Our First Livestream Baptism

Baptism. On a home patio. In the rain. During a pandemic. Visible evidence of the unstoppable power of God to save sinners. This last Sunday, we celebrated that God has saved Gusi Requena through the blood of Christ. He was baptized - a sacrament that “throbs with the movement of the Gospel”. Continue to celebrate by taking a look at these pictures, by praising God in prayer, and maybe even by sending Gusi a text encouraging him and asking how you can take an active role in his life as a new Christian.

A Message About Leaders From a Developing Leader

This last Sunday, we announced that Jeff is officially transitioning from intern to resident. In celebration of this, Jeff preached from 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13. This was a tall order for him - the text regards instruction for members of a church to respect their leaders. The Lord demonstrated through Jeff’s sermon, though, why he’s progressing on towards residency; why he as well is due respect. He spoke of the necessity of leaders being sacrificial servants who follow Christ. He spoke of leaders being “repurposed sinners” deployed for God’s purposes. We’re grateful for and respect Jeff and the leaders among us. Know also how deeply your leaders love you and care for you and long to be back with you once this pandemic abates.

Listen to this week’s sermon here.

He’s Been The Church Intern. He’s Now a Pastoral Resident.

Jeff Schlieder has been serving for the past 8 months as the first intern at Sovereign Grace Church of Santa Ana. We’ve wondered if God has called Jeff to be a pastor of Sovereign Grace Church of Santa Ana. And we believe it’s a task given to the local church to assess the calling and gifting of a potential pastor.

We Asked For Your Feedback - It Was All Positive

Now that we’ve heard from you, he’s officially moving from intern to resident. What does this mean? It means that his role in the church is transitioning from one in which the primary purpose was evaluation to one in which the primary purpose is preparation. During an internship, we’re saying, “we wonder if this man is called to pastoral ministry”. During a residency, we’re saying, “we believe that God is calling this man to pastoral ministry”. The next phase after this would be ordination, during which we would together declare, “this man is called by God to be a pastor of this church.”

Continue to pray for Jeff. Continue to give any feedback you might have. Rejoice in the work of God in him and in this church. Begin to look to Jeff as one the Lord has positioned to lead and shepherd this local flock of God in the near future.

Don’t Miss Our Weekly Prayer Meeting Every Friday at 7pm

Until our church calendar normalizes and we’re allowed to meet together again, we’ll conduct a 1.5 hour zoom call to receive a brief update from one another and pray together for one another and for our neighbors. This is the rare chance we get to see one another in one place. We love seeing your faces and hearing your voices.

PLEASE MAKE THIS A PRIORITY ON YOUR CALENDAR

The call-in information for this call is listed below:

Call in online or with the app: https://zoom.us/j/6583688098 (Meeting ID: 658 368 8098)

Call in on your phone without the app or internet: +16699009128,,6583688098# US

Our denomination is asking all churches to set aside this Friday, April 3rd to pray for our healthcare professionals. We’ve included the full text of the blog post below. You can also access it here.

The Bible is sufficient for all of life, at all times, even in the midst of a global pandemic. God is good to tell us what to do in tribulation, like the COVID-19 pandemic we are all walking through together. God tells us in Romans 12 to “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer” (Rom. 12:12, ESV).

Being constant in prayer sounds like a good thing to do right now. Therefore, I’m asking the members and pastors of Sovereign Grace Churches to devote this Friday, April 3 to a Day of Prayer for Healthcare Professionals who are serving during the COVID-19 pandemic. These men and women are on the front lines, at the risk of their own health, to care for those who are sick. We, as a family of churches, thank God for them and the many sacrifices they are making. Here are a few ways you can join me in praying for the health care workers serving around the globe:

• Ask God to protect them from contracting the COVID-19 virus as they care for the sick.

• Ask God to strengthen them for the long hours they are working in hospitals and clinics.

• Ask God to comfort them when they need to spend time separated from family and friends.

• Ask God to provide the equipment, medicine, and supplies they need to care for those infected with the COVID-19 virus.

• Ask God to encourage them especially during difficult and challenging days.

• Ask God to use Christian health care workers to communicate the love of Christ to patients and co-workers looking for opportunities to share the hope of the gospel.

Thanks for being constant in prayer.

WHAT IS A HEALTHY CHURCH BY MARK DEVER

¿QUE ES UNA IGLESIA SANA?  POR MARK DEVER

By recommending a new book every month, we’re recommending resources to you that help you to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Pet. 3:18). It is not required that you purchase or read these books. They’re mere recommendations to assist you in choosing good books that help you to make the best use of the precious time you have.

ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS YOU’RE ASKING ABOUT THE CHURCH DURING THE QUARANTINE

April’s book of the month is “What is a Healthy Church” by Mark Dever.

While we’re to stay at home during this Coronavirus crisis, we’re forced to ask some essential questions about the local church: “what is the essence of our meetings?”. “What’s non-negotiable in our corporate worship?”. “What makes a church a church if it doesn’t meet in person?”. Take this opportunity to read this book and grow your understanding of what makes a healthy local church. This is one way that you can use your quarantine well.

Purchase the book in English here.

Purchase the book in Spanish here.

GOD HAS BEEN MERCIFUL TO US IN CHRIST. WE WANT TO BE MERCIFUL TOWARD ONE ANOTHER AND OUR NEIGHBORS

If you or your neighbors are facing medical, financial, food-related or any other kind of challenges due to the coronavirus outbreak, here’s your one-stop shop of resources available to residents of Santa Ana and throughout Orange County. We will update this list on a weekly basis to keep you up to date on all available resources.

MEDICAL ASSISTANCE

• COVID-19 Health Referral Hotline - 800-564-8448

The Orange County Health Care Agency has established a Health Referral Hotline to call if you suspect you have COVID-19 symptoms.

• Orange County Healthcare Agency - COVID-19 “What you should know” - http://cms.ocgov.com/gov/health/phs/about/epidasmt/epi/dip/prevention/novel_coronavirus.asp

Contains daily updates on the spread of and response to COVID-19 within Orange County as well as other additional resources and informational graphics and flyers.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

• Rental/Utility Assistance - Salvation Army of OC - 714-384-0481 

Santa Ana Office - 1710 West Edinger Avenue, Santa Ana, CA 92703

Other cities served: Fullerton, La Habra, Yorba Linda, Brea, Placentia, Buena Park - 714-451-8080

Anaheim and Villa Park - 714-783-2344

• Rental/Utility Assistance - Share Our Selves - 949-270-2100 - https://www.shareourselves.org/services/financial-assistance/

• Rental/Utility Assistance - Serving People In Need (SPIN) - 714-751-1101

  • https://www.spinoc.org/news for COVID-19 response;

  • https://www.spinoc.org/programs for general programs for those in need

• Rental/Utility/Misc. Assistance - St. Vincent de Paul in Orange County - 714-542-0448 http://www.svdpoc.org 1505 East Seventeenth Street Suite #109, Santa Ana, CA 92705 

  St. Vincent de Paul provides home visits, hospital visits, food pantries and grocery distribution, person-to-person visit for assessment, discernment and encouragement, financial aid for utilities, medication, household items, rent assistance, temporary housing (motel voucher), transportation (bus passes, gasoline), and clothing.  available assistance.

For those who have experienced job-layoffs or a reduction in hours/pay:

• CA Unemployment - General Number & Website - English 1-800-300-5616 - Spanish 1-800-326-8937 https://www.edd.ca.gov/unemployment/. Representatives are available at the following toll-free numbers, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 12 noon (Pacific time) except on state holidays.

To file a claim online: https://edd.ca.gov/Unemployment/Filing_a_Claim.htm

• CA Unemployment COVID-19 Specific Resources: Disability insurance for those off due to COVID-19 due to mandatory quarantine or unpaid sick/get better time after having the COVID-19.

To connect to claims: https://edd.ca.gov/about_edd/coronavirus-2019.htm 

Frequently Asked Questions: https://edd.ca.gov/about_edd/coronavirus-2019/faqs.htm 

• Disaster Loans for Small Businesses - https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/

• Labor & Workforce Development Agency – Information regarding: Paid Sick Leave, Disability and Unemployment Insurance, Paid Family Leave, Workplace Health and Safety Guidance, Employer Assistance, CA Department of Public Health, & Common Sense Tips for Staying Healthy - https://www.labor.ca.gov/coronavirus2019/

Additional State-sponsored assistance:

• OC Social Services Agency - http://ssa.ocgov.com/calfresh/apply

  • To apply for various aid/relief programs such as CalFresh (food stamps), CalWorks (homeless, diversion, and immediate need assistance), and General Relief (temporary cash assistance to adults without children)

  • Check your eligibility or sign-up for benefits by going to https://www.mybenefitscalwin.org/

Job Opportunities - for those in need of employment due to lay-offs or temporary furlough:

• Amazon Jobs - https://www.amazondelivers.jobs/?cmpid=PRPRLC0780H6

  • Amazon is adding 100,000 new full and part-time positions across the U.S. in our fulfillment centers and delivery network to meet the surge in demand from people relying on Amazon’s service during this stressful time, particularly those most vulnerable to being out in public.

