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, Learning, Community, and Outreach

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.

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)

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)

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?

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.

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 16th century has given us a common heritage in the classic “solas”.

• 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.

• The Gospel points outward — Grace disengages approval seeking,

engenders authenticity, and curbs pride.

• The Gospel informs attitudes — As Christians, we desire the peace and well-being of our communities and cities.

• The Gospel removes barriers — 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.

• The Gospel builds momentum — Church planting is both the result of and

means to fulfilling the great commission.

• 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.

• 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 — Christ’s righteousness is imputed to us as the only

possible satisfaction of God’s justice by faith alone. • God Alone — The sole purpose of our creation and redemption

is to enjoy God’s presence and live for His glory.

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.

OFFICERS

Teaching Elder Roy R. Bennett (roy@ojaipca.org) Ruling Elder Robert Glass (rglass@raypak.com)

Ruling Elder Eric Halvorson (prof.halvorson@gmail.com) Ruling Elder Roger Phelps (ojai2eyes@aol.com) Deacon David Sveiven (dsevend@yahoo.com)

STAFF

Chief Musician — Tilford Jackson Office Manager — Debbie Glass

Assistant Office Manager — Michelle Hindman

CONTACT INFORMATION PO Box 25 Ojai, CA 93024 (805) 646-5101 / 452-3354 www.christchurchventura.org

WORSHIP LOCATION Trinity Lutheran Church 196 N. Ashwood Avenue in Ventura at 4:00 PM

ANNOUNCEMENTS EARLYBIRD BIBLE READING — Wed. at 6:30 AM “Wisdom Literature”

Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf @ 4360 Main St. in Ventura — 644-6000 GUEST SPEAKERS — June 6th Rev. Jason Petterson “North Hills” — June 14th “German Night” with David & Eowyn Stoddard Together with Christ Presbyterian Church at 36 E. Victoria in Santa Barbara (685-8776) — July 3rd Rev. David Stoddard “Germany”

All music reproduction is by permission CCLI# 2200400

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Order for the Celebration & Worship of God

Fourth Sunday of Easter: May 15, 2011, 4:00 P.M. PRELUDE Pianist Tilford Jackson WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS SILENT PREPARATION CHORAL INTROIT “Holy One” Holy One, Ancient of Days, author of life, receive our praise. Son of God, and Son of Man, we are your people the work of your hand. Holy child, virgin born, Savior of mankind, but by men scorned, Crucified upon the tree, risen on the third day in victory. Blessing, honor, glory, be unto the Lamb. Holy God, Savior and Lord, promised Messiah and living Word, Come quickly to your people to take us home. We worship and adore you before your throne. Blessing, honor, glory, be unto the Lamb. Blessing, honor, glory, be unto the Lamb, Be unto the Lamb that was slain; be unto the Lamb that was slain. CALL TO WORSHIP Psalm 24:1-5 GLORIA (Music on page 2) “Glory to God”

Marty Haugen © 1984

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* HYMN OF PRAISE (Music on page 2 & 3) “All Creatures of Our God and King” * PRAYER OF ADORATION Unison: O God, your Son Jesus is the good shepherd of your people. Grant that when we hear his voice we may know him who calls us each by name and follow where he leads, who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. * AFFIRMATION OF FAITH Westminster Confession of Faith XIX: 3b, 5-6

All Old Testament ceremonial laws are now abrogated,

under the New Testament. . . . The moral law, however, does require obedience from all people forever, whether they are justified in Jesus Christ or not. This obedience does not concern itself only with the law, but with the authority of God, the Creator, who gave it. In the Gospel, Christ does not in any way remove this obligation, but rather strengthens it.

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THE CHURCH

Individual testimony to Christ’s Lordship and kingdom wins only a shrug. The

Church, however, as the community of Christ’s kingdom, can show the world an

ethical integrity it must respect. When Peter describes the impact of Christian

righteous deeds in a pagan world, he is thinking not of isolated saints, but of

the people of God, called out of darkness into God’s light. Christian witness that

is limited to private religious experience cannot challenge secularism. Christians

in community must again show the world, not merely family values, but the

bond of the love of Christ. Increasingly the ordered fellowship of the church

becomes the sign of grace for the warring factions of a disordered world. Only

as the church binds together those whom selfishness and hate have cut apart

will its message be heard and its ministry of hope to the friendless be received.

— Edmond Clowney —

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Minister: Go in peace to love and serve the risen Lord Jesus. People: Thanks be to God!

POSTLUDE Pianist Tilford Jackson

* Congregation standing

ALL CREATURES OF OUR GOD AND KING

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Although true believers are not justified or condemned by the law as a covenant of works, yet the law is of great use to them, as well as to others; in that, as a rule of life informing them of the will of God, and their duty, it directs and binds them to walk accordingly. It also reveals to them the sinful pollutions of their nature, hearts, and lives, so that, examining themselves from its point of view, they may become more convinced of the presence of sin in them, more humiliated on account of that sin, and hate sin all the more.

