Week of January 4, 2009
Morning Worship 11:00 AM
Sermon Text: Hebrews 12:5-11
Sermon Title: “Discipline's Blessings”
Evening Worship 6:00 PM
Sermon Text: Ezekiel 36:26-27; John 6:37, 44-45
Sermon Title: “God's Covenant with Man”
Announcements
Today – Pastor Parker will preach at the Morning and Evening Worship Services.
Sunday School – We have started the R.C. Sproul Series: “Fear and Trembling”
Sunday School Next Sunday - Our missionaries, Jonathan and Rebecca Hastings will be speaking during our Sunday School.
Family Bible Study and Prayer – This Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. We will be studying Westminster Larger Catechism #151. All are welcome to attend.
Congregational Meeting – will be Wednesday, January 21,2008. Please put this date on your calender.
New Members/Communicant Class – If you are interested in joining the church or learning more about the church, contact Pastor Parker.
Southern California Reformed Fellowship - The SCRF invites young adults, both single and married, to an unforgettable weekend of Bible teaching (by Dr. Dennis Johnson), fellowship, skiing, fun and relaxation at a lodge outside Wrightwood, CA. Lodging for two nights and all meals is only $120; January 30 – February 1, 2009. Skiers may ski Snow Summit on Saturday while non-skiers may sled, tube, hike, shop or simply relax. For information, maps, and a registration form - visit http://www.socalrf.org. Don’t delay, registration is limited! To register or ask questions, contact either the Rev. Stephen Donovan at
or (760) 740-6617, or Executive Director John Novinger at
phone 714-890-9705 x264.
Week of December 28, 2008
Morning Worship 11:00 AM
Sermon Text: “Don't Get Discouraged“
Sermon Title: Hebrews 12:3-6
Announcements
Sunday School – We have started the R.C. Sproul Series: “Fear and Trembling”
Feast Day Today – We call the last Sunday of the month “Feast Day”. Everyone is invited to stay after the morning service to have a meal together.
Family Bible Study and Prayer – There will be no Meeting this week
Congregational Meeting – will be January 21,2008. Please put this date on your calender.
Southern California Reformed Fellowship - The SCRF invites young adults, both single and married, to an unforgettable weekend of Bible teaching (by Dr. Dennis Johnson), fellowship, skiing, fun and relaxation at a lodge outside Wrightwood, CA. Lodging for two nights and all meals is only $120; January 30 – February 1, 2009. Skiers may ski Snow Summit on Saturday while non-skiers may sled, tube, hike, shop or simply relax. For information, maps, and a registration form - visit http://www.socalrf.org. Don’t delay, registration is limited! To register or ask questions, contact either the Rev. Stephen Donovan at donovan@escondidourc.org or (760) 740-6617, or Executive Director John Novinger at scrf@ca.rr.com phone 714-890-9705 x264.
Week of December 21, 2008
Morning Worship 11:00 AM
Sermon Text: Matthew 2:1-12
Sermon Title: Savior or Stumbling Block?
Evening Worship 6:00 PM
Sermon Text: Matthew 2:1-12
Sermon Title: He Is Worthy of Worship
Announcements
Christmas Open House – Monday the 22nd, 6:30 p.m. at the Parker’s home, 8949 Corte Pellejo, Spring Valley.
Christmas Eve Service – This Wednesday, 6:30 p.m. at the church. Pastor Parker will be preaching on Light for a People Living in Darkness
Southern California Reformed Fellowship - The SCRF will hold its Annual Winter Retreat January 30 through February 1, 2009. This retreat is open to college or career young adults, both single and married, who are at least 18 years old at the time of the Retreat. This refreshing getaway to a lodge outside Wrightwood, CA, offers good fellowship and fun as well as some great Bible teaching by Dr. Dennis Johnson. Skiers may ski at Mountain High Resort on Saturday while non-skiers may sled, hike, shop, or simply relax. The $120 registration fee includes lodging and all meals (but not skiing). For information, maps, and a registration form - visit http://www.socalrf.org. Don’t delay, registration is limited! To register or ask questions, contact either the Rev. Stephen Donovan at donovan@escondidourc.org or (760) 740-6617, or Executive Director John Novinger at scrf@ca.rr.com phone 714-890-9705 x264.
