Prepare (June 19, 2016)

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.

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How We Work

SERMON

This week Gary Aston will be preaching the last in our series "Working in God's World" on "How We Work" in light of the gospel from a selection of Bible passages including 1 Corinthians 7:17-24.

LITURGY

Call To Worship

You have searched us, Lord, and you know us. You know when we sit and when we rise; you perceive our thoughts from afar. You discern our going out and our lying down; you are familiar with all our ways. 

Before a word is on our tongues you know it completely. You hem us in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon us. 

There is nowhere we can go from your Spirit nor can we flee from your presence. If we go up to the heavens, you are there; if we make our bed in the depths you are there. 

For you created our inmost beings; you knit us together in our mother’s wombs. We praise you because we are fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful.                              (Based on Psalm 139:1-14)  

MUSIC

• Cornerstone (Hillsong): A song reflecting on the wonderful truth of Christ as our Cornerstone. A reminder that our hope and trust should always be built on Jesus and His work for us on the cross. 

• Be Thou My Vision (Ascend the Hill Arrangement): A plea that Christ would be our everything, in all circumstances and all situations. 

Reflect (June 12, 2016)

Welcome to the recap (songs, hymns, liturgy and sermon) from Sunday’s gathering. This blog is designed to give 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.

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The New Story Of Work

CALL TO WORSHIP

Oh sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvellous things! His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.

The Lord has made known his salvation; he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations.

He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel.

All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises!(Psalm 98:1-4) 

Song: All Creatures of our God and King

Song: I stand Amazed

Confession and Assurance

So often we fail to believe the gospel in our lives. We forget our identity is in Christ and run to so many other things to find it. Heavenly father, forgive us for finding our identity and worth in what we do. Remind us that we can't earn our salvation, that we are not justified by our works but by faith in Christ. 

Help us by your Spirit to find our identity and worth in you and we pray that this would free us to do all things for your glory, to enjoy our work lived out in worship of you. 

The assurance of the gospel is that because of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross we have been adopted into God's family. Our identity is as children of God, not because of anything we've done but because of everything that Christ has done.

Song: Grace Alone

Passing of the Peace

Preaching of the Word

This week Gary Aston preached on the new story of work we find in scripture, touching on various passages, especially Colossians 3:12 - 4:4. 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 the 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: Hallelujah What a Saviour

Song: This I Believe

Commitment Reading

Christ has redeemed our work through his work on the cross. This means we can delight in our work just as God does. Hear these words of encouragement to us.

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.                                               Colossians 3:1-4

Song: Before the Throne of God Above

Benediction

Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Peace be with you.

And also with you.
Amen.

Prepare (June 12, 2016)

This blog gives you a glimpse into the upcoming Sunday Gathering. It's an opportunity for you 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.

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The New Story of Work

SERMON

This week Gary will be preaching through various bible passages on The New Story of Work found in scripture.

LITURGY

Confession & Assurance

So often we fail to believe the gospel in our lives. We forget our identity is in Christ and run to so many other things to find it. 

Heavenly father, forgive us for finding our identity and worth in what we do. Remind us that we can't earn our salvation, that we are not justified by our works but by faith in Christ.

Help us by your Spirit to find our identity and worth in you and we pray that this would free us to do all things for your glory, to enjoy our work lived out in worship of you.

The assurance of the gospel is that because of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross we have been adopted into God's family. Our identity is as children of God, not because of anything we've done but because of everything that Christ has done. 

MUSIC

• Grace Alone (Dustin Kensrue): A glorious reminder of our salvation through grace and grace alone. A chance for us to remember what Christ has done for us and that we have no means of earning our salvation.

• Before The Throne of God Above (Sovereign Grace Music): A reflection on the assurance we have in the gospel, that we can boldly approach God’s throne knowing that in Christ we are perfected and made clean.

Reflect (June 5, 2016)

Welcome to the recap of songs, hymns, liturgy and sermon from this past Sunday’s gathering. This blog exists to give you the chance 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.

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The Challenges of Work

CALL TO WORSHIP

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.

Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.

Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us and we are his;

we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.

For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.                                                                                                                          (Psalm 100)

Song: Rejoice

Song: Come Thou Fount

Confession and Assurance

We've just sung that we are prone to wander, prone to leave the God we love and that's something we experience each and every day. So often our hearts wander and bow down to idols that we've put in the place of God: money, success, security, comfort. We value these things above God, believing they will bring us true joy and true satisfaction.

The hope of the gospel is that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us, while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son. So we can rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Song: In Tenderness He Sought Me

Passing of the Peace

Preaching of the Word

This week Tom Thrower preached on the challenges of work, looking at idols and work, isolation and work, and the futility of work. 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 the 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: Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)

Commitment Reading

The truth of the gospel is that Jesus has saved us from the slavery of sin, he is the one who brings hope into this broken and sinful world. The one who can restore our work back to God's perfect plan. This is the hope we have in the gospel.

"Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful."                                                                                                    (Hebrews 10:19-23)

Song: In Christ Alone

Benediction

To Jesus Christ, who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood and made us to be a kingdom, priests serving his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Peace be with you.

And also with you.
Amen.