CHRIST CHURCH VENTURA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN AMERICA

Transcription

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 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, 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 EARLYBIRD BIBLE READING Thurs. at 6:30 AM The Gospel of Luke Coffee Bean and Tea 4360 Main St. in Ventura OJAI COMMUNITY BIBLE STUDY Mon. 7 8 PM The Monarchy "Dust to Glory" A Teaching Series of R.C. Sproul led by Roger Phelps Golden Oaks Mobile Estates 1273 S. Rice Rd. in Ojai 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 CONGREGATIONAL MEETING Sunday, January 18, :30 PM 20 Order for the Celebration & Worship of God PRELUDE 2 nd Sunday of Christmas: January 4, 2009, 4:00 P.M. WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS CHORAL INTROIT (Music on page 2) SILENT PREPARATION Pianist Tilford Jackson People Look East Alberto Taulé 1932 CALL TO WORSHIP Isaiah 60:1-6 Arise, Shine: for your light has come, People: And the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. Nations shall come to your light. People: And rulers to the brightness of your rising. * HYMN OF PRAISE (Music on page 3) Joy to the World * PRAYER OF ADORATION Unison: O God, who wonderfully created, and yet more wonderfully restored, the dignity of human nature: Grant that we may share the divine life of him who humbled himself to share our humanity, your Son Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. * AFFIRMATION OF FAITH Westminster Confession of Faith IV.1-2 Unison: After God made all the other creatures, He created man, male and female, with reasoning, immortal souls. He endowed them with knowledge, righteousness, and true holiness in His own image and wrote His law in their hearts. God also gave them the ability to obey His law and the potential to disobey it; that is, He gave them freedom of their own will, which could change. In addition to this written law in their hearts, they were commanded not to eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. As long as they obeyed God s law and kept this commandment, they were happy in fellowship with God and had dominion over the other creatures. 1

4 PEOPLE LOOK EAST FEAST OF EPIPHANY The Feast of Epiphany is not nearly as well known in modern times as Christmas, but is much older and had an even more important place in the history of the early church. The three most significant events in the calendar of the early Church were Easter, Pentecost and Epiphany. The word epiphany means appearance and has roots in the word for sunrise or dawn. As Christians we recognize Christ as the Light and Savior of the world. Epiphany brings the Christmas season to a close as it celebrates the appearing of Christ as the promised Light, who dispels darkness, whom the darkness cannot overcome, and who is the light of life to all peoples. Epiphany has come to be associated with the coming of the Magi (Matt. 2:1-12). We don t know the exact date of this occurrence, but in the Church calendar we commemorate this astonishing event in early January. These Wise Men or Kings who followed the star to Bethlehem in order to worship the Christ child are representative of the world-wide scope of the kingdom of God. Epiphany not only shows forth the Lord Jesus to the world, but also charges us to rededicate ourselves to the missionary task of spreading Christ s light into the dark places of the world, by means of the Gospel of grace. 2 19

5 JERUSALEM JOY TO THE WORLD People: POSTLUDE Go in peace to love and serve the risen Lord Jesus. Thanks be to God! Pianist Tilford Jackson * Congregation standing All music reproduction is by permission CCLI#

6 NEW TESTAMENT LESSON Revelation 21:1-14 (ESV) 21 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. 5 And he who was seated on the throne said, Behold, I am making all things new. Also he said, Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true. 6 And he said to me, It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. 7 The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. 8 But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death. 9 Then came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues and spoke to me, saying, Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb. 10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, 11 having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. 12 It had a great, high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and on the gates the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel were inscribed 13 on the east three gates, on the north three gates, on the south three gates, and on the west three gates. 14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. * 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 Numbers 6:24-26 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 (Music on page 18) Jerusalem People: The Word of our Lord! Thanks be to God! * HYMN OF JOY (Music on page 5) Rejoice, the Lord is King 4 17

7 JESU, JOY OF MAN S DESIRING REJOICE, THE LORD IS KING PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE A Litany for Epiphany Unison: Everlasting God, you have displayed your majesty by the appearance of your only Son. He is the radiance of your glory and exact representation of your nature. Shine the beauty of your brightness into the world and gather the nations to yourself through Christ who is the true light and the bright morning star. Amen. 16 5

