Ruth is a short book. But its brevity does not at all equate with limited value. We could spend far more than 6 weeks as a church in the book of Ruth. Whether you're just looking to follow along outside of Sundays or looking to dig a little deeper for extra nuggets of Gospel gold, here are a few resources to plumb the value of the book for all it's worth:

• Ruth: A Sweet and Bitter Providence by John Piper (book, 145 pages)
• Faithful God by Sinclair Ferguson (book/commentary, 160 pages)
• The Gospel, the Book of Ruth and Adoption (discussion)
• More Than a Love Story (article)

Friday, June 1

In 2018, we'll be spending the first Friday of every month fasting and praying together. Church members who fast for all 12 Fridays (all 11 since we missed January) will be invited to a year-end party to celebrate the answers to our prayers. If fasting is new to you, here are some instructions. 

Also, since the first Friday conveniently intersects with the month's first small group meetings, our small groups will meet at 6:00pm for those who are able to make it by then (at their respective locations) to break the fast and share a meal together, followed by a time of prayer and discussion together at 7:00pm. 

This month, we'll be praying for the outreach efforts of our small groups. Some things to consider praying for:

• Pray for courage and compassion to move toward our neighbors in love
• Pray for wisdom to see and move on opportunities
• Pray for leadership from among the congregation to spearhead opportunities
• Pray that we would keep the Gospel in clear focus as we seek to extend compassion and love toward our neighbors
• Pray that God would extend His grace toward our neighbors through Jesus and save them
• Pray that God would spread the joy of Jesus in DTSA through our small groups

Head Up To Orange at Noon

We were sent out and are supported by Sovereign Grace Church of Orange. On this articular Sunday, we'll gather with them in Orange at the Women's Club courtyard for a brief meeting to receive updates on what's going on in the regular rhythms of the church, how God is moving us forward in mission and to simply celebrate His grace in our life together. Eat beforehand, bring your lunch or if you're in a rush, buck-a-slice pizza will be available.

For the past year and a half, Jerry has been volunteering his time to help lead and grow the efforts of Intervarsity's ministry on the campus of Santa Ana College. He's a young man who's making the best use of his time - taking the opportunity to be a witness to the Gospel while he's going about his everyday studies on campus.

His team's efforts are being noticed and acknowledged. Praise God for Jerry and continue to pray for him and that His Spirit empowered ministry would lead to new disciples. 

We Begin A New Sermon Series In Ruth In Two Weeks

Ruth is a great story. There are only a few characters. The main character is barely mentioned, but He's always working. It's a story that reminds us to be aware of that same character's constant and redemptive work in our own lives today. We'll spend 6 short week in the book of Ruth, but they'll be a rich 6 weeks.

To prepare for the series, read through this short book once or twice. 

We've even created a page on the website with the entire book written out without verse divisions or translator headings. Become acquainted with this book. It will be worth your time. 

Mothers Are a Gift of God's Grace

Everybody experiences Mothers Day in different ways. For some, it involves brunch and flowers. For others, it's actually a difficult day, whether it's because of a lack of children, the loss of a mother or some other trying circumstance. Nonetheless, we acknowledged and celebrated Mothers Day because all women who are mothers, have been mothers or aspire to be mothers are God's distinct gift to families and to the church. They are models of care, compassion, mercy, joy and love to those around them and we quite literally would not be here without them. We praise God for the mothers of Sovereign Grace Church of Santa Ana. 

7:00pm On The Front Patio Of The 4th Street Market

Men need other men to be godly men. The men of our church are a combination of husbands, fathers, brothers, sons, friends and employees. Our calling as men is to pursue Christ-likeness in all that we do and all the roles we fulfill. There is hardly a more noble calling, but it's not an easy one. We need one another.

For that reason, we come together once a month to open up God's Word, to encounter Christ and encourage one another in our calling as men. All men, high-school-age and older are welcome. You don't even have to be a Christian. For more information, contact kyle@sovgraceoc.org. 

Your Pastors Gathered To Ask God To Build Existing Churches and To Plant New Churches

This past Thursday through Saturday, pastors from Sovereign Grace Churches in California, Colorado and Arizona came together for just over 48 hours to press into our shared mission together. We gather around one core principle and priority: the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We worshipped God together because of that Gospel. We were also equipped as leaders by solid teaching of the Gospel for the growth of our churches. It's how God builds His Church. Finally, we strategized together to plan and ask God to plant new churches in our surrounding cities through the advance of that Gospel.

We need one another's help to do this. And our sister churches are eager to engage in partnership together with us. We thank God for them. 

We're a church and we're a family. We want to take full advantage of every moment we have together. One of the great things about having 5:00pm services is that you always leave church hungry. Why not use that hunger to do build relationships? After church on Sunday evening is a great time to press in even further and to get to know new people. 

This next Sunday, immediately after church, head over to the 4th Street Market for some dinner, some great company and conversation with our guest preacher. 

They'll Be in Phoenix Together From 5/3-5/5

Our church is a part of a larger family of churches. Within that family of churches, we're a part of the West region. Every year, the pastors from the west region come together twice for a "Regional Assembly of Elders". They come together to share stories of how God is at work. They come together to encourage one another and build relationships between churches. More than anything, they come together to be led by God in order to lead their churches well. 

Pray that God would accomplish all of these and more and that your pastors would return more equipped to love and lead like Christ.