Prepare (April 14, 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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Palm Sunday

SERMON

This Sunday we will be celebrating Palm Sunday together and Gary Aston will be preaching to us from Matthew 21:1-11.

LITURGY

CALL TO WORSHIP

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey.

“Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”

(Based on Zechariah 9:9, Matthew 21:9)

MUSIC

• Jesus (Citizens): A song that celebrates our saviour Jesus, who sacrificed himself, giving up his crown to save us from our sin.

• Be Thou My Vision : A hymn that asks for Jesus to be central for us in our every day life, that he would be our everything and our delight.

Reflect (April 7, 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 - Freedom

CALL TO WORSHIP

The LORD is the maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them, he remains faithful for ever.

He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry.

The LORD sets prisoners free and gives sight to the blind.

The LORD lifts up those who are bowed down and loves the righteous.

The LORD reigns for ever.

(Based on Psalm 146:6-10)

Song: Look and See

Song: Come Praise and Glorify

CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE

We've already sung of the freedom we can know in Jesus. God tells us in his word that if we're Christians, we are no longer slaves to sin instead we can know real freedom. Yet so often we don't live as though this were true. Instead of living as free people, we live as though sin was still enslaving us. We choose to put on the chains that God has already freed us from. Take a moment to reflect on that now in the quiet of you own heart, to confess where you see that in your own life this afternoon...

The truth of the Gospel is that God's grace is sufficient for us, even in our weakness. Even when we turn from him to lesser things, his grace is sufficient. It is by his grace, shown to us in Jesus, that we can know true freedom from sin. Let's sing out in the truth of that together now!

Song: Grace Alone

PASSING OF THE PEACE

PREACHING OF THE WORD

This week Gary Aston preached to us from Romans 6:15-23 looking at the freedom we can know in Christ. 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 (My Chains are Gone)

Song: The Lion and the Lamb

COMMITMENT READING

But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.

(Romans 6:22)

Song: Man of Sorrows

BENEDICTION

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Go in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

(Based on Galatians 5:1)

Peace be with you.

And also with you.

Prepare (April 7, 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 - Freedom

SERMON

This Sunday Gary Aston will be preaching to us from Romans 6:15-23, looking at what it means for us to be free from the slavery of sin.

LITURGY

COMMITMENT READING

But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.

(Romans 6:22)

MUSIC

• Man of Sorrows (Hillsong): A song that celebrates our risen saviour Jesus who brings true freedom from sin.

• Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone): A hymn that celebrates the grace that has been shown to us through Christ.

Reflect (March 31, 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 - Dead to sin and alive in Christ

CALL TO WORSHIP

I don't know what kind of week you've had, or where you find yourself this afternoon. Perhaps you feel weighed down by your sin or suffering this afternoon or maybe you come rejoicing in God's goodness. Wherever you are today, God invites you to come to him. Hear these words as we begin our gathering now that speak of the kind of Saviour we have in Jesus:

Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30)

Song: Come Ye Sinners

Song: Jesus is the Lord of All

CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE

God tells us in his word that when we trust and follow Jesus, we gain new life. Our old selves are crucified with him on the cross so that sin no longer needs to have power in our lives. Yet so often we don't live in light of this truth. We live as though sin is still our master. Take a moment to confess that tendency in your own heart to God now...

Heavenly Father, please help us to live in light of this truth. Help us to count ourselves dead to sin and alive in Christ Jesus. Would sin no longer reign in our bodies, but instead would we know the freedom that you bring through grace. Amen.

God has put our sin and shame to death and made us alive in Christ. Let's sing out in the truth of that together now!

Song: Made Alive

PASSING OF THE PEACE

PREACHING OF THE WORD

This week Gary Aston preached to us from Romans 6:1-14 helping us to think through what it means to be dead to sin and alive in Christ. 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: Lamb of God

Song: In Christ Alone

COMMITMENT READING

Thank you heavenly Father that through Jesus, we have been freed from our sin. Thank you that we are united with him in his death and raised to new life through his resurrection. Remind us that sin is no longer our master and help us to know a deeper reality of this truth. Amen.

(Romans 6:14)

Song: Christ is Risen

BENEDICTION

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

Peace be with you.

And also with you.