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
EXODUS - The Hard Road
CALL TO WORSHIP
As a church we're currently in a series in the book of Exodus and Exodus is all about rescue. God is a God who rescues his people, he rescued the Israelites out of Egypt and he has rescued us from our sin.
Exodus 15 tells us that when the people of Israel have been brought through the red sea, they sing this song to the Lord:
"I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea."
Today, we sing because he has triumphed gloriously, because of God's great salvation, we are still people who sing. Let's read these words from that same song together now as we start our gathering:
Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders? You stretched out your right hand; the earth swallowed them. “You have led in your steadfast love the people whom you have redeemed; you have guided them by your strength to your holy abode.
Exodus 15:11-13
Song: Come Thou Fount
Song: Look and See
CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE
Father we confess that in light of your glory we are reminded how far we fall short of you, we take you for granted and find satisfaction in so many other places, instead of in you.
Forgive us for our tendency to grumble, to be ungrateful for the grace you have shown to us in Christ. Produce hearts of thankfulness in us, we ask, by your Spirit.
Song: You Alone Can Rescue
PASSING OF THE PEACE
PREACHING OF THE WORD
Gary Aston preached to us from Exodus 15-17 challenging us on our grumbling hearts. 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: Here is Love
Song: Man of Sorrows
COMMITMENT READING
Heavenly father we ask that you would help us to trust in your goodness and wisdom. Help us to be a church satisfied in Christ, knowing that all of our needs are met in him. Would we truly believe that Jesus is the bread of life, that if we come to him, we will not go hungry, if we believe in him, we will never thirst. Amen.
(based on John 6:35)
Song: Cornerstone
BENEDICTION
Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life.
Peace be with you.
And also with you.
Amen.