Week of December 14, 2008
Morning Worship 11:00 AM
Sermon Text: Matthew 1:18-25
Sermon Title: You Shall Call His Name Jesus
Evening Worship 6:00 PM
Sermon Text: Romans 7:14-23; I John 1:8-10 WCF 6:5,6
Sermon Title: How Far Is the Curse Found?
Announcements
Christmas Caroling - This Wednesday, we will meet at the church between 6:00 and 6:10 p.m., or at George Smith's 7:00 p.m. (map on the back table). We will end up at the Weld's for refreshments and games. Those who want to ride and not drive, will be brought back to the church to their cars.
Women's Bible Study – This Thursday at 1:00 p.m.. Carolyn Parker is leading a Bible Study in the book of James at her home.
Choir Rehearsal – Will be this Thursday at 7 p.m.
Christmas Open House – Given by the Parkers. Monday, December 22nd at 6:30 p.m.
Southern California Reformed Fellowship - The SCRF will hold its Annual Winter Retreat January 30 through February 1, 2009. This retreat is open to college or career young adults, both single and married, who are at least 18 years old at the time of the Retreat. This refreshing getaway to a lodge outside Wrightwood, CA, offers good fellowship and fun as well as some great Bible teaching by Dr. Dennis Johnson. Skiers may ski at Mountain High Resort on Saturday while non-skiers may sled, hike, shop, or simply relax. The $120 registration fee includes lodging and all meals (but not skiing). For information, maps, and a registration form - visit www.socalrf.org. Don’t delay, registration is limited! To register or ask questions, contact either the Rev. Stephen Donovan at donovan@escondidourc.org or (760) 740-6617, or Executive Director John Novinger at scrf@ca.rr.com phone 714-890-9705 x264.
Week of December 21, 2008
Morning Worship Service 11:00 A..M.
Sermon Text Matthew 2:1-12
Sermon “Savior or Stumbling Block?” Stephen L. Parker
Evening Worship Service 6:00 P.M.
Sermon Text Matthew 2:1-12
Sermon “He Is Worthy of Worship” Stephen L. Parker
Announcements
Christmas Open House – Tomorrow, 6:30 p.m. at the Parker’s home, 8949 Corte Pellejo, Spring Valley.
Christmas Eve Service – This Wednesday, 6:30 p.m. at the church.
Southern California Reformed Fellowship - The SCRF will hold its Annual Winter Retreat January 30 through February 1, 2009. This retreat is open to college or career young adults, both single and married, who are at least 18 years old at the time of the Retreat. This refreshing getaway to a lodge outside Wrightwood, CA, offers good fellowship and fun as well as some great Bible teaching by Dr. Dennis Johnson. Skiers may ski at Mountain High Resort on Saturday while non-skiers may sled, hike, shop, or simply relax. The $120 registration fee includes lodging and all meals (but not skiing). For information, maps, and a registration form - visit http://www.socalrf.org. Don’t delay, registration is limited! To register or ask questions, contact either the Rev. Stephen Donovan at
or (760) 740-6617, or Executive Director John Novinger at
phone 714-890-9705 x264.
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Elections and Providence
I was asked about my thoughts on the election issues. I have been thinking about it all morning and the providence of God. I am afraid that God is really going to purge the Church. We will have to be either 100% trusting and submitting to Him(and those He places over us!) or have anarchy in our hearts! Fear of man will make us crazy. My country can fall, but my trust in the promises of God and work of Jesus Christ cannot, and the one is not bonded to the other. Hab. 3:16-19 We need to focus on not the falleness of Man, but trusting God. We should exhort and reprove those brothers and sisters that are not thinking Biblically. We need to be exhorting/encouraging one another to BELIEVE God, wait upon God; which is not necessarily the same as a McCain victory! It is running with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.(Heb 12:1-2) It is that peace that surpasses all comprehension, that guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:7 And do you know what? I realize that as I write this, we need to speak these words and more to others, because as this testimony is upon our lips, we strengthen and encourage one another… Heb 10:24-25. In the Grip of His Grace, Pastor Parker
Is Excommunication unloving?
Here is an interesting editoral by Rev. Paul Viggiano, on the subject of excommunication.
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Music and Christian Culture
Rick Phillips gives an excellent assessment of contemporary Christian music and its impact in the Church. See his Blog in Reformation 21.
