Song 1 – Come, Build Your Kingdom Here

Hear God call you to worship:

Isaiah 43:19-21
See, I am doing a new thing!
   Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
   and streams in the wasteland.
The wild animals honor me,
   the jackals and the owls,
because I provide water in the wilderness
   and streams in the wasteland,
to give drink to my people, my chosen,
   the people I formed for myself
   that they may proclaim my praise.

Responsive reading:

Let us worship God, who has done great things.
We rejoice in our God, who made a way
through the desert of this world.
Let us worship God, 
who has caused streams of mercy
to flow in the wasteland.
We are the people God has formed through Christ; 
we worship him, and we rejoice!
Let us worship God in spirit and in truth.
We praise God for the grace that has saved us. 
Alleluia! We rejoice!
—based on Isaiah 43:19-21

Let us worship the Lord!

Song 2 – Lead On, O King Eternal

Song 3 – Jesus, Strong & Kind / Jesus Loves Me

Song 4 – He’s Been Good

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

Today’s Lent reading from Mark 1, in which Jesus, after his baptism, is led by the Spirit into the wilderness. 

Mark 1:12-15

12 The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. 13 And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him.

14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

Encouraged by the example of our great High Priest, who himself was tempted in every respect as we are, yet remained without sin, we continue our worship together in a time of confession. Let us all with confidence draw near to the heavenly throne of grace, confidence that we will receive mercy and grace from the One who loves us. 

Please read with me now this prayer of confession based on Daniel chapter 9.

Confession of Sin
O Lord, great God,
all holy, Father most gracious,
filled with mercy and steadfast love,
we are not worthy to come before you,
for we have preferred the ways of this world to your ways,
for we have rebelled against your wisdom
and we have gotten into trouble,
for we have rejected your fatherly guidance
and have gotten lost altogether.

Forgive us our sins,
not on the ground of our own righteousness,
but on the ground of your great mercy
and on the ground of the cross
and Jesus’ blood.

Renew us by your Holy Spirit
which dwells in us in power.
By the grace of Jesus Christ
and in his name, we pray.
Amen.
(—based on Daniel 9:4-19)

Assurance of Forgiveness
While it is true that we have sinned,
it is a greater truth that we are forgiven
through God’s love in Jesus Christ.
To all who humbly seek the mercy of God I say,
in Jesus Christ your sin is forgiven.

Let’s pray.

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 James 2:14-26 (ESV) . Hear the Word of God:

¹⁴ What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? ¹⁵ If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food,¹⁶ and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? ¹⁷ So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

¹⁸ But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. ¹⁹ You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! ²⁰ Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? ²¹ Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? ²² You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; ²³ and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. ²⁴ You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.²⁵ And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? ²⁶ For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.

This is the Word of the Lord.

VISION series part 2: Care
–James 2:14-26

I. Unpacking Faith That Cares
II. Four Scenarios of Faith That Cares (vv 15-26)
III. Applying Faith that Cares

Our Vision for Care at UCC:
Our vision at UCC is to authentically express our faith in Jesus Christ through loving, committed, and sacrificial care for one another, with sleeves rolled up and hearts fully engaged we want to be known by our love.

Song 5 – Let Us Be Known By Our Love

Song 6 – What A Friend We Have in Jesus

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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Study Questions: Vision Series, Part 2: Care

Introduction:
As we continue our Vision Series, focusing on the theme of care, we are considering James 2:14-26, exploring the connection between faith and works. This passage challenges us to examine the authenticity of our faith and how it manifests in our actions, particularly in caring for one another within the church community.

1. Can you think of any examples when someone you know was attracted to Christianity because of the love shown by Christians toward one another and to them?

2. Share about times when members of your church have shown care for you during a time of need.

Into the Text:
1. James questions if faith without deeds can truly save a person. Can it?
2. Reflecting on Jesus’ teachings in Matthew 7:26-27, what does He emphasize about the relationship between faith and works?
3. Addressing the potential contradiction between James 2:18 and Paul’s statement in Romans 3:28, discuss the role of faith and works in salvation. Are Paul and James contradicting each other? Explain.
4. Can you provide a modern example reflecting the situation described in James 2:15-16?
5. In your own words, explain the significance of James 2:18.
6. What is the point of 2:19 where James says that even the demons have faith?
7. Was Abraham saved by faith or works? How do Genesis 15:3-6 and Romans 4:3 shed light on this?

Application:
1. Reflecting on the message, consider the personal implications of James’ challenging questions. What are your personal takeaways from this study on faith and works?
2. How can we ensure that our actions align with our professed faith? Discuss practical ways we can put our faith into action and care for one another within the church community.
3. In light of our discussion, consider the jingle: “What kind of church would my church be if all the members were just like me?” How can we collectively contribute to a culture of caring and active faith within UCC?