Reflect (April 16, 2017)

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

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EASTER SUNDAY 

READING

Now after the Sabbath, towards the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.” So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshipped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”

(Matthew 28:1-10)

Song: It is Finished

CALL TO WORSHIP

Hallelujah! Christ is risen!

He is risen indeed! Hallelujah!

This is the good news— the grave is empty! Hallelujah! Christ is risen.

He is risen indeed! Hallelujah!

This is the good news— by His death, Christ has conquered sin; by His resurrection, Christ has given us His righteousness! Hallelujah! Christ is risen.

He is risen indeed! Hallelujah!

This is the good news— Christ has risen from the grave and given us the promise and hope of resurrection, so that we might also rise with Him in new life everlasting! Hallelujah! Christ is risen.

He is risen indeed! Hallelujah!

Song: Christ is Risen

Song: Saviour of the World

PASSING OF THE PEACE

PREACHING OF THE WORD

Alex Passmore preached to us from Luke 24:13-35 showing us the hope of the resurrection. Listen to that sermon here: 

Song: Man of Sorrows 

Song: In Christ Alone

Song: New Again

COMMITMENT READING

Jesus came and stood among [his disciples] and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit" (John 20:19-22)

BENEDICTION

Let us know the peace of the Risen Jesus The power of His Spirit at work in us. And the joy of experiencing the resurrection

Peace be with you.

And also with you. 

Amen.

Prepare (April 16, 2017)

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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EASTER SUNDAY

SERMON

As we celebrate Jesus' resurrection, Alex Passmore will be preaching to us from Luke 24:13-35, showing us the hope we have in the resurrection. 

LITURGY

CALL TO WORSHIP

Hallelujah! Christ is risen! 

He is risen indeed! Hallelujah!

This is the good news— the grave is empty! Hallelujah! Christ is risen.

He is risen indeed! Hallelujah!

This is the good news— by His death, Christ has conquered sin; by His resurrection, Christ has given us His righteousness! Hallelujah! Christ is risen. 

He is risen indeed! Hallelujah!

This is the good news— Christ has risen from the grave and given us the promise and hope of resurrection, so that we might also rise with Him in new life everlasting! Hallelujah! Christ is risen. 

He is risen indeed! Hallelujah!

MUSIC

• Christ is Risen (Matt Maher): A celebration of the good news that Jesus is alive, he has defeated death and conquered sin!

• It is Finished (Dustin Kensrue):  A reminder that our sin has been dealt with in Jesus' death and resurrection, our redemption has been accomplished.  

Reflect (April 9, 2017)

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

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EXODUS - The Lord's Name in Vain

CALL TO WORSHIP

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things. Blessed be his glorious name for ever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory!

The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.

May his name endure for ever, his fame continue as long as the sun! May people be blessed in him, all nations call him blessed!

(Proverbs 18:10, Psalm 72:17-19)

Song: 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)

Song: How Great Thou Art

CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE

In Light of God's glory and generosity shown to us, we see how selfish we are. Settling for lesser things, letting other gods rule our hearts and minds. Let's take a moment to silently confess our sin before God now.

Because of Jesus' death and resurrection, he is now seated at the right hand of God, interceding on our behalf. He sacrificed our sins when he offered himself on the cross and because of that we can have full assurance that God hears our prayers and forgives all of our sin.

Song: Made Alive

PASSING OF THE PEACE

PREACHING OF THE WORD

Tom Thrower preached to us from Exodus 20:7, looking at what it means to honour the name of God from the third commandment. 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: The Power of the Cross

Song: Man of Sorrows

COMMITMENT READING

Jesus thank you that you have called us to be your people, a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for your own possession.

Thank you for calling us out of darkness into your marvellous light. Help us to proclaim your gospel with all of our lives and live out our identity as bearers of your name. Amen.

(Based on 1 Peter 2:9-10)

Song: Revelation Song

BENEDICTION

Brothers and sisters in Christ, Go and walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called.

Peace be with you.

And also with you. 

Amen.

Prepare (April 9, 2017)

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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EXODUS - The Lord's Name in Vain

SERMON

As Exodus is a big book we won’t read all of the Bible text in our Sunday gathering. Each week we will give you the full section of Exodus here on the blog for you to read in your own time. This is a great way to prepare your heart to hear from God’s word on a Sunday. We'll be slowing down a little now and taking a week to look at each of the 10 commandments. This week Tom Thrower will be preaching to us on the third commandment found in Exodus 20:7. 

LITURGY

CALL TO WORSHIP

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things. Blessed be his glorious name for ever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory!

The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.

May his name endure for ever, his fame continue as long as the sun! May people be blessed in him, all nations call him blessed!

(Proverbs 18:10, Psalm 72:17-19)

MUSIC

• 10,000 Reasons (Matt Redman):  A song directing our hearts to God, reminding us of the endless reasons we have to offer all of our praise and worship to Him.  

• Man of Sorrows (Hillsong): A glorious reminder of the Saviour we worship, the salvation we can know in Him and the sacrifice he paid for us on the cross.