Scott Wilson

THIS SUNDAY we begin a new series of messages we’re calling The Gospel According to Jacob. Just like in the last series with Abraham, we’ll get glimpses of Jesus and the Father’s redemptive work that points to him in Jacob’s life and experience.  This Sunday we begin the series by looking at Genesis 25:19-34 as well as chapter 27, seeing how Jacob both bought the birthright from his older brother Esau and stole the blessing from Isaac, his dad. Many Christians live in spiritual poverty. They are entitled to the blessings of God, but they are not aware of their birthright. It reminds me of the following story that Dr. Bill Bright told of a famous oil field called Yates Pool:

“During the depression this field was a sheep ranch owned by a man named Yates. Mr. Yates wasn’t able to make enough on his ranching operation to pay the principal and interest on the mortgage, so he was in danger of losing his ranch. With little money for clothes or food, his family (like many others) had to live on government subsidy.

Day after day, as he grazed his sheep over those rolling West Texas hills, he was no doubt greatly troubled about how he would pay his bills. Then a seismographic crew from an oil company came into the area and told him there might be oil on his land. They asked permission to drill a wildcat well, and he signed a lease contract.

At 1,115 feet they struck a huge oil reserve. The first well came in at 80,000 barrels a day. Many subsequent wells were more than twice as large. In fact, 30 years after the discovery, a government test of one of the wells showed it still had the potential flow of 125,000 barrels of oil a day.

And Mr. Yates owned it all. The day he purchased the land he had received the oil and mineral rights. Yet, he’d been living on relief. A multimillionaire living in poverty. The problem? He didn’t know the oil was there even though he owned it.”

I’m looking forward to unpacking the passage with you, discovering what’s so blessed about the blessing of our birthright that we have in Jesus. This would be a great Sunday to invite a friend to join you at Gold Coast!

PRAYER FOR MISSIONS THIS SUNDAY: On the first Sunday of each month, please gather in the Worship Center after the 2nd service to pray for the missions and missionaries that Gold Coast supports. Contact Mike or Lynne Yeaman at [email protected] or 805.331.3899 for more information.

EASTER WORSHIP CHOIR BEGINS THIS THURSDAY, MARCH 7: Every Thursday night from 6:30-7:30 pm during the months of March and April, the Worship Choir will be meeting in the Youth Room. We’ll be exploring worship through the use of our voices and challenging ourselves to bring worship into the lives we live every day while preparing to sing for our Easter services. All are welcome. NO TRY OUTS! Sign up in the lobby this Sunday. Contact Rachel Sutherland at 805.218.2809 (text or call) for more information.

IMPORTANT DISCOVERY COVE UPDATE:

We are excited about something new taking place here at Gold Coast Church that we have prayed about for quite some time.

DAY OF MOURNING, TOMORROW, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 11 AM TO NOON: A number of pastors and others from area churches are gathering to pray for and mourn on behalf of the unborn and those who have been affected by abortion. I invite you to join us that hour to pray. I am wearing black and refraining from commerce that day. It will take place at Oxnard State Beach Park, 1601 S. Harbor Blvd., Oxnard. We’ll meet on the grass near the entrance to the beach.

OFFRAMP AT DEL NORTE CLOSED THIS SUNDAY: The NORTHBOUND 101 offramp at Del Norte will be closed from 7:00 am to 2:00 pm this Sunday, February 24th. If you’re driving to Gold Coast on the 101 from Camarillo, get off at the Rice Avenue exit and double back on the 101. (The southbound offramp for Del Norte will be open.

THIS SUNDAY we wrap up our The Gospel According to Abraham series by looking at Genesis 22, unpacking the greatest test of Abraham’s faith in God. It’s been quite a journey through Abraham’s life and this Sunday will be no exception. Invite a friend to join you at Gold Coast this Sunday morning!

REMINDER- DISCOVERING SPIRITUAL MATURITY TAKES PLACE THIS SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 24 in the Youth Room, from 4 to 7 PM. If you signed up for it, this is your reminder! Contact Darrell Foote at [email protected] or 805.660.3061, if you have any questions.

