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.
The Power of Lament
CALL TO WORSHIP
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.
When nations are in uproar, and kingdoms fall; the Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. (Psalm 46:1-7)
Song: Rock of Ages
Song: In Tenderness He Sought Me
CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE
God tells us in His word that all of us have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Daily we exchange the glory of God and the truth about God for a lie, worshipping the things of this world, rather than God, the creator and sustainer of all.
Take a moment in the quiet of your heart to confess to God the ways you have exchanged that glory, the ways you have worshipped God's creation rather than him, the creator God. In the gospel there is hope that when we come to God in true faith and repentance we can experience real forgiveness because of Christ. Even when we are weighed down and heavy laden with sin, there is hope in the one who gave his life for us. Hear these words from Jesus to us now:
‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.’ Matthew 11:28-30
Song: Come Ye Sinners Poor and Needy
PASSING OF THE PEACE
PREACHING OF THE WORD
This week Gary Aston preached the second in our sermon series on Lament from Psalms 42 and 43, exploring The Power of Lament. 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: Shine Into Our Night
Song: Before the Throne
COMMITMENT READING
Let's pray these words together now as we prepare to close: Lord, you are our vindication and reputation, no matter what other people may say. You are our stronghold, nothing else can protect us from danger, even death. You are our joy and delight, even in the midst of troubles and when others desert us. You are our God and we put our hope in you, for you are our Saviour and God.(Adapted from My Rock, My Refuge by Tim Keller)
Song: It Is Well
BENEDICTION
Go in the knowledge that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
And also with you.
Amen.
