Pastor’s Update

THIS SUNDAY we continue our series through Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount by looking at Matthew 5:38-42.  There are a couple of recognizable phrases in this passage, one being “Turn the other cheek.”

People who have never set foot inside a church are familiar with this saying but few passages are more misunderstood, as Jane Vajnar attests to in the following: My friend’s four boys were young and bursting with energy, especially in church. But the sermon her minister preached on “turning the other cheek” got their undivided attention. The minister stressed that no matter what others do to us, we should never try to “get even.” That afternoon the youngest boy came into the house crying. Between sobs he told his mother he had kicked one of his brothers, who had kicked him in return. “I’m sorry you’re hurt,” his mother said. “But you shouldn’t go around kicking people.” To which the tearful child replied, “But the preacher said he isn’t supposed to kick me back.”

Obviously, the kid missed Jesus’ point! What does Jesus mean when he tells us to “turn the other cheek” and “Go the second mile”? You just may be surprised what we discover in this passage. Invite a friend to join you!

If you attend the 9 am service, I encourage you not to rush off. Spend some time with those who are attending the 10:45 am service. And if you attend the later service, come early for some coffee, a donut and to visit with those who attend the first service.

 

NINOS DE BAJA CHRISTMAS MISSIONS TRIP– DECEMBER 6-8: Join Gold Coast and other local churches as they travel to Ninos De Baja to be part of the Christmas Shoebox Mission Trip. We will handout boxes to the kids of El Porvenir and serve the children of Ninos de Baja.  A $50 deposit is needed to hold a spot, with the full estimated cost of around $125/person. Checks can be made to Gold Coast – “NdB Mission trip” in memo line. Passport required. Space is limited due to housing in Mexico. Once allocated space is full, a wait list will be available.  For more information contact Mike Yeaman at [email protected].  NOTE: THIS Sunday, December 3, is the last Sunday to bring in your shoebox.

 

FAMILY COUNTRY CHRISTMAS AT GOLD COAST, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8, 7 PM: Join us for a special evening of fun for all ages! We’ll sing favorite Christmas songs together, enjoy some special music (along with some surprises), and consume the best Christmas desserts in the world (because we’ll all be bringing our favorites to share!) The music will be led by the Somis Highway Bluegrass Band & Friends. (This is the band I was a part of for a number of years and “we’re putting the band back together” to play that night.) You’ll have an opportunity to take some photos with Santa. All are encouraged to bring their favorite holiday treats to share for a dessert time that will follow the program. Also, we’ll be having A SOCK DRIVE FOR THE VENTURA COUNTY RESCUE MISSION so bring a new pair or two with you that night. It’s going to be a great evening for the entire family! Begin now inviting others to join you!

 

THE HUDDLE BREAKFAST & TOOL EXCHANGE, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21ST, 8:30 AM TO 10:30 AM: Men, mark your calendars for breakfast and our annual tool exchange. $5 per person and bring a $5 to $15 tool to exchange. For more info, contact Louis DeLuca ([email protected]) or Nick Duenez ([email protected].)

 

CHILDREN’S MINISTRY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: We are looking for willing hearts and hands to be a part of Discovery Cove – our children’s ministry that serves our littlest family members from infancy through 5th grade. Volunteers serve one service a month. For additional information, please contact Christina Brower at [email protected] or 805.766.8876.

 

CAFÉ VOLUNTEER NEEDED: We need a first service volunteer who would be willing to join the Café Ministry Team and serve once a month (training provided). If you are interested in the possibility of this ministry, please write Café Ministry on your connection card on Sunday or contact Darrell Foote (806-660-3061 – [email protected]).

 

DECEMBER SERVE DAYS: There are several opportunities to serve in December. We want to support the Christmas Shoppes. You can sign up for one of the Christmas Shoppes directly on the ACTION website (https://www.actionvc.org/community-christmas-shoppe/). The Disability Christmas Shoppe is on December 7th (Westlake) and there are other Christmas Shoppes on December 14th (Oxnard, Ventura, Newbury Park), it’s easy to sign up online for the one that best fits your schedule. (Keep in mind Buddy Break is also on December 14th if you are part of that ministry.) For more info contact Darrell Foote at [email protected] or 805-660-3061.

