November 5, John MacArthur. Welcome to the Lord s day worship service at Grace Church. Vol. 21 No. 45

Transcription

1 Vol. 21 No. 45 November 5, 2017 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 Sonata V: First Movement Bach Stephen Sturz, Organist Hymn 55 O God, Our Help in Ages Past Congregation Hymn 50 Adoration Be Still, My Soul Sibelius/Maddux-Rice String Orchestra, Woodwinds, Piano All His Benefits Baloche-Kerr/Taylor-Burgess Worship Choir Hymn 64 Like a River Glorious Congregation Faithful One Eaton-White Tricia Hulet, James Phillipps MESSAGE: SONS OF GOD, PART 2 John MacArthur Galatians 4:1 11 Doxology Hymn Congregation Postlude from Celebrate Life Red Organ Postlude 6:00 pm Piano Prelude James Phillipps Songs of Praise Congregation Baptism Hymn 42 Our Great God Offertory MESSAGE: CAN YOU TRUST GOD? Austin Duncan Psalm 56 Postlude To maintain a worshipful atmosphere in the services, please do not applaud after musical numbers. Instrumental Praise Be Still, My Soul Be still, my soul! the Lord is on thy side; Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain. Leave to your God to order and provide; In ev ry change, He faithful will remain. Be still, my soul! your best, your heav nly Friend Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end. Be still, my soul! your God doth undertake To guide the future, as He has the past. Your hope, your confidence let nothing shake; All now mysterious shall be bright at last. Be still, my soul! the waves and winds still know His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below. Be still, my soul! the hour is hastening on When we shall be forever with the Lord, When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone, Sorrow forgot, love s purest joys restored. Be still, my soul! when change and tears are past, All safe and blessed we shall meet at last. Words by Katharina von Schlegel (1752); music by Jean Sibelius (1899) Doxology Hymn Hymn 324 God, Our Father, We Adore Thee God, our Father, we adore Thee! We, Thy children, bless Thy name! Chosen in the Christ before Thee, We are holy, without blame. We adore Thee! we adore Thee! Abba s praises we proclaim! We adore Thee! we adore Thee! Abba s praises we proclaim! * Interpreting for the deaf is provided during the 10:30 a.m. service. Arabic and Korean translation for the 10:30 a.m. service is available at gracechurch.org/live. A limited number of headsets are available at the front desk for simultaneous translation.

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. T375 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 Fundamentals of the Faith Hands for Hope Local Outreach Nursery Volunteer Information On the Patio Hands for Hope Spanish Ministry (by the Chapel) Women s Fall Event The following lesson was taught today in Sunday School (Preschool through Juniors) MESSAGE PASSAGE PRINCIPLE FEATURED HYMN ASK YOUR CHILD APPLY THIS WEEK NEXT WEEK Jesus Rebukes the Pharisees Matthew 12:22 37 The Holy Spirit reveals Jesus Christ. The Power of the Cross (Hymns of Grace No. 272) What does it mean to blaspheme the Holy Spirit? By responding to the Holy Spirit s revelation about Jesus Christ. As a family, read Matthew 12: Mark 4:1 20 Adapted from the Generations of Grace Family Devotional, available at the bookstore. Bookstore The Bookstore is open after each service and during the week. It is located on the south side of the Worship Center. NOVEMBER HIGHLIGHTS BIBLE SALE All Bibles 30% off retail MacArthur Study Bibles 35% off retail Select Bibles 40% off retail While supplies last, through November 30 ADOPTION AWARENESS MONTH All adoption titles are available for 30% off retail. Visit the Hands for Hope patio table for more information. Grace to You RADIO gty.org/radio Forgiveness in the Age of Rage The Love 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 Lord s Greatest Prayer, Part 6 NRBTV CHANNEL 378 ON DIRECTV Sunday 6:30 pm ONLINE gty.org John MacArthur s sermons: audio, video, and transcripts Resource library: blog, devotionals, articles, Q&As, and more Mobile apps: The Study Bible and Grace to You Sermons TODAY

