Exalting Christ through Worship, Renewal, Community, and Partnership ! CHRIST CHURCH VENTURA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN AMERICA

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1 $ $ The Celtic Cross is an ancient Christian symbol. The cross proper recalls the death of Christ for the sins of his people, while the circle is a historic symbol of God s eternal nature. Jesus name is at the center, depicted by the Greek letters Ιης and is surrounded by the vine and branches, representing our relationship to Him. At the bottom, CHRISTUS VICTOR, Christ is Victorious, testifies to his triumph over sin and death on the cross. This Celtic cross is used by permission of Saint Paul s Presbyterian Church in Orlando, Florida. Each of the five panels represents a significant event in Christ s life. Exalting Christ through Worship, Renewal, Community, and Partnership $ HIS REIGN The wounded lamb as Christ reclining on the book of seven seals is a historic symbol of the reigning Christ. The three-rayed nimbus is an ancient symbol of deity. (Revelation 5:9-12) HIS RESURRECTION Lilies traditionally represent the resurrection; the trumpet heralds Christ s certain and triumphal return. (1 Corinthians 15:54; Matthew 24:31; Luke 12:27) HIS ATONEMENT The crown of thorns and nails testify to Christ s sacrificial death on the cross. (Hebrews 2:17; John 19:2; 20:27) HIS BAPTISM The dove and tongues of fire symbolically portray the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 3:10; Acts 2:3) HIS INCARNATION The open Bible is the Word of God. The double lighted candlesticks represent the dual nature of Christ his deity and his humanity. (John 1:1-14) $! CHRIST CHURCH VENTURA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN AMERICA To all who are spiritually weary and seek rest; to all who mourn and long for comfort; to all who struggle and desire hope; to all who sin and need a Savior; to all who are strangers and yearn for home; to all who hunger and thirst after righteousness; and to whoever will come; this church offers a genuine welcome in the name of the risen Lord Jesus Christ.

2 WHAT IS OUR MESSAGE? The great good news is that God has taken it upon Himself to do something for us that we are powerless to do for ourselves. The Gospel is simply this: sinners are forgiven and accepted by God because of the work of Jesus Christ. Trust in Christ s finished work is not just the beginning of the Christian life, but the means and end as well. The Gospel is what must be applied more and more deeply in order to live as a Christian. The power of the Gospel is not merely about forgiveness and improvement, but renewal and wholeness. A GOSPEL-SHAPED MINISTRY The Gospel changes people Through the continual application of the Gospel we become more like Christ. The Gospel produces joy Grace frees us from both condemnation and self-righteousness to enjoy God fully. The Gospel defines community In union with Christ, we become God s sons and daughters His new people. WHAT DO WE BELIEVE? We embrace the historic Christian faith believing the timeless truths held in common by the church in all ages and places. We wholeheartedly affirm the classic doctrines defined by the Apostles, Nicene, and Athanasian Creeds. The Trinity There is only one God eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Incarnation The person Jesus Christ is the only Son of God who is both fully God and fully human. The Atonement Jesus died on a cross and was raised from the dead in order to redeem us from our sins. We also embrace the Reformed Christian faith believing the biblical teachings that were restated during the Protestant Reformation. This great renewal of the church in the 16 th century has given us a common heritage in the classic solas. The Gospel points outward Grace disengages approval seeking, engenders authenticity, and curbs pride. Scripture Alone The Bible is the one source of divine revelation and the only completely reliable guide for faith and life. The Gospel informs attitudes As Christians, we desire the peace and wellbeing of our communities and cities. The Gospel removes barriers Reconciliation humbles us so that we may become agents to reconcile others. Christ Alone Salvation is accomplished by the substitutionary atonement of the historical and sinless Christ alone. Grace Alone We are rescued from God s anger, freed from sin s bondage and lifted to new life by His grace alone. The Gospel renews culture All of life matters to God and we are to pursue all vocations with excellence. Faith Alone Christ s righteousness is imputed to us as the only possible satisfaction of God s justice by faith alone. The Gospel builds momentum Church planting is the result of and the means to fulfilling the great commission God Alone The sole purpose of our creation and redemption is to enjoy God s presence and live for His glory.

