Reflect (August 14, 2016)

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 Lion Roars 1

CALL TO WORSHIP

Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvellous deeds among all peoples.

Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it. Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy.

Let all creation rejoice before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in his faithfulness. 
(Based on Psalm 96) 

Song: All Creatures of Our God and King

Song: Made Alive

CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE

Awesome and compassionate God, you have loved us with unfailing, self-giving mercy, but we have not loved you. We constantly turn away from you, thinking our way is best. 

Forgive us for belittling our sin and taking the cross for granted. Remind us that it cost Jesus his life to save us from our sin. 

As you come to us in mercy, we repent in spirit and in truth, admit our sin, and gratefully receive your forgiveness through Jesus Christ, our Redeemer. Amen.
(Adapted from the Worship Sourcebook) 

Song: Shine Into Our Night

PASSING OF THE PEACE

PREACHING OF THE WORD

Alex Passmore preached the first of our series in Amos, The Lion Roars, looking at Amos 1 & 2 and how we understand judgement. 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: Before The Throne of God Above

Song: Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone)

COMMITMENT READING

Heavenly Father, we thank you that you are a good and faithful God, thank you that you are a just God who has taken it upon himself to act against all of the injustice and wrongdoing in this World.

Affirm our faith in the knowledge that Jesus took the judgement we deserved, even whilst we were still sinners, so that we could be made right before God. Help us to rejoice in this truth, knowing our hope is in Christ. Amen.

Song: Cornerstone

BENEDICTION

 To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Peace be with you.

And also with you. 

Amen.

Prepare (August 14th, 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.

---

The Lion Roars - 1

SERMON

This week we'll be starting a new sermon series called The Lion Roars. Alex Passmore will kick things off with a look at Amos 1 & 2, exploring how we respond to the idea of judgment.

LITURGY

CONFESSION & ASSURANCE

Awesome and compassionate God, you have loved us with unfailing, self-giving mercy, but we have not loved you. We constantly turn away from you, thinking our way is best.

Forgive us for belittling our sin and taking the cross for granted. Remind us that it cost Jesus his life to save us from our sin.

As you come to us in mercy, we repent in spirit and in truth, admit our sin, and gratefully receive your forgiveness through Jesus Christ, our Redeemer. Amen

(Adapted from the Worship Sourcebook)

MUSIC

• Shine Into Our Night (Sovereign Grace Music): A song confessing our need for Christ to shine his light into our darkened hearts.

• Before The Throne of God Above: A reflection on our standing before God, in Christ. A song praising that we can boldly approach God's throne because of the cross.

Reflect (August 7, 2016)

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.

---

Hebrews 12:1-2

CALL TO WORSHIP

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. 

He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.

Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. 

They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40: 28-31) 

Song: 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)

Song: Our God

CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE

Holy and merciful God, in your presence we confess our sinfulness, our shortcomings, and our offenses against you. You alone know how often we have sinned in wandering from your ways, in wasting your gifts, in forgetting your love.

Have mercy on us, O Lord, for we are ashamed and sorry for all we have done to displease you. Forgive our sins, and help us to live in your light and walk in your ways, for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Saviour. Amen

(From The Worship Sourcebook)                  

Song: You Alone Can Rescue

PASSING OF THE PEACE

PREACHING OF THE WORD

Gary Aston preached from Hebrews 12:1-2, exploring how we are to run the race as Christians looking to Jesus Christ, the author and finisher of our faith. Unfortunately, there was a technical issue which means we will not have a recording for this 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: Here Is Love

Song: See His Love

COMMITMENT READING

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

 (Hebrews 12:1-2)

Song: Be Thou My Vision

BENEDICTION

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to the Gospel, to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ.

Peace be with you.

And also with you. 

Amen.