 

HOLY LAND TRIP 2021: Gold Coast is excited to invite you to Experience the Holy Land, March 8-19, 2021. A discount is offered by the tour company for early registration and we want to give you the opportunity to take advantage of that, if interested, by providing information early which will also allow time to plan and save for the trip. A visit to Israel adds a new dimension to your Bible reading and study as you can visualize locations and understand the history of the area with greater clarity. This trip will be unique in that we will experience worship together in different locations led by our own Pat DeRemer. We’ll also share in worship with one of the churches in the Christian HolyLand Foundation that we support. Majd Shufani, an Arab Christian who spoke at Gold Coast in August, will be there to welcome us. The cost is $3835 per person for anyone who registers by December 8. Then, until March 8, 2020 the cost is $3885. There are smaller discounts available throughout next year. But the best deal is to register by December 8.  Full price after 9/8/20 is $3985 per person. If you would like more information about the trip, please see Sharon Wilson at the table in the lobby this Sunday.

 

SUNDAY PRAYER TIME EVERY SUNDAY MORNING: You’re invited to Sunday morning Prayer Time from 8:20-8:50 am in the Elementary 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.

 

DAILY BIBLE READINGS SCHEDULE:

Friday                   November 29      1 Th 4-5; 2 Th 1-3

Saturday              November 30      Rom 1-4

Sunday                 December 1         Rom 5-8

Monday               December 2         Rom 9-12

Tuesday               December 3         Rom 13-16

Wednesday         December 4         Eph 1-4

Thursday              December 5         Ps 119: 1-80; Eph 5-6 

Friday                   December 6         Phil 1-4

Saturday              December 7         Col 1-4

Sunday                 December 8         1 Tim 1-4

Thankful for Him and you,

Scott

LAST SUNDAY we looked at the persecution one can suffer in following Jesus. I encourage you to check out Open Doors USA’s website for information on the persecuted church (www.opendoorsusa.org.)

If you’re on Facebook, check out their page there: www.facebook.com/opendoorsfans/.

THIS SUNDAY we begin a new message series through Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount that we’re calling “The King’s Speech.” We’ll be zeroing in on Matthew 5:13-16, where Jesus talks about us being salt and light: “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

 

What’s Jesus getting at, using the metaphors of salt and light to describe his followers? I think we’ll be both challenged and encouraged as we dig into this passage. This would a great Sunday to invite a friend to join you at Gold Coast!

(Remember, if you’re attending the 9 am service, plan on lingering a little longer after the service concludes and if you’re attending the 10:45 am service, arrive a little earlier. This will give you the opportunity to connect/catch up with others who attend the other service.)

 

CHILDREN’S MINISTRY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: We are looking for willing hearts and hands to be a part of Discovery Cove- our children’s ministry that serves our littlest family members from infancy through 5th grade.  Volunteers serve one service a month. For additional information, please contact Christina Brower at [email protected] or 805.766.8876. 

 

FREE WHEELCHAIR MISSION X2 CHALLENGE GOING ON NOW THROUGH OCTOBER 31: You can transform a life with an $80 gift that will provide a wheelchair for someone in a developing country who would not otherwise be able to afford one. The X2 Matching Gift Challenge doubles the number of wheelchairs delivered and therefore doubles the impact of each gift! Your “over and above” gift will not only help provide people around the world with the transforming gift of mobility, but the invaluable gifts of independence, dignity and hope. Write “FWM” on the memo line of your check or go online to donate. You can contact the church office at [email protected] or 805.485.5433 if you have any questions.

TOMORROW we wrap up our message series through Jesus’ Beatitudes from Matthew 5 with the eighth and final one- “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” He goes on to say, “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (vs. 10-12)

 

Martin Saunders writes the following in a piece entitled, Tracey Ullman’s ‘As A Christian…’ Sketches: What’s She Getting At? (Christian Today, March 8, 2017): If you were to make a list of modern Defenders of the Faith, Comedian Tracey Ullman probably wouldn’t be at the top of it. The award-decorated star, who is even more of a household name in the US than in her native UK, has never talked openly about a personal religious faith, and got her big break playing a bizarre born-again Christian club singer.

Yet for her new TV series – her first original British program for 22 years – she’s created a Christian character which seems to be both ‘faith-positive’ and offering a critique on the marginalization of the faith in modern Britain.

The character is a sympathetic, intelligent woman who impresses everyone around her until she utters her catchphrase line ‘as a Christian…’ At this point the atmosphere changes, the other characters treat her with a mix of fear and disgust, and the general consensus is that she’s ‘a bit weird’ for having a faith in 2017.

