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Orchard Community Church

“Make Room for Hope” (Mary)

Prepare Him Room In the story of Jesus’ birth, we’re told that he was born in a stable because there was no room at the inn. The Bible doesn’t actually mention an innkeeper, but the poor guy gets a pretty bad wrap for someone we’re not even sure existed because of this. Yet, it didn’t end there, Jesus often found that people didn’t have room for Him. The Jewish leaders didn’t have room for Jesus, neither did King Herod or the Romans, they all saw Him as a threat or problem. Most of the people didn’t have room for Jesus either because He wasn’t what they expected or wanted Him to be. Today many people still don’t have room for Jesus because inviting him into their lives and hearts would mean real change. Yet despite all of our reservations, the great Christmas carol Joy to the World proclaims, “Let every heart prepare Him room.” So can we make room? Are we too busy? Too afraid? Too proud? Are we closed to Jesus or can we make room for Him and all He wants to bring to and do in us?

Locations & Times

8180 Telephone Rd, Ventura, CA 93004, USA

Monday 10:30 AM

OrchardCommunity.Online.Church

Monday 10:00 AM

Online Service

Join us Sunday mornings either under the Tent at Orchard or at on our Live Stream! The Service begins at 10:30 am. We invite you to be a part of our interactive online service starting at 10 am with announcements and chatting before the live stream of the service begins.

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♪Angels We Have Heard On High

Angels we have heard on high Sweetly singing o'er the plains And the mountains in reply Echoing their joyous strains Gloria In excelsis Deo Gloria In excelsis Deo Shepherds why this jubilee Why your joyous strains prolong What the gladsome tidings be Which inspire your heav'nly song Come to Bethlehem and see Christ whose birth the angels sing Come adore on bended knee Christ the Lord the newborn King CCLI Song # 27721

♪ Joy to the World

Joy to the World, the Lord is come, Let earth receive her King, Let every heart prepare Him room, And Heaven and nature sing, And Heaven and nature sing, And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing. Joy to the World, the Savior reigns, Let men their songs employ, While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains, Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy No more let sins and sorrows grow, Nor thorns infest the ground, He comes to make His blessings flow, Far 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 grace, And makes the nations prove, The glories of His righteousness, And wonders of His love, And wonders of His love, And wonders, wonders, of His love.

♪ Cannons

It's falling from the clouds A strange and lovely sound I hear it in the thunder and the rain It's ringing in the skies Like cannons in the night The music of the universe plays (We're singing) You are holy great and mighty The moon and the stars declare who You are I'm so unworthy but still You love me Forever my heart will sing of how great You are Beautiful and free The song of galaxies Reaching far beyond the Milky Way Let's join in with the sound Come on let's sing it out As the music of the universe plays All glory honor power is Yours amen All glory honor power is Yours amen All glory honor power is Yours forever amen CCLI Song # 5124055

♪Jesus Messiah

He became sin who knew no sin That we might become His righteousness He humbled Himself and carried the cross Love so amazing love so amazing Jesus Messiah Name above all names Blessed Redeemer Emmanuel The Rescue for sinners The Ransom from heaven Jesus Messiah Lord of all His body the bread His blood the wine Broken and poured out all for love The whole earth trembled and the veil was torn Love so amazing love so amazing All our hope is in You All our hope is in You All the glory to You God The Light of the world CCLI Song # 5183443

It’s interesting who and what we make room for in this life and why isn’t it?

In the story of Jesus’ birth, we’re told that he was born in a stable because there was no room at the inn.

Yet despite all our reservations, the great Christmas carol Joy to the World proclaims, “Let every heart prepare Him room.” So can we make room? Are we too busy? Too afraid? Too proud? Are we closed to Jesus or can we make room for him and all He wants to bring to and do in us?

Our series this year for the Advent/Christmas season is called “Prepare him Room” and it’s about making room in our lives and hearts for Jesus and the incredible gifts he brings. We begin today with the gift of hope!

Luke 1:26-38

In those days marriages were arranged, families made an agreement and the two were “pledged.” This was considered the first phase of marriage, during which the couple got to know each other and prepared for their wedding.

So Mary must have busy with all that was going on.

Mary knew her life was going to change.
But the truth is she had no idea how just much her life was about to change or who she’d really need to make room for!

The idea that Mary had found “favor” with God, doesn’t mean she had some kind of special holiness or that God favored her more than other people. She had faith to be sure, but she was a regular person God chose to do something special.[1]

[1] Stein, NAC, Luke, 82-3.Life Application, Luke, 18.

Gabriel also says this baby isn’t going to be an ordinary child.
The name Jesus literally means “God saves” or “Savior.”

These things made it clear Jesus was the Messiah, the long-awaited hope of the people, the one that, hundreds of years before, the prophets had said would one day come from God to deliver the people and establish God’s reign.[1]

[1] Marshall, NIGTC, Luke, 67-68.

The problem was, the Jews had focused their hope on an earthly view of the Messiah.

Titus 2:11-14

Did you notice that he called Jesus our “blessed hope” and our “Great God and Savior”?

With v. 35 Gabriel explains how this will happen. He says the Holy Spirit will “come on” her and “The power of the Most High will overshadow [her].” God’s powerful presence will rest on Mary and she will bear a child.

