Prepare (February 17, 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

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ROMANS - Righteousness

SERMON

This Sunday Tom Thrower will be preaching to us from Romans 3:21-31 on righteousness.

LITURGY

COMMITMENT READING

Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on the day of his return and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

(2 Timothy 4:8)

MUSIC

• A Mighty Fortress (Heartsong): A hymn that celebrates God as our shield and fortress.

• Jesus (Citizens and Saints): A song that celebrates our saviour Jesus who is to be highly exalted above every other name.

Reflect (February 10, 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

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ROMANS - The Sinfulness of People

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: How Great is Our God

Song: O God of Our Salvation

CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE

When we encounter the mighty power of God and his holy character, we are confronted with our sin. It's such a stark contrast to our Lord, the creator of all things who is always perfectly loving and giving. God tells us in his word that without him, none of us our righteous, none of us seek him and all of us have turned away from him. But we needn't stay that way. Hear this truth from God's word:

"If he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed." (James 5:15-16)

Let's take a few moments now, in the quietness of our own hearts, to respond to God's invitation to experience healing in Christ as we confess our sins. Through His death and resurrection Christ has made us right with God; he makes us pure and holy and frees us from the power of sin.

Song: It is Finished

PASSING OF THE PEACE

PREACHING OF THE WORD

Gary Aston preached to us from Romans 3:9-20 looking at the sinfulness of 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: Amazing Grace

Song: Saviour of the World

COMMITMENT READING

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

(2 Corinthians 5:17 & 21)

Song: Grace Alone

BENEDICTION

May you grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. (2 Peter 3:18)

Peace be with you.

And also with you.

Prepare (February 10, 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

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ROMANS - The sinfulness of people

SERMON

This Sunday Gary Aston will be preaching to us from Romans 3:9-20 looking at the sinfulness of people.

LITURGY

COMMITMENT READING

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

(2 Corinthians 5:17 & 21)

MUSIC

• Grace Alone (Dustin Kensrue): A song that reminds us of our status before we were saved. We were lost and in need of a saviour. A celebration that it is by grace we are saved!

• Saviour of the World (Ben Cantelon): A song that celebrates Jesus, our perfect saviour who came to seek and save the lost.

Reflect (February 3, 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

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ROMANS - The Faithfulness of God

CALL TO WORSHIP

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

Song: Rock of Ages

Song: Everlasting God

CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE

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, once again, 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: O God of Mercy Hear our Plea

PASSING OF THE PEACE

PREACHING OF THE WORD

Gary Aston preached to us on the faithfulness of God from Romans 3:1-8. 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: Christ is Risen

COMMITMENT READING

We have been united with Jesus in death and our old self was crucified with him. We are no longer slaves to sin because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.

Therefore, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Don't let sin reign in your body but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life.

Sin is no longer our master because we are not under the law but under grace.

(Based on Romans 6:1-14)

Song: In Christ Alone

BENEDICTION

Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. (1 Thess 5:23)

Peace be with you.

And also with you.