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.
It has become clear in recent years that the practice of totally segregating children and youth from adults for Sunday School and Worship over the last four decades has failed in assisting families to raise up strong disciples of Jesus. It is a sad fact that the majority of the church’s young people are leaving the church after high school, having spent little to no time in corporate worship with the rest of the church family, and therefore, often not feeling connected to it. For many, the larger assembly is for the “grown-ups” or “old people.” Or, they have developed a taste for only what appeals to youth and have no tolerance or appreciation for anything different. So they drop out of church and drift.
In an effort to disciple our children better, we‘re going to begin including them in the whole church assembly on Sunday mornings, having them out only for an age-appropriate lesson with their smaller group of peers. They will worship with their families, practice listening and sitting quietly, experiencing the joy of worship, benefiting from the example of their parents and other believers in an integrated service.
A few things to consider:
- Kids are….well, kids, sometimes noisy or distracting. Parents should be prepared for the occasional acting out and their child not tracking until they learn the new routine. The frustrations of the moment are far less painful than the alternative – a generation who is unknown, disengaged, and separated from the larger body of Christ.
- Children pay special attention to their parents and discern what their parents delight in. They need traditions and godly examples of how to worship when they are young that will stay with them as they get older.
- It’s important for kids to participate in corporate worship weekly. The constant routines of our life possess a formative power, and children who attend church weekly will be formed by the means of grace.
- Your child will have questions about what they see and hear in the service on Sunday morning from which some great spiritual conversations will flow. Even if our kids don’t understand everything at first (and they won’t), they will at least understand the people who love them and stand beside them.
We pray that Gold Coast children will grow to love worship and the Savior as they watch their parents delight in the gathered celebration. You, as parents, play a vital role in this.
Also, as a part of the new plan we want to engage our older children and students to serve during our services in age appropriate ways. Children need to feel they are part of the whole church community. They will have opportunities to participate as greeters and prayer partners, collect the offering, serve in the cafe and multimedia, read scripture, etc. Please see me or one of the church staff to talk about how your child or student can participate.
Beginning, Sunday, March 10, parents will check their children in at the computer in the lobby and then take them into the service with them. Children will leave before the sermon with their teachers who will be waiting in the back of the room, and then return to the worship center for communion and the close of the service. Parents of “littles” should feel free to walk them back to their teacher, if needed. We will continue to offer nursery and preschool care for the duration of both hours, but encourage parents of 3-5 year olds to consider taking them into worship with them also.
“For to such belongs the kingdom God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” Mark 10:14-15
“We will not hide them from their children, but will declare to the next generation the praises of the LORD and His might, and the wonders He has performed.” Psalm 78:4
Blessings and prayers for your journey of parenting and raising disciples of Jesus,
Sharon Wilson and GC Children’s Ministry Leadership Team
TIME CHANGE IS COMING SOON, ON SUNDAY, MARCH 10: Daylight Saving Time begins at 2:00 AM Sunday, March 10th. Mark your calendar to turn your clocks AHEAD one hour before going to bed on that Saturday night, March 9.
UNSINKABLE, 2019 LADIES LUNCHEON, STERLING HILLS COUNTRY CLUB, SATURDAY, MARCH 30TH, 10 AM TO 2 PM: 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.
Cost: $39 per person. Register at church lobby or at www.goldcoastchurch.org. Questions, contact Lynn Knuth at [email protected] or 805-443-4471.
About the luncheon’s speaker, Melissa Maimone: Melissa teaches women that an authentic life in Christ can be messy and magnificent at the exact same time. Melissa provides down-to-earth lessons, practical applications, and life-changing perspectives to real women who are living real lives in the midst of real problems. With her unique blend of theology, humor, and lessons from her own battle with depression, Melissa provides down-to-earth lessons, practical application, and life-changing perspectives.
RESCUE MISSION OUTREACH, SATURDAY, MARCH 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, MARCH 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.
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.
DAILY BIBLE READING SCHEDULE:
Friday March 1 Num 28-29; Mark 8
Saturday March 2 Num 30-31; Mark 9
Sunday March 3 Num 32-33; Mark 10
Monday March 4 Num 34-36; Mark 11
Tuesday March 5 Deut 12; Mark 12
Wednesday March 6 Deut 364; Ps 35; Mark 13
Thursday March 7 Deut 5-6; Ps 36; Mark 1
Friday March 8 Deut 7-9; Mark 15
Saturday March 9 Deut 10-12; Ps 37; Mark 16
Sunday March 10 Deut 13-15; Gal 1
Looking forward to being with you,
Scott