May 3, John MacArthur. Welcome to the Lord s day worship service at Grace Church. Vol. 19 No. 18

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1 Vol. 19 No. 18 May 3, 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 TODAY 8:30 & 10:30* am Tu es Petra Mulet Stephen Sturz, Organist Hymn 211 O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus Congregation The Mind of Christ Hayes Worship Choir Worthy Is the Lamb Lippencott Worship Choir Hymn 185 When I Survey the Wondrous Cross Congregation Be Still, My Soul Owens/Rice Grace Chung MESSAGE: THE HOLY SPIRIT AND SCRIPTURE John MacArthur John 14:25 26 Communion To God Be the Glory Doane Organ Postlude 6:00 pm We ve a Story to Tell to the Nations Nichol Instrumental Prelude Songs of Praise Congregation Short Term Ministries Dedication Before the Cross Payne Celena McMahon, James Phillipps MESSAGE: THE ASTOUNDING CONVERSION OF PAUL John MacArthur Acts 9:1 9 Anthem Worthy Is the Lamb The veil of heaven opened wide, the scene was clearly set; John saw a scroll writ either side; where seven seals were met. With booming voice the angel said to now unseal the scroll. But none was found to meet the task, not even one lone soul. Worthy, worthy; worthy is the Lamb. Worthy, worthy is the Lamb who was slain. Convulsed with tears and broken heart, John s hope was now assailed. Weep not, the elder counseled him, A Lion has prevailed. No lion came to take his claim, no beast of royal reign. Instead there stood a bloodied Lamb, like one who had been slain. Worthy, worthy; worthy is the Lamb. Worthy, worthy is the Lamb who was slain. Ten thousand times, ten thousand more the host of heaven cried. All blessing, honor, glory and pow r to Christ the Lamb that died. Worthy, worthy; worthy is the Lamb. Worthy, worthy is the Lamb who was slain. Christ the lamb who was slain. I Am Resolved Fillmore/Sturz Organ Postlude 2014 Ligonier Ministries and Jeff Lippencott, Ciaos Tunes, ASCAP. UBP. CCLI Lic Words by R.C. Sproul; music by Jeff Lippencott * 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.

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 101 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 MESSAGE PASSAGE PRINCIPLE God Parts the Red Sea Exodus God wants us to trust and praise His power. HYMN OF THE MONTH Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing On GraceWalk Fundamentals of the Faith Grace Books Express Local Outreach Olive Crest (foster care/adoption information) Spanish Ministries (by the Chapel) The following lesson was taught today in Sunday School (Preschool through Juniors) ASK YOUR CHILD APPLY THIS WEEK NEXT WEEK Why did God lead the Israelites to the Red Sea? By submitting to the awesome power of God. As a family, read Exodus Exodus 15:22 17:7 On the Patio Bookstore The Bookstore is open after each service and during the week. It is located on the south side of the Worship Center. NEW! SANCTIFICATION: THE CHRISTIAN S PURSUIT OF GOD-GIVEN HOLINESS by Michael Riccardi Riccardi captures the biblical dynamic of sanctification. This book is so needed. I eagerly commend it to every Christian reader. John MacArthur Buy one for 25% off retail or two or more for 50% off EXPRESS CHECK-OUT on GraceWalk Grace to You RADIO gty.org/radio The Way to Heaven 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 Only Road to Heaven 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 SERVING OUR MISSIONARIES FROM HOME It can be easy to take for granted the privileged lives we lead as Americans a simple trip to the grocery store will affirm that. But a more profound part of that privilege is being a part of Grace Church and the fellowship we enjoy here on a regular basis. Our church family can become so familiar that sometimes we forget what a unique blessing it is. FEATURE One group that perhaps appreciates that blessing more than most is made up of folks who aren t physically present at Grace Church, sometimes for years at a time. Our 70 Grace Church missionaries and their families live well outside the comfort zone for most of us. They contend with things like separation from family and friends, language barriers, foreign cultural norms, and even government persecution, all for the sake of the gospel of Jesus Christ. So it s not surprising that no matter where they serve, our missionaries always need encouragement. One unique and important way our church encourages these faithful servants is by sending out Short-Term Ministry (STM) teams every summer. Each year, our missionaries request teams of people from our Grace Church family to help with summer outreach efforts. These requests range from conducting vacation Bible schools for kids and sports camps for teens to evangelizing college campuses, teaching ESL classes, and even doing maintenance projects on buildings. Whatever the task,