Thus they gain a better awareness of their need for Christ and for the perfection of his obedience. The prohibitions of the law are also useful in restraining believers from pursuing the desires of their old nature, and the punishments for disobedience in the law show them what their sins deserve and what afflictions they may expect for them in this life, even though they have been freed from the curse threatened in the law. The promises of the law similarly show them that God approves obedience and that blessings may be expected for obedience, although not as their due from the law as a covenant of works. The fact that the law encourages doing good and discourages doing evil does not mean that a person who does good and refrains from evil is under the law and not under grace.

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* PRAYER OF COMMITMENT Unison: Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, you have graciously accepted us as living members of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, and you have fed us with spiritual food in the sacrament of his body and blood. We give you thanks and rejoice in the gospel of our salvation. Send us now into the world in peace, and grant us strength and courage to love and serve you with gladness and singleness of heart; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. * BENEDICTION Numbers 6:24-26 Minister: “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 and give you peace.” * DISMISSAL HYMN “O God, beyond All Praising”

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HOW SWEET THE NAME OF JESUS SOUNDS

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OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Deuteronomy 6:1-15 (ESV) 11:1 “Now this is the commandment, the statutes and the rules that the LORD your God commanded me to teach you, that you may do them in the land to which you are going over, to possess it, 2 that you may fear the LORD your God, you and your son and your son’s son, by keeping all his statutes and his commandments, which I command you, all the days of your life, and that your days may be long. 3 Hear therefore, O Israel, and be careful to do them, that it may go well with you, and that you may multiply greatly, as the LORD, the God of your fathers, has promised you, in a land flowing with milk and honey.

4 “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. 5 You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

10 “And when the LORD your God brings you into the land that he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give you—with great and good cities that you did not build, 11 and houses full of all good things that you did not fill, and cisterns that you did not dig, and vineyards and olive trees that you did not plant—and when you eat and are full, 12 then take care lest you forget the LORD, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. 13 It is the LORD your God you shall fear. Him you shall serve and by his name you shall swear. 14 You shall not go after other gods, the gods of the peoples who are around you— 15 for the LORD your God in your midst is a jealous God—lest the anger of the LORD your God be kindled against you, and he destroy you from off the face of the earth. Minister: The Word of the Lord! People: Thanks be to God!

* HYMN OF HOPE (Music on page 6) “Before the Throne of God Above”

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BEFORE THE THRONE OF GOD ABOVE

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YOU SATISFY THE HUNGRY HEART

COMMUNION MUSIC (Music on page 16) “How Sweet the Name of Jesus”

Indelible Grace © Bill Moore Music

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AGNUS DEI John 1:29

THE LORD'S SUPPER Minister: Christ our Passover, sacrificed for us. People: Therefore, let us keep the feast! Minister: 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 SONG (Music on page 15) “You Satisfy the Hungry Heart”

Robert E. Kreutz ©1976

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PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE (The congregation is encouraged to participate both verbally and in silence.)

Unison: Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires, known, and from whom no secrets are hid; Grant us your grace and blessing, as we are assembled to offer up our common supplications; for the sake of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Minister: We pray for the Church of Jesus Christ that we may be diligent in prayer and worship, active in forgiveness and mercy, and faithful to commend the faith that is in us.

People: Lord, hear our prayers.

Minister: We pray for discipline and deliverance from all false teaching, from pride and unbelief, from sinful affections and lack of charity, and from the assaults of the devil.

People: Lord, hear our prayers.

Minister We pray for courage and wisdom to strengthen those struggling with decisions, that they might know what is right and desire to do it.

People: Lord, hear our prayers.

Minister: We pray for all who suffer in body, mind, or spirit, that you might extend your grace, give them courage and hope in their troubles, and bring them the joy of salvation.

People: Lord, hear our prayers.

Minister: We pray for pastors, leaders, and believers everywhere to show compassion, bear witness of the hope of the gospel, and reveal to the watching world the loveliness of Christ.

People: Lord, hear our prayers.

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. 7

* HYMN OF GRACE (Music on page s 9 & 10) “Love of God, How Strong and True”

* NEW TESTAMENT LESSON Ephesians 4:1-6 (ESV) 4:1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. Minister: The Word of the Lord! People: Thanks be to God! * PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

AFTERNOON SERMON Reverend Roy R. Bennett

“The Dance of Calling and Conduct”

PASTORAL PRAYER OFFERTORY DOXOLOGY 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.

PRAYER OF DEDICATION CONFESSION OF SIN Unison: Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your name. Amen.

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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, 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

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ASSURANCE OF PARDON Psalm 32:1-2, 6-7 Minister: “Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sin is covered! Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit! Therefore, let everyone who is godly pray to you while you may be found; Surely when the mighty waters rise, they will not reach him. You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble; you surround me with songs of deliverance.” THE GREAT THANKSGIVING Minister: The Lord be with you! People: And also with you! Minister: Lift up your hearts! People: We lift them up to the Lord! Minister: Let us give thanks to the Lord! People: It is good and right so to do. Minister: 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,

THE SANCTUS Isaiah 6:3; Psalm 118:26

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O LOVE OF GOD, HOW STRONG AND TRUE

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O LOVE OF GOD, HOW STRONG AND TRUE — continued —

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SERMON NOTES

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