EASTER WORSHIP CHOIR BEGINS THURSDAY, MARCH 7: Every Thursday night from 6:30-7:30 pm during the months of March and April, the Worship Choir will be meeting in the Youth Room. We’ll be exploring worship through the use of our voices and challenging ourselves to bring worship into the lives we live every day while preparing to sing for our Easter services. All are welcome. NO TRY OUTS! Sign up in the lobby this Sunday. Contact Rachel Sutherland at 805.218.2809 (text or call) for more information.

BOOK OF MARK STUDY STARTS THIS THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28: What makes Christianity good news? Who is Jesus? What is his mission? How are we to respond to him and that mission? An 8-week study on the book of Mark begins on Thursday, February 28. Do you have a friend you want to introduce to Jesus? This study gives us a fresh look at the answers to these questions. This mixed (men and women) LIFE Group will be meeting from 10:00-11:30 am at Lillian Ruan’s home- 901 Paseo Brisas Lindas, Oxnard. Call Lillian at 805.988.1282 for the gate code. Contact Donna Beeson at [email protected], if you have any questions.

UNSINKABLE, 2019 LADIES LUNCHEON, Sterling Hills Country Club, Saturday, March 30th: 10 a.m to 2 p.m: Life is filled with all kinds of adventures. Rough waters, glassy seas, dark skies and dazzling sunrises. But even in the darkest moments– when it feels like we are drowning and might not survive–we can still find the HOPE that is an anchor for our souls. This is a hope that goes beyond circumstance, feeling, behavior, or strength; and one that carries us through any storm, making us truly unsinkable.

THIS SUNDAY we continue our series, “The Gospel According to Abraham.” We’ll walk through Genesis 20. I encourage you to read it before Sunday. It’s encouraging to me that all of our heroes of the faith in the Bible are imperfect, with clay of feet, who desperately need God and his grace:

Moses and David were both murderers.

Elijah was suicidal.

Jacob was a cheater.

Peter denied Jesus three times, was a hypocrite and a racist.

Jesus’ disciples fell asleep on him when he could have used them the most.

Paul persecuted and killed Christians.

On Sunday, we’ll see how Abraham fails yet again. It’s so good to know Jesus doesn’t call the equipped- he equips the called; that he loves us just the way we are, “warts” and all, but he loves us too much to allow us to stay that way.  This will be a great Sunday to invite others to join you at Gold Coast!

DAY OF MOURNING, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 11 AM TO NOON: A number of pastors and others from area churches are gathering to pray for and mourn on behalf of the unborn, their parents and families.I invite you and others to join us that hour to pray. I am wearing black and refraining from commerce that day. It will take place at Oxnard State Beach Park, 1601 S. Harbor Blvd., Oxnard. Meet on the grass near the entrance to the beach.

DISCOVERING SPIRITUAL MATURITY, SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 24: Because spiritual growth is not automatic, the 201 Class helps believers establish habits that promote spiritual growth, such as prayer, time in God’s word, spending time with other believers, and stewardship. Meet in the Youth Room from 4:00-7:30 pm. Dinner will be available. Be sure to sign up by writing “201 Class” on your Connection Card this Sunday or go online. Contact Darrell Foote at [email protected] or 805.660.3061, if you have any questions.

BOOK OF MARK STUDY STARTS THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28: What makes Christianity good news? Who is Jesus? What is his mission? How are we to respond to him and that mission? An 8-week study on the book of Mark begins on Thursday, February 28. Do you have a friend you want to introduce to Jesus? This study gives us a fresh look at the answers to these questions. This mixed (men and women) LIFE Group will be meeting from 10:00-11:30 am at Lillian Ruan’s home- 901 Paseo Brisas Lindas, Oxnard. Call Lillian at 805.988.1282 for the gate code. Contact Donna Beeson at [email protected], if you have any questions.

TODAY some of our youth and their leaders head up to Angeles Crest Christian Camp for the weekend. It is the annual winter camp. Please pray for safety as they travel up and down the mountain as well as for the time they’re there. Pray also that God uses this time in a powerful way to draw them closer to him, to each other as well as to the work of Jesus in and through their lives.