5 the goal is to offer our missionaries encouragement and refreshment, and to free up time to enable them to more effectively shepherd their own flocks. This summer we have 18 teams going to 14 countries. Over the next few months, more than 100 plane tickets will be purchased and more than 18,000 support letters will be sent out, all to help our missionaries serve more effectively wherever they are. And although most of you will not serve as part of a team, you can still participate. There s a great opportunity to come alongside our STM teams both prayerfully and financially. This vital support makes you a co-laborer with the teams and the missionaries they serve. As Christians, one of our greatest joys is to tell others about our identity in our risen Savior and the faith that we have within us. Whether you are witnessing to your friends and family here at home, or selling everything you have to move to another country to win the lost for Christ, all of us have a mandate in fulfilling the Great Commission. Supporting Short-Term Ministries is another opportunity to help make disciples of all the nations (Matthew 28:19) TEAMS Visit gracechurch.org/stm for more information about this year s teams. Croatia Czech Republic East Asia 1 & 2 England 1, 2, 3 Germany Japan 1 & 2 Malawi Mexico New Zealand South Africa Ukraine FEATURE Thank you for making it possible for our STM teams to assist our missionaries. We pray that through these teams, lives will be transformed and God s kingdom will increase.

6 HIGHLIGHTS Monthly Missions Meeting Hosted by the Elders Council Handling Outreach (ECHO) Tuesday, May 5 7 p.m. T260s Come hear updates from our missionaries and local outreach ministries, pray for their needs, and learn how you can be involved. May Speakers Carlan Wendler Burundi John Zheng Singapore Grace Around the World The White Family Greg & Hue Chon, James, Joseph Serving in Ukraine Since 1992 Prayer / Praise Pray for the more than 60 students who travel to Irpin Biblical Seminary out of the war-torn east to attend classes. Travel is dangerous, slow, and expensive because of additional documents needed to travel into and out of this area. Praise God for our 380 students and their desire to study God s Word to be better prepared to serve Him. Faith Promise Last week you generously gave $11,144. Thank you for your ongoing support of our missionary families. Let the peoples praise You, O God; Let all the peoples praise You. Let the nations be glad and sing for joy; For You will judge the peoples with uprightness And guide the nations on the earth. Psalm 67:3 4 Local Outreach Spotlight Basketball Outreach Mondays 8:30 p.m. Family Center Every Monday night the Family Center is transformed into Grace Gym for an evening of basketball and evangelism. The neighborhood comes to play basketball in our newly-renovated gym (complete with professional hoops), with halftime devoted to a faithful gospel presentation. Bring the gospel and your game and join us for a fantastic night of ministry! For more information call

7 Descend Summer Series June 3 July 15 7:00 9:00 p.m. T70s Join ONEIGHTY in the basement on Wednesday nights while the regional high school Bible studies are on summer break. Attend a Fellowship Group Adult fellowship groups exist to glorify God by studying His Word, practically applying that truth to daily life, and providing God s people with opportunities for worship, ministry, and building relationships with each other. Times and locations of fellowship groups are listed on the back page of Grace Today. Titus 2 Tuesday May 12 7 p.m. This month s topic: Spirit-Controlled Anger and Stress Studies meet in Canyon Country, Encino, Glendale, Northridge, Shadow Hills, Simi Valley, and Valencia. (Please note that this month only the Canyon Country group will meet with the Valencia group at 5 p.m.) Women of all ages are invited for a time of discussion and fellowship. For specific meeting locations and RSVP information, visit gracechurch.org/titus2. Sojourners Women s Fellowship Spring Luncheon Saturday, May 16 10:30 a.m. 2:00 p.m. Family Center Speaker: Jacki Martin Cost: $15 All women are welcome. For tickets or more information, call Regen 2015 High School Summer Camp July Registration is now open at CampRegen.com/180. PSP Used Curriculum Sale Saturday, June 6 10:30 a.m. 1:00 p.m. Family Center Seller registration is now open. For information, call Marina at Job Opportunity Web Developer/Programmer. The Grace Church IT Department has an opening for a Web Developer/programmer. Must be proficient in HTML/CSS, object-oriented programming (C#, Java, VB, Ruby), server-side scripting (ASP, PHP), and relational databases (SQL, MySQL, MS-Access). A degree in Computer or Information Science or equivalent experience preferred. Experience with.net a plus. Applicants for employment must be, if employed, biblically qualified as a deacon or deaconess and a member of Grace Church. For more information or to request an application, contact Human Resources at HR@gracechurch.org or With the Lord Neville Chan recently went to be with the Lord. Please remember his 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.