Element Christian Church - 4890 Bethany Lane, Santa Maria, California | Serving Orcutt, Santa Maria, and Vandenberg SFB in California | 805.310.4229 | info@ourelement.org
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LIVESTREAM & On Demand

March 26th Livestream:
March 12th On Demand:
 
 

Livestream Links:

- Sermon Notes & Discussion Questions: Youversion or (PDF)
- Galatians Reading Plan and Discussion Guide
- Winter Mission Update
- DOWNLOAD CHURCH CENTER APP (Register for children's class, see calendar and more)
- Connect Card: Church Information or Digital Connect Card
- List of Gospel Communities
- Watch: Series Archived Messages
- Give: Online or download app for iOS or Android

Interact with us:
- Visit Linktree for all the links referenced
- Follow us on Facebook or Instagram @ourelement
- Tag us @ourelement
- Join our Weekly Email Update

 
 
 
 

Current Sermon Series:

Galatians Series
 
 
 

Recent Blog Post:

Meet Kevin Kaub, HS + Minister

by Element Christian Church

In this long form bonus episode, Aaron and Michael interview Kevin, our new hire for High School and post graduation ministries. This get-to-know you episode is for you to hear Kevin’s journey getting here and his heart for ministry. 


Thailand Info Meeting & Scholarship Opportunity

by Element Christian Church

Watch our info meeting from the team that went to Thailand last year...

 Here is more information about our Scholarship Program:

Scholarship Information

Galatians Series Reading Plan & Discussions

by Element Christian Church

We have a series-wide reading plan and discussions to help focus your time of Bible reading and follow along with the series. The reading plan can be adjust in any way. This could be beneficial to individuals, families, friends coming together or community groups looking to go deeper.

Download the Galatians Reading Plan and Discussion Questions Here.

Sacrament or Ordinance

by Aaron

At our last Weekender (the new name for our Gospel Class), I got a question that I didn’t fully understand. I kept calling communion and baptism “sacraments” for Element. A person asked me if I meant “sacrament” or “ordinance” when talking about those two things. My response was that it wasn’t a hill I was going to die on and you could call it whatever you wanted; I said this because I didn’t understand what the person was getting at. I went home that night and thought about it and at about 2 AM, the light went on in my brain and I was like, “OH, I know what they were asking now.”

I was not raised in a religious environment. I could probably count on one hand (probably even 2 fingers) the number of times my family went to “church” while growing up. Because of my upbringing, I do not attach deep meaning to certain words or phrases that many people who have been raised in a church setting do. One of those words happens to be “sacrament.”

The word sacrament comes from the word for mystery; mystery was a word that was used for something that was once unclear and now is clear because of God’s work in Christ. The mystery of Christ is that: Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ will come again. They called this “revealed mystery” because it was what the Old Testament had been saying all along and we now see the reality in Jesus. Where did we get the word sacrament from if the word meant mystery? The answer to that comes from when the Latin language was taking over the world.

People didn’t know what mystery (mysterium) meant, so when translators wanted to make this word clearer, they borrowed a word from the Roman Army. A recruit for the Roman army became a soldier by undergoing a “sacramentum.” The sacramentum had two parts:

  • The soldier took an oath of office
  • The Army branded him behind the ear with the number of his legion

The “sacramentum” brought about new advantages like acquiring social and legal benefits. Ancient Latin theologians used the word sacramentum because they thought it was the best Latin equivalent because the church rite is spiritual and physical (we get new responsibilities and a new spiritual status before God).

Back to the Weekender question…Catholics are taught that a sacrament is, “An outward and visible sign of an inward and invisible grace.” Meaning it is a MEANS OF GRACE and can be tied to salvation. There are many outward signs of inward grace that are not sacraments in Catholicism (like the benediction at the end of a service), but in 1545-1563 the Council of Trent said true sacraments were a means of grace (and there were 7 of them): Baptism, Confirmation, Penance (Confession), Communion (Eucharist), Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders (setting people aside as clergy), and Marriage.

Now, do we believe that marriage or communion is a means of grace being bestowed upon as believers? Not at all. We believe they are GIFTS of grace, but they do not affect our salvation. This is why, in order to not confuse people, the protestant church started to use the word “ordinance.” Ordination to the clergy can’t be a sacrament, because not every Christian is called to the ordained ministry. Marriage can’t be a sacrament, because it is not something only Christians do (and Jesus didn’t require it). Anointing the sick with oil can’t be a sacrament, because what happens to healthy Christians? Any time we try to make something a “means” of grace, other than Christ’s propitiating work for us, we shrink the Gospel.

In the Eastern Orthodox Church they still call certain things “The Holy Mysteries” which shows that the words can be used interchangeably. Essentially I use the word sacrament because communion and baptism at Element are sacred, but they are not a means of grace. We believe they hold great significance to our church and communal life, but should never be a substitute for the Gospel.

