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
THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
CALL TO WORSHIP
When we put our faith and trust in Jesus, our lives are changed, we have a new heart and the Spirit of God lives in us. This leads to a life of growth by the Spirit. As we start our gathering now, hear what the Psalmist says a flourishing life looks like. Join with me in the underlined portions.
Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.
That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither, whatever they do prospers.
(Psalm 1:1-3)
Let's sing out in praise to the God who makes all of this possible for us.
Song: Come Thou Fount
Song: Made Alive
CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE
We've just sung that we've been made alive by God's grace, we've been saved from sin and brought back to life. We've brought into the light but so often we live as though we were still in the dark. Instead of seeking to grow, we become comfortable in our sin. Let's take a moment to confess that tendency in our hearts together now:
Heavenly Father, forgive us for being slow to want to grow. Forgive us for being satisfied where we are, standing still in our faith and comfortable with our sin.
We confess that so often we want to grow apart from you, relying on ourselves and our strength rather than the Spirit at work in our lives. Help us to desire spiritual growth, that makes us more and more like Christ. Amen.
It's not always easy to ask God for this kind of growth, it can feel like we're stepping out beyond our comfort zone and we don't know how he will choose to grow us. We're going to sing a new song together now that reminds us of God's leading and his spirit's guiding, even when we may fear, there is a security we can know in Christ.
Song: Oceans (Where feet may fail)
PASSING OF THE PEACE
PREACHING OF THE WORD
Gary Aston preached to us this week from Galatians 5:16-26 giving us an overview of the Fruit of the Spirit. 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: There is a Fountain
COMMITMENT READING
We have no hope of achieving any of this apart from the Spirit of God at work within us. Let's declare these words together now, affirming that it is God who works in and through us.
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20
God is committed to growing us, by his Spirit and in Christ we have an eternal hope that one day this work will be complete. One day we will be completely renewed and completely restored.
Song: New Again
BENEDICTION
Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. (1 Thess 5:23)
Peace be with you.
And also with you.
Amen.
