CHRIST CHURCH VENTURA

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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) CHRIST CHURCH VENTURA 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) 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. CHURCH OFFICERS Teaching Elder Roy R. Bennett (ojairoyb@gmail.com) Ruling Elder David Sveiven (dsevend@yahoo.com) Ruling Elder David Blank (cosmos.psa19@rocketmail.com) Deacon Ernie Rivas (abodigital@mac.com) MINISTRY LEADERS Chief Musician Tilford Jackson 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) CONGREGATIONAL STUDY Ligonier Ministries on The English Reformation Wed. at 6:30-8:00pm in TLC 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) All Music reproduction is by permission CCLI# Order for the Celebration & Worship of God Third Sunday of Easter: April 30, 2017, 4:00 pm *Congregation standing PRELUDE WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS SILENT PREPARATION CHORAL INTROIT (Music on page 2) Pianist Tilford Jackson Easter Alleluia Marty Haugen 1986 CALL TO WORSHIP Psalm 95:1-7 INVITIATORY Lord, open our lips. And our mouth shall proclaim your praise. Unison: Great is the Lord. He is holy and just. By his power he proves his love. The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end! Great is the faithfulness of the Lord, our God! * HYMN OF PRAISE (Music on page 3) Holy God, We Praise Your Name * PRAYER OF ADORATION Unison: O God, your blessed Son made himself known to his disciples in the breaking of bread. Open the eyes of our faith, that we may behold him in all his redeeming work, he who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. 20 1

4 Refrain Verses EASTER ALLELUIA THE BROKEN HEART 0 LORD, No day of my life has passed that has not proved me guilty in thy sight. Prayers have been uttered from a prayerless heart; Praise has been often praiseless sound; My best services are filthy rags. Blessed Jesus, let me find a covert in thy appeasing wounds. Though my sins rise to heaven thy merits soar above them; Though unrighteousness weighs me down to hell, thy righteousness exalts me to thy throne. All things in me call for my rejection, All things in thee plead my acceptance. I appeal from the throne of perfect justice to thy throne of boundless grace, Grant me to hear thy voice assuring me: that by thy stripes I am healed, that thou was bruised for my iniquities, that thou hast been made sin for me that I might be righteous in thee, that my grievous sins, my manifold sins, are all forgiven, buried in the ocean of thy concealing blood. I am guilty, but pardoned, lost, but saved, wandering, but found, sinning, but cleansed. Give me perpetual broken heartedness, Keep me always clinging to thy cross, Flood me every moment with descending grace, Open to me the springs of divine knowledge, sparkling like crystal, flowing clear and unsullied through my wilderness of life. Arthur Bennett The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions 19

5 WHAT ARE GOOD WORKS? HOLY GOD, WE PRAISE YOUR NAME Good works are only those works identified as good by God and commanded by him in his holy word. They do not include other works, no matter how well-intentioned in design or zealously promoted by men. These good works, done in obedience to God s Commandments, are the fruit and evidence of a true and living faith. By them believers show their thankfulness, strengthen their assurance of salvation, edify their brothers in the Lord, and become ornaments of all those who profess the gospel. Good works in believers silence the criticism of the enemies of the gospel. They also glorify God by showing that believers are the workmanship and creation of Jesus Christ, because their aim is that holiness which leads to eternal life. Believers get the ability to do good works entirely from the Spirit of Christ. In addition to the other particular effects of God s grace already received, believers must be directed by the Holy Spirit in order to will and to do what pleases God. However, they are not therefore to grow spiritually lazy, waiting for some special guidance from the Spirit before doing anything commanded by God. Rather, they should diligently attempt to identify what good works God has commanded in His Word and then try their best to do all of them, praying earnestly and daily for the empowering and enabling of the Holy Spirit, who lives in them. Westminster Confession of Faith XVI

6 * AFFIRMATION OF FAITH Westminster Shorter Catechism #88-90 What are the outward and ordinary means by which Christ gives to us the benefits of redemption? The outward and ordinary means by which Christ gives to us the benefits of redemption are his ordinances, especially the word, sacraments, and prayer, and all these are made effective in the salvation of the elect. How is the Word of God made effective to salvation? The Spirit of God makes the reading but especially the preaching of the Word, an effective means of convincing and converting sinners, and building them up in holiness and comfort, through faith, to salvation. How is the Word to be read and heard, that it may become effective to salvation? * PRAYER OF COMMITMENT Unison: Almighty God, we recognize our utter dependence upon you, and your gracious provision for us in this sacred meal. We thank you for revealing the way of salvation by the new light of your incarnate Word. Grant that this light, enkindled in our hearts, may shine forth in our lives. Give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to life immortal, through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. * BENEDICTION 2 Corinthians 13:14 (ESV) The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all." * DISMISSAL HYMN Shalom Ancient Hebrew Melody We must attend to the Word with diligence, preparation and prayer, receive it with faith and love, lay it up in our hearts, and practice it in our lives, so that it may become effective to salvation. Go in peace to love and serve the risen Lord Jesus. Thanks be to God! 4 POSTLUDE 17 Pianist Tilford Jackson