THIS SUNDAY, in our series, “The Gospel According to Abraham,” we find ourselves in Genesis 19. We’ll be looking at Lot and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. As we’ll see, Genesis 19 is not a biblical passage primarily about homosexuality. No question the people of Sodom had a problem with it, but, as we’ll see, they were tripped up by a lot of other things as well. We’re actually going to “go to school” on Lot and his spiritual lukewarmth. Lot teaches us a lot about the difference between living an uncompromised life and a compromised one. This would be a great Sunday to invite friends and neighbors to join you at Gold Coast!

SAVE THE DATE- SATURDAY, MARCH 30: Ladies, please mark your calendars for this year’s Ladies Luncheon at Sterling Hills Golf Course with guest speaker Melissa Mamoine. Signups start at the end of this month.

DISCOVERING SPIRITUAL MATURITY, SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 24: Because spiritual growth is not automatic, the 201 Class helps believers establish habits that promote spiritual growth, such as prayer, time in God’s word, spending time with other believers, and stewardship. Meet in the Youth Room from 4:00-7:30 pm. Dinner will be available. Be sure to sign up by writing “201 Class” on your Connection Card this Sunday or go online. Contact Darrell Foote at [email protected] or 805.660.3061, if you have any questions.

ABORTION UP TO BIRTH NOW LEGAL: The following article is from John Ensor, president of PassionLife. PassionLife trains missionaries and indigenous Christian leaders in biblical bioethics and pregnancy crisis intervention in countries suffering the highest rates of abortion worldwide.

New York has legalized abortion up to birth, and beyond. It is now legal to neglect, choke, or smother a baby that somehow survived the lethal injection and knife cuts designed to kill during the abortion procedure. 

To put a fine point on it, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the Reproductive Health Act (RHA) on January 22, the anniversary of Roe v. Wade. This law legalizes abortion in New York throughout all nine months of pregnancy, even up to dilation. It repeals the safeguard requiring all abortions be performed by a licensed physician. It decriminalizes all state abortion laws, and it removes all rights and protections from the unborn by defining a “person” as “a human being who has been born and is alive.” Even this definition, however, is revoked for the child who is accidentally born alive. 

THIS SUNDAY we’re looking at Genesis chapter 18 in our message series The Gospel According to Abraham. We’ll look at how Abraham pleads to God to spare the city of Sodom from destruction. There’s much to learn from both Abraham’s attitude and actions, as well as the deeper thing that God was communicating to Abraham about His own character.  This would be a great Sunday to invite someone to join you at Gold Coast!

BUDDY TRAINING, TOMORROW, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2: Play games and have some fun by being a Buddy or Buddy Helper to a special needs child (our VIPs) at Buddy Break, a free respite program for parents of children with special needs. Buddy Training is from 9-11 am. No previous experience is necessary, just a willing heart to go through the training and have a background check run at no cost to you. Buddy Break is the 2nd Saturday of most months. Sign up online at our website.

RESCUE MISSION OUTREACH, TOMORROW, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2: Oxnard outreach is from 4:15-6:15 pm. To sign up, go online to our website under the Get Connected tab. Contact Stuart Baker at 805.427.5528 or [email protected], if you have any questions.

PRAYER FOR MISSIONS, THISSUNDAY, FEBRUARY 3: On the first Sunday of each month, please gather in the Worship Center after the 2nd service to pray for the missions and missionaries that Gold Coast supports. Contact Mike or Lynne Yeaman at [email protected] or 805.331.3899 for more information.

OPENING ON THE COMMUNION PREPARATION TEAM: Do you attend the 9:15 AM worship service on Sundays? There’s an opening on the Communion Preparation team for the fourth week each month.  You’ll prepare communion trays and light candles in the worship center, which take about 30 minutes. We have couples, singles, and families serving. To find out more, please contact Lynn Knuth, 805.443.4471 or Darrell Foote, 805.660.3061.

SAVE THE DATE- SATURDAY, MARCH 30: Ladies, please mark your calendars for this year’s Ladies Luncheon at Sterling Hills Golf Course with guest speaker Melissa Mamoine. Signups start at the end of this month.

TOMORROW morning we’re looking at Genesis chapter 16 in our message series The Gospel According to Abraham. We’ll learn some important things about how God listens, sees and knows about us and the difference that makes.

