Song 1 – Come, Let Us Worship And Bow Down

Romans 12:1–2

 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. ² Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Song 2 – Living Hope

Song 3 – Beautiful One

Song 4 – At Your Feet / Give Thanks

Our welcome team members will pass an offering basket during this song.

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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

Nicene Creed

We believe in one God,
         the Father almighty,
        maker of heaven and earth,
        of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ,
        the only Son of God,
        begotten from the Father before all ages,
        God from God,
        Light from Light,
        true God from true God,
        begotten, not made;
        of the same essence as the Father.
        Through him all things were made.
        For us and for our salvation
        he came down from heaven;
        he became incarnate by the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary,
          and was made human.
        He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate;
        he suffered and was buried.
        The third day he rose again, according to the Scriptures.
        He ascended to heaven
        and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
        He will come again with glory
        to judge the living and the dead.
        His kingdom will never end.

And we believe in the Holy Spirit,
        the Lord, the giver of life.
        He proceeds from the Father and the Son,
        and with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified.
        He spoke through the prophets.

We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church.
We affirm one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look forward to the resurrection of the dead,
and to life in the world to come.

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 Corinthians 2:12–17 (ESV). Hear the Word of God:

¹² When I came to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ, even though a door was opened for me in the Lord, ¹³ my spirit was not at rest because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I took leave of them and went on to Macedonia.

¹⁴ But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. ¹⁵ For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, ¹⁶ to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? ¹⁷ For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God’s word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.

This is the Word of the Lord.

The Fragrance of Christ

Every Christian carries the aroma of Christ, leaving a lasting impact on the world around them.

I. The Aroma That Follows Us vv 12-13

II. The Fragrance That Defines Us vv 14-16a

III. The Fragrance That We Cannot Control vv 16b-17

Dig Deeper
In Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis describes how a Christian’s transformation is not just about learning new ideas but becoming a new kind of person. He compares it to catching an illness—once you have it, you can’t help but spread it. The presence of Christ in us works the same way. Whether we realize it or not, people around us see the effect He has had on us. Some are drawn to it, others resist it, but no one is indifferent. This passage reminds us that our role is not to manage how people respond to the gospel, but to live in such a way that Christ’s presence is unmistakable in us.

Song 5 – Make My Life a Holy Fragrance

Song 6 – Let Us Be Known

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

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Introduction

1. Have you ever walked into a place and been immediately struck by a particular scent? What kinds of emotions or memories did it bring? How does this help us understand Paul’s use of fragrance as a metaphor for the Christian life?

2. In the sermon, it was said that being a Christian is never private. Who we are and how we live always leaves a mark. Can you think of someone whose life left a lasting spiritual impact on you? What made their witness so compelling?

Into the Text

1. Read vv 12-13. Paul had an open door for ministry in Troas, yet he felt restless and moved on to Macedonia. What does this teach us about discerning God’s leading, especially in uncertain situations?

2. Read vv 14-16a. Paul describes Christians as carrying the fragrance of Christ. What does this image communicate about how our lives affect others?

3. Paul says that to some, the aroma of Christ is life, and to others, it is death. Why do you think people respond so differently to the same message?

4. Read vv 16b-17. Paul contrasts sincere ministry with those who “peddle” the word of God. What does it mean to speak in Christ “before God,” and how does that shape the way we share the gospel?

Apply the Text

1. In the sermon, it was said that “the fragrance is not ours to control, only to bear.” How does this truth free us from the pressure of making the gospel more acceptable to others?

2. Take a moment to reflect—if someone spent time around you, what kind of aroma would they sense? How can you be more intentional about leaving the fragrance of Christ in your relationships and daily interactions?