Prepare (January 12, 2020)

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

---

CHURCH PLANTING: What is the church?

SERMON

Gary Aston will be preaching from God’s word to us in the first in a new series on church planting. He will be preaching from Acts 2:1-4, 41-47.

LITURGY

CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE

"I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me."

John 17:20-23

MUSIC

Come Praise and Glorify (Sovereign Grace): A call to praise and glorify the God who has shown his grace to us in Christ.

O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing (Zach Sprowls): A new take on the old hymn, reminding us of the hope we have in the Gospel, that one day the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory.

Reflect (January 5, 2020)

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

---

NEW YEAR: Change

CALL TO WORSHIP

As we approach a New Year we are often faced with a mix of emotions: Excitement at new possibilities; fear over what we don't know; anticipation over what's to come; anxiety over questions we can't answer. But we remind our hearts, as we start this new year, that God is faithful that he is constant & unchanging. Join me in this call to worship:

You, LORD, sit enthroned forever; your fame endures through all generations.

In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment.

Like clothing you will change them and they will be discarded. But you remain the same, and your years will never end.

[Psalm 102: 12, 25-27]

Song: Everlasting God

Song: Rock of Ages

CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE

As we approach a new year, we're often quick to doubt God's goodness and his sovereignty. We so desperately want to know what lies ahead that we fail to trust him, the unfailing one. Take a moment to think about that now, to confess to God where you are replying on your own plans and purposes rather than on his.

Father God, you tell us in your word to fear not, for you are with us; to not be dismayed, for you are our God. Remind us of this at the start of a new year we pray. Help us to have faith that rests in who you are and what you have done for us in Christ. Would we cling to your promise that you will never leave us nor forsake us. Amen.

Song: Jesus is the Lord of All

PASSING OF THE PEACE

PREACHING OF THE WORD

Tom Thrower preached from God’s word to us this Sunday as we thought about change at the beginning of a new year. Listen to the sermon audio here:

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: Cornerstone

COMMITMENT READING

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning.

Great is your faithfulness.

 "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in him”

Great is your faithfulness.

The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.

Great is your faithfulness.

[Based on Lamentations 3:22-25]

Song: Be Thou My Vision

BENEDICTION

May we enter this New Year knowing the security that comes from being in Christ. The deep joy that comes from being a child of God. And the certainty of knowing God's presence with us through the Holy Spirit.

Peace be with you.

And also with you.

Prepare (January 5, 2020)

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

---

NEW YEAR: Change

SERMON

Tom Thrower will be preaching from God’s word to us in our first gathering of 2020 helping us to think about change at the start of a new year.

LITURGY

CALL TO WORSHIP

You, LORD, sit enthroned forever; your fame endures through all generations.

In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment.

Like clothing you will change them and they will be discarded. But you remain the same, and your years will never end.

[Psalm 102: 12, 25-27]

MUSIC

Everlasting God (Brenton Brown): A song affirming the eternal, unchanging nature of God who never tires or grows weary

God is an everlasting God - He is without beginning and ending.

Rock of Ages (Dustin Kensrue): A reminder that God is the rock and refuge who cleanses us from our sin.

Rock of Ages by Dustin Kensrue | from the album The Water & The Blood ©2013 Dead Bird Theology, It's All About Jesus Music, We Are Younger We Are Faster Music I do not own the rights to the music. Please support the artists by buying the song or the album.

Reflect (December 22, 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

---

ADVENT: WAITING - The End of Waiting

CALL TO WORSHIP

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

[John 1:1-5, 14]

Song: O Come O Come Emmanuel

Song: Once in Royal David’s City

Song: Joy to the World

PASSING OF THE PEACE

PREACHING OF THE WORD

Alex Passmore preached from God’s word to us from Luke 2:1-21 and Revelation 21:1-9. Click here to listen to that sermon.

Song: Silent Night

Song: O Come All Ye Faithful

Song: Hark the Herald Angels Sing

ADVENT PRAYER

God, your steadfast love is precious, may we know it in Jesus this Christmas season.

Show us that we can take refuge in the shadow of your wings. In the midst of food and drink teach us to feast on the abundance of your house and drink from the river of your delights.

Show us that in Jesus is the fountain of life; that in his light we see light. Amen.

(Based on Psalm 36:7-10)

BENEDICTION

May Jesus Christ, the son of righteousness, who comes with healing in his wings, ll you with the joy and peace that passes all understanding this Christmas.

Peace be with you.

And also with you.