BUDDY TRAINING, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2: Play games and have some fun by being a Buddy or Buddy Helper to a special needs child (our VIPs) at Buddy Break, a free respite program for parents of children with special needs. Buddy Training is from 9-11 am. No previous experience is necessary, just a willing heart to go through the training and have a background check run at no cost to you. Buddy Break is the 2nd Saturday of most months. Sign up by writing “Buddy” on your Connection Card tomorrow or go online to our website. Contact Tana Seufert at [email protected] or 805.485.5433 with any questions.

RESCUE MISSION OUTREACH, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2: Oxnard outreach is from 4:15-6:15 pm. To sign up, write “Rescue Mission” _on your Connection Card or go online to our website under the Get Connected tab. Contact Stuart Baker at 805.427.5528 or [email protected], if you have any questions.

PRAYER FOR MISSIONS, SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 3: On the first Sunday of each month, please gather in the Worship Center after the 2nd service to pray for the missions and missionaries that Gold Coast supports. Contact Mike or Lynne Yeaman at [email protected] or 805.331.3899 for more information.

LAST SUNDAY Pastor Louis did a great job closing out 2018 by having us consider the mission we’ve been given— that of making disciples of Jesus. Writing the names of those in our lives whom we want to see become His followers on white rocks and then laying them before the Lord was powerful!  It was also special getting to see Skylar, Alicia and Ashley pledging their lives to Jesus by being baptized!  We’re excited for you!

THIS SUNDAY we’re starting off the new year with a message series we’re calling The Gospel According to Abraham. The passage we’ll be looking at on Sunday is Genesis 11:27-12:8 in which God called Abraham into a personal relationship with Him. There are a number of powerful and practical principles in the passage that show us what to expect when God calls anyone to follow him. In addition, there’s an update on the remodeling of the worship center I’m looking forward to sharing with you. This will be a great Sunday to invite a friend to join you at Gold Coast!

LIFE GROUPS START NEXT WEEK (WEEK OF JANUARY 6th): The primary purpose of LIFE Groups is joining with other believers, doing life together in community as we spur one another on to grow in following Jesus and helping others begin a relationship with Jesus. If you are new to a LIFE Group or wish to change to a different LIFE Group, sign up through the church website or visit the Welcome Desk this Sunday. 

DISCOVERING A CHURCH FAMILY, SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 12:30 PM TO 2:30 PM, YOUTH ROOM: I’d love for you to join me for this special time. We’ll meet in the youth room and lunch will be provided. This “101” class shares vital information on what we believe, why we do what we do- our purpose, our mission and more! This is a good opportunity to see what makes Gold Coast unique as well as what makes us “tick.”  We’ll conclude by 2:30 PM.

In order to plan for the lunch, the deadline to register is Thursday, January 17. (If you could use childcare for this event, we’ll need to know the number of children and their ages by Monday, January 14.)

Register by clicking HERE or by writing “101 Class” on your Connection Card on Sunday. If you have any questions, please contact the church office at [email protected] or 805.485.5433.

DO YOU HAVE A GIFT OF HOSPITALITY? If you would enjoy serving others by preparing/coordinating food and preparing a room for meetings, please contact the church office at 805.485.5433.

PRAYER TIME EVERY SUNDAY MORNING: You’re invited to Sunday morning Prayer Time from 8:30-9:00 am in the Youth Room every Sunday! Come for a couple of minutes or stay longer. This is open to everyone! Prayer cards with suggested topics will be available – you can pray aloud or silently. You can contact Anne Romero if you have any questions at anne2grace@gmail.

IN THIS UPDATE: 

REMINDER: ONE COMBINED WORSHIP SERVICE IS THIS SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30, AT 10 AM. (Our regular Sunday morning service schedule of 9:15 and 10:45 AM will resume the following Sunday, on January 6th.)  Several people will be getting baptized on Sunday. It will be a great time of being together in worship as we say goodbye to 2018 and get ready to start a new year of loving and serving Jesus as well as introducing others to him!