In one sketch featuring the character, Patricia Hughes, the revelation is enough to thwart her chances of getting a job. Her interview is going well, to the point that the man across the table infers that she’s going to get it, until she reveals that ‘as a Christian’ she finds it hard to talk up her skills and CV. As soon as he learns this his face falls, he calls in a colleague who confirms his concern at the news, and Patricia is made to feel uncomfortable to the point that she withdraws her application.

BOSS: … Obviously, I can’t say anything official right now, but you should expect a phone call.

PATRICIA: Thank you! I just find it so difficult to boast on my CV. It’s just that, as a Christian, I…

BOSS: Oooh! 

PATRICIA: What?

BOSS: You’re a…

PATRICIA: Christian. 

BOSS: Yeah… Okay…

PATRICIA: Is that a…?

TOMORROW (SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12) IS THE ONE CITY/ONE CHURCH SERVE DAY! It’s finally here! A number of Oxnard churches are joining together to serve our community tomorrow morning (9 am to noon) as the one church of Jesus in his name! Some of the projects will be passing out water and lunches, distributing flowers, feeding the homeless, beach and alley clean-up. If you have any questions, contact Darrell Foote at 805.660.3061 or [email protected].

THIS SUNDAY, we continue our message series in Jesus’ Beatitudes from Matthew 5 with the seventh one, blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called the children of God.

Jim Schmotzer shares following: “When tempers flare and a fight breaks out during a baseball game, it is a tradition that players and coaches rally to support their teammates. So what do you do if you are a Christian ballplayer? One Christian who played for the Seattle Mariners some years ago explained how he dealt with such bench-clearing brawls. When his intuition indicated a fight was imminent, he would scan the opponents’ bench for a friend, possibly a former teammate. With the eruption of a fight, he would bolt from the dugout and race toward his selected friend, quickly grabbing him by the jersey and saying, “If you don’t hurt me, I won’t hurt you.” The two would then clench, fall to the ground, and do their best acting job of fighting. In the end, they appeared manly, supported their team members, and avoided hurting anyone. Hmmm…. Something tells me that’s not what Jesus had in mind when he said, ‘Blessed are the peacemakers.’”

 

I agree with Schmotzer! We’re going to see this Sunday morning why Jesus says peacemakers are blessed and happy as we look at what God says real peace is comprised of and how we can experience it as well as bring it about in our relationship with others. It’s going to be a great day to invite others to join you at one of our worship times, at either 9 or 10:45 am.

Remember, if you’re attending the 9 am service, plan on lingering a little longer after the service concludes and if you’re attending the 10:45 am service, arrive a little earlier. This will give you the opportunity to connect/catch up with others who attend the other service.

 

FREE WHEELCHAIR MISSION X2 CHALLENGE GOING ON NOW THROUGH OCTOBER 31: You can transform a life with an $80 gift that will provide a wheelchair for someone in a developing country who would not otherwise be able to afford one. The X2 Matching Gift Challenge doubles the number of wheelchairs delivered and therefore doubles the impact of each gift! Your “over and above” gift will not only help provide people around the world with the transforming gift of mobility, but the invaluable gifts of independence, dignity and hope. If you give this Sunday, write “FWM” on the memo line of your check or go online to donate. You can contact the church office at [email protected] or 805.485.5433 if you have any questions.

THE HUDDLE, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19TH: Men, let’s meet at 7:30-9:00 am on the 3rd Saturday of each month here at the church. Plan on good conversation as we discuss the most important attributes men need to survive in today’s modern world. Food and coffee will be available. Donations are accepted. Sign up through our website. Contact Louis DeLuca with any questions at [email protected].

LADIES’ NIGHT, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18TH: Join other women from Gold Coast for Ladies’ Night on October 18th in Newbury Park. These nights are informal evenings at different people’s homes where we meet to hang out, share food, and get to know each other. An email was sent out with all the details. If you did not get one or need more info, please text or call Faith DeLuca at 805-827-3557. They look forward to seeing you there!

Hello Gold Coast!

As some of you know, I am heading to Bolivia again this Wednesday morning. I will be traveling with my brother and our two friends that we have served with in Bolivia in the past. This trip, we will be assisting with several much-needed maintenance projects around the orphanage. In addition, and the primary reason for going is to give some “dad time” to the kids of Talita Cumi. The children (28 kids) have some house moms (tias) that work there, but no house dads (tios). Thus they don’t get a lot of proper male attention. On this trip, each afternoon, I and a couple others will take a small group of kids (3-5 each day) on a fun outing. The goal will be to show these kids a tiny sample of our Father God by spending time with these kids as a loving father would spend with his kids. This time of year, Bolivia will be very hot, humid, and smokey from the fires raging in Bolivia (over 4.2 millon acres). But I am grateful for another opportunity to serve God and His children in Bolivia.

