Our annual communion service was a wonderful time of singing, listening, sharing, loving and remembering. A break from our normal order of service, our annual communion service is an entire Sunday celebration centered around the Lord’s Table. We share an actual meal together - many thanks to the hands that prepared the food, decor and everything else - and then we shared the symbolic elements (the bread and the cup) of the Lord’s Supper together.
Communion is one of only two sacraments that God has given His Church until Jesus returns. Not only has He given them, but He’s commanded them for all who believe. But why? Why are they so important? Many Christians who have been baptized willingly participate in communion, but have little understanding of what benefit is experienced while doing so. Listen to the two-part homily from this past Sunday’s communion service to deepen your understanding of the benefit of communion and grow an eagerness for the next time we take it together.
“Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another” Proverbs 27:17.
This month’s book of the month is a reflection of the value of friendship that we’ve seen time and time again between Jonathan and David in 1 Samuel. When David had nowhere else to turn, God provided him with a loyal covenant friend. The value of such companions in our lives is immense. This month’s book of the month is a short one. Pick it up in English or Spanish and give it a read. It will be well worth your time.
Men's Meeting is a monthly conversations in an informal setting, where "men talk like men" about God. The topics are chosen to challenge the group and promote humble theological dialogue. Open to all guys, 15 years and older. Meets every second Thursday at the 4th Street Market patio at 7:00 pm.
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:
7:00 pm - Fourth Street Market Patio
11:00 am - Meeting Room: Ballroom
This upcoming Sunday, we’ll be sharing a meal together during our annual communion service. Communion is a sacrament that we share together on a regular basis as a church family. We do it more often than not on Sundays. But this year, on the same day as our clocks spring forward (the dreaded day when we lose an hour of sleep), we’ll have an entire service devoted to sharing in the Lord’s Table together.
The service is a demonstration of who we are as a church family. It's a visible reminder of why and by whom we exist.
Not this Sunday. Family-style means everybody will be together the entire time. Kids will get antsy and that's ok. Don't feel bad about getting up and down from your seat with your children.
Anyone who has placed their trust in Christ and has been baptized is invited to join us. Please read our statement on communion for more information. We welcome you to contact one of our pastors if you would like to discuss further.
Last Sunday, pastor Dustin Smetona from Sovereign Grace Church in Orange visited us and served us well with a sermon from Psalm 122, teaching and reminding us that when we gather as a local church, it’s a marvelous thing. Why? Because God is present among us in a unique way. Because God designed our gatherings. And because God has a role and a plan for each of us to play in our life together as a local church. Listen to last Sunday’s sermon and be encouraged to pray for the peace of and continue to invest in the precious thing that is our shared life together in the local church.
Our small groups are a context where biblical discipleship happens within the church. In other words, they’re small expressions of the local church where Gospel ministry takes place. Each group meets in a home, splitting their time between singing, praying, and discussion. Some groups include young children in their meetings. All groups welcome guests. Outside of Sunday mornings, these are the most important moments in the life of our local church. Carve this time out in your calendar every other week to be refreshed in the Gospel and to serve your friends by helping to point their lives to Christ.
About six months ago, a young lady from Sovereign Grace Church in Dayton, Ohio named Emily came to visit our church and our city for a week. She believed that the Lord was ultimately calling her to serve in the Spanish-speaking context of Spain. In order to prepare, she was considering moving to Santa Ana and joining Cross of Grace Santa Ana. The Lord since then has confirmed that calling in her heart. She arrived here on Tuesday and will be staying, Lord willing, for several years to serve in our city alongside us. It’s our joy to welcome Emily and walk alongside her in this season of her life. Would you pray for her in the following ways:
Pray for employment and housing - she’s currently staying with the Madrigals (Thank you for your generous hospitality, Madrigals!), but is actively looking for a more permanent place to stay and a stable job.
Pray that the Lord grows our ministry together by adding even more labors, like Emily, and the new members we welcomed last week, to the harvest
Pray that the joy of Jesus would be spread locally within our city, but also across the globe as we equip and send people like Emily and another missionary couple in our church to further plant and strengthen local churches.
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:
6:00 pm - OCRM Chili Van (Houlton small group)
7:00 pm - Small group meetings (Erkelens or Schlieder Home)
10:00 am - Meeting Room: Ballroom