That’s a long way to say, “that is why I use the word sacrament; it is sacred, but it is not the Gospel.” 

Location & Service Times

by Element Christian Church

Sundays: In person at 9:00 & 10:45am.

Kid's Programs for ages birth-5th grade are available during both 9 & 10:45am services. Middle School+ which consists of grades 6-9 is only at our 10:45am service.

Live-Stream happens of our 9:00am service only.

Our intent is to worship God in the following ways: Fellowship, Music, Teaching, Communion, Prayer, Service, and Laughter.

  • Fellowship: We are gathering today as a corporate group to encounter God together.
     
  • Music: We sing songs that speak of God's desire and ours for knowing Him better.
     
  • Teaching: We learn from the Scriptures truths that apply to our lives today, just as they did when the Scriptures were originally written.
     
  • Communion: We take time to focus on Jesus, and His sacrifice for us, then actively partake of the elements which remind us of this sacrifice.
     
  • Giving: We give back to God as He has so graciously given to us (we do not pass a plate, there are offering boxes stationed around the room for you to give).

 

 

Upcoming Events

by Element Christian Church

Upcoming Events

1st Sundays April 2nd - First Sunday of Every Month - 12:30pm in the Sanctuary
1st Sunday Culture & Theology Discussions

If you've been around Element for any length of time, you've probably heard it said that on Sunday mornings when we have an opportunity to capture your attention for an hour, that hour will be spent worshiping Christ and spreading the Gospel.

For this reason, we choose not to tackle certain political and social issues/ current affairs. We also don't have a whole lot of opportunities for you to present questions/ concerns about theology or just generally get the thoughts of our Elders.

With all this in mind, we will now be dedicating an hour after service each 1st Sunday of the month to addressing some of these concerns. We will alternate topics with one month focused on current events and the next on theology. You will hear from our Elders as well as other leaders during this time.

We look forward to having the opportunity to have some tougher conversations and discovering more ways to glorify our God even further.

This will not be livestreamed.

Delta Dragons April 2nd, 12:30pm
Delta Egg Stuffing

Help us stuff some Easter Eggs for an upcoming Delta HS event. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more info.

Good Friday April 7th, 6p
Good Friday

Join us as we worship, reflect, and give thanks for the sacrifice made on the cross by our Savior. Good Friday is the day that commemorates Christ's sacrifice on the cross. It is a prelude to Easter and a way to remember Jesus' suffering and the resurrection power that will be given to followers of Christ to enable us to truly love one another.

Childcare will be available for ages birth-Kindergarten only.

Easter April 8th/9th
Easter Services

Sunday April 9th, 2023
9a & 10:45a
Celebrate Resurrection Sunday with us during our normal service times. Early arrival recommended to ensure seating.

Saturday Eve Service – April 8th, 2023
6p
Celebrate with us Easter Eve if you would like to avoid the Sunday crowd or if you would like to volunteer your time to serve in one of our classrooms Sunday morning. As this service is intended for those without kids and those who will be serving Easter Sunday, we will not have any children’s programs during this time.

Baptisms

April 23rd
Spring Baptisms

At Element we believe baptism is making a public statement about your life and commitment to walk in the ways Jesus calls you to. Many people only get the Jesus “as seen on TV” and don’t understand what Jesus does in “real life” or what following Him looks like on a practical level...so we not only baptize people, but have them write their stories as well. 

We then celebrate as a church family with food, swimming and laughter! We hope you will plan to join us for the afternoon! More details will be released as we get closer to the date.

We will hold Baptism Classes both in person on 3/26 and virtually 3/28. If you are interested in being baptized, please click here to sign up.

Element U Beginning April 27th
Element University Class Begins

Join us as we look at what it means to engage culture. This class will have a unique schedule. It'll be on Thursday nights with a break for the Jesus Sex and Gender course. Dates for Element U are: April 27th, May 4th and 11th, June 1st, 8th, and 15th

The Classics April 30th
The Classics Ministry Info Meeting

If you are in the 60+ age range, we invite you to come learn about The Classics, a new ministry for the older adults at Element. Our hope is that this ministry would encourage, equip, and empower Element's older adults as a vital Christian community through service, discipleship, and witness! This initial info/planning meeting on Sunday, April 30th is for the purpose of sharing the vision of this ministry and gathering feedback from those potentially interested in being a part of it. Let's brainstorm together and discuss what this ministry could look like. Coffee and light refreshments will be served; meeting will be held in the barn immediately after 1st service.

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GriefShare Beginning May 1st
Grief Share

Element is introducing a new ministry offering called Griefshare. This is a 13-week support group dedicated to learning more about walking through grief together by going through video lessons, group discussions, and workbook exercises.

