Consider this amazing promises as you prepare for worship.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting

Father, Prince of Peace.

Today, the Lord offers you peace as you continue your preparation towards Christmas

PRELUDE CALL TO WORSHIP Larry Lindsay

OPENING WORSHIP O Come, O Come Emanuel (#169) Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus (#168) LIFE OF THE CHURCH Carol Benson and Matt Elam

During this time, ushers will pass out the friendship pads. Please sign your names

and welcome those who are sitting next to you after the service.

PRESENTATION OF OUR FIRST FRUITS

Offertory: “One Small Child” Kathy Josselyn

DOXOLOGY AND PRAYER (please stand)

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY Matthew 6:7-15 (Pew Bible page 685) Howard Johnson SERMON “And when you pray….” Tom Stephen

Matthew 6:17-15

LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLE

COMMUNION

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION Our Father

BLESSING AND BENEDICTION

We invite you to join us on the patio for coffee and refreshments

8:30 Service

Celebration of Worship

Sunday, December 2, 2012

Sunday School and Youth Groups

• Preschool-5th Grade meet in the CE Building and Youth Bldg. Rm 3.

• Jr. High (grades 6-8) meet in the Youth Building Rm 4 for The MSG.

Jr. High/Pipeline meets Wednesdays 6:00-7:45 pm

Sr. High/Riptide meets Thursdays 7:00-8:30 pm

TODAY IS DEACON SUNDAYTODAY IS DEACON SUNDAYTODAY IS DEACON SUNDAYTODAY IS DEACON SUNDAY The first Sunday of each month is Deacon Sunday.

We have a special collection envelope to support the deacons so they can help with the needs of others in our community

Next Week

What do you want for Christmas? Better yet, what do you want for Christmas in terms of deepening your relationship with others or with God? Would you like more peace? Stronger friendships? A deeper faith in God’s ability to provide?

In our sermon next week, we’ll explore how to experience deeper and more mean-ingful relationships with others and with God. Bring both family and friends with you as we continue on our journey of embracing life!

10:30 am Service

OPENING WORSHIP AND PRAYER Monte Vista Praise Band LIFE OF THE CHURCH Matt Elam and Carol Benson

During this time, ushers will pass out the friendship pads. Please sign your names

and welcome those who are sitting next to you after the service.

PRESENTATION OF OUR FIRST FRUITS

Offertory: “Child in a Manger” SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY Matthew 6:7-15 (Pew Bible page 685) Barbara Berge

SERMON “And when you pray….” Tom Stephen

Matthew 6:7-15

LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLE

COMMUNION

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

CLOSING WORSHIP “Child in a Manger”

BLESSING AND BENEDICTION

We invite you to join us on the patio for coffee and refreshments. Provided by the Monte Vista Deacons

Mexico Mission Trip

Dec 13 - 16 School Christmas Party

Christmas Progressive Dinner & Gift Exchange

Saturday, December 15th at 5:30 PM

This event is one you wait for all year long! The cost is $4.00 per person!

We begin with appetizers at one home, then salads at another. We then gather at the church for our main course,

and a final home for dessert and gift exchange. You need to bring a wrapped gift (worth around $15.00) – NO WHITE

ELEPHANTS!!! OR if you want to make a donation to Manna (instead of gift exchange) or you can do both.

You also sign up to bring a part of the dinner.

See Cindy Vodraska xxxx or Alanna Jacobs on the church patio to sign up.

Ushers will bring the offering forward as we commit our gifts to be used to further the Kingdom of God throughout our community and the world.

The children are dismissed for Sunday School after this time. Middle School students will be dismissed for The MSG after this time.

Come enjoy the humorous antics of a team of Come enjoy the humorous antics of a team of Come enjoy the humorous antics of a team of Come enjoy the humorous antics of a team of angels whose mission is to bring about angels whose mission is to bring about angels whose mission is to bring about angels whose mission is to bring about

the birth of Jesus, at our family the birth of Jesus, at our family the birth of Jesus, at our family the birth of Jesus, at our family

Christmas Dinner Theater production of:Christmas Dinner Theater production of:Christmas Dinner Theater production of:Christmas Dinner Theater production of:

Saturday & Sunday - December 8th & 9th

Adults: $10, Children (6-10) $7

Includes complete dinner and dessert

Buy your tickets now!

MISSION:MISSION:MISSION:MISSION:

THE BIRTH OF CHRISTTHE BIRTH OF CHRISTTHE BIRTH OF CHRISTTHE BIRTH OF CHRIST

December 2, 2012

To be prayerful, compassionate

and humble disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ, enthusiastically sharing the message of salvation through inspired worship,

devoted study and faith that serves.

��������

Our Staff

Rev. Tom Stephen, Pastor (tom.stephen@verizon.net)

Carol Benson, Lay Pastor (csbenson4@verizon.net)

Matt Elam, Director of Youth Ministries mattelam@verizon.net)

Mary Nelsen, Children’s Ministry (marynelsen@verizon.net)

Lori Maier, Director of Music - Priscilla Losey, Children’s Music Director

Rev. John Josselyn, First Service Music Facilitator

Toriann Garner, Choir Director - Kathy Josselyn, Pianist

Jim Lambert, Facilities Director

J.J. Shaules, Preschool Director (mrsshaules@me.com) (Preschool phone 805-499-6610)

Kathy Lambert, Administrative Assistant (montevistaoffice@verizon.net)

Erin Blackburn, Nursery Attendant

If you have any questions, please call the Church Office at 805-498-8213. You can reach us: Monday - Friday 8:30 am –12:30 pm & 1:00 - 2:30 pm.