  • Sign-up for job alerts in your area by texting AMAZON to 77088

• Walmart Jobs - https://careers.walmart.com/

  • Walmart is adding 100,000+ jobs nationwide in response to the COVID crisis

• Domino’s Jobs -https://jobs.dominos.com/dominos-careers/

  • Domino’s is adding 1,000s of jobs nationwide in response to COVID crisis

FOOD/GROCERY ASSISTANCE

• CA Meals for Kids Mobile Application - https://www.cde.ca.gov/re/mo/cameals.asp

  • The CA Meals for Kids mobile application helps you find nearby California Afterschool and Summer Meal Programs Sites through your iOS, Android, or Microsoft devices.

  • The Emergency Meal Sites section may be used during unanticipated school closures due to emergency situations. Download the app and search in your area!

• Santa Ana Food Pantries - https://www.211oc.org/food/groceries.html

  • Serve the People-  714-352-2911 - 1206 East 17th St, Santa Ana, CA 92701

    • 6am-9am

  • El Sol Academy - 714-543-0023 -1002 North Broadway, Santa Ana, CA 92701

    • Email mercado@elsolacademy.org for detailed information 

  • First Presbyterian Church of Santa Ana - 714-542-7253 - 600 North Main St, Santa Ana, CA 92701

    • 10am-3pm, Tuesday-Thursday

• Second Harvest Pop-Up Drive Through Distribution - https://www.feedoc.org/covid-19-update/

  • 9am-Noon, Saturdays throughout COVID crisis. At the Honda Center, 2695 E Katella Ave, Anaheim 92806

  • Serving 500-1,000 families in a drive-up format with a one-week supplemental supply of bagged food.

• Waste Not OC - https://www.wastenotoc.org/pantries/

  • A cross-county food pantry map to 200+ food pantries across OC

• Catholic Charities of Orange County - https://ccoc.org/programs/

  • See English & Spanish CalFresh Healthy Living Calendar for information on OC food pantries.

• So-Cal Grocery Stores Open Early For Seniors and those with Medical Conditions

  • Northgate Market - 7am-8am (Seniors, Pregnant Women, Disabled)

  • Big Saver Foods - 7:30am-8am (Seniors)

  • Stater Bros. - 7:45am-8am (Seniors, Disabled)

  • Smart & Final - 7:30am-8am (Seniors, Disabled)

  • Albertsons - 7am-9am (Seniors)

  • Vons - 7am-9am (Seniors)

  • Target - Wednesdays, 8am-9am (Seniors, those with medical conditions)

  • Whole Foods - 7am-8am (Seniors)

  • Gelsons - 7am-8am (Seniors)

  • Ralphs - 7am-7:30am (Seniors)

  • Superior Grocers - 7am-8am (Seniors, Disabled)

• Grab & Go Meals - Free lunch and at many locations, even breakfast are offered to all students 18-and-under at multiple school in most Orange County school districts - https://na0.icarol.info/resourceview2.aspx?First=1&country=United%20States&sp=CA&county=Orange&city=-1&org=2287&agencynum=67353452

• Additional Resources by City: Select the service from: Food, Food Pantries, or Grab & Go Meals at https://www.211oc.org/ and on the page that loads, search by city in the section that reads, “Search for resources in or near a location”

• Additional information by School District (school closure length, grab & go meal times & locations): https://newsroom.ocde.us/these-oc-districts-are-offering-grab-and-go-meals-at-a-campus-near-you

GENERAL SERVICES

Dial 2-1-1 to be linked to any of the following services: 

• Women, infants and children (WIC) help

• Food and food stamps

• Homeless shelters

• Substance abuse

• Prenatal care

• Help with housing assistance

• Help with utilities

• Emergency housing

• 24-hour crisis, suicide help and suicide counseling

• Mental health services

• Food distribution

• Access to healthcare

• Medical, dental help and vision clinics

• Government assistance programs

• Transportation assistance

• Elder services

• Nutrition assistance

• Help for low-income families

• Other youth and child care issues

• Other physical and mental health services

Thank you for continuing to give your Sunday mornings and Friday evenings to your church family. We had previously communicated that all in-person gatherings would be cancelled at least through the end of March. Now that the end of March is here, we’re now announcing that this pattern will continue at least through the end of April.

