April 12, John MacArthur. Welcome to the Lord s day worship service at Grace Church. Vol. 19 No. 15

Transcription

1 Vol. 19 No. 15 April 12, 2015 John MacArthur PASTOR-TEACHER Clayton Erb / Minister of Music Welcome to the Lord s day worship service at Grace Church. We are truly blessed to be here this morning as we open God s Word together, sing His praises, and enjoy a time of fellowship in His presence. Be sure to take advantage of the many fellowship and ministry opportunities available to our church family today and throughout the week.

2 8:30 & 10:30* am Dorian Toccata Bach Stephen Sturz, Organist Hymn 79 Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee Congregation Hymn 81 What a Wonderful Savior! Be Still, My Soul Sibelius/Maddux-Rice String Orchestra, Woodwinds, Piano Sheep May Safely Graze Bach/Davis Worship Choir Anthem Sheep May Safely Graze Like a shepherd God doth guide us Into pastures calm and blest; Safe we lie by peaceful waters, And like sheep securely rest, Safe like sheep securely rest. TODAY Hymn 462 Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us Congregation 23: The Lord Is My Shepherd Krippayne-Siler-Woods/Rice Kory Welch MESSAGE: POWERFUL PROMISES John MacArthur John 14:7 14 Doxology Hymn Congregation Recessional Cundick Organ Postlude 6:00 pm There Is a Fountain Traditional Instrumental Prelude Songs of Praise Congregation Baptism Chris Gee Though the valley dark is growing, Clouds are gathering, winds are blowing, Night and death are drawing near, Yet no danger shall alarm me, Death and darkness ne er can harm me, In His arms I feel no fear. Like a shepherd God doth guide us Into pastures calm and blest; Safe we lie by peaceful waters, Safe like sheep securely rest. Lyrics Based on Psalm 23; English translation by C.R.W. Robertson; music by J.S. Bach (1713) Hallelujah for the Cross King-Wright Offertory MESSAGE: THE POWER OF PERSECUTION John MacArthur Acts 8:1 8 O Zion, Haste Welch/Sturz Organ Postlude * Interpreting for the deaf is provided during the 10:30 a.m. service. Arabic translation for the 10:30 a.m. service is available at gracechurch.org/live. Doxology Hymn Hymn 267 Come, Thou Almighty King To Thee, great One in Three, Eternal praises be, Hence evermore; Thy sov reign majesty May we in glory see, And to eternity Love and adore.

3 Campus Ministries THE WELCOME CENTER hosts a reception for visitors following each Sunday-morning service. Enjoy refreshments and find helpful people with answers to any questions you have about our church. You ll also receive one of Pastor MacArthur s books as a thank you for being with us today. THE MEMBER CENTER has information about membership and baptism. It is located on the north side of the Heritage Building, across from the Welcome Center. Today s Membership Class 102 8:30 & 10:30 a.m. T66 (basement) THE PRAYER ROOM is staffed with counselors, ready to offer pastoral care. It is open after every service, and is adjacent to the Worship Center. Generations of Grace Children s Sunday School On GraceWalk Children s Hunger Fund Fundamentals of the Faith Grace Books Express Local Outreach On the Patio Spanish Ministries (by the Chapel) The following lesson was taught today in Sunday School (Preschool through Juniors) MESSAGE Review Sunday PASSAGE Matthew 21:1 11; PRINCIPLE Jesus provides access to God through His life, death, and resurrection. HYMN OF THE MONTH Christ the Lord Is Risen Today ASK YOUR CHILD What OT promises about the coming Messiah were fulfilled in Jesus? APPLY By thanking God for sending His son to die in the place of sinners. THIS WEEK Matthew 21:1 11; NEXT WEEK Exodus 7 10 Bookstore The Bookstore is open after each service and during the week. It is located on the south side of the Worship Center. HIGHLIGHT GOD S BATTLE PLAN FOR THE MIND: THE PURITAN PRACTICE OF BIBLICAL MEDITATION by David W. Saxton You need to get a copy, read it, put its principles into practice, and be transformed by the renewal of your mind. John MacArthur Available today for 30% off retail. EXPRESS CHECK-OUT on GraceWalk Grace to You RADIO gty.org/radio The Relationship Danger Zone The Grip of God KKLA 99.5 FM LOS ANGELES M F 6:30 am & 7:30 pm KDAR 98.3 FM OXNARD VENTURA M F 2:00 & 10:00 am; Sun 2:00 am TELEVISION gty.org/television The Truth About Divorce, Part 1 NRB Network CHANNEL 378 ON DIRECTV Sunday 6:30 pm ONLINE gty.org Sunday sermons Audio archive: John MacArthur s pulpit ministry Resource library: books, study guides, videos, Q&As All audio is available for free listening or downloading. TODAY