Monte Vista Presbyterian Church 3797 W. Lynn Road, Newbury Park, CA 91320

805-498-8213

www.montevistapc.org

Prayer & Praise Reports

Prayer Requests can be added to the Prayer Chain by emailing Rich-ard Vickers at rlvickers@verizon.net and/or the church office at monte-vistaoffice@verizon.net.

Let us know how we can pray for you by filling out a Prayer Card available in the pews & in the Friendship Pads. They can be dropped into the offering plate.

• Pray that the people of Monte Vista come to know the love of Christ in a deeper way.

• Thanksgiving & prayer for our neighbors at First Christian. • Pray for Beverly and Don Benson, Anne and Bob, Ray Weiler (Kathy Josse-

lyn’s father), Arletta Smith (Alanna’s sister), Dewey Falcone, Doug, brother-in-law to Juanetta Cook, David Olson, Kathy Josselyn, Mark Seavey, Angela Madgwick, Laura, Jeff Forgey, Virguinio Roman, Carole Geer, Janet Black, Bev Waitt, Sandee Sandoval

• Continued Prayers for the Ward & Widman Families, the Guiteras Family, the Medler Family, Pat Kihm, Rodolfo Vaccaro, Jazzy Betka, Rosalia & Paul Lewis, the Lucas Family, Sally Losey, Gayle & Grace Olson, Pat Bland, Tony Newman & Kelly, Tanya Paulsen, these difficult economic times, and for em-ployment.

• Pray for Monte Vista Preschool. • Pray for Presbytery Moderator Rev. Jeff Bridgeman, Past Moderator and Chair

of Presbytery Council Rev. Janet Loughry; former Moderator Elder Rurlc Nye

What’s Happening!

Our Elders

Don Schwaiger—Missions Elizabeth Wright—Youth Ministry Richard Vickers—Finance Jeff Farrar—Property Management Annette Bilous—PCH Discipleship Ministry Gaye Lampert—Administration Cindy Vodraska—Clerk of Session Steve Pellnitz—Children’s Ministry/Preschool Larry Lindsay—Worship Karl Smith—Care Ministry

11th Annual Santa Barbara Mission Conference . Ministries of Compassion: In this SB Mission Conference workshop you will learn how to "come alongside" hurting people with practical ministry care giving skills. These skills will be most helpful if you are going on a mission trip with your church. Dr. Jim Witty, pastor and psychologist, and missionaries Jerry and Candis Bingham will lead this workshop in the Santa Barbara Mission Conference. Register now for the Jan. 25-26 conference by going online at www.sbmissionconference.org or by picking up and completing a brochure at any of SB Presbytery’s churches or at Free Methodist Church, Santa Barbara.

Christian Couples Fellowship (1st Friday every month at 6:30) The Christian Couples Fellowship welcomes married couples interested in enhancing their relationship with their spouse, other couples and Christ. Contact Kelly or Frank Ladwig xxxx or xxxx

Men’s Breakfast (Every Thursday at 6:30 am at Parkview Café) Meet to share breakfast and start your day with discussion, friendship, and fellowship while sharing thoughts on scripture in our daily lives.

Men’s Luncheon Wednesday, December 12 at Noon All men are invited to enjoy lunch in the Fellowship Hall at Monte Vista. Cost for lunch is shared along with friendship and fellowship

Women’s TLC Prayer Group (2nd & 4th Thursdays at 7:00 pm) Join us in the Fellowship Hall as we offer fellowship, prayer, and support to one another. Contact Brooke Gant xxxx for more info.

Sweet Monday Book Club (2nd Monday every month 6:30 pm) Join us at Caffe Aroma (2130 Newbury RD, NP) Questions? Call Mardelle Koenders xxxx For December, choose a book about Christmas.

Prayer Shawl Ministry (3rd Tuesday every month at 6:30 pm) Gather together to knit, crochet, and pray over blankets, shawls, and other items to be given to those who are hurting. Contact Juanetta Cook xxxx or Karen Washburn xxxx and karentw@verizon.net. Visit our website at http://montevistaprayershawl.shutterfly.com/

PCH Prayer Groups (every Sunday and Monday) Join us in the Choir Room on Sundays at 9:30 am and in the Youth Room on Mondays at noon. Prayers are available by contacting Phyllis Melampy xxxx or Marge Mayfield xxxx

Seeking Shalom in the City: For 13 years Jeff Shaffer was a pastor at Community Covenant Church in Goleta. In recent years his call has been to work with the homeless and marginalized on Santa Barbara’s West Side through his Uffizi Mission Project. His workshop at the Santa Barbara Mission Conference will cover both the theology and practice of shalom in the subcultures he has come to know. Register now for the Jan. 25-26 conference by going online at www.sbmissionconference.org or by picking up and completing a brochure at any of SB Presbytery’s churches or at Free Methodist Church, Santa Barbara.

The Single Christian Fellowship Group invites all singles to join us December 12, 2012 as we visit The Adolfo Camarillo Ranch House. We will meet at 12:30 at the Monte Vista Presbyterian Church parking lot to car pool. Cost $5 donation. Join us as we kick start Christmas together at the Grand Old Victorian Ranch House. Contact Alanna Jacobs xxxx or Brooke Gant xxxx

Christmas Shopping for a Cause: Dec 8th 11-2pm or 6-9pm Come see the latest releases of Stella & Dot Jewelry. Check off your Christmas list while supporting this special cause. Proceeds to benefit the Ward and Widman Families. Chris Lang’s House, 3361 Mountain Trail Ave. Contact Jane Vaccaro xxxx