4 Chosen and Adopted LOCAL OUTREACH MINISTRIES FEATURE As our church recognizes National Adoption Awareness Month throughout November, we are reminded of how we have been granted the immeasurable honor of being chosen and adopted by our heavenly Father (Ephesians 1:4 6, Romans 8:15 17). Adoption is a wonderful, tangible way to demonstrate this gospel truth, and to that end our church works with several organizations involved with international and domestic adoption. A number of Grace Church families have adopted children, and many others serve little ones in need through foster care. We are so encouraged by the work that the Lord is doing in this area. It is our great pleasure to share this testimony from the Hunter family, who adopted their son in Every family s adoption story is unique, but there is one universal truth at the center of each story God perfectly orchestrates every detail with utmost perfection, for His glory. Our story began when we finally realized adoption was God s plan for us. As we worked our way through the seemingly endless paperwork, classes, and appointments, we gained a false sense that somehow we were in control of our adoption process. Months later, we were certified for adoption and joined a waiting list of other adoptive families within our agency. Our agency told us that a typical waiting period is two to three years and reminded us that adoption is a journey of faith. They recommended we continue living our daily lives as usual until they matched us with an expectant mother. Six weeks later we received a call on a Saturday afternoon. A woman had given birth to a baby boy two days before, and she had selected us to be his adoptive parents. We needed to be at the hospital the next morning because he was ready to be discharged into our custody. This is the point in the story where we suddenly became aware of God s

5 perfect provision and timing despite our own planning and efforts. With a mustard seed of faith and less than 20 hours of time, we set out to prepare everything we needed to welcome home our newborn son. It was all a blur until the next morning when we walked into the hospital room and met our son s birth mother (and birth father!) for the first time. We honor the birth parents of our adopted son for their courage to choose life regardless of circumstances, and loving him by placing him in a forever home with us. After 20 precious minutes of getting to know one another, it was time to meet our three-day-old son. From the moment we first saw him, we knew beyond a doubt that he was our son. In an instant, this stranger became an heir. For the next several months, Give us this day our daily bread (Matthew 6:11) became a very real and daily prayer for us as we literally lived day-by-day, relying on God to provide us with what we needed in strength and wisdom. The last step of our son s adoption was the finalization hearing at the Los Angeles County Children s Court. Walking into the courtroom, we felt the burden to simply wrap up this last, remaining loose end. When the hearing was over, we left in tears tears of joy. The words the judge used to officially declare our son s adoption as final resonated with the authority and security we have in our own spiritual adoptions into God s family through Christ. Nothing can separate us, ever. What a blessing that our worldly adoptions serve as a physical testimony of our spiritual adoption as sons by which we cry out, Abba, Father! (Romans 8:15) through Christ. Interestingly, the only time the Bible invites us to address our Lord with the intimate name Abba is in context with our spiritual adoption. We who believe have all gone from strangers to heirs through Christ. Amen! November is Adoption Awareness Month Today and November 12 Agency Tables Several adoption/foster agencies will have representatives and information on GraceWalk after both morning services. November 12 12:30 3:00 p.m. Seminar & Lunch Join us for an informational seminar and lunch on the second floor of the Heritage Building. To help us plan effectively, please sign up at the patio table this morning, or handsforhope@gracechurch.org. For more information about adoption and foster care, stop by the tables on GraceWalk this morning or visit gracechurch.org/handsforhope. FEATURE

6 Thanksgiving COMMUNION SERVICE November 19 6:00 p.m. A special evening of praise and proclamation to worship and give thanks to our Lord featuring the Grace Church Orchestra & Worship Choir HIGHLIGHT Christmas Concert December Thursday & Friday, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 2:00 & 6:00 p.m. Sunday, 6:00 p.m. Worship Choir Symphonic Orchestra Vocal Solos & Ensembles Handbell Choir Children s Choir Call or go to gracechurch.org/concert for more information. Tickets are available at the patio table on Sunday mornings and from the church receptionist during the week. Child care is available for children five years old and younger. Faith Promise Last week you generously gave $11,851. Thank you for your ongoing support of our missionaries and their ministries around the world. Monthly Missions Meeting Hosted by the Elders Council Handling Outreach (ECHO) Tuesday, November 7 7:00 p.m. T260s Come hear updates from our missionaries and local outreach ministries, pray for their needs, and learn how you can be involved. This month s missionary speaker will be Allan Luciano (Philippines).