4 Local Outreach HOPE A PICTURE OF FEATURE The Villar Family was experiencing very difficult circumstances. Edgar was unemployed and his wife, Lena, was working hard to make ends meet. These parents were having difficulty paying their bills and putting food on the table for their two sons. To make matters worse, Edgar and Lena were both enslaved to alcohol. Unsurprisingly, this had taken a severe toll on their marriage, and they soon found themselves staring at divorce. The strenuous financial circumstances were fertile soil for the seeds of anger, anxiety, and strife. But all of these were only symptoms of a bigger problem: their need for the gospel. By God s grace, Luis, a member from a nearby church, met the Villar family and sought to tell them about Christ. After speaking with them, Luis determined that they were struggling both spiritually and financially. He offered to meet the Villars physical need by bringing them a Food Pak from Children s Hunger Fund. Though hesitant at first, Edgar and Lena welcomed the help, and before long they had become friends. Luis continued to faithfully minister to the Villars by bringing them Food Paks, stopping by to see how they were doing, and preaching the gospel of a Savior who meets both physical and spiritual needs. After several weeks, Edgar and Lena repented of their sins and trusted in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. They have been baptized, are regularly attending Luis s church, and are receiving biblical counsel from their pastor. Children s Hunger Fund (CHF) is a Christian organization that works to feed hungry children in impoverished regions across America and around the world. For more than twenty years the Lord has uniquely used CHF to train local churches how to best develop compassion ministries. What sets CHF apart from other relief organizations is their steadfast commitment to the local church. Rather than simply sending food to various areas indiscriminately, CHF understands that the Bible teaches that the church is to be at the forefront of compassion ministry around the world. Because of this, they work exclusively with local evangelical churches, supplying them with food to take to their communities as a platform from which to proclaim the gospel. As churches identify needy families in their communities, members of the church visit those families with Food Paks filled with a variety of nutritious, non-perishable food items. On subsequent visits, church members continue to provide food, along with counseling and a biblical perspective on the issues of life. In the context of these relationships, believers are able to share the gospel, invite these families to church, and demonstrate the love of Christ. By equipping local churches that are committed to preaching

5 the gospel and loving their neighbors, Children s Hunger Fund has established a network of more than sixty churches in Southern California that feed more than 30,000 people each month. Every year, we hear testimonies of numerous people whom God graciously saves and who now worship Christ in these local churches. By working with churches who are actively evangelizing the poor, Grace Church has an opportunity to spread the message of how Christ redeems sinners from the spiritual poverty that underlies all the issues that give rise to physical poverty. Over the next few weeks, our church family can partner with Children s Hunger Fund and other churches throughout Los Angeles to demonstrate the love of Christ to those in need. HERE S HOW YOU CAN HELP If you haven t already done so, before you leave church today pick up some empty Food Pak boxes from the tables on the patio. Take them home, and, following the instructions included on the box, fill them with non-perishable food items. Bring the filled boxes back next week. We will have collection points at different areas around campus through April 26. CHF will work with various local churches (including our own) to ensure that the food you donate feeds needy children and their families and opens a door for the proclamation of the gospel. FEATURE This is a very practical and effective way that our entire church family can partner with other local churches and minister to the physical and spiritual needs of our city. It s exciting to think that donating a few food items can relieve a family s hunger for a week or so. But it s downright amazing to know that, while that food will perish, we can bring our neighbors the very Bread of Life come down from Heaven, which gives life to the world and satisfies spiritual hunger forever! For more information about the CHF Food Pak Drive, visit gracechurch.org/chf or call the Local Outreach office at

6 Grace Around the World Departing for the Field James and Julia March While serving as a single missionary overseas in France, working primarily among Muslims, I saw firsthand the lack of biblical integrity in missions. While on furlough I saw the same lack of biblical integrity in churches and other ministries. Through much prayer and research, the Lord led me and my wonderful wife from Pennsylvania to this great church and seminary. Julia and I thank the Lord for Grace Church. It has been a joy to serve here and to be the recipients of so much love. Our family has multiplied since being here, and so has our love for this church, which has now become our home. We are eager to return to France where there are so many people who have little or no access to the gospel. Please pray for us as we seek to glorify Christ through the strengthening and planting of doctrinally sound churches in the French-speaking world. We thank God for your love and prayers! The Marches will be sent out to the mission field during this evening s service. Local Outreach Spotlight Volleyball Outreach Mondays 5:30 p.m. Family Center Every Monday night the Family Center is open to those in the surrounding community who enjoy playing volleyball. Play lasts until 7:30 p.m., with a halftime break for a gospel presentation. This is a great opportunity for our church family to model how to compete in a Christlike manner and personally engage our friends with the gospel.

