Gathering Preview | John 20: 19-31

GATHERING | 11/15

Call to Worship

A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing. Our Helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing. For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe His craft and power are great, and, armed with cruel hate On earth is not his equal. - Martin Luther

God is our refuge and strength, a helper who is always found in times of trouble. Therefore we will not be afraid, though the earth trembles and the mountains topple into the depths of the seas, though its water roars and foams and the mountains quake with its turmoil. Psalm 46.1-3

SONG | You Reign

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

From depths of woe I cry to Thee, In trial and tribulation; Bend down Thy gracious ear to me, Lord, hear my supplication. If Thou rememb’rest ev’ry sin, Who then could heaven ever win Or stand before Thy presence? -Martin Luther

Out of the depths I call to you, Lord! Lord, listen to my voice; let your ears be attentive to my cry for help. Lord, if you kept an account of iniquities, Lord, who could stand? But with you, there is forgiveness, so that you may be revered. Psalm 130.1-4

SONG | Holy Holy Holy

PRAYER OF ASSURANCE

Therefore my hope is in the Lord And not in mine own merit; It rests upon His faithful Word To them of contrite spirit That He is merciful and just; This is my comfort and my trust. His help I wait with patience. Though great our sins, yet greater still Is God’s abundant favor; His hand of mercy never will Abandon us, nor waver. Our shepherd good and true is He, Who will at last His Israel free From all their sin and sorrow. -Martin Luther I wait for the Lord; I wait and put my hope in his word. Psalm 130.5

SONG | Wood and Nails

SCRIPTURE READING -The Resurrection Life

Commission from Christ and Crisis (Young People) — John 20:19-31

When it was evening on that first day of the week, the disciples were gathered together with the doors locked because they feared the Jews. Jesus came, stood among them, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” Having said this, he showed them his hands and his side. So the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, I also send you.” After saying this, he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” But Thomas (called “Twin”), one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples were telling him, “We’ve seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “If I don’t see the mark of the nails in his hands, put my finger into the mark of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will never believe.” A week later his disciples were indoors again, and Thomas was with them. Even though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and look at my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Don’t be faithless, but believe.”Thomas responded to him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said, “Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.”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.

THIS IS THE WORD OF THE LORD.

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 | Sweetly Broken

ANNOUNCEMENTS & GIVING

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.

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.

NCC Women's Christmas Gathering will take place Sunday, December 6th from 2-4 pm. This year, we will be making a craft as part of our time together. If you plan to attend, we ask that you pitch in $12 to help cover the cost of the craft materials. Please turn in your portion by Sunday, November 22nd (make checks payable to New Circle Church). We can't wait to see you there!

SONG| Alpha and Omega

BENEDICTION

“Be still, be calm, see, and understand I am the True God. I am honored among all the nations. I am honored over all the earth.” You know the Eternal, the Commander of heavenly armies surrounds us and protects us; the True God of Jacob is our shelter, close to His heart Psalm 46:10-11

PEACE BE WITH YOU. And Also with you