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 eternality. Jesus name is at the center, depicted by the Greek letters 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, Learning, Community, and Outreach HIS REIGN The wounded lamb as Christ reclining on the book of seven seals is a historic symbol of the reigning Christ. The threerayed 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 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 Gospel changes people Through the continual application of the Gospel we become more like Christ. The Atonement Jesus died on a cross and was raised from the dead in order to redeem us from our sins. 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. The Gospel points outward The Gospel informs attitudes The Gospel removes barriers Grace disengages approval seeking, engenders authenticity, and curbs pride. As Christians, we desire the peace and well-being of our communities and cities. Reconciliation humbles us so that we may become agents to reconcile others. The Gospel renews culture All of life matters to God and we are to pursue all vocations with excellence. WHAT DO WE BELIEVE? The Gospel builds momentum Church planting is both the result of and means to fulfilling the great commission. 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. Scripture Alone The Bible is the one source of divine revelation and the only completely reliable guide for faith and life. 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. Faith Alone God Alone Christ s righteousness is imputed to us as the only possible satisfaction of God s justice by faith 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, biblical learning, genuine community, and cultural outreach 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 (roy@ojaipca.org) Ruling Elder Robert Glass (robert@ojaipca.org) Ruling Elder Eric Halvorson (eric@@ojaipca.org) Ruling Elder Roger Phelps (rogerp@ojaipca.org) STAFF Chief Musician Tilford Jackson Office Manager Debbie Glass CONTACT INFORMATION PO Box 25 Ojai, CA (805) / WORSHIP LOCATION Trinity Lutheran Church 196 N. Ashwood Avenue in Ventura at 4:00 PM ANNOUNCEMENTS OJAI COMMUNITY BIBLE STUDY Mon. 7 8 PM Ecclesiastes "Dust to Glory" A Teaching Series of R.C. Sproul led by Roger Phelps Golden Oaks Mobile Estates 1273 S. Rice Rd. in Ojai EARLYBIRD BIBLE READING Wed. at 6:30 AM The Acts of the Apostles Coffee Bean and Tea 4360 Main St. in Ventura VENTURA COMMUNITY BIBLE STUDY Wed. 7 8:30 PM Galatians: Living in Line with the Truth of the Gospel" led by Eric Halvorson & Roy Bennett Hoot and Donna Bennett s 397 Palomares Ave. in Ventura VOLUNTEERS WANTED Worship greeters (contact Eric Halvorson) Training available Supper concierges (contact Robert Glass) Nursery attendants (contact Debbie Glass) 20 PRELUDE Order for the Celebration & Worship of God Second Sunday of Easter: April 19, 2009, 4:00 P.M. WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS SILENT PREPARATION CHORAL INTROIT Pianist Tilford Jackson Easter Alleluia CALL TO WORSHIP Psalm 27:1-5 GLORIA (Music on page 2 & 3) Liturgy of the Rock Steve Beckham 2001 * HYMN OF PRAISE (Music on page 4) Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee * PRAYER OF ADORATION Unison: Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery established the new covenant of reconciliation: Grant that all who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ s Body may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. * AFFIRMATION OF FAITH The Apostles' Creed Unison: I believe in God, the Father Almighty, the Creator of heaven and earth, And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord: Who was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate was crucified, dead, and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He arose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty, whence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

4 GLORIA DEATH BUT TEMPORAL Death, be not proud, though some have called thee Mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so; For those who thou think'st thou dost overthrow Die not, poor Death, nor yet can st thou kill me. From rest and sleep, which but thy pictures be, Much pleasure--then, from thee much more must flow; And soonest our best men with thee do go, Rest of their bones, and soul's delivery. Thou'rt slave to fate, chance, kings, and desperate men, And dost with poison, war, and sickness dwell, And poppy or charms can make us sleep as well, And better than thy stroke. Why swell'st thou then? One short sleep past, we wake eternally, And death shall be no more. Death, thou shalt die. John Donne 2 19

5 POSTLUDE Go in peace to love and serve the risen Lord Jesus. Thanks be to God! Pianist Tilford Jackson * Congregation standing GOSPEL LESSON Luke 19:11-27 (ESV) 19 :11 As they heard these things, he proceeded to tell a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately. 12 He said therefore, A nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return. 13 Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten minas, and said to them, Engage in business until I come. 14 But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, 18 3

6 JOYFUL, JOYFUL, WE ADORE THEE * BENEDICTION 1 Thessalonians 5:23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; He will surely do it. * DISMISSAL HYMN O God, beyond All Praising 4 17

