Gathering Preview | November 1st, 2020
CALL TO WORSHIP
The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom should I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life. (Psalm 27.1 )
SONG | Every Praise
PRAYER ON CONFESSION
Lord, hear my voice when I call; be gracious to me and answer me. My heart says this about you: “Seek his face.” Lord, I will seek your face. Do not hide your face from me; do not turn your servant away in anger. You have been my helper; do not leave me or abandon me, God of my salvation. (Psalm 27.7-9)
SONG | As the Deer
PRAYER OF ASSURANCE
I have asked one thing from the Lord; it is what I desire: to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, gazing on the beauty of the Lord and seeking him in his temple. For he will conceal me in his shelter in the day of adversity; he will hide me under the cover of his tent; he will set me high on a rock. Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart be courageous. (Psalm 27.4-5;14)
SONG | Promises
SCRIPTURE READING | John 19:31-37
Since it was the preparation day, the Jews did not want the bodies to remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a special day). They requested that Pilate have the men’s legs broken and that their bodies be taken away. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first man and of the other one who had been crucified with him. When they came to Jesus, they did not break his legs since they saw that he was already dead. But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once blood and water came out. He who saw this has testified so that you also may believe. His testimony is true, and he knows he is telling the truth. For these things happened so that the Scripture would be fulfilled: Not one of his bones will be broken. Also, another Scripture says: They will look at the one they pierced.
THIS IS THE WORD OF THE LORD. Thanks be to God
SERMON NOTES
“Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” (John 20:30-31)The crucifixion was a (portrait) of (love).
How is this the case?
1. (Love) was displayed as the (fulfillment of prophecy).
Psalm 22:15, 18; Psalm 69:21; John 19:28-29; Zechariah 12:10
2. (Love) was displayed showing Jesus as the (new Adam).
John 19:35; Genesis 2:21-23; Zechariah 13:1; Romans 5:8
“Adam foreshadowed Christ, and as Adam was a type of Christ so too was the creation of Eve from the sleeping Adam a prefiguration of the creation of the church from the side of the Lord as he slept…As Eve came from the side of the sleeping Adam, so the church was birthed from the side of the suffering Christ.” (Augustine)
3. (Love) was displayed with Jesus as the (new temple).
John 2:19
“His death on the cross…is love in its most radical form. By contemplating the pierced side of Christ, we can understand the starting-point…“God is love” (1 John 4:8). It is there that this truth can be contemplated. It is from there that our definition of love must begin.” (Pope Benedict XVI)
“This Jesus of Nazareth was a man attested to you by God with miracles, wonders, and signs that God did among you through him, just as you yourselves know. Though he was delivered up according to God’s determined plan and foreknowledge, you used lawless people to nail him to a cross and kill him. God raised him up, ending the pains of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by death.” (Acts 2:22-24)
COMMUNION
For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, broke it, and said,“This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, and said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. (1 Corinthians 11.23-26) Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. (For the bread) “This is the body of Christ, broken for you.” (For the juice) “This is the blood of Christ, shed for you.” The Gifts of God for the People of God. Take them in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving.
SONG | Nothing But the Blood
ANNOUNCEMENTS & GIVING
Thank you for joining us today! Newcomers Coffee invite.
If you ordered a New Circle long-sleeve shirt, hoodie, or sweat-shirt, those are available at the office. Please pay for them by check or through the app and then you can pick yours up today after the Gathering.
New Circle’s Youth Ministry will be launching on Sunday, November 8 at 6:00 pm with a Virtual Youth Gathering. We want to invite all students in grades 6-12 to be a part. If you have questions or want to be involved talk with Matthew. The link to the meetings will be in the Weekly and on our website.
Framework is coming up on November 15 and 22. This is a time for Builders to focus on spiritual awareness and discover giftedness. If you are interested you can sign up on our website or by emailing Christopher.
Our next 24 Hours of Prayer opportunity is coming up on November 14. Sign up on the Weekly email, Sunday Gathering email, or website.
We will be decorating the Sanctuary and Midway Building for Christmas after the Gathering on November 22. Please make plans to hang out a little while with us. If you have questions, email Whitney.
SONG | Forever
BENEDICTION
Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. (Hebrews 13.20-21)
PEACE BE WITH YOU. Also with you