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 yeaman7@hotmail.com. 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 (louis@goldcoastchurch.org) or Nick Duenez (stromberg1929@yahoo.com.)
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 christina@goldcoastchurch.org 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 – dfoote07@verizon.net).
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 dfoote07@verizon.net 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