3 CHRIST CHURCH VENTURA IS A CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN AMERICA Empowered by the Gospel, we aim to experience God s pleasure in fostering true knowledge, holy affection, and faithful obedience through historic worship, gospel renewal, genuine community, and global partnership to the end that God s people are gathered and Christ s Kingdom is extended throughout Ventura County and beyond. OFFICERS Teaching Elder Roy R. Bennett (ojairoyb@gmail.com) Ruling Elder David Sveiven (dsevend@yahoo.com) STAFF Chief Musician Tilford Jackson Pastoral Assistant Skip Chapin Church Treasurer Tom Etchart Children s Director Michele Sveiven CONTACT INFORMATION PO Box 25 Ojai, CA (805) WORSHIP LOCATION Trinity Lutheran Church 196 N. Ashwood Avenue, Ventura at 4:00pm ANNOUNCEMENTS CHILDREN S ED (ages 2-18) Sun. at 3:00pm (see Michele Sveiven) CCV MEN S GROUP Sun. at 3:00pm in TLC Library (see Skip Chapin) ADULT STUDY Building Your Theology Wed. 6:30-8:00pm Meets in the church library (see Roy Bennett) VENTURA COUNTY RESCUE MISSION 1 st & 3 rd Thurs. 6:45-7:45pm Meets at 234 E. 6th Street, Oxnard (see John Geb) ANNUAL CCV BUDGET MEETING Sun. Oct. 16, 5:30pm during meal AUGUSTINE DINNER THEATRE Sat. Nov. 15, 6:00pm Order for the Celebration and Worship of God Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost: October 2, :00 pm * Congregation standing PRELUDE WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS SILENT PREPARATION CALL TO WORSHIP Pianist Tilford Jackson Psalm 13:1-2 (ESV) INVITIATORY Consider and answer me, O LORD my God; light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death. People: Lest my enemy say, I have prevailed over him, lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken. But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. People: I sing to the LORD, for he has dealt lavishly with me. O come, let us adore him. Alleluia! * HYMN OF PRAISE (Music on page 2) "Great Is Thy Faithfulness * PRAYER OF ADORATION Unison: Lord, we pray that your grace may always precede and follow us, and that we may continually be given to good works through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. LESSONS & CAROLS Sat. Dec. 17, 6:00pm food & fellowship to follow 20 1

4 GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS AN UNMERRY MERRY-GO-ROUND Ecclesiastes is a terror to modern man because when he looks into its mirror he sees the ultimate nightmare: The man with no face. All toil all human pursuits here under the sun come down in the end to, a diversion, a cover-up: a series of complex masks over this one simple terrifying truth. Ecclesiastes rips off the cover and plunges our squeamish and reluctant eyes into this blinding abyss. It is a revelation in the literal sense: a revealing, an unveiling. Ecclesiastes blows our cover. The world is wise to cover up this truth by a million diversions and pretenses, for it is the most terrible truth there is. That is because once you admit it; you are at a crossroads, and only two roads lead anywhere from that crossroads. One leads to the kind of religion the world can never be comfortable with and never understand: the kind that is big enough to fill the infinite hole in the human heart, the kind bigger than life itself. The other road leads to a bullet hole through the head, the mirror image of the hole through the heart. 19 Peter Kreeft Three Philosophies of Life

