Order of Worship
26th of January 2025 | 10:30 (Espoo)
Song 1 – God of this City
Psalm 138:6–8
6 For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly,
but the haughty he knows from afar.
7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
you preserve my life;
you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies,
and your right hand delivers me.
8 The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me;
your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.
Do not forsake the work of your hands.
Song 2 – Behold Our God
Song 3 – I Surrender All
Confession of Sin
Almighty God,
we confess how hard it is to be your people.
You have called us to be the church,
to continue the mission of Jesus Christ
to our lonely and confused world.
Yet we acknowledge we are more lazy than active,
more isolated than involved,
more uncaring than compassionate,
more stubborn than obedient,
more legalistic than loving.
Gracious Lord,
have mercy upon us and forgive our sins.
Remove the obstacles preventing us
from being your representatives to a broken world.
Awaken our hearts
to the promised gift of your indwelling Spirit.
This we pray in Jesus’ powerful name.
Amen.
Assurance of Forgiveness
Titus 2:11–14
11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
With all who confess Jesus as Saviour, we joyfully accept and affirm our forgiveness through Christ.
Song 4 – May the People’s Praise
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 Corinthians 1:12–2:4 (ESV). Hear the Word of God:
1:12 For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, and supremely so toward you. 13 For we are not writing to you anything other than what you read and understand and I hope you will fully understand— 14 just as you did partially understand us—that on the day of our Lord Jesus you will boast of us as we will boast of you.
15 Because I was sure of this, I wanted to come to you first, so that you might have a second experience of grace. 16 I wanted to visit you on my way to Macedonia, and to come back to you from Macedonia and have you send me on my way to Judea.17 Was I vacillating when I wanted to do this? Do I make my plans according to the flesh, ready to say “Yes, yes” and “No, no” at the same time? 18 As surely as God is faithful, our word to you has not been Yes and No. 19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we proclaimed among you, Silvanus and Timothy and I, was not Yes and No, but in him it is always Yes. 20 For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. 21 And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, 22 and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.
23 But I call God to witness against me—it was to spare you that I refrained from coming again to Corinth. 24 Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, for you stand firm in your faith.
2:1 For I made up my mind not to make another painful visit to you. 2 For if I cause you pain, who is there to make me glad but the one whom I have pained? 3 And I wrote as I did, so that when I came I might not suffer pain from those who should have made me rejoice, for I felt sure of all of you, that my joy would be the joy of you all. 4 For I wrote to you out of much affliction and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to cause you pain but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you.
This is the Word of the Lord.
Gospel-Centered Conflict
The Gospel shapes how we handle conflict by calling us to examine our hearts, trust God’s promises, and reaffirm love.
Points:
I. Examine Your Heart vv. 12–14
II. Trust in God’s Promises vv. 15–22
III. Reaffirm Your Love vv. 23–2:4
Song 5 – Blessed Assurance
Song 6 – All Glory Be to Christ
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
- Share a time when you experienced or observed conflict within a church or community. How was it handled, and what did you learn from it?
- Read 2 Corinthians 1:12–14. Why is Paul confident in his conscience? How does his integrity reflect his relationship with God?
- In verses 15–22, Paul explains how God’s faithfulness shapes his decisions. What does it mean that “all the promises of God find their Yes in Him” (v. 20)? How does this truth shape how we approach uncertainty or conflict?
- Look at 2 Corinthians 2:1–4. How does Paul’s decision to delay his visit demonstrate love? What can we learn from his example about handling sensitive situations in relationships?
- What role does forgiveness play in resolving conflict within the church, according to Paul’s example?
- When you face conflict, do you tend to justify yourself, avoid it, or address it head-on? How might the gospel reshape your approach?
- Who in your life might need to hear words of affirmation, forgiveness, or love from you this week? What practical steps can you take to pursue reconciliation?
Order of Worship
19th of January 2025 | 16:00 / 4pm (Helsinki)
Song 1 – Joyful, Joyful / King of Heaven
Psalm 138:6–8
6 For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly,
but the haughty he knows from afar.
7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
you preserve my life;
you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies,
and your right hand delivers me.
8 The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me;
your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.
Do not forsake the work of your hands.
Song 2 – Behold Our God
Song 3 – How Deep the Father’s Love For Us
Confession of Sin
Almighty God,
we confess how hard it is to be your people.
You have called us to be the church,
to continue the mission of Jesus Christ
to our lonely and confused world.
Yet we acknowledge we are more lazy than active,
more isolated than involved,
more uncaring than compassionate,
more stubborn than obedient,
more legalistic than loving.
Gracious Lord,
have mercy upon us and forgive our sins.
Remove the obstacles preventing us
from being your representatives to a broken world.
Awaken our hearts
to the promised gift of your indwelling Spirit.
This we pray in Jesus’ powerful name.
Amen.
Assurance of Forgiveness
Titus 2:11–14
11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
With all who confess Jesus as Saviour, we joyfully accept and affirm our forgiveness through Christ.
Song 4 – Good and Gracious King
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 Corinthians 1:12–2:4 (ESV). Hear the Word of God:
1:12 For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, and supremely so toward you. 13 For we are not writing to you anything other than what you read and understand and I hope you will fully understand— 14 just as you did partially understand us—that on the day of our Lord Jesus you will boast of us as we will boast of you.
15 Because I was sure of this, I wanted to come to you first, so that you might have a second experience of grace. 16 I wanted to visit you on my way to Macedonia, and to come back to you from Macedonia and have you send me on my way to Judea.17 Was I vacillating when I wanted to do this? Do I make my plans according to the flesh, ready to say “Yes, yes” and “No, no” at the same time? 18 As surely as God is faithful, our word to you has not been Yes and No. 19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we proclaimed among you, Silvanus and Timothy and I, was not Yes and No, but in him it is always Yes. 20 For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. 21 And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, 22 and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.
23 But I call God to witness against me—it was to spare you that I refrained from coming again to Corinth. 24 Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, for you stand firm in your faith.
2:1 For I made up my mind not to make another painful visit to you. 2 For if I cause you pain, who is there to make me glad but the one whom I have pained? 3 And I wrote as I did, so that when I came I might not suffer pain from those who should have made me rejoice, for I felt sure of all of you, that my joy would be the joy of you all. 4 For I wrote to you out of much affliction and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to cause you pain but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you.
This is the Word of the Lord.
Gospel-Centered Conflict
The Gospel shapes how we handle conflict by calling us to examine our hearts, trust God’s promises, and reaffirm love.
Points:
I. Examine Your Heart vv. 12–14
II. Trust in God’s Promises vv. 15–22
III. Reaffirm Your Love vv. 23–2:4
Song 5 – His Glory & My Good
Song 6 – Let Us Be Known By His 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
- Share a time when you experienced or observed conflict within a church or community. How was it handled, and what did you learn from it?
- Read 2 Corinthians 1:12–14. Why is Paul confident in his conscience? How does his integrity reflect his relationship with God?
- In verses 15–22, Paul explains how God’s faithfulness shapes his decisions. What does it mean that “all the promises of God find their Yes in Him” (v. 20)? How does this truth shape how we approach uncertainty or conflict?
- Look at 2 Corinthians 2:1–4. How does Paul’s decision to delay his visit demonstrate love? What can we learn from his example about handling sensitive situations in relationships?
- What role does forgiveness play in resolving conflict within the church, according to Paul’s example?
- When you face conflict, do you tend to justify yourself, avoid it, or address it head-on? How might the gospel reshape your approach?
- Who in your life might need to hear words of affirmation, forgiveness, or love from you this week? What practical steps can you take to pursue reconciliation?