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 FINAL DAYS OF JESUS - The Entry
CALL TO WORSHIP
As we begin our new series on the final days of Jesus today, we're going to begin our gathering by celebrating Jesus, our promised King! Hear these words from the prophet Zechariah as we start our gathering now:
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)
Song: The Lion and the Lamb
Song: This is Amazing Grace
CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE
We've just sung of Jesus as the King of kings, the one who is above all others, yet we are so often to reject his rule over our lives. Instead of enjoying God's good and loving rule, we set ourselves up as king and give ourselves a position we were never intended to have. We believe the lie that we will be most happy, most free, when we are in charge and God is not. Take a moment to reflect on that now, to confess to God this tendency in your own heart now. When we're faced with who Jesus is, we can't help but see him to be a King worth putting our trust in. At the cross, Jesus dies for us, those who've turned away from Him so that we can be part of his kingdom and know him personally. God tells us in his word:
For Christ came into the world not to condemn the world, but that the world through him should be saved. (John 3:17)
What wonderful news that is for us! Jesus is the King who rules with kindness and grace and came so that we might be saved.
Song: You Alone Can Rescue
PASSING OF THE PEACE
TESTIMONY
PREACHING OF THE WORD
We started our new sermon series this week in the final days of Jesus. Tom Thrower preached to us from Matthew 21:1-11, listen to that sermon 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: How Deep the Father's Love for Us
Song: Hallelujah What A Saviour
COMMITMENT READING
As Christians we have the hope of a day where Christ will return as King and establish his rule and reign forever. Hear these words that speak of that day now:
Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain any more, for the former things have passed away.” And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.”
(Revelation 21:3-5)
Song: Revelation Song
BENEDICTION
May you leave knowing Jesus as your true king. May you know the comfort of his presence with you. May you know the confidence of his rule over you. And may our lives reflect more and more the beauty of our King.
Peace be with you.
And also with you.
Amen.