Our small groups are moving back to Zoom this week, in part, to reduce person-to-person contact in the midst of a spike in cases and while doing so, to prioritize our Sunday meeting in-person. Look to your small group leader to send out a Zoom link or invitation.
If you have any questions or concerns about small groups or need an address, please send an email to office@sovgracesantaana.org.
Keep sending us your prayer requests. We’ll keep sharing them (annomously) and share other guidelines for how you can be praying during the week. It’s important to know how to pray for one another and to ask the Lord to guide us, sustain us and encourage us each individually in this season.
Pray for those who are once again furloughed or out of work because of recent imposed restrictions
Pray for those in our community who have contracted COVID and who have friends and family members with the virus
Continue to pray for Gospel racial reconciliation in our community
Pray for opportunities on Saturday to meet and get to know our neighbors in the French Park neighborhood
Pray for those who are walking through personal wildernesses
Pray that God would continue to give our church the courage and perseverance to speak the hope of Christ into one anothers’ life situations and those of our neighbors
Pray for the requests of individuals who have shared them on our church Slack prayer channel. If you have questions about how to be added to this, email office@sovgracesantaana.org
KEEP SENDING PRAYER REQUESTS TO PRAYERS@SOVGRACESANTAANA.ORG.
Every Tuesday we will be publishing a blog to share what is going in the life of the church for that week! We hope that this serves you and helps to keep you updated.
Houlton Small Group - 7:00pm. Location (either in-person or Zoom) TBD
Erkelens Small Group - 7:00pm. Location (either in-person or Zoom) TBD
We will be doing a neighborhood canvas of French Park next weekend to get to know our neighbors and to make sure they know us. Masks will be required.
Meet and park at Hidden House Coffee. RSVP to jeff@sovgracesantaana.org
Meeting Room - Outdoor Courtyard
In response to Governor Newsom’s most recent update regarding COVID-19, we will be moving our church service outdoors to the courtyard of the Ebell Club. All other guidelines will still be in place (social distancing, masks, etc.).
We thank the Lord for flexibility of our friends at the Ebell Club to allow us to make this switch quickly and rather seamlessly and avoid having to move back to a pure livestream Sunday service.
The high this Sunday is projected at 84 degrees. So while we’ll experience the warmth of Gospel fellowship, we’ll also experience the warmth of the SoCal summer sun. We’ll be providing a couple EZ-up’s, but please consider bringing an umbrella, a small fan or anything else to make your Sunday gathering a little more comfortable.
This Saturday we are planning a neighborhood walk-through of French Park next weekend to get to know and be known by our neighbors.. We will be distributing a bilingual flyer, meeting our French Park neighbors, inviting them to church, and praying for them.
Meet and park at Hidden House Coffee. Masks Required. We’d encourage as many as possible, include kids, to join in. Please RSVP to jeff@sovgracesantaana.org.
Jesus’ temptations in the wilderness are not about teaching us a lesson about resisting temptation. They’re not even a moral teaching about how we should endure in the wilderness.
Jesus entered the wilderness because Adam, Israel and every one of us had already entered the wilderness over and over again and at every time had failed to follow God without sin in the wilderness. In light of this, we can understand that what Matthew 4:1-11 is about is Jesus’ perfect wilderness wandering. He is the suffering servant. He came to stand in our place. Not only on the cross, but in His life, as He succeeded at every point we had failed. Listen to this week’s sermon and learn the central and most important lesson we could each possibly learn - belief in Jesus - about how to successfully walk through the wilderness.
On Wednesday, Krista Alvarez underwent a scheduled surgery for the recurrence of a health issue that came back during quarantine. Her operation was successful and she will be taking the next two weeks to rest and recover at home.
Let’s lift up the Alvarez family in prayer, as they prepare for the road ahead with Krista’s recovery. Pray for healing and good pain management for Krista, endurance, health and patience for Mike and their two year old daughter Rayanne. Don’t forget to also take this opportunity to thank God for the work he’s done through Krista and perhaps even to express your appreciation to her personally.
During this time, if you need anything you can contact us at office@sovgracesantaana.org and someone from our pastoral team will get back to you as soon as they can.
July’s book of the month is The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan. This summer as we walk together through a series concerning “Waiting on God in the Wilderness”, we’d encourage you to read this book.
This book is a story. It’s an allegorical story, which means that the characters, places and events represent a bigger reality. What reality? The reality of the Christian’s journey through life in a fallen world. This book was written many centuries ago and has stood the test of time because of its resonance and application of the Gospel for Christians in any Era. So, fellow wilderness wanderer, pick up a copy in English or Spanish and make sure this gets on your 2020 summer reading list.
If you’ve been visiting Sovereign Grace Church of Santa Ana for any length of time, we’d like to invite you to our upcoming “Starting Point” class. It’s a class that takes place immediately after church where you can learn about what we believe, what those beliefs look like in the life of the church and how you can become a part of the community of Sovereign Grace Santa Ana. Once registration fills up, we’ll coordinate a date for the class.
