PRAY WITHOUT CEASING (1 THESS. 5:17)

Prayer is the power of the powerless. It’s the timeless privilege of the Church. Let’s seize the opportunity to bring the needs of our neighbors and one another before the One who holds all creation within His grasp. Here are some suggestions for how you can be praying this week:

• Pray for the salvation of our Santa Ana neighbors

• Pray for God’s Spirit to be powerfully present to help us apply the Gospel to one another’s lives at tomorrow’s small group meetings

• Pray for those experiencing loss in any form

• Pray for other churches in Santa Ana to honor God’s Word and to faithfully proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ

• Pray for our shared efforts to resume children’s ministry on the 28th

• Pray for the families who are expecting

• Pray for those seeking employment

• Pray for the Lord to strengthen marriages in the church in Christ and for those seeking marriage to a godly spouse

• Pray for CGSA pastors to lead courteously, humbly and sacrificially as ungdershepherds of Christ

• Pray for city, state and federal leaders to lead in wisdom and honor Christ the King in their decisions and actions

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.

COVID-19 Community Resources

CGSA Neighbor Relief Program - Neighbor Relief — Cross of Grace Santa Ana 

An emergency relief effort of Cross of Grace Santa Ana, first, for the sake of members of our church and secondarily, for the sake of neighbors who have a connection to our church. Funds have been made available to assist those whose regular income has been affected by the coronavirus to the extent that provision of food and payment of essential utilities has become an acute hardship. 

Santa Ana Resources

Santa Ana 65+ Residents COVID Vaccine Access - Call Latino Health Access at 714-805-7838 to schedule a vaccination appointment today

Santa Ana CARES - 714-667-2273 - COVID-19 Resources - A one-stop shop for a wide range of community resources for Santa Ana residents 

Santa Ana Residents Rental Assistance - https://santaana.211oc.org/ - Enter your information to determine eligibility.

COVID-19 testing at Santa Ana College - https://sna.epiconnector.com/covid ​ or call 800-446-8888

Eviction prevention for low-income residents - https://www.santa-ana.org/SAVES ​ or call 211

Rental assistance and business resources - https://www.santa-ana.org/covid19

Medical Assistance

• COVID-19 Testing and Screening - FDA Approved testing in OC COVID-19 Testing, 2020 - 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  COVID-19 Test Registration 

• 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.

Financial Assistance

• Emergency Rental Assistance Program for OC Renters - https://era.211oc.org/ - Enter your information to determine eligibility. Excludes residents of Anaheim, Santa Ana, and Irvine. 

• Protections for Renters - The CARES Acts (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) provides certain protections from eviction and late fees due to nonpayment of rent for most tenants in federally subsidized or federally backed housing.

Protections for renters

• 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

Financial Assistance

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

Latest News for COVID-19 response; Programs for those in need

• Rental/Utility/Misc. Assistance - St. Vincent de Paul in Orange County - 714-542-0448 The Society of St. Vincent De Paul OC

  • 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.

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

• Orange County OneStop- Employment Opportunities

  • Assisting those looking for employment. View their job board.

• OC Virtual One-Stop - 714-480-6420 www.onestop.com 

Childcare Assistance

• Children’s Home Society of California - Children's Home Society of California

  • 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

Mental Health Assistance

• OC Health Care Agency Mental Health Services - Resources for All | Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) 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 - COVID-19 Resource and Information Guide

• Senior Guide to Mental Health During Coronavirus: 

  • Senior's Guide to Mental Health During COVID-19 

• OC Mental Health Hotlines - Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Resources and Services | Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

  • 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

Community Resources 

• Gaining Internet Access during COVID-19: Getting Internet Access: Available Plans - Health Services & School Nursing (CA Dept of Education) 

• California Guide for Immigrants: Help for immigrants - Coronavirus COVID-19 Response - A PDF guide for immigrants living in CA during this crisis 

• SAUSD Family & Community Resource Page: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates / Family & Community Engagement Resources

• SAUSD School News - Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates / Coronavirus (COVID-19) News & Resources 

Food/Grocery Assistance

• CA Meals for Kids Mobile Application - CA Meals for Kids Mobile Application - Mobile Applications (CA Dept of Education)

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.

• 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 - Feed OC - https://www.feedoc.org/get-help/ 

• Waste Not OC - Find a Pantry Near You – Waste Not OC

  • 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.

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”

General Services - https://www.211oc.org/

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

FEBRUARY 22-28

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. See below for a snapshot of what’s on the calendar this week:

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25: WOMEN’S GROUP

• 7:00 pm - Schlieder Home

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28: SUNDAY GATHERING AT THE EBELL CLUB

• 10:00 am - Meeting Room: Outdoor Courtyard

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28: STARTING POINT

• Immediately after the service at the Houlton Home

A CLASS FOR ANY GUEST IMMEDIATELY AFTER CHURCH THIS SUNDAY

Have you been visiting Cross of Grace for a few weeks or months and now considering becoming more involved in the life of the church? Are you interested in learning more about the beliefs and practices of the church? Are you beginning to wonder about becoming a member of the church? If so, then register for Starting Point - a two-hour class immediately after church. You won’t be roped into anything or made to make any sort of commitment. It’s an open-ended chance to learn and ask questions of our pastors.