I have two requests.

First: as always, I would request prayer. Prayer for Angela and the girls while I am away, prayer for safe travels for the team heading to Bolivia, for safety while we are in Bolivia, for the ability to do effective ministry, and for opportunities to help these children draw closer to God.

Second: each time we go to Bolivia, we bring items that are much easier to obtain in the States than in there. Things like Contigo water bottles, tools, shoes for the kids, etc. We have been able to get all of the things we need for this trip except for a medium sized suitcase to transport the items. If you have a medium sized suitcase that you no longer need (I will leave the suitcase in Bolivia), I need to get one by Tuesday evening. If you have one that you can donate, I would very much appreciate it. Also, if you can help meet up with me as close to Thousand Oaks as possible, that too would be much appreciated.

Please contact me at 805-338-4758 by Tuesday morning if you can help.

Thank you, Gold Coast family!

God Bless!

Pastor Tim

Our big 20th Birthday Celebration starts tomorrow at 10 AM!

I encourage you to arrive a little early to get parked and to get your seat so you don’t miss any part of the service!

Parents: There is childcare for kids birth through 2 years of age in the nursery and FUN PARTIES for pre-school through 5th grade in the Discovery Cove area beginning at 10 AM.

Due to limited seating in the worship center, and because we are expecting a full-house, we’re encouraging parents of children on this special Sunday to drop off their kids at Discovery Cove.

See you tomorrow!
Scott

THIS SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, IS OUR 20TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION! 

Remember, THERE WILL BE JUST THE ONE WORSHIP SERVICE AT 10:00 AM! 

LUNCH AND FUN ACTIVITIES BEGIN AT 11:30 AM! 

Although there will be some portable awnings outside, it would be a good idea to bring a sun hat and sun screen for the afternoon. 

TODAY, SEPTEMBER 7, IS THE RESCUE MISSION OUTREACH, 4:15 TO 6:15 PM. To sign up, contact Stuart Baker at 805.427.5528 or [email protected]. 

TOMORROW, in our current series, The Upside Down Kingdom, we’ll be tackling the third Beatitude that Jesus gives us in Matthew 5:5- “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” This one just may be the least popular of them all. Meekness, like so many of the character traits we find in the beatitudes, is misunderstood by most people today. “Meek” rhymes with “weak” and we can mistakenly think it means resigned, lowly, brow-beaten. Calling someone “meek as a mouse” is anything but a compliment. I read this week about some graffiti on a wall. Somebody had written, “Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth,” and underneath it, someone else had scrawled, “If that’s all right with the rest of you!” I think you’re going to be encouraged to see what Jesus has to teach us about true meekness. It’s going to be a great morning, learning and worshiping together. Invite a friend to join you! 

WE WANT YOUR GOLD COAST BIRTHDAY GREETING: We’re putting together a video of short birthday greetings from a number of different individuals to show during the service on September 15th. It would be great to have a short video from you!Your greeting needs to be SHORT (3 seconds)! In addition to being short, please record it in the landscape mode (horizontally) with lots of love and energy! Email them to Pastor Braulio at [email protected] by this Wednesday night (September 11.) Thanks!

20TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION, SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, ONE WORSHIP SERVICE AT 10:00 AM/LUNCH & FUN AT 11:30 AM: Get ready to celebrate with music, food, fun activities for the kids, and more!

Complimentary food tickets are available tomorrow at the table outside by the coffee and donuts.

While you’re getting your tickets, sign up to help with children’s games for 30-minute increments.

Also, we need at least 8-10 of the following items:
-Corn hole games
-Bean bags
-Pop-up shade canopies 

Contact Emy Russell for set-up/clean-up at [email protected]. Contact Dianna DeRemer with any other questions at [email protected]. 

BAPTISMS ON SEPTEMBER 15: Have you committed your life to Jesus? If so, have you been baptized yet? Jesus directs us to “be baptized in the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). Being baptized is one of the greatest events of our life! Email me back to make arrangements to be baptized during our 10 AM worship service on September 15th!