WORSHIP CENTER RE-MODEL PROJECT: The plan is to use volunteers to do the work (carpet removal, loading dumpsters, recovering sounds panels, painting, carpentry, etc.) The estimated cost of materials and supplies for the project is $10,000. We are looking to raise those funds with over-and-above gifts/donations.

You can make this tax-deductible year-end gift either through the offering during the worship service this Sunday and/or at https://goldcoastchurch.org/give/ before midnight on December 31, or mail it to Gold Coast Christian Church (3500 Camino Ave., Oxnard, CA, 93030), postmarked by December 31.

TAKING DOWN DECORATIONS, FRIDAY, JANUARY 4: We need about 6-8 individuals to help take down the Christmas decorations. We’ll be starting at 9 am and should be finished by about 10:30 am or so. If you can assist, please write “Take Down” on your Connection Card this Sunday or go online. Want a free artificial Christmas tree? There will be two Christmas trees and some lights that will be available to pick up at noon that day. Questions, contact Darrell Foote at 805.660.3061 or [email protected].

LIFE GROUPS START THE WEEK OF JANUARY 6th: The primary purpose of LIFE Groups is joining with other believers, doing life together in community as we spur one another on to grow in following Jesus and helping others begin a relationship with Jesus. If you are new to a LIFE Group or wish to change to a different LIFE Group, sign up through the church website or visit the Welcome Desk this Sunday. 

DISCOVERING A CHURCH FAMILY, SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 12:30 PM TO 2:30 PM, YOUTH ROOM: Discovering a Church Family (101 Class) provides information on what we believe, church membership, and more! Sign up by writing “101 Class” on your Connection Card this Sunday or go online at goldcoastchurch.org to register. Lunch will be provided. If you have any questions, contact the church office at [email protected] or 805.485.5433.

DO YOU HAVE A GIFT OF HOSPITALITY? If you would enjoy serving others by preparing/coordinating food and preparing a room for meetings, please contact the church office at 805.485.5433.

Hi Gold Coast,

I was told that the link to the invitation for our Christmas Eve services I shared in my Pastor’s Update is incorrect. Following is the correct link. As you think and pray about who you can invite to one of our 2 services, go to goldcoastchurch.org/christmas to download the invitation.

Because He came to earth,

Scott

IN THIS UPDATE: 

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES ARE THIS MONDAY, DECEMBER 24, at 4:00 & 5:30 PM: Enjoy spending time celebrating Jesus’ birth! Nursery care will be provided at the 4 PM service for children under 2 years old. Fun “activity bags” have been put together for children ages 3 to 10 at both services.

CHRISTMAS EVE SIGNS FOR YOUR YARD OR WINDOW: If you have a Christmas Eve yard sign from last year, it’s time to start displaying it! If you don’t have a yard sign, you can pick one up tomorrow at either entrance of the Gold Coast facility. Display one in your yard or window. Let’s get the word out about Gold Coast’s Christmas Eve Services at 4:00 & 5:30 pm!

DIGITAL INVITATION POSTCARDS TO CHRISTMAS EVE AT GOLD COAST: Be thinking and praying about who you can invite to experience God’s love this Christmas! Go to goldcoastchurch.org/christmasto download the postcard.

THIS SUNDAY, we wrap up ourChristmas series, He Will Be Called, by looking at Jesus as the Prince of Peace. Jesus came to earth over 2000 years ago, promising peace and yet, conflict abounds throughout the world, between both individuals and nations. Chris Hedges, writing for The New York Times, states, “War is defined as an active conflict that has claimed more than 1,000 lives. Of the past 3,400 years, humans have been entirely at peace for 268 of them, or just 8 percent of recorded history. At least 108 million people were killed in wars in the twentieth century.”

Besides interpersonal conflict, there’s also the inner conflict that many find within themselves, which they discover they cannot overcome. Add to that strained and/or negative relationships multitudes experience with God, life can be anything but truly peaceful.

Just how is Jesus the Prince of Peace? Can his promised peace be experienced today? Sunday will be a rich time as, together, we focus on Jesus and what he brings. Invite a friend to join you!

ONE WORSHIP SERVICE, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30: Mark your calendars- the Sunday after Christmas, we’ll join together for one worship service at 10:00 am!