This at Christ Reformed Church: March 29, 2020

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Week Three of the Covid-19 Exile

At the direction of the Governor of California, the County of Orange, City of Anaheim, and in light of the CDC's recommendation about avoiding groups and assemblies, and the need for social distancing, all Lord's Day services and classes are cancelled through Sunday, March 29.

Dr. Riddlebarger will continue our series on Romans by video/audio as we move into the "good news section" of Paul's letter to the church in Rome. Our text will be Romans 3:21-31, "One Is Justified By Faith, Apart from Works."

We are asking you to pray that the spread of the Covid-19 virus is contained by such measures as staying at home, social distancing, and the regular washing of hands. Pray for your fellow church members. Be sure to check-up on your neighbors who may be in need. More importantly, may Jesus Christ be glorified in all that we say and do during this unprecedented public health crisis.

March 22 Distance Worship Service

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Videos of both a liturgical service led by pastor Kim Riddlebarger and a catechism lesson led by pastor Brad Lenzner are posted on “This Week’s Bulletin” page of this website. Bring your family together this Sunday morning and participate in the distance morning worship service and afternoon catechism lesson.

Because of the coronavirus pandemic we have temporarily suspended our worship services for March 22 and March 29.  We will keep you posted when we will be able to resume our gatherings.

Pastor Yi Wang wishes to encourage us to trust in God in these uncertain times and to consider the needs of our neighbors and one another in our congregation with this excerpt from Martin Luther’s tract, Should Christians Flee from a Deadly Plague (1527): 

“I shall ask God mercifully to protect us. Then I shall fumigate, help purify the air, administer medicine and take it. I shall avoid places and persons where my presence is not needed in order not to become contaminated and thus perchance infect and pollute others, and so cause their death as a result of my negligence. If God should wish to take me, he will surely find me and I have done what he has expected of me and so I am not responsible for either my own death or the death of others. If my neighbor needs me, however, I shall not avoid place or person, but will go freely.”

This is a God-fearing faith because it is neither brash nor foolhardy and does not tempt God. All things come from the hands of our compassionate heavenly Father. In Christ, death, our greatest enemy, has already been defeated. Death is not the end for a Christian, but instead it leads to the gates of eternal life. We can remain calm while facing every kind of suffering, disease, weapon, and death, because none of these things can separate us from the love of Christ. Whatever we have experienced and will experience will pass away, and God will himself wipe dry all our tears. “And further, that whatever evil He sends upon me in this troubled life, He will turn to my good; for He is able to do it, being Almighty God, and willing also, being a faithful Father.” (Heidelberg Catechism, Q.26)

Let us pray and intercede for those who are stricken by this disaster. May the grace, peace, and joy from God the Father and from our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you during this time of uncertainty and suffering.

Rev. Yi Wang

Tithes and Offerings

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A note from the deacons regarding tithes and offerings.

While the church is not meeting during the current Covid-19 outbreak, you are welcome to mail your contributions to the church address, 900 S Sunkist St, Anaheim, CA 92806. Please mark your envelope “Deacons” to ensure privacy. The Deacons will collect your contributions and deposit them regularly as they accumulate. The church has regular financial needs such as salaries, rent and insurance that will all come due even while we are not meeting.

Christ Reformed Church – Covid 19 Announcement, March 12, 2020

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Dear Saints:

In light of Governor Newsom’s call to suspend all public gatherings attended by more than 250 people, Christ Reformed Church is cancelling morning and afternoon worship services this coming Lord’s Day (March 15) and the next (March 22). The Academy will not meet this week (March 13) and will resume in April (after Easter, TBD). The Wednesday night Bible Study, Gems and Cadets, and choir practice will be cancelled on March 18 and 25.

A sermon will be posted on the Christ Reformed Church website (christreformed.org) each Lord’s Day services are cancelled. We encourage you to listen to the sermon on Sunday morning, read through the liturgy, and pray for the needs of our church, as well as for those impacted by Covid-19. The sermon for Sunday 3/15/20 is entitled “Be Still, And Know That I Am God” (Psalm 46) by Dr. Kim Riddlebarger. Click on the title to listen.

