In this update:
SOUPER BOWL OF CARING THIS SUNDAY: The Souper Bowl of Caring empowers youth and unites communities around the time of the Big Game to help those in need. Every dollar donated will go to Gabriel’s House in Oxnard, who share the love of God in a very tangible way, by providing food, shelter, and the resources needed (jobs, education, training, planning, and the development of financial and homemaking skills) to help single mothers with children find permanent solutions that end the risk of homelessness. In this demonstration of the Gospel, they also share the redemption message, the love and hope that is found freely at the cross of Jesus! To learn more, visit tkcoxnard.org. Contact DeeDee Higgins at deedee@goldcoastchurch.org, if you have any questions.
PRAYER FOR MISSIONS THIS SUNDAY: On the first Sunday of each month, gather in the Worship Center after the 10:45 AM service to pray for the missions and missionaries that Gold Coast supports. Contact Mike or Lynne Yeaman at yeaman7@hotmail.com or 805.331.3899 for more info.
HIGH SCHOOL BIBLE STUDY THIS SUNDAY NIGHT, 7-9 pm: Explore faith, grow in love, and become the next generation of leaders. For location information, contact Christian at christian@goldcoastchurch.org or 541.601.7131.
BECOME A PART OF OUR MEALS MINISTRY! As a member of the meals team, you’ll be called on occasionally (once every three months) to provide a meal for an individual, a couple or a family. If you love to cook, that’s great, but the meal does not have to be home-cooked. It’s a blessing to those receiving the meal, home cooked or not. If you would like any additional information or have questions, please call or text Tiffany at 805.415.4974.
STEPHEN MINISTRY: In difficult times, God’s love is especially precious to us, and it is very important to know someone who cares. Our congregation has trained Stephen Ministers who offer a ministry of Christian caring. To find out more about receiving a Stephen Minister’s care, write “Stephen Ministry” on your Connection Card on Sunday and place it in the offering basket or call Art or Rose Flatray at 805.987.1428 for more information.
3RD SATURDAY SERVE DAY — SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17: Here is your opportunity to do various service projects for seniors, disabled residents, and under-resourced families on the 3rd Saturday of most months. Projects are based on those who sign up. If you are interested in participating, go to the Welcome Desk and fill out a Serve Day form and turn in by next Sunday, February 11th. Contact Darrell Foote at dfoote07@verizon.net or 805.660.3061, if you have any questions.
HIGHER GROUND HIKE, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 24: Higher Ground is starting off the New Year with a hike to the cross at the Mount McCoy Trail in Simi Valley. This trail offers panoramic views in all directions, including views of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, the Channel Islands, Wood Ranch, and Old Boney Mountain. You’ll see multiple plant life, wildflowers, animal life and birds. A must-see for nature lovers! Invite a friend or bring a family member to share the experience. Dogs allowed on leases. A continental breakfast and drinks will be served after the hike.
Difficulty: Moderate; Distance: 5 miles. Meet at Starbucks in Camarillo at the Los Posas Shopping Center at 8:30 am. We’ll leave as a group by 8:45 am. Recommended: good hiking shoes, sunscreen, water and a camera for photos. Contact Margie Cantu at mccantu830@verizon.net or 805.660.1187.
BIBLE READING PLAN
Sunday, February 4- Ex. 37-38; Ps 19; Acts 11
Monday February 5- Ex. 39-40; Ps. 15; Acts 12
Tuesday February 6- Lev. 1-3; Acts 13
Wednesday February 7- Lev. 4-6; Acts 14
Thursday February 8- Lev. 7-9; Acts 15
Friday February 9- Lev. 10-12; Acts 16
Saturday February 10- Lev. 13-14, Acts 17
Sunday February 11- Lev. 15-17: Acts 18
A HOUSE-KEEPING ITEM RE: coffee cups in the worship center: If you bring a coffee cup into the worship center, please make sure it has a lid on it. The pouch on the back of the chairs is for storing a Bible, not coffee cups and/or litter. Thanks!
THIS SUNDAY, in our study through the book of Galatians, we’ll look at Galatians 3:1-18. We’re going to see, as followers of Jesus, we are children of Abraham. I encourage you to read the passage before now and Sunday and notice what it says about why/how one can be called Abraham’s kid, even if he or she doesn’t have even one drop of Jewish blood in their veins. I know you’re going to be encouraged! Invite someone to attend on Sunday with you.
Love,
Scott
P.S. Bonus Reading: In my daily time with God this morning, I read the following on Psalm 19:7-14 from Tim Keller’s The Songs of Jesus, his and his wife’s Kathy’s devotional on the book of Psalms. It underscored for me, once again, the importance of the Bible in our moment-by-moment relationship with the Lord. I hope it encourages you in the same way.
Psalm 19:7-14: The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. 8 The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. 9 The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous. 10 They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb. 11 By them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward. 12 But who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults. 13 Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression. 14 May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
THE PERFECT WORD. Nature tells us about God’s reality and power but not about his saving grace (verse 7-14). Only the Bible can enlighten the spiritually blind (verse 8) and “refresh the soul” (verse 7). Since the Hebrew word for “soul” means one’s psyche or self, the Bible has the power to show and restore your true identity. For the Bible to do all this, you must accept that it is perfectly true and trustworthy in all its parts (verse 7-9). Then don’t just study it but let it search you (verses 11-14). Finally, ask Jesus, the Word made flesh, to give you his Spirit in order to find him in the written Word. The result will be wisdom, joy, and sweetness.
Prayer: Lord, I am so grateful that you don’t make us guess who you are but that you speak directly to us. But if the Word is going to be sweet and life-giving to me, I must let it examine, search, and warn me. Help me have the discipline and faith to let it do that in my life. Amen.