John MacArthurPASTOR-TEACHER

Bill Brandenstein / Minister of Music

Dcecember 12, 2021

Vol. 25 No. 50

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AYAnthem Joy to the World!Joy to the world! the Lord is come;Let earth receive her King.Let ev’ry heart prepare Him room,And heav’n and nature sing, and heav’n and nature sing,And heav’n, and heav’n and nature sing.

Joy to the world! the Savior reigns;Let men their songs employ,While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plainsRepeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy,Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.

No more let sin and sorrow grow,Nor thorns infest the ground.He comes to make His blessings flowFar as the curse is found, far as the curse is found,Far as, far as the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and graceAnd makes the nations proveThe glories of His righteousness,And wonders of His love, and wonders of His love,And wonders, wonders of His love.

9:00 & 11:00* amWhat Child Is This? • Trad./Johnson • Stephen Sturz, Organist Angels from the Realms of Glory • Trad./Sturz Hymn 238 Hark! the Herald Angels Sing • Congregation

Angels We Have Heard on High • Trad./Kenton • Men’s Quartet Joy to the World! • Trad./Wilberg • Worship Choir

Hymn 250 Infant Holy, Infant Lowly • Congregation

The Birthday of a King • Neidlinger/Marsh • Philip Webb

MESSAGE: THE PATH TO SPIRITUAL POWER John MacArthur • Ephesians 3:12–21

Communion Bring a Torch, Jeanette Isabella • Trad./Hudson • Organ Postlude

6:00 pmPreludeSongs of PraiseBaptismMESSAGE: COME, LORD JESUS: PREPARING FOR THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST Tom Patton • Revelation 22:8–21

Postlude

* During the 11:00 am service, interpreting in American Sign Language (ASL) is available in the Worship Center and livestream translations in Arabic, Italian, Korean, Mandarin, and Russian are available at gracechurch.org/live.

A BODY OF DIVINITYby Thomas Watson

“When I was first introduced to the Puritans, I just fell in love with Thomas Watson’s A Body of Divinity—I just could not put it down. It was beautifully written. It took me to a place I had never been.” —John MacArthur

December special: available for 50% off retail.

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RADIO gty.org/radioThe Jesus of Christmas • KKLA 99.5 FM LOS ANGELES M–F 6:30 am & 7:30 pm • KDAR 98.3 FM OXNARD•VENTURA M–F 2:00 & 10:00 am; Sun 2:00 am • KABC 790 AM LOS ANGELES Sat 7:30 am

TELEVISION gty.org/television“The Ultimate Prophet, Priest, and King” • NRBTV CHANNEL 378 ON DIRECTV Sunday 6:30 pm

ONLINE gty.org • John MacArthur’s sermons: audio, video, and transcripts • Resource library: blog, devotionals, articles, Q&As, and more • Mobile apps: “The Study Bible” and “Grace to You Sermons”

Grace to You

THE WELCOME CENTER hosts a reception for visitors following each Sunday morning service. Enjoy refreshments and find helpful people with answers to any questions you have about our church. You'll also receive one of Pastor MacArthur’s books as a thank-you for being with us today.

THE MEMBER CENTER has information about membership and baptism. It is located on the east side of the Upper Room, north of the Welcome Center.

THE PRAYER ROOM is staffed with counselors ready to offer pastoral care. It is open after every service and is adjacent to the Worship Center.

• Missionary Calendar

• Spanish Ministry (by the Chapel)

Campus Ministries GraceWalk

On the Patio

Grace Books is open after each service and during the week. It is located on the south side of the Worship Center.

Grace Books

Generations of Grace Children’s Sunday School

MESSAGE God Announces Messiah’s Birth PASSAGE Matthew 1:18–25; Luke 1:26–38 PRINCIPLE Jesus is Savior and Lord and deserves all of our worship. FEATURED HYMN “Hark! the Herald Angels Sing” (Hymns of Grace No. 238) ASK YOUR CHILD What is important about the names Immanuel, Savior,

and Son of the Most High? APPLY By obeying Jesus Christ as Lord and God. THIS WEEK As a family, read Matthew 1:18–25 and Luke 1:26–38. NEXT WEEK Matthew 2:1–18

Adapted from the Generations of Grace Family Devotional, available at Grace Books.

