Prepare (March 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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Acts 29 France Update: John 10

SERMON

This Sunday we have Christopher De La Hoyde joining us from France to give us an update on church planting across French-speaking Europe whilst reminding us of the gospel that is worthy to be preached across the globe from John 10: 7-18.

LITURGY

COMMITMENT READING

Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, you are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family. Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself.

(Ephesians 2:19-20)

MUSIC

• O For A Thousand Tongues (Zach Sprowls): A song that looks forward to our eternity with Christ where we will have endless songs of praise for our King.

• Here is Love: A reminder of the depth of love that has been shown to us as God sent his son to save us from our sin, this is the greatest demonstration of love.

Reflect (March 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 - Justification & Joy

CALL TO WORSHIP

Praise the LORD! Let us give thanks to the LORD with our whole heart, together as one body and voice, let us worship God! Great are the works of the LORD.

We remember and delight in the amazing things he has done! He is full of splendour and majesty and his righteousness endures forever.

The LORD is gracious and merciful. The works of his hands are faithful and just. He sent redemption to his people and has commanded his covenant forever.

Holy and awesome is his name! Praise be to the LORD!

(Based on Psalm 111)

Song: How Great Thou Art

Song: Fountain of Goodness

CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE

We've just sung that our God is good and has shown such love to us. The greatest expression of God's love was shown to us in Jesus. It was in love that God sent his son to die for us that we might know life. Hear these words from our passage today that speak of this:

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Jesus Christ died for us. (Romans 5:6-8)

Take a moment to reflect on that now, to confess the sin that separates you from God and to thank him that he has shown his love to you in this way.

We're going to sing out in light of that truth together now.

Song: A God Who Saves

PASSING OF THE PEACE

PREACHING OF THE WORD

This week Gary Aston preached to us from Romans 5:1-11 on the joy we can know through justification. 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

Song: See His Love

COMMITMENT READING

Father God, help us to rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame.

Thank you that you have poured your love into our hearts and that we have the Holy Spirit to help us. Help us to rejoice in the truth that we have been reconciled to you through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

(Based on Romans 5:3-5, 11)

Song: Before the Throne of God Above

BENEDICTION

Brothers and sisters, as you go, look 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.

Peace be with you.

And also with you.

Prepare (March 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 - Justification & Joy

SERMON

This Sunday Gary Aston will be preaching to us from Romans 5:1-11, pointing us to the joy we can know through justification.

LITURGY

CONFESSION/ASSURANCE

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Jesus Christ died for us.

(Romans 5:6-8)

MUSIC

• A God Who Saves (Sovereign Grace): We’re going to be singing a new song this week out of our passage that reminds us that whilst we were weak and still sinners, Jesus died for us.

• Before the Throne of God Above: A reminder that we have a new identity in Christ. We can now approach God with confidence because of what Jesus has done for us.

Reflect (March 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 - Saving Faith pt.2

CALL TO WORSHIP

Praise the LORD! Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures for ever! Who can utter the mighty deeds of the LORD, or declare all his praise?

I will remember the deeds of the LORD; I will remember your wonderful deeds of long ago. I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds.

Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God? You are the God who works wonders;you have made known your might among the peoples.

(Based on Psalm 77 and 106)

Song: Rejoice

Song: Look and See

CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE

Father God, as we hear of your faithfulness to us and sing of the redemption we have known in Jesus, we confess that so often we forget this. We confess that so often we forget grace is a gift from you. Forgive us for believing it is our actions that make us right with you. Forgive us being self-righteous, believing our performance has earned our salvation. Remind us that our salvation rests on what Jesus has already done for us, not what we have done. Thank you for the gift of salvation. Help us to have humility with one another, not thinking ourselves better than each other. Instead, remind us that we are all sinners who have been given the gift of grace. Amen. In Jesus, God has achieved all that is needed for us to be made right with him. Let's sing out in light of that truth together now!

Song: In Tenderness

PASSING OF THE PEACE

LENT RESOURCE

Elspeth shared Tim Chester’s new Lent resource The Beauty of the Cross to help you as you prepare for Easter. Click here to purchase the hard copy or Ebook.

PREACHING OF THE WORD

This week Gary Aston preached to us from Romans 4:9-25. 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: Nothing but the Blood

Song: The Power of the Cross

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.

Song: Man of Sorrows

BENEDICTION

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)

Peace be with you.

And also with you.