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Pain, Suffering and Back Surgery
If Christ is ruling now, why do “bad” things happen to God’s children? Scripture teaches that Christ is ruling now, but we don’t always perceive it, Heb 2:8. I see it being like being awake during back surgery. We have a skilled and gifted surgeon, but we can’t see what he is doing and it “burns like fire”!
Thanksgiving Meals and Sin
Many times we practically take the wrong attitude about our sins. We think of them being like our overeating at Thanksgiving or Christmas, we will make up for it by eating “good” or fasting in the weeks that follow. But no amount of being “good” will cover the debt of our sin. It is only the obedience of Christ that pays for our sin. Adapted from the sermon, “The Humility of the Son of Man.”
A Good Beef Stew
We have probably all had beef stew, most good, some really bad and occasionally one that is great! What makes the difference? Most will have beef, potatoes, carrots, maybe onions that are all easily identifiable. But much of the flavor comes in the stock or gravy of the stew and it is those ingredients will make it great, good or not so good! A cook may keep those ingredients secret. I see a marriage, and for that matter a ministry, much like the stew.
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Pornography: Idolatry and Addiction
Rick Phillips and Phil Ryken have written excellent blogs on the problem of pornography as an addiction and even more basically, Idolatry. I highly recommend all men to read these articles.
Sailing and Sanctification
There is a good analogy of faith between sailing and our sanctification. Our being sanctified and and finishing the course that is set before us, is dependent upon the Holy Spirit. Yet, there is a part that we play. "Walking by faith" is similar to "running" in a sailboat.
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Setting Priorities
When we make something a priority in our lives, usually, everything else becomes subservient (becomes a servant to get it) in our lives to that priority! We become focused on getting that which we have set as our goal, whether it is a luxury, job, the next meal…How do we formulate what is a priority? Does life depend upon it, or is it something less critical? For the Israelites, their lives depended upon their priorities, whether they would live in God’s blessing and fellowship or under His curse and chastening. And so do ours. Set your priorities in line with God’s Word/ God’s will. See my sermon, Priorities and Grace, Nehemiah 10:28-39, for details in applying these thoughts.
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Drafting
Sanctification: Visiting a Dermatologist or Oncologist?
I wonder if we really understand what we are praying for when we ask God to sanctify and purify us, to make us more like Christ? I think that many times we are thinking in terms of minor changes, not unlike visiting the dermatologist and having something scraped, dried, frozen or maybe even cut off. Just dealing with surface problems. In reality, our sanctification goes to the very center of our being, treating heart issues, like going to an oncologist or cardiologist, and being treated in the very center of our being. God uses fiery trials to drive the impurities from us, thereby conforming us to the Lord Jesus Christ. Adapted from "Bring on the Fiery Trials".
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The Purpose of Trials- like being on a ship.
God has some very helpful purposes for trials in the lives of Christians. Romans 5:3ff and James 1:2-4, point out that they are for our being made complete, in Christ. This is seen by what we cling to through life. It is like standing on a ship in calm waters…you will walk around, completely at ease, just as if you were on dry land. But when the strorms of life come, the seas get rough and one hangs on to a rail or something solid, to stay upright. God’s purpose is for us to hang on to Christ, and not let go! Adapted from, "Bring on the Fiery Trials".
Knowledge without Repentance
“Snapping-in” and Prayer
In Nehemiah 2:4, it says that he “prayed to the God of heaven.” We understand from the context, it is a short prayer, that shoots up to heaven. These are important, but they cannot replace the solemn labor of prayer, which in fact become the basis of effectual short prayers.
It reminds me of years ago, when I went through Marine PLC Officer Training. They would place us in large circles around white barrels with black “bull’s eyes” painted on them. We spent hours practicing firing empty rifles at them in the different shooting positions (snapping-in). The purpose? To become very familiar with the weapon and sight picture (view of the target in the sights), and “comfortable” in the shooting positions. Then we would go to the ranges with “live” ammunition, where the bulk of the time would be spent on developing and perfecting our shooting. After much time spent in this training, our familiarity and practice made us ready for combat. In that setting, we could snap into the position and effectively shoot what we were aiming at, wasting little ammo and hopefully saving lives.
Effective praying is very similar.