Here’s a snapshot of what’s going on this week:
Basketball in the Park
6:30pm - El Camino Real Park
Reach out to Manny for more info
French Park Run Club
6:30am - French Park
Prayer Meeting
9am - Warm house
Feel free to arrive at 8:30am for cafe y pan
Flyer here / reach out to Marina for more info
Sunday Gathering at the Ebell Club
10:00am - Sermon: The Covenant Promise - Exodus 23:20-33
Sunday was a big day. We commissioned the Lopez family for the next chapter of life and ministry: a year in Louisville, KY at the Sovereign Grace Pastors College. A time of being equipped by God’s word through God’s people to come back and serve us in yet greater ways.
We said a temporary “goodbye” believing it would lead to many more gospel “hellos” here in Santa Ana. We honored dear friends. We shared sweet memories and shed a few tears. We thanked God for his great grace. We entrusted him with the future of this family and our church. And we sent the Lopezs out in faith. Because we believe Jesus is in this and we can’t wait to see what he does next. As he works in this family, prepares a man for pastoral ministry, and uses the investment of a year away to bless our church for years and years to come.
Enjoy a few snapshots of this significant moment in our life together. Thank God for all the grace he’s given us through the Lopezs. Then look to the future expectant that he’s got even more grace to give.
On Sunday, Pastoral Intern Robert Lopez preached the gospel to us one more time before heading off to Pastors College. His parting words were the same the Lord Jesus left with his disciples in Mt 28:16-20. And what the Risen Christ left to them was - and remains - the most extraordinary mission that's ever been given! As he prepared to ascend to heaven, he gave them the task of advancing his Kingdom all across the earth. Making disciples of all people everywhere. Welcoming the world into the goodness of his saving reign and then teaching them how to walk in his righteous ways. And, what’s so amazing about it all, is that he chose the people he did to do it. People like the denying and doubting disciples back then. Ordinary, unimpressive, and struggling people like us now. Yet, far from this overwhelming or discouraging us, it actually brings us hope. Because the success of the Great Commission doesn’t ultimately depend on us. It depends on the Savior who saved us, sent us, and promised always to be with us. He will give us all we need. He will get the job done.
Every summer, our women’s ministry takes a break from its regular monthly meetings to enjoy a series of potlucks. The ladies of our church gather together to share meals and stories of God’s grace. This is a great event to invite your friends, especially friends who aren’t sure what they believe, don’t attend church, or are new to the faith.
This time around the ladies of Cross of Grace will be gathering at the De La Cruz home. See you tonight for testimonies on the power of prayer and brunch food for dinner!
This Sunday marks a milestone moment in the life of our church: sending our first family to the Sovereign Grace Pastors College! God is raising up pastors to serve us and spread the joy of Jesus in yet greater ways. So we're taking the time to celebrate what he's doing to build this church and advance her mission.
In the morning, we’ll hear the gospel preached by Robert and then commission these dear friends for a year of training, growing, and living life in Louisville, Kentucky. After this special service, we’ll gather in the Madrigal Backyard and send them off in style! Digging into a BBQ feast to give the Lopezs a head-start on all the country living that awaits them.
Here are the party details:
Date: Sunday, 7/26/26
Time: 1pm (early arrivals ok)
Location: Madrigal Backyard in Santa Ana
What to bring: sign-up for the potluck here
Make it a point to be there as we honor dear friends and celebrate what God is doing among us.
Here’s a snapshot of what’s going on this week:
Basketball in the Park
6:30pm - El Camino Real Park
Reach out to Manny for more info
French Park Run Club
6:30am - French Park
Women’s Potluck
6:30pm - De La Cruz home
Reach out to Taylor for more info
From July 10th - 13th, 12 students and 4 leaders from CGSA joined our sister churches in the West for the 2026 Youth Camp! They gathered together in the mountains of AZ for a time of worship, teaching, games, and lip-sync battles, all to the glory of God!
God met them in big ways! This past Sunday, we heard about Malachi’s experience at camp. Read his testimony below and be encouraged that God is at work among the next generation.
Before I went to camp I was worried about my future, super self focused, and trying to navigate relationships (mainly a relationship) from this past year. And I kept praying to God to give me peace, in the midst of all the madness in my head, but i still was worrying and facing the battle of not letting go. So I definitely had a vulnerable heart going into camp. And spending the time at camp really helped take my eyes off of the stresses and worries by just looking at God’s creation and fellowshipping.
One of my favorite moments from camp was the worship. God was showing me through worship that he loves me and that I don’t need to worry about anything. And I think a turning point for me was a sermon that was spoken on Hebrews 12. Which was talking about running the race which God has set for you. And the pastor pointed out that, "God has set a race for you, and you keep resisting because you’re not willing to let go of the past." And for me that was the relationships or even the worries about where I’m gonna end up 10 years from now. And so one note I wrote down was, “Stop clinging to what is keeping you from running to Jesus.” On my notes I wrote a list of things, people, and ideas that are hindering me from following God’s path for me and prayed for him to give me the strength to let these things go.
Coming back from camp, God ultimately showed me I don’t need to worry about anything, all I need to do is pursue Jesus in his word and find joy being in his presence.
Praise the Lord!
What do we do with all the rules we find in Exodus 20:22-23:19? A section known as the Book of the Covenant filled with words about altars, bondservants, 3,500 year old criminal codes, unruly oxen, our neighbor’s farm animals, and ancient festivals. Do we hang onto the 10 Commandments and skip over what comes next? Do we assume it doesn’t apply to us and move onto the stuff that seems less removed by time, culture, or differing places in the redemptive storyline? What do we when we come to weird, obscure, or challenging parts of our Bibles (especially the Old Testament laws)? We believe that even if there’s a sense in which these words aren’t directly spoken to us, they are absolutely spoken for us. You should receive all God’s words as words for you.
On Sunday, we took up 3 different laws in the Book of the Covenant and did just that. Considering rules regarding slavery, equity, and sexual intimacy and asking the following questions: 1) What does this law say to do? In that time back then. 2) What does this law say about God? For all time. 3) What does this law say for us? In our time, context, and place in the story on the other side of the cross and enthronement of Jesus Christ.
If you’ve been visiting Cross of Grace for any length of time and want to learn more about who we are, what we’re like, or what we believe as a church, this class is for you! Starting Point is a two-hour class designed to help you to get to know us, ask any questions you have, and take the next step in believing in Jesus and becoming part of the Cross of Grace family.
Here’s a snapshot of what’s going on this week:
Basketball in the Park
6:30pm - El Camino Real Park
Reach out to Manny for more info
French Park Run Club
6:30am - French Park
Sunday Gathering at the Ebell Club
10:00am - Sermon: The Book of the Covenant - Exodus 20:22-23:19
Starting Point
12:30pm - Schlieder Home
Learn more and sign up for Starting Point Here