Next Membership Class • January 9, 2022 101 • 9:00 & 11:00 am • TMS Library (West)

HIGHLIGHT

One of the most beautiful characteristics of the Christian heart, especially during the Christmas season, is the expression of compassion. Whether it’s the urge we feel to put spare change in the red bucket outside the grocery store, or the impulse to assist our neighbor struggling to put up his holiday lights, the Christian is constantly motivated towards helping others in need. This kind of sympathy could be attributed to our application of what theologians call God’s “common grace.” The desire to help others in need can be an attribute that belongs even to unbelievers because God, in His grace, has granted to everyone a sense that there should be more to life than merely seeking one’s own needs. Yet, for the believer in Jesus Christ, this heart of compassion is tied to so much more than common grace because our compassion is rooted in the uncommon grace that has been lavished on us in salvation.

A Heart for the Homebound

The Christian is commanded in Romans 12:15 to “Rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep” and in 1 Peter 3:8 to “have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.” But the clearest reason for this type of kindness is expressed in Ephesians 4:32 where Paul writes, “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” The believer’s sympathy toward others arises not just from a general morality which every person possesses as an image-bearer, but specifically and especially from knowing the forgiveness given to us through our Savior. We are to be, even more than the world around us, compelled by a heart of compassion in light of the immeasurable grace granted to us by God. In the New Testament, we see that such a heart of kindness is especially characteristic of believers toward each other in the church.

This Christmas season, we ask that you and your family consider expressing this

Congregational Care Ministries

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kindness in particular to the homebound at Grace Church—members who are prevented from being with us in regular worship for various reasons beyond their control. During the month of December, we send notes and cards to these dear members to remind them that we care about and are praying for them during the Christmas season.

Join us by taking some time in the coming weeks to make or write Christmas cards with your own creative touch to one or more of the members listed. Cards from children also make a precious contribution, making this a great ministry opportunity for the whole family. Hand your cards in at the Office Center through December 17, and we’ll deliver these special messages of encouragement directly to our homebound saints.

As simple as it might seem, letting our fellow believers know that we care about them and are praying for them can encourage and strengthen them in a unique way as we celebrate Christ as a church this season.

A Heart for the Homebound

Arthur & Donna Acres

Barbara BoydRosemary BowenShirley BrightErica BurdorfWilma ChamplinNeil & Shirley

CooperMarcia Durando

Sandra FoxJane GordonDavid GraySuzanne HitzemannBridget HusenSue KellerJohn & Thelma KokWilliam MackEllen MendittoAlice Oye

Penny PenningtonLinda ReganSue RichardsonMarge RodiningenMabel RoeMargaret RudyAbel SantanaLois SchroederEugen & Sandra

Smith

Avis SpitzDot StevensRose StoepplerLorraine SitzerJoanna TheuleHenry TristMaxine WhaleyJean WilliamsBill WyattDawn Zuber

FEATURE

Russian Outreach Bible Study Today • 1:00–2:30 pm • CC230sIf you speak or understand Russian, know someone who does, or have a heart to see Russian-speaking people saved, visit one of our Sunday afternoon meetings. Join us as we pray about how to reach the Russian community in Los Angeles with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Joyful Givers 2021 Tax InformationAll contributions for calendar year 2021 must be received by the church no later than our December 26 offering or postmarked no later than December 31, 2021. Contributions received or postmarked after Friday, December 31, 2021, will be recorded in 2022. Please note, the church campus will be closed for the holidays December 20–31, 2021. The elders, pastors, and church staff thank each of you for faithfully and sacrificially giving to the Lord.

Grace Around the WorldThe Spitale FamilyRaffaele & Manuela, Naomi, Simeone Serving in Italy since 2014

Prayer / Praise• Pray that the unbelievers attending our church meetings would be saved.

• Pray for the growth and unity of our church.

For more information, visit gracechurch.org/spitale.

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Worship Choir • Symphonic OrchestraVocal Solos & Ensembles • Handbell Choir • Children’s Choir

DECEMBER 16–19Thursday & Friday, 7:30 pmSaturday, 2:00 & 6:00 pmSunday, 6:00 pm

For more information, visit gracechurch.org/concert,or contact concert@gracechurch.org.

Faith PromiseLast week you generously gave $69,037. Thank you for your ongoing support of our missionaries and their ministries around the world.

Winter Camps Jr. High January 7–9 • Thousand Pines Christian CampRegister: gracechurch.org/xchange

High School January 15–17 • Forest HomeRegister: gracechurch.org/180

Premarital & Marriage SeminarA prerequisite for engaged couples desiring to get married at Grace Church, this seminar is also helpful for those who are purposefully dating, as well as married couples interested in God’s plan for a successful marriage.

