Every Tuesday we publish a blog post to lay out in one place what’s going in the life of the church for the upcoming week. Below we’ve got a snapshot of what’s on the calendar this week:
Basketball in the Park
6:00pm - El Camino Park
Reach out to Manny for more info
Sunday Gathering at Ebell Club
10:00am - Meeting Room: Theater
Two Mondays ago, we wrapped up our journey of the Bridge Course. For 10 weeks, we shared meals and built relationships with our neighbors as we wrestled through the big questions of life. Friendships were formed. Honest perspectives were shared. Questions were answered. The gospel was proclaimed. And it was all an absolute blast.
This Sunday, Robert Lopez, who led this year’s course, gave us a window into HOW the Lord worked through Bridge. His report strengthened our faith and fueled our fire to continue spreading the joy of Jesus in Santa Ana. Here’s what he had to say:
For those of you who don’t know what The Bridge Course is, it’s a 10 week introduction to Christianity which is designed to encourage conversation and interaction in a non-pressured environment. The Bridge Course provides a safe space where you can share what you believe or just sit back and listen. It’s a comfortable environment where you can find answers to some of life’s biggest questions, enjoy community with others, and find meaning in life.
This is done through sharing a meal together, watching Pastor Jim Donohue, a friend of our church, answer the weekly question from a Christian perspective, and finally to have a discussion based on what we just heard from Pastor Jim. These talks are designed to raise important questions and inspire conversation.
The talks are about thirty minutes long and they seek to answer important questions about life and God such as: What will really satisfy? Why does God allow suffering? Is Jesus the only way? Can we trust the Bible? And is Christianity really worth it?
The discussion is probably the most important part of the Bridge Course. It’s a chance to interact with the talk and share your perspective in a safe environment. You can ask whatever question you like or not say a word. That’s the Bridge Course.
Now let me share with you what took place these last ten weeks.
This year we had a loaded class. About 20-25 people each week. A combination of guests that our church members brought and some members coming a second year in a row to tightly grasp what they heard the first time. But during these last ten weeks we saw Gods mighty hand move in a special way. God healed broken hearts from previous hurts. God brought clarity where there was once confusion. God put into the hearts of those who attended a desire to know Him more when there was once no interest.
Guests and members came who heard for the first time that there are historical, scientific, and a list of other evidences to the authenticity of the scriptures. That suffering can actually lead to a longing for a better place. And that Christianity is actually worth it because despite the idols we face that try to outshine Christianity like money, sex, and success Christ is the true treasure of our souls and once we realize that we can respond in joy. These are just a few things that took place and some of the topics we talked about that led to great discussion these last ten weeks. And much more can be said with the conversations that took place with the ladies and the youth.
Another thing so that is great about the Bridge Course is each week our members and their guests heard not only an answer to our weekly questions from a Christian perspective but each week our guests heard the gospel and what that means is they heard the good news that the kingdom of God has come in the person and work of His Son, Jesus Christ, and that sinners receive forgiveness, eternal life, and citizenship in this kingdom when they trust in Jesus alone for salvation.
Third John verse 4 say, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” Church let that be said of us. That we have no greater joy than to hear that our family and friends and neighbors are walking in the truth and the Bridge Course is a fantastic tool to use to invite our family and friends and neighbors to come and to hear the gospel, the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.
Church, Romans 10 reminds us “How then will they call on Him whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in Him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”” (Romans 10:14-16). This passage of scripture is your invitation to get into the game. To join us for our next Bridge Course and the courses that follow. It is God who saves but we are the means and the tools that God uses in order to reach the lost. Those who do NOT YET know Him. God uses saved people to save people and by volunteering to help with the Bridge Course we get to be part of what God is doing in our church and in our city.
I want to give a huge thank you to all of you who served the bridge course this year.
Thank you Severson’s, Early’s, William’s, Marcus’, Schlieder’s, Davis’, Cunningham’s, Erkelens, and Madrigals all who proved our weekly meals. Thank you to those who came early to set up and stayed late to tear down and clean up. Thank you to those who lead our group discussions. Ben, Cordell, Brian, Peter Robles, Jennifer, Marina, Rebecca, and Rocio thank you for the way you loved and cared for our guests and members.
If you would like to volunteer in a future Bridge Course please reach out to Jeff or myself and we’ll get you going and prepared for the next one. Lord willing we can start running a Spring and a Fall Bridge Course starting next year.
And if this is your first time here at Cross of Grace or first time hearing about the Bridge Course and are interested in learning more about it and interested in participating in this course I’d love to talk to you more about it after service.
Church, thank you for your weekly prayers. We couldn’t get through each week without the grace of God and your prayers.
Can’t wait for our next journey on the Bridge!
In the story of your life, have you ever felt like there's a scene you just didn't belong in? A calling you believed was best reserved for someone else? Moses did as he tried to wrap his mind around going back to Egypt in order to bring Israel out. He looked at the script God handed to him and said, “There’s got to be someone else who could do this.” God said, “Go,” Moses said, “No,” and our human hero’s journey is off on the wrong foot. But this story has much to teach us about our own. Because every “no” from Moses gave rise to a “yes” about God. Everything Moses lacked was intended to show him more of who God is. And the same is true for us. In the story of our lives, God meets us just as we are and gives us grace for everything we aren’t. Even in spite of all our “nos,” all our doubts, all our inabilities and unfaithfulness, every good purpose God has for us will go forward because of that one man who said, “Yes. Not my will but yours be done.”
