Mr. Taylor will be teaching on Romans 4 with an apologetical focus on arguments in favor of the Protestant doctrine of justification by faith alone. 

All ladies are welcome to attend the book club (even if you haven’t read the book). Meetings are usually held at different homes, starting at 2:00 PM with fellowship and refreshments, followed by discussion of the selected book. Our first meeting will be held at the home of Diane Reiman on Saturday, March 10, 2012. If you have any questions please contact Julie Carson at the church office urcanaheim@aol.com.

Book Club reading list for 2012

March 10: Pilgrim’s Progress, John Bunyan

April 28: The Cost of Discipleship, Dietrich Bonhoeffer

June 9: Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 3, sections 1-10, John Calvin

July 28: Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 3, sections 11-25, John Calvin

September 22: Christianity and Liberalism, J. Gresham Machen

November 17: The Problem of Pain, C.S. Lewis

Join us on Friday, February 10 at 7:30 p.m. when Dr. Riddlebarger resumes his class on The Christian Faith.

“The Christian Faith offers a fine, comprehensive companion to a number of recent systematic theologies. Crisply written, scripturally informed throughout, distinctively evangelical and Reformed, conversant with classic as well as contemporary Christian authors—Horton’s study is an outstanding contribution that will richly nourish Christian pilgrims on their way toward the consummation of Christ’s kingdom.” — Cornelis P. Venema, President, Mid-America Reformed Seminary

Are You A Renaissance Christian?

The wide-ranging movement known as the Renaissance led to the rebirth of European culture spanning from the 14th through the 17th centuries. Building on this idea, the “Renaissance Christian” can then be defined as a believer in Christ who pursues information, knowledge, and wisdom as a daily priority in life. Recognizing the importance of the imago Dei (humankind uniquely created in the image of God, Genesis 1:26-27), the Renaissance Christian seeks to pursue "the life of the mind to the glory of God." 

The consensus of historic Christianity is that God reveals truth in Two Books: the figurative book of nature (God’s world, general revelation) and the literal book of Scripture (God’s Word, special revelation). Therefore when Christ’s followers pursue truth of any kind they will see the signature of the Creator-Redeemer God who reveals the ultimate Truth.

The content of this class will help the individual Christian to sharpen their thinking, reading, and reflective skills as they seek to glorify God through utilizing their God given intellectual capacities. Specific lectures will be given on improving logical thinking, analytical reading, and worldview reflection.

Resources:  A World of Difference: Putting Christian Truth-Claims to the Worldview Test by Kenneth Samples, How to Read a Book by Mortimer J. Adler and Charles Van Doren.

The bulletin for Sunday

Join us on Wednesday January 18 at 7:00 p.m. when Rev. Andrea Ferrari, URC church planter in Milan, Italy will be speaking on the topic of "Lessons from the Past: An Italian Reformer Speaks Today". 

Rev. Ferrari is a missionary and pastor ordained in the United Reformed Churches in North America. He is an Italian national and serves as pastor of Chiesa Evangelica Riformata ‘Filadelfia’ (CERF) in Milan (Novate), Italy.

Rev. Ferrari’s entrance into the URCNA was by a colloquium doctum administered by Classis Southwest. His ministry is overseen by the Consistory of Christ United Reformed Church in Santee, CA with the advice of Classis Southwest.

Rev. Ferrari possesses theological degrees from three institutions: a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Assemblies of God Bible Institute in Italy (1992), a Master of Philosophy from the University of Wales (2004), and another Masters degree (Dottore Magistrale) from the University of Milan (2007). He is the author of John Diodati’s Doctrine of Holy Scripture (Grand Rapids: Reformation Heritage Books, 2006), as well as numerous articles published in theological journals and magazines.

Andrea and his wife Cristina were married in 1992 and have two sons, Simone (Simon) and Danielle (Daniel). They live in Bollate, Milan.

For more information visit this link:  Reformation Italy

You are invited to join us for an evening of Lessons and Carols on Friday, December 23 at 7:00 p.m.

Lessons and Carols is a service celebrating the birth of Jesus.  The fall of humanity, the promise of the Messiah, and the birth of Jesus is told in nine Bible readings interspersed with the singing of Christmas carols and hymns.  We hope you and your family can join us for this wonderful evening as we remember the birth of Christ and hear of God’s faithfulness throughout the ages.

You are cordially invited to attend our church Christmas party on Friday, December 9 at 7:00 p.m.  Come for an evening of great food, fellowship, and to hear the story of the birth of Christ.  We hope you can join us for an evening that is sure to be filled with singing and laughter.

The Call to Repentance: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-18

The Old Testament Lesson: Psalm 136

The New Testament Lesson: Romans 8:31-39

Sermon: Give thanks to our Creator, Redeemer and Provider