Announcements

Please send your prayer requests to prayer@novachurch.org so that our prayer team can be praying for you.

You can continue to financially support Nova’s ministry through tithes, offerings, and Open campaign contributions by giving online at novachurch.org/giving or by sending your support through the mail (4345 Emerald St. Torrance, CA 90503).

Prayer

Throughout Scripture the triad of "orphan," "widow," and "alien/foreigner" is used to represent all marginalized people. With this in mind, please read the following passages of Scripture. These are but a few of many passages of Scripture that communicate this theme of caring and providing justice for the marginalized.

He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing. And you are to love those who are foreigners, for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt. 

     Deuteronomy 10:18-19

Do what is just and right. Rescue from the hand of the oppressor the one who has been robbed. Do no wrong or violence to the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place. 

     Jeremiah 22:3

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. 

     James 1:27

The black community in the United States has continued to be oppressed at the hand of systemic and even blatant racism. Take a moment to pray for this community - that justice may be enacted, that healing may be experienced, and that those who do not experience this kind of marginalization would listen.

Worship

Join the Nova Worship Team by listening or singing out together in your homes.

Alternative Youtube Mirror

The Earth Is Yours

Rescuer

Show Us Who You Are

Discussion

Take some time to think about and discuss these questions with your small group, family, or friends.

First Impressions

• The message mentioned some of the external circumstances which have been particularly trying for many people recently. Catalog as many difficulties that you can think of that people might be struggling with in these times including some that you may be experiencing personally. 

Digging Deeper

1. James is addressing how we react in difficult circumstances: to certain trials we react well and overcome. In hindsight we usually refer to these circumstances as trials because we did react well. However, when we react poorly and go against God's will and nature, we generally speak of these challenges as temptations as we look back on them. Take one of the difficulties you listed above and illustrate how it could result in a sinful response or a triumphant response that produces deeper character. 
   
   
2. Share an instance where you blamed certain circumstances for a poor response on your own part rather than responding well. 
   
   
3. God's prescription is that wisdom comes from an understanding of God's goodness. How can you see that dynamic play out in your real world experience? 

Challenge

1. List suggestions how we can show forth the goodness of God when the world is undergoing crisis. 
   
   
2. What is one unique or impactful response to our present circumstances which you have seen which stood out as evidence of general or divine goodness. 

Share

We love that so many people have shared gatherings like this with their friends and family already. We encourage you to continue doing so. You can follow Nova on Facebook and Instagram and share images and links directly from those accounts.

facebook.com/NovaCommunityChurch

instagram.com/novachurch

Or you can always create your own post! 

Use #NovaTogether to see all the different ways people are gathering in their homes to worship or to fellowship with their small groups.

Did you like this service? Share it with your friends!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lPKxEWW310