5 Some of its requirements are rooted in his holy character, which we are to imitate: such are the principles of the Decalogue and the two great commandments (Exod. 20:1 17; Matt. 22:37 40; cf. Eph. 4:32 5:2). Some of its requirements spring simply from the divine institution: such were circumcision and the Old Testament sacrificial and purity laws, and such are baptism and the Lord s Supper today. But all bind the conscience alike, and God s plan of events already includes the good works of obedience that those who believe will perform (Eph. 2:10). It is sometimes hard to believe that costly obedience, putting us at a disadvantage in the world (as loyal obedience to God often does), is part of a predestined plan for furthering both God s glory and our own good (Rom. 8:28). But we are to glorify God by believing that it is so, and that one day we shall see it to be so; for his wisdom is supreme and never fails. Making known his will of precept, and governing the responses of human free agency to it, is one means whereby God accomplishes his will of events, even when the response is one of unbelief and disobedience. Paul illustrates this when he tells the Romans that Israel s unbelief has its place in God s plan for advancing the gospel (Rom. 11:11 15, 25 32): a realization that prompts the cry: Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom of God! To him be the glory for ever! Amen (vv. 33, 36). Let that be our cry too. 18 J. I. Packer Concise Theology GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS continued AFFIRMATION OF FAITH The Belgic Confession: Article 22 Concerning our justification through faith in Christ We believe that, in order that we may obtain the true knowledge of this great mystery, the Holy Spirit kindles in our hearts a true faith. This faith embraces Jesus Christ with all His merits, makes Him our own, and does not seek anything besides Him. For it must necessarily follow, either that all we need for our salvation is not in Jesus Christ or, if it is all in Him, that one who has Jesus Christ through faith, has complete salvation. It is, therefore, a terrible blasphemy to assert that Christ is not sufficient, but that something else is needed besides Him; for the conclusion would then be that Christ is only half a Saviour. Therefore we rightly say with Paul that we are justified by faith alone, or by faith apart from works of law. Meanwhile, strictly speaking, we do not mean that faith as such justifies us, for faith is only the instrument by which we embrace Christ our righteousness; He imputes to us all His merits and as many holy works as He has done for us and in our place. Therefore Jesus Christ is our righteousness, and faith is the instrument that keeps us with Him in the communion of all His benefits. When those benefits have become ours, they are more than sufficient to acquit us of our sins. 3

6 GOSPEL LESSON Luke 21:1-19 (ESV) 21 :10 Then he said to them, Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. 12 But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name s sake. 13 This will be your opportunity to bear witness. 14 Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer, 15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. 16 You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death. 17 You will be hated by all for my name s sake. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 By your endurance you will gain your lives. People: The Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ! Thanks be to the Lord! PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE (The congregation is encouraged to participate both verbally and in silence.) Unison: Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid, grant us your grace and blessing, as we are assembled to offer up our common supplications, for the sake of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen. Unison: We pray for the work of Cloudhaven Retreat Center in New Mexico that Jim and Katy Bailey may effectively minister to those seeking rest, reflection, relaxation and renewal. Lord, hear our prayers. WISDOM: GOD S TWOFOLD WILL IS ONE Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. DANIEL 2:20 Wisdom in Scripture means choosing the best and noblest end at which to aim, along with the most appropriate and effective means to it. Human wisdom is displayed in the Old Testament Wisdom books (Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs, showing how to suffer, pray, live, enjoy, and love, respectively) and in James s letter (enforcing consistent Christian behavior): it means making the fear of God that is, reverent worship and service of him one s goal (Prov. 1:7; 9:10; Eccles. 12:13) and cultivating prudence, fortitude, forbearance, and zeal as means to it. God s wisdom is seen in his works of creation, preservation, and redemption: it is his choice of his own glory as his goal (Ps. 46:10; Isa. 42:8; 48:11), and his decision to achieve it first by creating a marvelous variety of things and people (Ps. 104:24; Prov. 3:19 20), second by kindly providences of all sorts (Ps. 145:13 16; Acts 14:17), and third by the redemptive wisdom of Christ crucified (1 Cor. 1:18 2:16) and the resultant world church (Eph. 3:10). The outworking of God s wisdom involves the expression of his will in both senses that that phrase bears. In the first and fundamental sense, God s will is his decision, or decree, about what shall happen his eternal purpose, according to the counsel of his will, whereby, for his own glory, he hath foreordained whatsoever comes to pass (Westminster Shorter Catechism Q.7). This is God s will of events, referred to in Ephesians 1:11. In the second and secondary sense, the will of God is his command, that is, his instruction, given in Scripture, as to how people should and should not behave: it is sometimes called his will of precept (see Rom. 12:2; Eph. 5:17; Col. 1:9; 1 Thess. 4:3 6). 4 17

