Prepare (September 15, 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.

---

ENCOUNTERS - Sin

SERMON

This week we'll be starting a new sermon series called ENCOUNTERS, which is all about meeting the real Jesus. During this short series we'll look at four encounters Jesus has with different people in Mark’s gospel. Our desire is that we would see a variety of people who encounter and are changed by Jesus as a reminder of the life changing power that any true encounter with Him brings. Gary Aston will be kicking off the first in our series, preaching from Mark 2:1-12. 

LITURGY

CALL TO WORSHIP

Have mercy on us, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out our transgressions. Wash away all our iniquity and cleanse us from our sin. 

For we know our transgressions, and our sin are always before us. Against you and you only, have we sinned. Cleanse us and we shall be clean; wash us, and we shall be whiter than snow. Create in us pure hearts, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within us. (Psalm 51:1-10)

MUSIC

• Nothing But the Blood: A song reminding us of the glorious truth that it is only by the blood of Jesus, shed on the cross, that we can be cleansed from our sin. 

• Christ Is Risen: An assurance of the truth that Jesus has risen from the dead and so we can now be raised to new life ourselves. A reminder that death and sin have no hold on us anymore and we can rejoice in that truth together. 

Reflect (September 18, 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 - 6

CALL TO WORSHIP

Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, don't forget all his benefits – he forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, he redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, he satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed. The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. (Based on Psalm 103:1-8)

Song: Rejoice

Song: Look and See

CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE

God tells us in His word that "everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard." Yet so often we diminish our sin, excuse it and forget that it cost Jesus his life to save us from it. Take a moment to reflect on that truth now. 

The same passage goes on to say: Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.

Let's read these words together: 

For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. (Romans 3:23-25) 

Jesus blood was shed so that we would be made right with God! Let's sing out in light of that glorious truth together now.

Song: You alone Can Rescue

PASSING OF THE PEACE

PREACHING OF THE WORD

Tom Thrower preached our final sermon in Amos. He helped us to think through the reason for, and nature of, God's justice, as well as pointing us back to our hope in God's injustice seen on the cross. 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: Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)

Song: See His Love

COMMITMENT READING

Heavenly father, we thank you that you are a just and faithful God. Thank you that in Jesus, we see your justice revealed to us. He faced your judgement so that we would be freed and experienced your wrath so that we wouldn't have to. 

Help us, by your Spirit, to seek out and fight for justice in this world. To show love to those who are marginalised and in need, just as you have shown your love to us on the cross, always witnessing to the gospel at work in our lives. Amen.

Song: In Christ Alone

BENEDICTION

Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honour one another above yourselves always seeking to share with the Lord’s people who are in need.

Peace be with you.

And also with you. 

Amen.

Prepare (September 18, 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 - 6

SERMON

Tom Thrower will be preaching from Amos 8 & 9, wrapping up our series in Amos. He'll be helping us see the nature of God's justice and how we can find hope in the midst of it. There will also be a Q & A time about this Sermon Series after the gathering on Sunday with Tom and Alex. 

LITURGY

CALL TO WORSHIP

Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, don't forget all his benefits – he forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, he redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, he satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed. The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. (Based on Psalm 103:1-8)

MUSIC

• Rejoice (Dustin Kensrue): A call to praise God and gaze upon His glory. A reminder that, even in the midst of our trials and suffering we still have reasons to rejoice in the Gospel. 

• See His Love (Tom Lockley): A reminder of the love God has shown to us on the cross of Christ. A call to look again at the cross and respond to Jesus' great sacrifice for us. 

Reflect (September 11, 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 - 5

CALL TO WORSHIP

The immeasurable greatness of God's power towards us has been shown to us in Christ, when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places. 

He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power.

After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

He is far above all rule and authority, power and dominion. He is above every name that is named, not only in this age but in the one to come. (Based on Ephesians 1:19-21 & Hebrews 1:3-4)

Song: How Great Is Our God

Song: Saviour of the World

CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE

When we're reminded of God's glory, we see how far we fall short of Him. We've just sang that in Jesus, God made a way for us to be saved. Yet we are so quick to forget that. Take a moment to confess to God now our tendency to turn away from Him, to reject the one who has given us new life.

In his Word, God gives us this assurance:

If anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. (1 John 2:1-2)

Song: Before the Throne of God Above

PASSING OF THE PEACE

PREACHING OF THE WORD

Alex Passmore preached on Amos 7, helping us to think through the privilege we have, as Christians, to intercede for others, to witness the gospel of Christ, and the freedom we can now enjoy because of Jesus' death and resurrection. 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: When I Survey

Song: Revelation Song

COMMITMENT READING

Heavenly father, we thank you that because of Jesus' death and resurrection, we no longer need to fear not living up to your standards. Help us to continue to look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, rather than looking to ourselves for help. 

For I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)

Song: Be Thou My Vision

BENEDICTION

Brothers and sisters, go, 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.

Peace be with you.

And also with you. 

Amen.