In Preparation for Sunday

 

Title: "Cross-cultural Ministry:Discovering the  Kingdom Culture"
Text: John 4: 39-41

Thank God for diversity, it is so awesome to meet people from other countries and learn from them, their traditions values, beliefs. However when it comes to be a witness of Christ to them it is difficult and even damaging if we are not culturally senitive.

 

In this message we will look at some ways how Jesus overcame the cultural barriers in order to reach others for God's Kingdom


Dennis Leon

State of the Ministry

 

For thirty-three years it has been my honor to be pastor of this wonderful family of God.  During these years we have had many miraculous events.  We have also shared some deep sorrows.  We've celebrated the births and baptisms of new ones who have joined our family and we have grieved the loss of family members either by death or their having to move away.  We've nurtured young people into adulthood and rejoiced as they have had children of their own.  We've moved from one worship time in one location to five worship times in three locations:  Mesa, Eastside and Goleta.  We've transitioned from a single ethnic group to a diverse and wonderfully multiethnic congregation.  We've launched young people into ministry, missions and service throughout the world.  We have gone through nine building programs with a thankful spirit and unusual unity.  We have served our community by helping families, seniors, children and the poor.  We have shared the holy-days of these years with services that have lifted us into the presence of God and glorified Him.  In celebrating the Christian Year, we have entered into the rhythms of God's people through the ages and across the globe.  It has been an amazing journey.

 

But to look only with thankful hearts at the past is to miss what God has for us in His future. Our congregation has never had more opportunities to serve God than in this day in which we live.  The uncertainty of the larger society in which we are sojourners has opened the hearts and minds of people in a profound way.  We are having increasing spiritual conversations, not only with our own people but also with the larger community.  The hunger for a life that lives above the jagged experiences of our day is compelling people to look for more.  As we gather to feast on the spiritual food provided by our Lord each week in worship and in study, we have much to share with others.  We want to open our arms to all those God brings through our doors each week.

 

In a lecture at the Lobero last month, the theologian Brian McLaren explained something like this: "The church does not have a mission.  God has a mission and the church is the means through which God is accomplishing His work of loving this world."  That reminder, that we are a part of what God is doing, helps us remember that our church has no purpose other than God's purpose, and no mission except to do what God has created us to do:  To bring His love into a hurting world.  We do that by providing:

*Worship Services that focus our lives on Jesus Christ through music, prayer and study in both English and Spanish.

*Bible Studies that inspire and support us in living transformed lives focused on the things of God.

*Educational Classes that inform our reasoned, thoughtful and purposeful decisions and beliefs.

*Pastoral Care by trained shepherds of God who are dedicated to the growth of our people.

*Parish Health and Prayer Ministries that care for people physically and spiritually.

*Fellowship groups and events that bond us together as a family of God.

*Christian Preschool and Afterschool programs that provide foundational instruction and care for the children of our larger community every weekday.

*Christian Senior Luncheons that create a community of loving care for the elders of our congregation and neighborhood, as well as other congregations and the larger community.

*Christian Counseling that provides God's healing for hurting people and relationships.

*And so much more ministry that happens through each person reaching out with God's love throughout our city and world. 

 

The Church of Jesus Christ has been at work in our world for two millennia.  Being a part of that great movement of God's kingdom accomplishing His purpose of redeeming a lost and hurting world is a joy and a privilege.  As we stop and celebrate what God has done in the past year, we look forward to what He is going to do in the year to come. To God be the glory and honor. 

 

Pastor Denny

Easter Choir Sign-up

 

Rehearsals have begun for our Easter Choir for performances on Good Friday, April 10 @ 7:30pm and Easter Sunday during the 8, 9:30 and 11am services. In order for this to happen in the most excellent way a sign up will be posted in the church lobby. IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT WE HAVE AT LEAST FOUR PEOPLE FOR EACH SINGING PART (soprano, alto, tenor and bass). No previous experience is required. Rehearsals are on Monday night at 6:30pm. Please contact Doug Ranck with questions at 965-1338 x224 

D.E.P.T.H

 

God has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end (Eccl. 3:11)

 

Thursday April 16th @ 7pm. Dr. Robert Mann will be discussing "Time & Eternity". The concept of time is foundational in both science and Christian faith.  We use it to measure change and to reflect upon our own existence.  But what is time?  And what is eternity?  This public lecture will present our modern scientific understanding of time -- its origin, direction, measurement, perspectives and destiny -- and what the implications of this might be for theology.  Topics in cosmology, quantum physics, and relativity will be explored to highlight  both the advancements and limitations in our knowledge of time. Several questions for theological reflection and scientific inquiry will be raised.  
   
This D.E.P.T.H seminar will be held in the upper room from 7-8:30pm on Thursday April 16th. Coffee, tea & dessert will be served.  

Holy Week Events

 

Palm Sunday April 5th: Special worship service beginning Holy Week 8:00, 9:30 & 11:00am

 

Palm Sunday April 5th: We will be showing the "Passion of the Christ" at 5pm in the sanctuary followed by a discussion of the film led by Pastor Denny. Childcare will be provided. Due to the nature of the film, we recommend the minimum age to view the film as 17.

 

Thursday April 9th: Seder Messianic Passover Dinner at 6pm. Reservations are required and the cost is $10 per person.

 

Friday April 10th: Tenebrae Service of Darkness at 7:30pm. Remembering the Passion of Christ and His last seven words.

 

Saturday April 11th: Easter Egg Hunt at Mesa Park at 10:00am. Bring eggs to hide, the church will provide the candy.

 

Sunday April 12th: Easter Sonrise Service at Leadbetter Beach at 6am. Invite family and friends to join you for this special worship service. Refreshments will be provided at the beach.

Memory Verse

 

John 3:16 & 17
16"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." 

John 1:1-18
1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning. 3Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.
 
6There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. 7He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. 8He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.
 
10He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God- 13children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.
 
14The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only,[d] who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
 
15John testifies concerning him. He cries out, saying, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.' "  16From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. 17For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only,who is at the Father's side, has made him known.  

ABF - Adult Bible Fellowship

 

"The Passion Music of J.S. Bach and Others"
Presented by Dr. Warren Rogers
March 8, 15, 22, 29
9:30 am in the SHIFCO Recreation Room
 
Prepare your heart for Easter, Christendom's highest celebration of the year, by joining us for a four-week series about music that celebrates Christ's passion.  These classes will explore the compositions of J.S. Bach as well as Palestrina, Maurice Durufle, Olivier Messaien and Arvo Part.  The two main centerpieces of the study will be Bach's "Passion According to St. John" and his "Passion According to St. Matthew."  
 
Beginning with a brief history of the passion genre, the first and second classes will examine the St. John Passion with samplings from other composers.  In weeks three and four, the focus will be on the St. Matthew Passion as well as Bach's "Mass in B Minor." 
 
Throughout these four weeks you will not only learn how the passion of Christ is depicted in profound and moving ways through the art of music, but also appreciate the vision of these deeply committed Christian musicians in preserving the gospel message for generations to come. 
 
Warren Rogers is the interim academic dean at Westmont College.  He began teaching in the physics department in 1994 and is the department chairperson.  Warren enjoys playing the piano and has taught a previous class on sacred music.