7 * PRAYER OF COMMITMENT Unison: Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, you have graciously accepted us as living members of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, and you have fed us with spiritual food in the sacrament of his body and blood. We give you thanks and rejoice in the gospel of our salvation. Send us now into the world in peace, and grant us strength and courage to love and serve you with gladness and singleness of heart; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. * BENEDICTION Numbers 6:24-26 (ESV) The LORD bless you and keep you; The LORD make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; The LORD lift up the light of His countenance upon you And give you peace. *DISMISSAL HYMN Shalom Ancient Hebrew Melody Unison: Unison: Unison: Unison: Unison: We pray for new and consistent interest in the use of the Cloudhaven accommodations and facilities and resources available in the study center for meditation and quite thought. Lord, hear our prayers. We pray for those who come to Cloudhaven that they will know real hospitality, Christian fellowship, and practical joy to share housework, conversation, laughter and some meals together. Lord, hear our prayers. We pray for ongoing financial provision for maintenance of the building and utilities, for sustained good health, and for handling new challenges as they arrive. Lord, hear our prayers. We pray for the broad array of personal, emotional, and spiritual burdens that are brought and released at the retreat center. We pray for true healing and godly wisdom in providing care. Lord, hear our prayer. 5 We pray for wisdom and clarity in exposing and addressing cultural trends and false worldviews which undermine the gospel of Jesus Christ. May he receive the glory for all that is done at Cloudhaven. Lord, hear our prayer. Go in peace to love and serve the risen Lord Jesus. People: Thanks be to God! POSTLUDE Pianist Tilford Jackson 16 THE LORD'S PRAYER Matthew 6:9-13 (ESV) 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 debts, as we also forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. 5

8 TEACH US TO NUMBER OUR DAYS (PSALM 90) ON EAGLE S WINGS Verse 1: You who dwell in the shelter of the Lord, Who abide in his shadow for life, Say to the Lord: My refuge, my rock in whom I trust! Refrain: And he will raise you up on eagle s wings, Bear you on the breath of dawn, Make you to shine like the sun, And hold you in the palm of his hand. Verse 2: The snare of the fowler will never capture you, And famine will bring you no fear: Under his wings of refuge, his faithfulness your shield. Refrain: Verse 3: You need not fear the terror of the night, Nor the arrow that flies by day; Though thousands fall about you, near you it shall not come. Refrain: Verse 4: For to his angels he s given a command To guard you in all of your ways; Upon their hands they will bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone. Refrain: 15

9 $ BREAD OF LIFE FROM HEAVEN * OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Ecclesiastes 9:13 10:20 (ESV) 14 9 :13 I have also seen this example of wisdom under the sun, and it seemed great to me. 14 There was a little city with few men in it, and a great king came against it and besieged it, building great siegeworks against it. 15 But there was found in it a poor, wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city. Yet no one remembered that poor man. 16 But I say that wisdom is better than might, though the poor man s wisdom is despised and his words are not heard. 17 The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools. 18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good. 10 :1 Dead flies make the perfumer s ointment give off a stench; so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor. 2 A wise man s heart inclines him to the right, but a fool s heart to the left. 3 Even when the fool walks on the road, he lacks sense, and he says to everyone that he is a fool. 4 If the anger of the ruler rises against you, do not leave your place, for calmness will lay great offenses to rest. 5 There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, as it were an error proceeding from the ruler: 6 folly is set in many high places, and the rich sit in a low place. 7 I have seen slaves on horses, and princes walking on the ground like slaves. 8 He who digs a pit will fall into it, and a serpent will bite him who breaks through a wall. 9 He who quarries stones is hurt by them, and he who splits logs is endangered by them. 10 If the iron is blunt, and one does not sharpen the edge, he must use more strength, but wisdom helps one to succeed. 11 If the serpent bites before it is charmed, there is no advantage to the charmer. 12 The words of a wise man s mouth win him favor, but the lips of a fool consume him. 13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness, and the end of his talk is evil madness.