7 COME THOU SAVIOR, SPREAD THY TABLE NEW TESTAMENT LESSON Matthew 25:14-46 (ESV) 16 4 :14 For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. 17 So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master s money. 19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more. 21 His master said to him, Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master. 22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more. 23 His master said to him, Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master. 24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours. 26 But his master answered him, You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. 29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 5

8 31 When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on his right, Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me. 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you? 40 And the King will answer them, Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me. 41 Then he will say to those on his left, Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me. 44 Then they also will answer, saying, Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you? 45 Then he will answer them, saying, Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me. 46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life. BEHOLD THE LAMB Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away our sin. Behold the Lamb of God, the life and light of men. Behold the Lamb of God, who died and rose again. Behold the Lamb of God who comes to take away our sin. Broken hearts behold our broken hearts, Fallen far we need you. Behold the sin of men. Behold the Lamb of God. The life and light of men. Behold the Lamb of God, who died and rose again. Behold the Lamb of God who comes to take away our sin. Son of God Emmanuel. Son of Man we need you. Behold the Lamb, the hope of man. Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away our sin. Behold the Lamb of God, the life and light of men. Behold the Lamb of God, who died and rose again. Behold the Lamb of God, who comes to take away our sin. Behold the Lamb of God, who comes to take away our sin. The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ! Thanks be to the Lord! 6 15

9 AGNUS DEI John 1:29 Marty Haugen 1987 PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE (The congregation is encouraged to participate both verbally and in silence.) Unison: O God, light of the minds that know you, life of the souls that love you, and strength of the hearts that seek you, and in whom to abide is to stand fast forever; you have promised to hear what we ask in the name of your Son. Accept and fulfill our petitions, not as we ask in our ignorance, nor as we deserve in our sinfulness, but as you know and love us in your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. THE LORD S SUPPER Christ our Passover, sacrificed for us. Therefore, let us keep the feast! The gifts of God for the people of God. Thanks be to the Lord! SONGS OF THE SUPPER "Behold the Lamb" Laura Stories 2005 "Come Thou Savior, Spread Thy Table" 14 R. C. Sproul 1993 We pray for the Church of Jesus Christ that we may become a repentant people marked by grace, truth, and joy. Hear our prayer, 0 Lord. We pray for all who suffer tribulation that you would extend your fatherly affection and they would find refreshment for their souls and healing for their bodies. Hear our prayer, 0 Lord. We pray for inspiration in our several callings to do the work you have given us to do with singleness of heart as your servants, and for the common good. Hear our prayer, 0 Lord. We pray for the multitudes of those who do not know Christ s redeeming grace, that they may come to know and worship you as you have been revealed in your Son. Hear our prayer, 0 Lord. We pray that you will increase in our hearts true faith and grant us grace to be ever mindful of the merits of Christ, that we may live in great gladness and freedom. Hear our prayer, 0 Lord. 7

10 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 have forgiven 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. THE SANCTUS Isaiah 6:3; Psalm 118:26 Marty Haugen 1987 * HYMN OF HOPE (Music on page 9) O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus NEW TESTAMENT LESSON 1 Peter 4:1-6 (ESV) 4 :1 Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. 3 For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. 4 With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; 5 but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does. The Word of the Lord! Thanks be to God! * PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION SERMON PASTORAL PRAYER Reverend Roy R. Bennett Breaking with Sin, Preparing for Judgment 8 PRAYER OF CONSECRATION 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. 13

11 CONFESSION OF SIN Unison: O God, our Master and King, we are imperfect subjects of your realm and stumble in unbelief and fear. We so easily forget the scope of your love displayed for us in Jesus Christ. Teach us to know that grace precedes, accompanies, and follows our salvation. Help us to remember the great privileges of our redemption in him. Without him we are strangers and outcasts; in him we are children and friends. Without him our lips are sealed in guilt and shame; in him there is confidence and praise. Without him our horizon is dark and foreboding; in him is the expectation of light, knowledge, and glory. O, THE DEEP, DEEP LOVE OF JESUS ASSURANCE OF PARDON Psalm 40:1-3 (ESV) I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined to me and heard my cry. He brought me up out of the miry clay, and He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; Many will see and fear and will trust in the Lord. How blessed is the man who has made the Lord his trust, and has not turned to the proud, nor to those who have lapsed into falsehood. 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

12 ! SERMON NOTES OFFERTORY * DOXOLOGY * PRAYER OF DEDICATION 10 WORD OF EXHORTATION Hebrews 10:32-36 (ESV) "But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, 33 sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. 34 For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. 35 Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. 36 For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.