Better Gatherings

Category: Services of the Word Resources

  • Seasonal Sentences

    These or other sentences may used after one of the greetings or introductions listed above. They can also be used on their own to proclaim the seasonal significance of what is to follow in prayers, praises, and the ministry of the word.

    2.1

    Advent

    Rom 13 12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armour of light.

    Rev 22 12 “Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.

    2.2

    Christmas

    Isa 9 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

    Luke 2 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.

    2.3

    Epiphany

    Mal 1 11 My name will be great among the nations, from the rising to the setting of the sun. In every place incense and pure offerings will be brought to my name, because my name will be great among the nations,” says the LORD Almighty.

    Matt 28 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

    2.4

    Lent

    Ps 51 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

    Mark 1 14 After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 15 “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!”

    2.5

    Good Friday

    Rom 5 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

    1Pet 2 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

    2.6

    Easter

    1Cor 5 7 Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch without yeast– as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. 8 Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with bread without yeast, the bread of sincerity and truth.

    1Pet 1 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

    2.7

    Ascension

    Phil 2 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

    Heb 4 14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are– yet was without sin. 16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

    2.8

    Pentecost

    Acts 2 32 God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact. 33 Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.

    Rom 5 5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

    2.9

    Trinity

    Titus 3 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Saviour appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Saviour,

    Rev 4 8 Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night they never stop saying: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.”

     

  • Greetings and other introductions

    Churches have different ways of making clear that a service is about to start. Ordinary greetings such as ‘Good Morning’ or ‘Welcome’ make people feel comfortable and link what we do with everyday human encounters. But biblically-based prayers (such as 1.1 – 1.2), or reminders of our purpose in meeting together (such as 1.4 – 1.7), focus our attention on God and what we might expect from him. God has called us together and we should acknowledge that from the beginning, in the way we speak to him or speak about him. A well-chosen hymn or song may also fulfil some of these introductory functions.

    Introductions 1.4 and 1.5 can be extended to give a seasonal or thematic emphasis, or lead straight to an invitation to confess sins (see section 4). There may be special events in the life of the congregation to be noted. But, above all, it is important to focus attention on God and the prospect of listening to his word and responding with prayer and praise. We have not come together merely to have fellowship with one another or to encourage one another, but to meet with God.

     

    1.1 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
    the love of God,
    and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit
    be with you
    and also with you.

    Cf. 2 Corinthians 13:14
    1.2 Grace, mercy and peace,
    from God our Father
    and the Lord Jesus Christ,
    be with you
    and also with you.

    Cf. 1 Timothy 1:2
    1.3 (In the Easter season)
    Christ is risen!
    He is risen indeed. Alleluia!
    1.4 (Friends in Christ)
    We have come together to meet with God,
    to express our fellowship in the Lord Jesus,
    and to take our part in the building of his church.
    We will praise and thank him for his
    goodness towards us,
    hear from his holy word,
    and pray for the world, and for ourselves.
    (Especially today . . .)

    Experimental Sunday Services (modified)
    1.5 We have come together in the name of Christ,
    to offer our praise and thanksgiving,
    to hear and receive God’s holy word,
    to pray for the needs of the world,
    and to seek the forgiveness of our sins,
    that by the power of the Holy Spirit
    we may give ourselves to the service of God.
    (Especially today . . .)

    Common Worship
    1.6 We meet in the presence of God,
    who knows our needs,
    hears our cries,
    feels our pain,
    and heals our wounds.

    Common Worship
    1.7 Since we believe that Jesus our Saviour
    has ascended into heaven,
    and opened the way into God’s presence for us.
    let us draw near with a sincere heart
    in full assurance of faith;
    let us hold fast to the hope we profess;
    and let us consider how we may spur one another on
    to love and good deeds.

    Cf. Hebrews 10:19-25