10 14 A fool multiplies words, though no man knows what is to be, and who can tell him what will be after him? 15 The toil of a fool wearies him, for he does not know the way to the city. 16 Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child, and your princes feast in the morning! 17 Happy are you, when your king is the son of the nobility, and your princes feast at the proper time, for strength, and not for drunkenness! 18 Through sloth the roof sinks in, and through indolence the house leaks. 19 Bread is made for laughter, and wine gladdens life, and money answers everything. 20 Even in your thoughts, do not curse the king, nor in your bedroom curse the rich, for a bird of the air will carry your voice, or some winged creature tell the matter. AGNUS DEI People: The Word of the Lord! Thanks be to God! * PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION SERMON Reverend Roy R. Bennett Using Wisdom to Navigate our Lives" PASTORAL PRAYER OFFERTORY * DOXOLOGY 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. * PRAYER OF DEDICATION

11 PRAYER OF CONSECRATION SERMON NOTES WORDS OF INSTITUTION 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 Therefore, we proclaim the faith! Unison: Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again. PRAYER OF APPROACH Unison: We do not presume to come to this your table, O merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in your great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under your table. But you are the same Lord, whose nature is always to have mercy; grant us therefore, gracious Lord, that we may so partake of this bread and wine that our sinful bodies may be made clean by Christ s body, and our souls washed through his most precious blood, and that we may evermore dwell in him, and he in us. Amen. AGNUS DEI (Music on page 13) John 1:29 Healy Willans THE LORD'S SUPPER Christ our Passover, sacrificed for us. People: Therefore, let us keep the feast! The gifts of God for the people of God. People: Thanks be to the Lord! Believers who have publicly professed faith in Jesus Christ, have been baptized, and are members in good standing of an Evangelical church, are welcome to celebrate in the Lord s Supper with us. If these particular facts do not describe you, we respectfully ask you to refrain from participating in the sacrament. Please come forward to receive the sacrament; to repent, rest, and rejoice as the Lord s Supper is observed. The wafer is to be dipped into the wine. Please leave room at the right hand rail for our musicians to receive the Lord s Supper first, before they return to lead our congregational communion songs. 12 9

12 WORD OF EXHORTATION Matthew 10:16 (ESV) Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves." THE SANCTUS Isaiah 6:3; Psalm 118:26 Franz Schubert CONFESSION OF SIN Unison: God of all good, you have prepared a feast, and though we are unworthy to sit down as guests, we wholly rest on the merits of Jesus and hide ourselves beneath his righteousness. As we hear and embrace his gracious invitation, may we draw near to you in love and in communion with other believers. Enable us by faith to rightly discern and spiritually grasp the purpose of Christ s death and to be strengthen for our earthly pilgrimage. ASSURANCE OF PARDON 1 Corinthians 1:23-25 (ESV) "We preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. THE GREAT THANKSGIVING The Lord be with you! People: And also with you! Lift up your hearts! People: We lift them up to the Lord! Let us give thanks to the Lord! People: It is good and right so to do. It is right, and a good and joyful thing, that we should always give you thanks, O Lord; therefore, with the angels, we exalt and magnify your glorious name, evermore praising you and singing. 10