Lunch will be served. If you’d like to attend, please register here or at the link above.
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.
COVID-19 Testing and Screening - FDA Approved testing in OC. By appointment only. No out of pocket cost but your insurance may be billed later.
Santa Ana COVID-19 Testing - AltaMed-Santa Ana Bristol - (888) 499-9303 for appointment
2720 S. Bristol St. #104, Santa Ana; Mon-Sat 9am-3pm
Additional Testing in Buena Park, Orange, & San Juan Capistrano - 888-634-1123 https://lhi.care/covidtesting
COVID-19 Hotline - 714-834-2000
General questions regarding 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 or have questions about the virus.
COVID-19 Health Referral Hotline - 833-426-6411
The Orange County Health Care Agency has established a Health Referral Hotline to call if you suspect you have COVID-19 symptoms or questions about the virus.
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.
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, financial aid for utilities, medication, household items, rent assistance, temporary housing (motel voucher), transportation (bus passes, gasoline), and clothing.
For those who have experienced job-layoffs or a reduction in hours/pay:
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) - https://edd.ca.gov/about_edd/coronavirus-2019/pandemic-unemployment-assistance.htm
Up tp 39 weeks of benefits to Californians who are: business owners, self-employed, independent contractors, or those with a limited work history who are out of business or have significantly reduced their services as a direct result of the pandemic.
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 above toll-free numbers, with NEW hours beginning April 20th: Sunday through Monday (7 days a week) from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (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/
District 1 Grant for Small Businesses - https://district1grantprogram.com/
Andrew Do’s Economic Support Grant Program is designed to assist eligible small businesses (including home-based businesses and independent contractors) and non-profits within the First District of Orange County (which includes Santa Ana, Garden Grove, Westminster, a portion of Fountain Valley, and Unincorporated Midway City) that have been affected by COVID-19. Funding will be allocated in the form of $10,000 grants.
Labor & Workforce Development Agency – Information regarding: Paid Sick Leave, Disability and Unemployment Insurance, Paid Family Leave, Workplace Health and Safety Guidance, Employer Assistance, 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:
Orange County OneStop- https://www.oconestop.com/employment-opportunities
Assisting those looking for employment. View their job board.
OC Virtual One-Stop- 714-480-6420 www.onestop.com
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
Children’s Home Society of California - https://www.chs-ca.org/
Offering childcare reimbursements for essential workers and referrals for locating childcare
The YMCA of Orange County - https://ymcaoc.org/essential-services-child-care/
Offering childcare for essential workers during COVID-19 crisis
OC Health Care Agency Mental Health Services - https://occovid19.ochealthinfo.com/resources-all County sponsored resources for anyone struggling to cope with the COVID-19 crisis
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) COVID-19 Resource and Information Guide - https://www.nami.org/covid-19-guide
Senior Guide to Mental Health During Coronavirus: Tips for how seniors can stay healthy and connected during the COVID-19 pandemic
OC Mental Health Hotlines: https://occovid19.ochealthinfo.com/mental-health-support
OC WARM Line: (877) 910-6412 - Confidential 7-day a week telephone support services for anyone struggling with mental health, substance abuse, etc.
Community Counseling - (714) 645-8000 - Short term services, Mon-Fri
OC-Links - (714) 834-2332 - To be linked to county behavioral health services
Suicide Prevention Line - (800) 273-8255 - 24/7 English & Spanish crisis counseling for anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts
Gaining Internet Access during COVID-19: https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/he/hn/availableinternetplans.asp
California Guide for Immigrants: https://covid19.ca.gov/guide-immigrant-californians/
A PDF guide for immigrants living in CA during this crisis
SAUSD Family & Community Resource Page: https://www.sausd.us/covid19resources
OC Schools Anticipated Start Dates - https://newsroom.ocde.us/when-will-the-2020-21-school-year-begin-here-are-the-anticipated-start-dates-for-oc/
SAUSD to resume classes on 8/10. It is TBA whether this will be on-campus, virtual, or a hybrid approach.
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. Serving 1-week supply of food.
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)
Santa Ana Unified School District - Summer meal program through July 31st https://www.sausd.us/site/default.aspx?PageType=3&DomainID=1&ModuleInstanceID=6157&ViewID=6446EE88-D30C-497E-9316-3F8874B3E108&RenderLoc=0&FlexDataID=95453&PageID=1&Comments=true
Free meals will be available to all children, ages 1-18 during this time.
Food will be distributed Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the following eight locations:
Madison Elementary School
Romero-Cruz Academy
Carr Intermediate School
Willard Intermediate School
Villa Intermediate School
Saddleback High School
Santa Ana High School
Segerstrom High School
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
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
