Prepare (March 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

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ROMANS - Saving Faith pt. 2

SERMON

This Sunday Gary Aston will be preaching to us from Romans 4:9-25, helping us as we continue to look at justification through saving faith.

LITURGY

COMMITMENT READING

Heavenly Father help us to entrust ourselves to you with confidence in what Jesus has already done for us.

Give us a deep assurance of our salvation as we trust your promises to us. May we find our identity in Jesus' finished work on the cross, not in our works or performance. Amen.

MUSIC

• In Tenderness He Sought Me (Citizens): A reminder that it is only grace that saves us and brings us back into relationship with God.

• Nothing But the Blood: A hymn that affirms our salvation through the blood of Christ and his sacrifice on our behalf.

Reflect (February 24, 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 - Saving Faith pt. 1

CALL TO WORSHIP

By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth. He gathers the waters of the sea into jars; he puts the deep into storehouses.

Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the people of the world revere him. For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.

(Psalm 33:6-9)

Song: Indescribable

Song: 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)

CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE

When we come before God and hear of his glory and majesty, it reminds us how small we are in comparison. When we see the holiness of God we are reminded that we are flawed and broken. Our sin separates us from God and this can leave us feeling guilty and ashamed. God tells us in his word that we needn't hide our guilt from him, he encourages to confess our sins to him, and to come and know forgiveness in Christ. We no longer need to carry our guilt, instead we can know freedom from sin. Take a moment to do that now, to confess your sin to God and seek his forgiveness.

Hear these words of assurance to us now, this can be true for us because of Jesus:

Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit.

(Psalm 32:1-2)

Song: You Alone Can Rescue

PASSING OF THE PEACE

PREACHING OF THE WORD

This week Gary Aston preached to us on saving faith from Romans 4:1-8. 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: When I Survey

Song: See the Lamb of God

COMMITMENT READING

Once you were alienated from God and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation.

Help us Lord to continue in our faith, established and firm, not moving from the hope of the gospel we have heard and which has been proclaimed in all creation. Amen.

(Based on Colossians 1:21-23)

Song: This I Believe

BENEDICTION

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

(Colossians 2:6-7)

Peace be with you.

And also with you.

Prepare (February 24, 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 - Saving Faith pt. 1

SERMON

This Sunday Gary Aston will be preaching to us from Romans 4:1-8, helping us look at justification through saving faith.

LITURGY

COMMITMENT READING

Once you were alienated from God and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation.

Help us Lord to continue in our faith, established and firm, not moving from the hope of the gospel we have heard and which has been proclaimed in all creation. Amen.

(Based on Colossians 1:21-23)

MUSIC

• This I Believe (Hillsong): A song based on the Apostles’ Creed that affirms our faith and celebrates the truths we believe as Christians.

• You Alone Can Rescue (Matt Redman): A song that affirms Jesus as our saviour and rescuer. A reminder that it is only through his death and resurrection that we can be saved.

Reflect (February 17, 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 - Righteousness

CALL TO WORSHIP

Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have shown his saving power.

The LORD has made his salvation known and revealed his righteousness to the nations.

He has remembered his love and his faithfulness to his people; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

(Psalm 98:1-3)

Song: Doxology

Song: A Mighty Fortress

Song: All Praise to Him

CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE

For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous.

He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin.

We are made right with God through faith in Jesus Christ and we are justified by his gift of grace.

(Based on Romans 3:22-26)

Song: Come Ye Sinners

PASSING OF THE PEACE

PREACHING OF THE WORD

This week Tom Thrower preached to us from Romans 3:21-31 on righteousness. 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: Jesus Paid it All

Song: Jesus

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)

Song: It is Well

BENEDICTION

God has made you alive through the death of His son. He has declared you to be righteous. Go with confidence and faith today that He is able to keep and sustain you.

Peace be with you.

And also with you.