7 Elders Meeting Thursday, April 16 7 p.m. T262 Open to our church family Logos Institute Discipleship Counseling: Level 3 April 15 July 1 (Wednesdays) 6:30 8:30 p.m. T370s Instructors: Bill Shannon, George Sanders Cost: $75 Doctrine 5: Salvation and the Church April 20 May 25 (Mondays) 6:30 8:30 p.m. H224 Instructor: Michael Wurtz Cost: $50 For more information or to register, visit gracechurch.org/logos. One with Christ Monday, April 13 9:30 a.m. CC130 Bible study primarily for women who have lost their husbands through death or divorce. Sojourners Women s Fellowship Thursday, April 16 9:30 11:30 a.m. T270s Speaker: Linda Damarjian All women are welcome. Call for more information. Joint Heirs Ladies TEA (Teaching, Edification, Application) Monday, April 13 7:00 p.m. T260s Speaker: Glenda Hotton All women are welcome. Baby Rose The rosebud is in honor of Hannah Pacita Calivoso, born March 22, 2015, to Maggie and Glenn Calivoso. Glory to the Holy One Concert Worship and Reflection on the Beauty and Glory of God Friday, May 1 7:30 p.m. Grace Community Church Worship Center This special, Ligonier-sponsored concert of new hymns written by R.C. Sproul and Jeff Lippencott will feature the Grace Church Worship Choir and Orchestra. Tickets are available by reservation only; to reserve seats, visit ligonier.org or call Marriage Seminar A prerequisite for engaged couples desiring to get married at Grace Church, this seminar is also helpful for those who are purposefully dating, as well as married couples interested in God s plan for a successful marriage. Part 1 Friday, April 24, 7:00 9:00 p.m. Saturday, April 25, 9:00 a.m. noon Part 2 Friday, May 15, 7:00 9:00 p.m. Saturday, May 16, 9:00 a.m. noon Instructors: Bill Shannon, George Sanders, Tom Leman T370s $35 for church members or TMS/TMC students; $65 for non-members. For more information or to register, visit gracechurch.org/premarital or call With the Lord Polly Spangler recently went to be with the Lord. Please remember her family in your prayers. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His godly ones. Psalm 116:15 ANNOUNCEMENTS

8 8:30 a.m. 8:30 a.m. 10:30 10:30 a.m. a.m. 5:00 p.m. 12:30 p.m. Fridays 7:30 p.m. SUNDAY FELLOWSHIPS Children s Sunday School Visit the Welcome Center for room locations. Pastor: Matt White Cornerstone (All ages) T371 Pastors: Nathan Busenitz, Justin Harris, Mark Tatlock Doulos (Young families & singles) T361 Pastor: Carl Hargrove FaithBuilders (All ages) T261 Pastor: Bill Shannon GraceLife (All ages) Family Center Pastors: Phil Johnson, Mike Riccardi Junior High (Grades 7 8) T73 (Basement) Pastor: Andrew Curry Mentally Disabled CC130 (east) Pastor: Rick McLean Spanish Adult Sunday School H Teachers: Josiah Grauman, Heber Torres Spanish Worship Service Chapel Pastors: Henry Tolopilo, Michael Mahoney Children s Sunday School Visit the Welcome Center for room locations. Pastor: Matt White Crossroads (College & young adults) Family Center Pastor: Austin Duncan High School (Grades 9 12) T73 (Basement) Pastor: Josh Petras Joint Heirs (All ages) T261 Pastors: Tom Patton, John Street Mainstream (All ages) T361 Pastor: Rich Gregory Mentally Disabled CC130 (east) Pastor: Rick McLean Sojourners (All ages) T371 Pastor: William Varner Spanish Adult Sunday School H Teachers: Josiah Grauman, Ruben Pidal, Heber Torres Spanish Worship Service Chapel Pastors: Henry Tolopilo, Michael Mahoney Neighborhood Outreach T273 5:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. Sunday Night Prayer Group Grace Grill (next to the Children s Center) 6:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. Discovery (Grades 1 6) Family Center Discovery Kids (Ages 3 5) CC Visit our website at Administration Children Equipping Membership The Guild (Single adults) T361 Pastor: Don Carr MINISTRY DIRECTORY Men Outreach Pastoral Care & Counseling Prayer Mondays 9:00 a.m. Monday Morning Prayer Group Welcome Center Building Abbreviation Key T = Tower H = Heritage CC = Children s Center Spanish Special Ministries Student Women Roscoe Blvd. Sun Valley, CA Our mission is to glorify God and extend His kingdom by living and proclaiming His truth in the world. Grace Today is published weekly by Grace Community Church by Grace Community Church. Scripture, unless otherwise noted, is taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE, The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, Used by permission.