7 Women s Fall Event Saturday, November 11 9:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. Family Center Cost: $20 Register on the patio this morning, or online at gracechurch.org/women Nursery care is available for this event Job Opportunity Administrative Assistant. The Grace Church Accounting Department has a full-time opening for an administrative assistant (40 hrs/wk). Requirements include experience with customer service, processing cash transactions, and data importing and entry. Must possess excellent customer service, organizational, and multi-tasking skills; proficiency with Microsoft Office; and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment. Experience with general ledger software is also helpful. Applicants for employment must be, if employed, biblically qualified as a deacon or deaconess and be a member of Grace Church. For more information or to request an application, contact HR at HR@gracechurch.org or call With the Lord Galen Young 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 Adventure Fair Saturday, November 18 11:00 a.m. 3:00 p.m. Adventure Club kids and their families, friends, and neighbors are invited to come enjoy games, prizes, face painting, bounce houses, food, fellowship, and more! Please note that parking for this event will be in the north lot only. Primary Christmas Party Saturday, December 2 9:45 a.m. 12:15 p.m. CC130 All first third-grade children (and friends of the same age) are invited to celebrate the Savior s birth. Bring a small sack lunch (drinks and dessert will be provided) and canned goods for needy families. Game-appropriate attire, please (no dresses). Call for more information. Titus 2 Tuesday November 14 7:00 p.m. This month s topic: Practicing Hospitality Studies meet in Encino, Glendale, Northridge, Shadow Hills, Simi Valley, and Valencia. Women of all ages are invited for a time of discussion and fellowship. For specific meeting locations and RSVP information, visit gracechurch.org/women. One with Christ Monday, November 6 9:30 a.m. CC130 Bible study primarily for women who have lost their husbands through death or divorce. Sojourners Women s Fellowship Thanksgiving Potluck Saturday, November 18 10:30 a.m. 2:00 p.m. T270s Speaker: Evy Anderson All women are welcome. Call to register and receive a food assignment. ANNOUNCEMENTS

8 SUNDAY FELLOWSHIPS 8:30 a.m. 8:30 a.m. 10:30 10:30 a.m. a.m. Children s Sunday School Visit the Welcome Center for room locations. Pastor: Ace Davis Cornerstone (All ages) T371 Pastors: Nathan Busenitz, Mark Tatlock, Harry Walls Doulos (Singles & young families) 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: Jay Lennington Developmentally Disabled CC130E Pastor: Rick McLean Spanish Adult Sunday School H Teachers: Josiah Grauman, José Soria Spanish Worship Service Chapel Pastors: Henry Tolopilo, Michael Mahoney Children s Sunday School Special needs class available Visit the Welcome Center for room locations. Pastor: Ace Davis 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 Pastors: Rich Gregory, Carlos Chung Developmentally Disabled CC130E Pastor: Rick McLean Sojourners (All ages) T371 Pastor: William Varner Spanish Adult Sunday School H Teachers: Rubén Pidal, David González Spanish Worship Service Chapel Pastors: Henry Tolopilo, Michael Mahoney 5:00 p.m. 12:30 p.m. Neighborhood Outreach H :00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. Sunday Night Prayer Group T385 6:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. Adventure Club Family Center (Grades 4 6) Chapel (Grades 1 3) T270s (Ages 3 5) Visit our website at Administration Children Logos Institute Membership The Guild (Single adults) T361 Pastor: Don Carr MINISTRY DIRECTORY Men Outreach Pastoral Care & Counseling Prayer Fridays 7:30 p.m. 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.