Adultery was punishable by death and although that wasn’t often carried out, the accusation would bring lifelong shame on her and her family.[1]

[1] Keener, NT Background Commentary, 47.

So after explaining what’s going to happen, Gabriel responds to May’s question “How can this be?” with some amazing words of hope. He says, in v. 37, “For no word from God will ever fail,” or it can also be translated, “nothing is impossible with God.”

We sure do need a lot of hope this year, don’t we? This year we’ve experienced a lot of loss. Our nation is bitterly divided politically. We are struggling with issues of race.

Christmas is not going to be what we’d hoped for either, it’s going to be very different too and that may feel like huge loss to us.

Where is your hope?

Our hope isn’t in whether this will be a good or a bad Christmas or even what this Christmas is like, our hope comes from what the first Christmas meant and means, the birth of Jesus, the one who actually has the power to fill our hearts and change our lives.

So how can you make room for Jesus and the hope He brings?

1) Take some time to just be still and quiet and remember Jesus and the true meaning of Christmas, Psalm 46:10 says “Be still and know that I am God.” Do that!

2) Make room for God’s word, especially the story of the first Christmas. Read and remember. Drink in God’s word.

3) Make space in your heart by asking for God’s forgiveness and letting him take away guilt and shame and replace them with faith and joy.

4) If you are feeling blue or broken ask God for healing. In the Bible, we see again and again that Jesus is a healer and God himself is called a restorer of souls.[1]

[1] For example, Psalm 23:2

5) Invite Jesus into your heart and your life if you have never done so. Or invite him to come into your heart and your life more deeply than before.

♪ God With Us

Hallelujah the King has come, Beautiful Savior God's own Son, Hallelujah the Christ is here, So rejoice for our salvation's near Emmanuel our humble King, We give You our hearts as an offering, You laid down Your crown and became as dust, Emmanuel God with us Hallelujah the angels sing, To certain poor shepherds In fields where they lay, Hallelujah the world will see, The fullness of His majesty O come all ye faithful our God is here, Joyful triumphant salvation's near, O come and behold our King, Come and behold Him CCLI Song # 6445609

Today's Music
Orchard's Streaming and Song Select CCLI# 160190

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Easy and fun Christmas themed recipe swap. Women of all ages are invited to bring copies of your favorite Christmas Recipe (breakfast, appetizer or dessert) along with a picture if possible. We will all have the opportunity to grab those that sound delicious to add to our holiday repertoire. Please RSVP with Deya at deya@orchardventura.org (or just catch her in person on a Sunday)! Attendees will receive a little treat from the Women's Ministries Committee, and we want to be sure we have enough! Hope to see you there for a fun way to celebrate Christmas together during this weird time!

Are you looking for opportunities to connect with each other in new or deeper ways now and in the coming months?

There are several options for all ages! Some groups are low commitment with no homework and each meeting is a stand-alone study, so you don't have to worry if you can't make it each time. Some are more in-depth and encourage digging deeper on your own time and then coming back to discuss more! Most are still meeting on Zoom, however, there are a few in-person options! Visit our website for more information or call the church office to get connected! (805) 647-3757

Enjoy the company of other parents at 9:00 on Zoom (or in the library eventually) on Sunday mornings discussing what God says about life as a family. Make life more enjoyable and less frustrating by strengthening your relationship with God, Find life filled with opportunities, We will be following the children's curriculum, using stories from throughout the bible, taking some from unusual perspectives. This group is facilitated by Rich and LuAnn Smith. Please email Rich to get the Zoom Link and password at R_smith122@hotmail.com

Worship Options

We are excited to be able to worship under the Tent together. If you are not wanting to be under the Tent, feel free to sit in the front row of parking spots of the Orchard Parking Lot your car and tune your radio to 100.1 FM to listen to the service.

1. Masks must be worn while on the Orchard Campus (both inside and out)
2. Please maintain the Social Distance
3. Sunday Morning Children's program. Children are always welcome in the service and we do not mind the noises that come with children. Children are a healthy sign of a healthy congregation.

Orchard Kids Sunday School (For preschool through 5th grade)
We encourage families to bring your own blanket and beach chairs and distance on the lawn as much as you like. Children will worship with their families and be dismissed following the kids’ message, escorted by our Orchard Kids’ Leaders to our beautiful outdoor classroom space in the children’s play yard. We will have our Bible story, activities, crafts, and games in a specially designed format following current health and safety guidelines. Parents, please come to the children’s area immediately following the worship service and find all of your children in one place. Each family will receive a “My Church Bag” to be brought each week with basic supplies already included plus items from home: water bottle and mask for each child and a blanket for all siblings. Our team is so excited to see your family! See you Sunday!

Nursery care for children birth to 3 years old is available by RSVP only to Melinda Hoyt at melinda@orchardventura.org.

Interested in being a Volunteer? Middle school through adult, please contact Melinda Hoyt at melinda@orchardventura.org.

While we understand that some may not feel comfortable coming back in person or having to wear masks while on the Orchard campus, we encourage you to stay home and join us online with our Live Stream.

Office Hours
Monday – Thursdays from 10 am to noon.
Masks and social distancing are required.
If you are unable to make it in during our office hours, please send an email to info@orchardventura.org and or leave a message at (805) 647-3757.

Orchard Community Church

http://orchardventura.org/