Lunch is provided. Register today.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT STARTING POINT OR TO SIGN UP, CLICK HERE.

Paul’s third and final missionary journey is one which bears a striking resemblance to Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem in Luke’s Gospel. It’s one that’s characterized overall by self-denial - something that Jesus modeled during His life and ministry and something that He requires of anyone who would follow Him. As Paul follows Jesus in his life, but also this journey, we discover what it looks like to leave ourselves behind and just how much we gain in Christ by losing ourselves.

Listen to the sermon here.

CHRIST IS ENOUGH

This Sunday we’ll be introducing a new song during Sunday service. As we continue our journey with Paul in the Book of Acts, this Sunday’s sermon will remind us that we’re all on the journey of following Jesus. He’s called us all to follow him, and whatever comfort or security we forfeit and whatever self-denial, trial, or suffering we embrace is more than worth the cost because Christ is enough. Read through the lyrics and listen to the song before this Sunday to get acquainted with it.

CHRIST IS ENOUGH- LISTEN HERE.

LYRICS

Christ is my reward
And all of my devotion
Now there's nothing in this world
That could ever satisfy

Through every trial
My soul will sing
No turning back
I've been set free

CHORUS

Christ is enough for me
Christ is enough for me
Everything I need is in You
Everything I need

Christ my all in all
The joy of my salvation
And this hope will never fail
Heaven is our home

Through every storm
My soul will sing
Jesus is here
To God be the glory

Christ is enough for me
Christ is enough for me
Everything I need is in You
Everything I need

I have decided to follow Jesus
No turning back
No turning back

I have decided to follow Jesus
No turning back
No turning back

The cross before me
The world behind me
No turning back
No turning back

JUST DO SOMETHING: A LIBERATING APPROACH TO FINDING GOD’S WILL

Every month, we recommend a new book for you to add to your library. You don’thave to buy it; you don’t have to do anything. But in a world where your mind is threatened by information overload, we want to recommend books and resources that are vetted, tried and true. In other words, with so much I could read, we want to help you find some books you should read.

HOW DO I MAKE A DECISION WHEN THERE’S NO “RIGHT CHOICE”?

This month’s book of the month is “Just Do Something” by Kevin Deyoung. Keying off of the sermon from Paul’s Second Missionary Journey (Acts 15:36-18:22) from which we heard encouragement to pursue the Spirit-led life, this book helps us to answer the question, “how do we make decisions and seek the Spirit’s guidance when there’s no clear ‘right choice’ before us”. This short book helps you to understand wise biblical decision making. It’s definitely worth a read.

PURCHASE THE BOOK HERE

REGISTER TODAY FOR STARTING POINT - A TWO HOUR CLASS FOR GUESTS

If you’ve been visiting for any length of time and would like to learn more about what we believe as a church and how those beliefs take shape in the life of the church, this class is for you. The aim is to help you discern if this is the church family the Lord is calling you to. We want to help you in that process. If we discover together that this isn’t the church for you, we want to help you find another church. If by the end of the class you believe this is where the Lord is leading you, then we’d love to take steps to welcome you as a member.

Click here to register.

FEBRUARY 28 IMMEDIATELY AFTER CHURCH AT THE HOULTON HOME. LUNCH WILL BE PROVIDED.

PRAY WITHOUT CEASING (1 THESS. 5:17)

Prayer is the power of the powerless. It’s the timeless privilege of the Church. Let’s seize the opportunity to bring the needs of our neighbors and one another before the One who holds all creation within His grasp. Here are some suggestions for how you can be praying this week:

• Pray for the salvation of our Santa Ana neighbors

• Pray for God’s Spirit to be powerfully present to help us apply the Gospel to one another’s lives at tomorrow’s small group meetings

• Pray for those experiencing loss in any form

• Pray for other churches in Santa Ana to honor God’s Word and to faithfully proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ

• Pray for our shared efforts to resume children’s ministry on the 28th

• Pray for the families who are expecting

• Pray for those seeking employment

• Pray for the Lord to strengthen marriages in the church in Christ and for those seeking marriage to a godly spouse

• Pray for CGSA pastors to lead courteously, humbly and sacrificially as ungdershepherds of Christ

• Pray for city, state and federal leaders to lead in wisdom and honor Christ the King in their decisions and actions

FEBRUARY 15-22

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. See below for a snapshot of what’s on the calendar this week:

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22: SUNDAY GATHERING AT THE EBELL CLUB

• 10:00am - Meeting Room: Outdoor Courtyard

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19: IN-PERSON SMALL GROUPS

• 7:00pm - Houlton home and Erkelens home