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
ROMANS - The Law & the Spirit
CALL TO WORSHIP
Praise the LORD! Let us give thanks to the LORD with our whole heart, together as one body and voice, let us worship God!
Great are the works of the LORD. We remember and delight in the amazing things he has done!
He is full of splendour and majesty and his righteousness endures forever. The works of his hands are faithful and just; he sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever.
Holy and awesome is his name! Praise be to the LORD! Based on Psalm 111
Song: Come Praise and Glorify
Song: Fountain of Goodness
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 7:1-6 looking at the law and 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: When I Survey
Song: Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone)
COMMITMENT READING
Thank you heavenly Father that through Jesus, we have been freed from our sin. Thank you that we are united with Christ in his death and raised to new life through his resurrection.
Thank you that sin is no longer our master and that we now have your Spirit is at work within us. Remind us that where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
(Based on Romans 6:14 & 2 Corinthians 3:17)
Song: Christ Is Risen
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.