Part 1 Part 2 Friday, January 14, 7:00–9:00 pm Friday, February 18, 7:00–9:00 pm Saturday, January 15, 9:00 am–noon Saturday, February 19, 9:00 am–noon

Location: T370s Instructors: Bill Shannon and Tom Leman

$35 for church members or TMS/TMU students; $65 for non-members

For more information or to register, visit gracechurch.org/premarital or call 818-909-5537.

Grace Equip Discipleship Counseling 2: Marriage & FamilyJanuary 11–March 1 (Tuesdays) • 6:30–8:30 pmThis course is offered in person at Grace Church and online via Zoom. For more information or to register, visit gracechurch.org/equip.

Job OpportunitiesSocial Media/Marketing Creator Grace Productions has a full-time opening for a Social Media/Marketing Creator. A qualified candidate will have a minimum of two years of experience with social media and email platforms. Experience with digital advertising, content posting, and the ability to edit videos and pictures is also required. Qualified candidates should be prepared to work in the fast-paced environment of video production. Their work will directly be beneficial to our church and across the world. Position provides competitive pay and an excellent benefits package.

Spanish Video Editor The Video Production Department has a part-time opening (29 hours per week) for a Spanish Video Editor position. This position will focus on filming and editing video content for The Master’s Seminary Spanish language education. When needed, assistance in filming and editing English course lectures will be expected. This position requires professional-level experience using cinema equipment and NLVE Software. The ability to speak and write in both English and Spanish is required for this position.

Applicants for employment at Grace Church must be, if employed, biblically qualified as a deacon or deaconess and be a member of Grace Church. For more information or to request an application, contact Human Resources at HR@gracechurch.org or 818-909-5672. For a complete list of job openings (including Grace to You, The Master’s University and Seminary, and The Master’s Academy International), visit gracechurch.org/opportunitysheet.

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2022 Missionary CalendarThe 2022 Missionary Calendar is available on the Patio this morning.

One per family, please.

Anchored (All ages) T360s Pastors: Carl Hargrove, Bill Shannon

Children’s Ministry Visit the Welcome Center for room locations. Pastor: Jay Lennington

Cornerstone (All ages) T370s Pastors: Nathan Busenitz, Hohn Cho, Mark Tatlock, Harry Walls

Developmentally Disabled CC130s Pastor: Rick McLean

GraceLife (All ages) Family Center Pastors: Phil Johnson, Mike Riccardi

Jr. High (Grades 7–8) T70s (Basement) Pastor: Jay Lennington

Spanish Adult Sunday School Family Center South Pastor: Josiah Grauman

Spanish Worship Service Chapel Pastors: Henry Tolopilo, Josiah Grauman

Steadfast (All ages) T260s Pastor: Brian Biedebach

Children’s Ministry Visit the Welcome Center for room locations. Pastor: Jay Lennington

Commissioned (All ages) T360s Pastors: Rodney Andersen, Brad Klassen

Crossroads (College & young adults) Family Center Pastor: Austin Duncan

Developmentally Disabled CC130s Pastor: Rick McLean

High School (Grades 9–12) T70s (Basement) Pastor: Josh Petras

Joint Heirs (All ages) T260s Pastors: Tom Patton, John Street

Sojourners (All ages) T370s Pastors: Abner Chou, Joe Zhakevich

Spanish Worship Service Chapel Pastors: Henry Tolopilo, Josiah Grauman

MINISTRY DIRECTORYAdministration 818-909-5500Children 818-909-5631Grace Equip 818-909-5674Membership 818-909-5644

Men 818-909-5537Outreach 818-909-5700Pastoral Care & Counseling 818-909-5537Prayer 818-909-5519

Spanish 818-909-5722Special Ministries 818-909-5519Student 818-909-5593Women 818-909-5521SU

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Mondays 9:00 amMonday Morning Prayer Group Welcome Center

1:00 pmNeighborhood Outreach H223–224

5:00 pmSunday Evening Prayer Meeting Upper Room

6:00 pmAdventure Club Family Center (Grades 4–6) Chapel (Grades 1–3) CC130s (Ages 3–5)

9:00 am 11:00 am

For more information about Sunday fellowships scan the QR code or visit gracechurch.org/about/sunday-fellowships.

Building Abbreviation Key T = Tower H = Heritage CC = Children’s Center

Visit our website at

13248 Roscoe Blvd.Sun Valley, CA 91352

Our mission is to glorify God and extend His kingdom by

living and proclaiming His truth in the world.Grace Today is published weekly by Grace Community Church. ©2021 by

Grace Community Church. Scripture, unless otherwise noted, is taken from the

NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, © The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968,

1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission.

Fridays 7:00 pmFoundation (Young professionals) Family Center Pastor: Mark Zhakevich