GATHERINGS CANCELLED THROUGH THE END OF APRIL - BUT DON’T WASTE YOUR QUARANTINE

This includes Sunday gatherings, small groups, men’s and women’s meetings, picnics in the promenades and informal times together. That also means that our services will be live-streamed at least until the end of April. This is difficult for us. We love you. We miss you. Nevertheless, we highboy encourage you to make the best of this quarantine. This is a unique opportunity for us as Christians in many ways.

We encourage you to continue doing the following:

1. SHARE YOUR NEEDS WITH ONE ANOTHER

You’ve already heard the instruction to send your prayer requests in to prayers@sovgracesantaana.org. Thank you to those who have done so. Go ahead and continue to send them. We’ll pray (anonymously) every Sunday for the specific needs of our members. Don’t limit it to just sending a weekly prayer request email, though. We have text messaging and Slack. Share your needs with your small group. Seek one another’s counsel on decisions you’re facing. Continue to live in the community in the absence of physical community.

Join in on our weekly Zoom Prayer meetings on Friday Nights at 7pm.

2. CARRY YOUR NEIGHBORS’ NEEDS WITH THEM - SHARE THE NEIGHBOR RELIEF PROGRAM

Your neighbors are scared. They might be afraid of running out of food. They might feel vulnerable to the virus. They might be anxious about the economy. They might have been laid off from work. Their kids’ school may have been cancelled and now they’re lacking childcare. This is a uniquely wonderful time to carry the burdens of our neighbors with them. Ask them how you can pray for them. Ask them if there are any tangible ways you can help them. Love them fiercely during this season.

If you come across Santa Ana neighbors who are suffering financially with few other resources to turn to, please send them the Neighbor Relief Fund application.

3. READ AT LEAST ONE “BOOK OF THE MONTH”

For the last 9 months, we have recommended one book every month for your spiritual growth and reading enjoyment. You may or may not be a reader, but reading an instructive book is a great way to spend some of the extra downtime you might find yourself with over the next few weeks.

4. REVIVE YOUR DEVOTIONAL LIFE

One of the wonders of the Gospel is that through the blood of Christ, we’ve been reconciled to God. We have a relationship with Him that’s so close that His Spirit is living within us. In other words, though we can’t be together with one another, you cannot be separated from God’s presence. Press into your relationship with Him through prayer. Pick up your Bible and renew your discipline of daily Bible reading. Memorize Scripture. Use this time well to strengthen your fellowship with Christ in the absence of in-person fellowship with one another.

5. SHARE LIFE WITH ONE ANOTHER VIRTUALLY

Use social media well. Take pictures of how you’re “living quietly” as a follower of Christ in these days. Catalogue your “rebellion of peace”. Send pictures to photos@sovgracesantaana.org or post them to social media.

Consider having “Zoom dinners” with your brothers and sisters. Do “drive by greetings” to one another in the church.

This is going to turn out well, friends. We’ll experience God’s grace in fresh new ways. We can’t wait to be back together with you. Until then, enjoy your rebellion of peace.

… But They Won’t Forever

Take a few minutes today and read this blog post written by Carolyn Mahaney  “Tears May Tarry for Now” that was shared on the Sovereign Grace Churches’ website. Sorrow may wash over you heart at various times during this crisis. But God is at work. You need to be reminded of that.

After reading, have a conversation with those in your household over what you read. Discuss it with another family over a “Zoom dinner”. Look up the Scriptures referenced and meditate on them. Fill your mind with God’s Truth rather than the varying opinions and perspectives of everyone around you.

Celebrating The Public Proclamation of New Life in Christ Over Livestream

Prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, we had been planning a baptism for this Sunday. Though we can not all be together in person to celebrate, we can still celebrate from afar.

During our Sunday livestream this week, we’ll be baptizing Gusi Requena - you won’t want to miss this. It’s one of the most significant moments for any local church; the moment when somebody publicly declares their faith in Christ and we together affirm as witnesses their citizenship in God’s Kingdom. Nothing short of incredible. While not present in person, you can celebrate and rejoice in the grace of God as you watch and participate in the affirming of the proclamation that a life has been raised from the dead by the grace of our God.

If you've never been baptized or even if you were baptized as a child and you consider yourself a Christian and you'd like to be baptized, email kyle@sovgracesantana.org to begin the conversation.