Covid-19 presents a significant challenge to public safety–especially to the elderly and those in ill-health. The situation is very fluid and we will update you when regular worship services will resume, as well as the safety precautions we will be taking.

Additional updates will be posted on the church website and Facebook pages as they become available.

The words of Psalm 46 remind us of God’s faithfulness in the midst of trial

Psalm 46

1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, 3 though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah 4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. 5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. 6 The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. 7 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah 8 Come, behold the works of the Lord, how he has brought desolations on the earth. 9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire. 10 “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” 11 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

The Executive Committee

Lord's Day Worship: March 15, 2020 - SERVICES HAVE BEEN CANCELLED

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Our worship services have been cancelled for March 15 and 22nd. Please see our announcement regarding COVID 19

Sunday Morning: The Gentiles suppress the knowledge of the truth. The Jews self-righteously judge the Gentiles. Now, Paul demonstrates that there are none righteous, and that no one seeks God, Our text is Romans 3:9-20. Our worship service begins at 10:30 a.m.

Afternoon Service: In our study of the Heidelberg Catechism, we come to the final articles of the Apostles Creed (Lord's Day 21, Q & A, 54-56). Why do Protestants confess "one holy, catholic, and apostolic church"? Our afternoon catechism service begins at 1:15 p.m.

 

Oceanside URC - Bible Conference: March 20-21, 2020

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The Oceanside United Reformed Church (Carlsbad, CA) invites you to its FREE Spring Bible Conference Friday, March 20 through Saturday, March 21 on the theme: The Blessed Hope: Christian Eschatology Simply Explained. Our speakers will be Dr. Kim Riddlebarger and pastor Danny Hyde. For more information visit the Oceanside URC website at: www.oceansideurc.org/spring-conference.

Lord's Day Worship: March 8, 2020

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Sunday Morning: There is no good good news of the gospel, without the bad news of human sin. We are working our way through Paul's indictment of those who seek righteousness through obedience to the law. Our text is Romans 2:17-3:8. Our worship service begins at 10:30 a.m.

Afternoon Service: As we continue our study of the Heidelberg Catechism, we come to Lord's Day 20, Q & A 53, and the catechism's discussion of the Holy Spirit. Our afternoon catechism service begins at 1:15 p.m.

 

Lord's Day Worship: March 1, 2020

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Sunday Morning, March 1: We will continue our study of the Book of Romans with chapter 2, and Paul's indictment of those who seek righteousness through obedience to the law. Our text is Romans 2:1-16. Our worship service begins at 10:30 a.m.

Afternoon Service: In our study of the Heidelberg Catechism, we take up Lord's Day 19 (Q & A 50-52) and Christ's kingly office. Our afternoon catechism service begins at 1:15 p.m.

 

Lord's Day Worship: February 23, 2020

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Sunday Morning: Dr. Kim Riddlebarger will resume our series on the Book of Romans. This coming Lord's Day, we will consider Paul's discussion of our propensity to suppress the truth in unrighteousness. Our text will be Romans 1:18-32. Our worship service begins at 10:30 a.m.

Afternoon Service: Rev. Brad Lenzner will be continuing his series on the attributes of God: Our God is Invisible and Immutable. Join us for our afternoon catechism service which begins at 1:15 p.m.

 

Lord's Day Worship: February 16, 2020

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Sunday Morning:  We will ordain and install new elders and deacons.  Our text for this coming Lord's Day is 1 Peter 5:1-11, and Peter's exhortation to elders to "shepherd the flock."  Our worship service begins at 10:30 a.m. 

Afternoon Service: 
Dr. Riddlebarger will continue our discussion of Lord's Day 18 of the Heidelberg Catechism (Q & A 46-49) looking at Christ's Ascension.  Our afternoon service begins at 1:15 p.m.