If you are grieving the loss of a loved one, we invite you to participate in this group to learn more about God's heart for the brokenhearted and the ultimate hope He offers us. Feel free to bring your dinner as we gather together on Monday evenings from 6-7:30 PM starting on May 1st.

*We are requesting a $15 donation be made to help us cover the cost of materials. However, if you are unable to cover this cost, please let us know.

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Trivia Night

May 5, 5-8:30pm
Trivia Night!

This event will be: A- FUN! B- Loud and chaotic C- A good chance to hang out with other people D- Mildly embarrassing - both for me and for you E- All of the above

Festivities start as early as 5pm. Nena's Kitchen will be on hand with their food truck at that time so you can come early and get your tacos!

We will kick things off with a kids round at 5:30p and after that, we have set up childcare and some super fun activities for the kids to enjoy.

Actual trivia questions will begin at 6p so if you intend to play, gather or Gospel Communities or other teammates and be ready to start at that time! Even if you don’t want to play (but you will), feel free to come out, support the food truck and cheer people on!

Sign up for childcare and to register your team here.

Christian Sexuality May 19-20th
Jesus Sex and Gender Seminar

Our teens are growing up in a tumultuous time. They have so many things to navigate including sexuality and gender. This spring, we will be going through the series, JESUS, SEX AND GENDER with your teens. This Parent series is meant to help you disciple your kids in the Creator’s design for sexuality and gender, as well as give you a chance to preview the material for your students. Through the many stories and testimonies you will learn more about the heart of God, understand Biblical answers to some of the deepest questions surrounding these topics, and be led into how best to share them with your children.

RSVP coming soon.

Middle School This Summer
Summer camps for eKids, Middle School and High School

This year we will be headed to Summer Camp! Check back for dates and details!

Ramsey's Financail Peace University August 3rd thru September 28
Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University

Take control of your money with Financial Peace University! This nine-week class uses biblical wisdom and common sense to help you tackle budgeting, pay off debt, and make your money work for you! This culture is designed to take you down. Credit cards, car loans, student loans . . . they’ll keep you paying way too much money for way too long. But there’s one way out of the mess of debt, and it starts right here with you. You can change your future today by taking a Financial Peace University class. You’ll learn to pay off debt fast, save more money, and build lasting wealth

Sign Up here.

The Weekender October 6th & 7th
The Weekender (Fall Class)

The Weekender is a 2-day event intended for anyone who wants to move beyond simply attending services and explore how to get better connected. Friday night includes dinner with staff, elders, and other leaders, as well as an introduction to Element’s vision and core values. On Saturday morning, we’ll share the theological beliefs that shape those values, how your role and spiritual gifts can fit within our community, and answer any questions you might have.

While attending The Weekender is a prerequisite to becoming a Member of Element Christian Church, attendees are not required to become Members.

Childcare and meals will be provided both days.
Day 2 will actually end around 12:30p followed by inviting the children to join in for a lunch all together.

Please sign up here so we can prepare food and childcare adequately.

Pumpkin Killing October 29th, 1pm
Pumpkin Killing

Come join us for some annual Pumpkin Killing fun! We carve them, we eat them, we shoot them out of cannons!! Bring your friends and family and get ready for the Fall event you don't want to miss! 

 

Middle School Ministry

All Events This Year For:
Middle School Events

March 26 Roller Skating
April 23: Baptisms 1-3pm
May 28: Escape Room 1230-230pm
June 25: Beach Trip 1-5pm
July 30: Beach Trip 1-5pm
Aug 13: Parent Meeting Pool Party
Aug 27: Cardboard Wars 1230-230pm
Sept 24: Almost All Nighter 6- Midnight
Oct 29: Pumpkin Killing
Nov 19: Agape/Cookoff 1230-230pm
Dec 15: MS Christmas Party Time

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for More information!

 

  Checkback for:
More Events Coming Soon

We have other activities and classes in the works, like Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace Univiserty this fall, Kids CTV family VBS, and much more! Check back soon.

 

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View our Full Blog  |  View our Calendar  |  View Media

Join us Sundays:

9:00 and 10:45am
Children's programs available at both

Middle School+: Sundays 10:45am in the barn

Location:

4890 Bethany Lane, Orcutt CA 93455

Get Directions Here

Recent Sermons

  • Galatians - Week 11 - Two Paths: To Blessing Or Curse
  • Galatians - Week 12 - Why Then The Law
  • Galatians - Week 10 - The Spirit’s Power

All sermons

Element's Mission

OUR MISSION: To Glorify God by teaching and living out the Scriptures, transforming community into Gospel Community, and planting churches.

Read Our Statement of Faith

 

Element Christian Church - 4890 Bethany Lane, Santa Maria, California | Serving Orcutt, Santa Maria, and Vandenberg SFB in California | 805.310.4229 | info@ourelement.org © 2023.