8 Unison: Unison: Unison: Unison: O Christ, Light of men, advance the gospel in every place where the Word of life is not yet received. Draw the whole creation to yourself that your salvation may be known through all the earth. The grace of God be with us all. O Christ, Savior and Lord, extend your church to every place. Nurture and shape the body of Christ into selfless communities of welcome and refuge for people of every race and language. The grace of God be with us all. O Christ, Ruler of rulers, direct the thoughts, work, and counsel of the leaders of all nations that they may seek justice, promote dignity, and further peace and freedom for all. The grace of God be with us all. O Christ, Master of all, support the weak, comfort the afflicted, strengthen the tempted, and raise the fallen. Watch over the lonely and endangered. Give hope to the despairing and sustain the persecuted. The grace of God be with us all. THE LORD'S SUPPER Christ our Passover is 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! (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 You Satisfy the Hungry Heart Music by Robert Kreutz, Arrangement by Linda Cable Shute Unison: O Christ, true light of God, gladden our hearts this afternoon by your glorious presence. Call us by name to your table of plenty, and grant us grace to offer you a continual sacrifice of praise. The grace of God be with us all. * HYMN OF GRACE (Music on page 7) Be Thou My Vision * OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Genesis 2:15-25 (ESV) 15 The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it. 16 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die. 18 Then the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him. 19 So out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the heavens and 6 Verses 1 As when a shepherd calls his sheep, they know and heed his voice; So when you call your fam ly Lord, we follow and rejoice. Refrain 2 With joyful lips we sing to you our praise and gratitude that you should count us worthy, Lord, to share this heav nly food. Refrain 3 Is not the cup we bless and share the blood of Christ outpoured? Do not one cup, one loaf, declare our oneness in the Lord? Refrain 4 You give yourself to us, O Lord; then selfless let us be, To serve each other in your name in truth and charity. COMMUNION HYMN (Music on page 16) 15 Refrain Jesu, Joy of Man s Desiring Johann Sebastian Bach 1723

9 AGNUS DEI John 1:29 BE THOU MY VISION 7

10 brought them to the man to see what he would call them. And whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name. 20 The man gave names to all livestock and to the birds of the heavens and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper fit for him. 21 So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. 22 And the rib that the LORD God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. 23 Then the man said, This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. 24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. 25 And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed. People: The Word of our Lord! Thanks be to God! PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION AFTERNOON SERMON Reverend Roy R. Bennett What Does It Mean to Be Human? PASTORAL PRAYER OFFERTORY MEMORIAL ACCLAMATION David Haas 1987 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. AMEN David Haas

11 SANCTUS Isaiah 6:3; Psalm 118:26 SERMON NOTES I. WE ARE MADE FOR A PLACE. II. WE ARE MADE FOR A TASK. III. WE ARE MADE FOR A FEAST. IV. WE ARE MADE FOR A COMMUNITY. PRAYER OF CONSECRATION WORDS OF INSTITUTION 1 Corinthians 11:

12 DOXOLOGY CONFESSION OF SIN Unison: God of glory, you sent Jesus among us as the light of the world, to reveal your love for all people. We confess that our sin and pride hide the brightness of your light. We turn away from the poor; we ignore cries for justice; we do not strive for peace. In your mercy, cleanse us of our sin, and fill us once again with your Spirit, that, forgiven and renewed, we may show forth your glory shining in the face of Jesus Christ. ASSURANCE OF PARDON Psalm 43:3-5 (ESV) Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling! Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy, and I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God. Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. PRAYER OF DEDICATION 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 truly right, and our greatest joy to give you thanks and praise, O God of majesty and splendor. We thank you for creating all things by your power, ordering beauty out of chaos, and ruling over all things in love. We praise you that in the fullness of time you sent your Son Jesus to be the light of the world, to heal our brokenness, to teach us justice and peace, and to send us to be a light to the nations. Therefore, we join our voices with the angels and the all the faithful of every time and place, who forever sing the glory of your name, 10 11