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
BELONGING - Belonging to One Another
CALL TO WORSHIP
Oh come, let us sing to the LORD; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!
For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods.
In his hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are his also. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land.
Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker! For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture.
(Psalm 95:1-7)
Song: Behold our God
Song: How Great Thou Art
CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE
At this point in our gathering each week we have a time of confession. We do this because when we see God’s greatness and recognise his glory, we are faced with our own humanity and how short we fall of God’s requirements.
So a time for confession reminds us of our right place before God, it reminds us of our sinfulness, our need for God’s grace and forgiveness and also of God’s provision of this grace through Jesus.
As we've been in our belonging series, we've thought about what it means to belong to God together, how when we trust and follow Jesus we become part of his body, the church. So often though we fail to love the church as we should and treat one another as God asks us to. Take a moment to confess to God where you see that in yourself in the quiet of your own heart.
Let's ask for God's help in this...
Father God, help us to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Help us to bear with each other and forgive one another as we have been forgiven in Jesus. Amen.
(Colossians 3:12-17)
Song: Shine into our Night
PASSING OF THE PEACE
PREACHING OF THE WORD
Tom Thrower preached to us from God’s word this week from Colossians 3:12-17. 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: Look What God Has Done
TESTIMONIES & BAPTISMS
This Sunday we celebrated two baptisms as a church family. It was great to share with Joe and Livi as they told their stories of salvation and publicly affirmed Jesus as their Lord and Saviour.
Song: Revelation Song
BENEDICTION
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. (Colossians 3:15)
Peace be with you.
And also with you.