Order of Worship
6th of October | 10:30 (Espoo) and 16:00 (Helsinki)
Song 1 – Blessed Be Your Name
Hear God call you to worship:
Let us worship the Lord!
Song 2 – Great Are You, Lord
Song 3 – I Worship You, Almighty God
Song 4 – How Deep the Father’s Love For Us
Song 5 – Take My Life
Our welcome team members will pass an offering basket during this song.
For information about giving online, please visit ucclife.fi/give or follow the QR code on the screen. You can also speak to our pastors or leaders for more information about giving and generosity. You can also ask the welcome team or any of our staff team members for more info on giving online.
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow
Praise Him, all creatures here below
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
Amen
A warm welcome to all, and especially to any visitors joining us today – if you’d like to get connected or find out more about UCC, please see our digital visitors card or speak to us after the service!
If you have children, they are welcome to join our Sunday school classes!
Our Scripture reading today is 2 Samuel 9:1–13 (ESV). Hear the Word of God:
9:1 And David said, “Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” 2 Now there was a servant of the house of Saul whose name was Ziba, and they called him to David. And the king said to him, “Are you Ziba?” And he said, “I am your servant.” 3 And the king said, “Is there not still someone of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of God to him?” Ziba said to the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in his feet.” 4 The king said to him, “Where is he?” And Ziba said to the king, “He is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, at Lo-debar.” 5 Then King David sent and brought him from the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, at Lo-debar. 6 And Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan, son of Saul, came to David and fell on his face and paid homage. And David said, “Mephibosheth!” And he answered, “Behold, I am your servant.” 7 And David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan, and I will restore to you all the land of Saul your father, and you shall eat at my table always.” 8 And he paid homage and said, “What is your servant, that you should show regard for a dead dog such as I?”
9 Then the king called Ziba, Saul’s servant, and said to him, “All that belonged to Saul and to all his house I have given to your master’s grandson. 10 And you and your sons and your servants shall till the land for him and shall bring in the produce, that your master’s grandson may have bread to eat. But Mephibosheth your master’s grandson shall always eat at my table.” Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants. 11 Then Ziba said to the king, “According to all that my lord the king commands his servant, so will your servant do.” So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table, like one of the king’s sons. 12 And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Mica. And all who lived in Ziba’s house became Mephibosheth’s servants. 13 So Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, for he ate always at the king’s table. Now he was lame in both his feet.
This is the Word of the Lord.
The King’s Kindness and Restoration
2 Samuel 9:1-13
I. A Kindness Sought vv 1-4
II. A Life Restored vv 5-8
III. A Place at the Table vv 9-13
If you believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, you are welcome to receive the elements of communion.
The bread and the cup will be distributed as we sing together. You are welcome to join in singing or spend time in silent meditation or prayer.
Please hold the elements until all have received; we will all partake together as one body.
Song 6 – Carried to the Table
Song 7 – And Can It Be (Amazing Love )
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name;
your kingdom come;
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who have sinned against us.
And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.
For yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.
Amen.
“‘The Lord bless you
and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace.”’
– Numbers 6:24-26
For all church announcements, please see our digital announcements page: ucclife.fi/announcements
Getting Started:
1. Can you recall when someone showed you unexpected kindness, much like David’s kindness toward Mephibosheth? How did it make you feel, and why do you think it left such a lasting impact? In the sermon, it was mentioned, “Have you ever been surprised by an act of unexpected kindness? The kind that leaves you wondering, ‘Why me?’”
Into the Text:
2. Read 2 Samuel 9:1-4. What stands out to you about David’s initiative in seeking to show kindness to someone from Saul’s family, especially considering the historical conflict between them? In the sermon, it was said, “David wasn’t obligated to show kindness, just as God had no obligation to save us, yet in His grace, He sought us out.”
3. How does Mephibosheth’s response in verse 8 (“What is your servant, that you should show regard for a dead dog such as I?”) reveal his view of himself? What does David’s response teach us about God’s kindness toward us, even when we feel unworthy? See and compare with Luke 15 and the Father’s response in the Parable of the Prodigal Son.
4. In what ways can you reflect David’s kindness in your own life—especially toward people you might not be naturally inclined to help or who may seem “undeserving” of it? What barriers stop you from doing so?
Applying the Text:
5. David’s kindness wasn’t just a one-time act; he invited Mephibosheth to eat at his table for the rest of his life. As the sermon pointed out, “It is one thing to be invited to dine with the king, but it’s an entire other matter to be permanently given a seat at the table. Through Christ, we receive grace, not because we deserve it, but because of God’s covenant love.” How can we extend this kind of lasting grace in our relationships, church, and community?