bring nothing for our salvation and instead cling to the cross of Christ.

• O God of Mercy Hear Our Plea (Sovereign Grace): A song that cries out to God for him to hear us. A call for him to be our strength and hope in the midst of this broken world.

Reflect (January 27, 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

---

ROMANS - Inside out

CALL TO WORSHIP

I will praise you, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done. I will be filled with joy because of you. I will sing praises to your name.

The LORD reigns forever, executing judgment from his throne. He will judge the world with justice and rule the nations with fairness.

The LORD is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.

Sing praises to the LORD who reigns. Tell the world about his unforgettable deeds.

(Based on Psalm 9:1-11)

Song: Behold our God

Song: Look What God Has Done

CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE

We've just sung that God is worthy of all the glory and praise and yet so often our hearts don't match our words. Hear these words from Isaiah that speak of this:

“These people honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules."

(Isaiah 29:13)

So often our mouths say one thing, yet our hearts tell a different story. We say we love God, but the desires of our heart are so far from him. God doesn't want our empty words, he wants our hearts. Let's take a moment to ask God to turn our hearts towards him, showing us where we might be resisting him.

Even though we turn from God and our hearts can be far from him, he doesn't turn away from us. Jesus came down into this world so that sin could no longer separate us from God. If we trust in Jesus' death and resurrection we can know forgiveness from sin and relationship with God.

Song: I Stand Amazed

PASSING OF THE PEACE

PREACHING OF THE WORD

Gary Aston preached to us this week from Romans 2:17-29 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: Before the Throne of God Above

Song: Cornerstone

COMMITMENT READING

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: Mighty to Save

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.

Prepare (January 27, 2019)

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

---

ROMANS - Inside Out

SERMON

This Sunday Gary Aston will be preaching to us from Romans 2:17-29.

LITURGY

CONFESSION

“These people honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules." 

(Isaiah 29:13)

So often our mouths say one thing, yet our hearts tell a different story. We say we love God, but the desires of our heart are so far from him. God doesn't want our empty words, he wants our hearts. Let's take a moment to ask God to turn our hearts towards him, showing us where we might be resisting him.

MUSIC

• Look What God Has Done (Ghostship): A song that helps us to remember and celebrate all that God has done for us in Jesus.

• Mighty to Save (Hillsong): A song of praise to our great and perfect saviour Jesus who works in power to bring salvation.

Reflect (January 20, 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

---

ROMANS - Judgement and the law

CALL TO WORSHIP

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.

The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.

The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring for ever. The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey.

(Psalm 19:1-10)

Song: Come Praise and Glorify

Song: How Great Thou Art

CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE

We've already heard that God's law is perfect and refreshing for the soul. God tells us in his word that we have the law imprinted on our hearts. Even though this is true, we still fail to do what is right. We fall short of meeting our own standards and have no hope of meeting God's. Our sin separates us from God. When we see the gap between us and God, we are humbled to see our need for a Saviour. Take a moment in the quiet of your heart now to confess this need to him now.

In Jesus, we have a Saviour who came to bridge the gap between us and God. We no longer need to feel separation from God, instead we can know relationship with him through Christ. Hear Jesus words to us now:

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

(John 14: 6-7)

Song: Shine into our Night

PASSING OF THE PEACE

PREACHING OF THE WORD

Gary Aston preached to us this week from Romans 2:12-16. 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: How Deep the Father’s Love For Us

Song: The Lamb of God

COMMITMENT READING

Father God, help us to love you and obey your commandments as a response to the love you have shown to us in Jesus. Thank you that Jesus promises to be with us forever by his Spirit to help us in this. Help us Spirit, to love Jesus with all of our hearts, souls and minds. Amen.

(based on John 14:15-16)

Song: Revelation Song

BENEDICTION

May you go knowing the life giving power of God the Father, the self giving love of God the Son, and the reviving breath of God the Holy Spirit

Peace be with you.

And also with you.