This week, 4 groups will meet throughout our city to share in the joy of Jesus and apply his gospel to each other’s lives. Outside of Sunday mornings, small groups are the most important moments in the life of our church.
This is the last meeting before we break for the December fallow month. Make it a priority to be there!
Another opportunity to go out into our city! Grab a friend or two and head to DTSA for the annual Plaza Navideña this Saturday evening, 11/22, beginning at 5pm. This event is great way to meet our neighbors and support local businesses as the city lights a Christmas tree and kicks off the start of the holiday season. The festivities are free to attend and offer something for everyone: entertainment, kids crafts, photo opportunities, and more! The tree lighting ceremony will begin promptly at 5:30pm. Find out more information here.
This Sunday, we’re singing a new song to the God who never changes! It’s a song of adoration to the God who will always be exactly who he is (Ex 3:14-15). In our lives that are so up and down and in a world that’s always changing, we rejoice that God remains blessedly the same.
Listen to the song, read the lyrics, and come ready to praise his name this Sunday.
VERSE 1
Before the skies were born
Before the oceans roared
Before the mountains reached for the burning stars
Through all Your words and ways
Through every promise made
Through every means of grace that reveals Your heart
CHORUS
You are unchanging, faithful, unfailing
Now and forevermore
God everlasting, sovereign, and reigning
Now and forevermore
VERSE 2
In every season here
In waves of joy and tears
In all the ways our eyes only see in part
With every trial we face
With every test of faith
With our eternal hope written in Your scars
Verse 3
When earth and heaven fade
When sight has bloomed from faith
When we are home at last in our Savior’s arms
Then all will be made right
Then every tear will dry
Then Your redeeming light will destroy the dark
Every Tuesday we publish a blog post to lay out in one place what’s going in the life of the church for the upcoming week. Below we’ve got a snapshot of what’s on the calendar this week:
Basketball in the Park
6:00pm - El Camino Park
Reach out to Manny for more info
French Park Run Club
6:30am - French Park Grass Area
Small Groups
6:30pm - Lee home
7:00pm - Turbedsky home
Small Groups
7:00pm - Davis & Erkelens homes
Neighborhood Outreach
10:00am - Meet at the Hidden House Parking Lot
Contact Brian Marcus to RSVP
Sunday Gathering at Ebell Club
10:00am - Meeting Room: Ballroom
Every year our family of churches enjoys a family reunion. A time when pastors, wives, and members of Sovereign Grace Churches come together for a week of worship, fellowship, and encouragement in our shared mission. This year, there are over 825 registrants from 23 different nations attending our annual gathering in Orlando, Florida from 11/18-20. The theme is Christ our Glory, and we trust it’ll be a sweet time away!
As a pastoral team we say “thank you” for sending us! This conference is one of the highlights of our year. We’re grateful for this time away which always makes us more eager to come back and serve the church. In addition to sending us, we also ask that you please pray for us while we’re here. Throughout the week, you can pray that:
The Lord would refresh our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Pray that we’d encounter our glorious Savior through the preaching of his word and the singing of his praise in a way that would change us. Fanning the flames of our affections for him. Drawing us deeper into his joy. Impressing upon our souls the amazing privilege we have of serving his people.
The Lord would use this time to equip us to serve our church well. We’re being sent by the members of our church for the members of our church. Pray that we’d come back better leaders than when we left.
The Lord would build existing and establish new relationships among pastors and members of Sovereign Grace Churches across the globe.
The Lord would give us moments of clarity about our local mission. Pray for the Lord to fill us with His Spirit to give us a greater longing to spread the joy of Jesus to our Santa Ana neighbors.
Would the Lord fill our hearts with gratitude for all he’s done & faith for all he’s doing!
This Saturday is our final neighborhood outreach of the year! A team from CGSA will go into French Park and DTSA to strike up spiritual conversations with our neighbors. We’ll take the initiative to get to know them, ask how we can pray for them, and share the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Love to do this sort of thing? Come on down! Scared to do this kind of thing? Then come on down as well! We’re expecting that the Lord will use us to extend his welcome to our neighbors as he takes our very ordinary efforts and blesses them in extraordinary ways. You’re invited to grow more confident in striking up spiritual conversations, learn from your brothers and sisters as you watch them reaching out, and see God “paint our city blue,” one blade of grass at a time.
We’ll meet at the Ebell parking lot at 9:45am to pray before we go out. We’ll wrap up around noon at Hidden House for a quick debrief.
Want to see what it’s like? Check out this video from our September outreach. Reach out to Robert Lopez to RSVP or ask any questions.
Exodus is the story of God's salvation. A story in which God is not only the Author but also the Main Character. The True Hero who's at work in and through the human hero named Moses. In Ex 3, the heroes of the story share their first scene together. God appears to the one who was drawn out of water and calls him to draw Israel out of Egypt. In response, Moses says, "Who am I to do a thing like this?" To which God replies, "It doesn't matter who you are, all that matters is who I am." Which leads Moses to ask, “Well then, who are you?” He asks the most important question anyone could ever ask - “Who is God?” - and receives a direct and divine answer! In the story of the burning bush, we step onto holy ground as God steps into the story and reveals himself to us.