LAST SUNDAY we started a new mini-series on the Beatitudes within our major study of Matthew’s gospel. We’re calling it The Upside-Down Kingdom. We looked at the first one, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3) In my Bible reading on Thursday, I came across Revelation 3. The passage contains some of the most sobering words in all the Bible when it comes to churches and followers of Jesus. At the end of the chapter, Jesus’ words to the church in Laodicea reminded me of the danger we looked at last Sunday in not recognizing that our need for Jesus is not just partial but it is total:

“To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation.  I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.  I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.  Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne.  Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” (Revelation 3:14-22)

TOMORROW we’ll be tackling Beatitude #2, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”  We’ll also be praying for school teachers and students as they’re getting back to school. So, if you’re a teacher or student, make sure you’re at one of the services tomorrow! It’s going to be a good day to come together with the rest of the family to worship, learn, and encourage one another!

By the way, more has been accomplished with the worship center re-model project, as you’ll see. 

20TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION, SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, ONE WORSHIP SERVICE AT 10:00 AM/LUNCH & FUN AT 11:30 AM: Complimentary food tickets are available tomorrow at the table outside by the coffee and donuts. Get ready to celebrate with music, food, fun activities for the kids, and more!We need more helpers for the children’s games (at ½ hours increments), and need to borrow some corn hole and pop-up tents. Sign up outside at the ticket table this Sunday.You can also contact Emy Russell for set-up/clean-up at [email protected] or contact Dianna DeRemer with any questions at [email protected]. 

WE WANT YOUR GOLD COAST BIRTHDAY GREETING: We’re putting together a video of short birthday greetings from a number of different individuals to show during the service on September 15th. It would be great to have a video from you! Your greeting needs to be SHORT – 3 to 5 seconds (no longer than 5 seconds)! In addition to being SHORT, lots of love and energy would also be greatly appreciated!  Please email them to me soon at [email protected]. Thanks!

GOLD COAST T-SHIRT PAYMENTS: If you ordered a T-shirt and need to pay for it, please make sure you do so by this Friday, September 6th, for online or text payments. For check or cash payments, please pay by September 8th. Make checks payable to Gold Coast Church and write “T-shirts” on the memo line. For text payments, text 77977 and choose Promos. T-shirts that have been ordered and paid for will be handed out on September 8th. 

LIFE GROUPS START THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 8: The primary purpose of LIFE Groups is joining with other believers and doing life together in community. It’s where we connect and assist one another in our faith journey. If you are new to a LIFE Group or wish to change to a different LIFE Group, please go to the Welcome Desk in the lobby tomorrow for a current list of available groups or for more information. If you have any questions, please contact Darrell Foote at 805.660.3061 or [email protected].

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SHARON!  I’m so thankful I get to do life with you! I appreciate the way you love Jesus, me, our family and all those God brings across your path. I love you!

TOMORROW we start a new ‘mini’ series, within our study through the Gospel of Matthew, as we look at the Beatitudes in Matthew 5. We’re calling it “The Upside-Down Kingdom” because what he describes as a blessed and happy life is the opposite of what the world would say it is. Tomorrow we’re going to drill down on the first one Jesus mentions- “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Mt. 5:3) I’m excited about what we’re going to learn together. I look forward to seeing you!

20TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION, SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, ONE WORSHIP SERVICE AT 10:00 AM/LUNCH & FUN AT 11:30 AM: Complimentary food tickets will be available tomorrow at the table outside by the coffee & donuts. Get ready to celebrate with music, food, fun activities for the kids, and more! Sign up to help with children’s games, decorating, set up, and clean up at the table in the lobby tomorrow. You can also contact Emy Russell for set-up/clean-up at [email protected] or contact Dianna DeRemer with any questions at [email protected]. 

GOLD COAST T-SHIRT PAYMENTS: If you ordered a t-shirt and need to pay for it, please make sure you do so by September 6th for online or text payments. For check or cash payments, please pay by September 8th. Make check payments to Gold Coast Church and write “T-shirts” on the memo line. For text payments, text 77977 and choose Promos. T-shirts that have been ordered and paid for will be handed out on September 8th. 

LIFE GROUPS START THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 8: The primary purpose of LIFE Groups is joining with other believers and doing life together in community. It’s where we connect and assist one another in our faith journey. If you are new to a LIFE Group or wish to change to a different LIFE Group, please go to the Welcome Desk in the lobby tomorrow for a current list of available groups or for more information. If you have any questions, please contact Darrell Foote at 805.660.3061 or [email protected].