7 JESUS SHALL REIGN We do not want this man to reign over us. 15 When he returned, having received the kingdom, he ordered these servants to whom he had given the money to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by doing business. 16 The first came before him, saying, Lord, your mina has made ten minas more. 17 And he said to him, Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities. 18 And the second came, saying, Lord, your mina has made five minas. 19 And he said to him, And you are to be over five cities. 20 Then another came, saying, Lord, here is your mina, which I kept laid away in a handkerchief; 21 for I was afraid of you, because you are a severe man. You take what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow. 22 He said to him, I will condemn you with your own words, you wicked servant! You knew that I was a severe man, taking what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow? 23 Why then did you not put my money in the bank, and at my coming I might have collected it with interest? 24 And he said to those who stood by, Take the mina from him, and give it to the one who has the ten minas. 25 And they said to him, Lord, he has ten minas! 26 I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 27 But as for these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slaughter them before me. The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ! Thanks be to the Lord! * HYMN OF DEVOTION (Music on page 6) Take My Life and Let It Be PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE (The congregation is encouraged to participate both verbally and in silence.) * PRAYER OF COMMITMENT Unison: Gracious God, you have made us one with all your people in heaven and on earth. We have recalled your mighty acts in holy history. We have seen your power in sending light to conquer darkness, water to give us life, and the bread of heaven to nourish us in love. Send us with your salvation and joy into all the world, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Unison: Almighty and Everlasting God, in whom we live and move and have our being: we, your beloved children, humbly ask you to accept our common supplications. Fulfill now, O Lord, as it pleases you, and in accordance with your holy will, our prayers for the sake of Him who lay down in the grave and rose again for us, your Son our Savior Jesus Christ. 5

8 TAKE MY LIFE AND LET IT BE THE LORD'S SUPPER Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us. Therefore, let us keep the feast! The gifts of God for the people of God. Thanks be to the Lord! (People are encouraged to come forward to receive the sacrament and to repent and rejoice as the sacrament is observed. The wafer is to be dipped into the wine.) COMMUNION MUSIC Wonderful Feast Words by Susan Briehl, Music by Marty Haugen 2002 We come as your guests to this wonderful feast, Your table is set for the great and the least. The cup of your suffering is blessing outpoured, your body is bread for the world. VERSE 1: Then send us, O Lord, into the world to nourish the hungry and poor. VERSE 2: Then send us, O Lord, into the world to bind up those broken by sin. VERSE 3: Then send us, O Lord, into the world to offer the weary your rest. VERSE 4: Then send us, O Lord, into the world to those bearing illness and pain. VERSE 5: Then send us, O Lord, into the world the captives to free and unbind. VERSE 6: Then send us, O Lord, into the world as comfort when death draws so near. VERSE 7: Then send us, O Lord, into the world to shelter the lost and the lone. VERSE 8: Then send us, O Lord, into the world to set your great table of grace. VERSE 9: Then send us, O Lord, into the world to tell of your wonderful feast. We rise from this table sent into the world to live as a blessing, your mercy outpoured to welcome all people, the great and the least, as guests at your wonderful feast. 6 COMMUNION HYMN (Music on page 16) Jesus Shall Reign

9 AMEN AGNUS DEI John 1:29 We pray for all Christians that we may be kept from false judgments, uncharitable thoughts toward our neighbors, and bias and contempt toward those who differ from us. Lord, hear our prayers. We pray for our children that their hearts may be open to receive the word of life, so that in believing, they may learn to love, trust, and follow the Lord Jesus wherever he may lead them. Lord, hear our prayers. We pray for our soldiers and their families, that they may know your peace, provision, protection, and providence over their lives at all times and in all places. Lord, hear our prayers. We pray for the power of the gospel to prosper in our community that Christ may be proclaimed and that God may send workers and to draw many into His kingdom. Lord, hear our prayers. We pray for the increase of grace to hear and receive your Word, to love and reverence you, to walk in your ways, and to bring forth the fruits of the Spirit. Lord, hear our prayers. All music reproduction is by permission CCLI# THE LORD'S PRAYER Matthew 6:9-13 Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. * HYMN OF HOPE (Music on pages 8 & 9) When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder 7

10 WHEN THE ROLL IS CALLED UP YONDER THE SANCTUS Isaiah 6:3; Psalm 118:26 PRAYER OF CONSECRATION WORDS OF INSTITUTION 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 MEMORIAL ACCLAMATION 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, so to eat the flesh of your dear Son Jesus Christ, and to drink of his blood, that our sinful bodies may be made clean by his body, and our souls washed through his most precious blood, and that we may evermore dwell in him, and he in us. 8 13

11 CONFESSION OF SIN Unison: Our gracious God and Father, your promises in Christ Jesus are true and will all be fulfilled as surely as you have spoken them. Yet we have often doubted them and lived at times as if there is no God. Lord, forgive us for trusting other things and being content with temporal treasures. Grant us grace to repent and to rest in Christ, our God incarnate, as the ground of our lives and the spring of our hope. Teach us to resign to your will and to believe that you work all things for our good. Bless us with the faith of Abraham, that does not stagger at promises through unbelief. ASSURANCE OF PARDON Romans 5:1-5 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. THE GREAT THANKSGIVING The Lord be with you! And also with you! Lift up your hearts! We lift them up to the Lord! Let us give thanks to the Lord! 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, 12 9

12 NEW TESTAMENT LESSON 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (ESV) SERMON NOTES 4 :13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 15 For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words. Reader: The Word of the Lord! Thanks be to God! * PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION AFTERNOON SERMON Reverend Geoff Shaw "Living in Light of the Resurrection" PASTORAL PRAYER OFFERTORY DOXOLOGY PRAYER OF DEDICATION 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