THE BEAUTY OF THE CHURCH IS THE CHURCH LOVING THE CHURCH

On Sunday, guest preacher Tim Lambros from Sovereign Grace Church of Tucson, AZ preached from John 13:31-35. He helped us to behold the beauty of the church as the people of Christ. A people who are beautiful because they are marked by love. Created through the self-sacrificial love of Christ upon the cross. Called to live out this love with one another through service, patience, and perseverance. Known for beautifully shining forth the brilliant light of the love of Christ for all to see. Listen to this message to learn more of what it means for the church to be known by her love for the church.

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE

WHY SHOULD WE LOVE THE LOCAL CHURCH? BY DUSTIN BENGE

Our June Book of the Month is the concise edition of Dustin Benge’s The Loveliest Place: The Beauty and Glory of the Church. It’s a little book with a grand vision for the beauty and glory of God that shines forth in and through the local church. This vision has fueled our current sermon series “The Beauty of the Church,” and we hope it fuels your affections for Christ and his bride as well.

Here’s the heartbeat of the book laid out in the introduction:

This book has one aim: to set before you a thoroughly biblical portrait of the church that derives its life from the sweet fellowship of the Father, Son, and Spirit, creating a community of love, worship, fellowship, and mission, all animated by the gospel and empowered by the word of God.

By beholding such radiant beauty and loveliness, may we lift our collective and worshipful cry, “Indeed, the church is the loveliest place on earth.”

You can purchase a copy of the book here

FRIDAY, JUNE 3RD AT 6PM

This Friday, the Erkelens small group will be taking the OC Rescue Mission Chili Van out into our city to share a meal - and the gospel - with our homeless neighbors. They’re going into our city to speak to our city. If you’re not a member of the Erkelens small group, but would like to join the Chili Van outreach this month, let your small group leader and Christopher Erkelens know.

Contact Pastor Jeff for more details.

EVERY 1ST AND 3RD FRIDAY OF THE MONTH AT 7PM

Our small groups are a context where biblical discipleship happens within the church. We gather together to apply the gospel to every aspect of our lives, care for one another, and cultivate genuine relationships. Outside of Sunday mornings, these are the most important moments in the life of our local church. 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. 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.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT SMALL GROUPS, CLICK HERE

MAY 30 - June 5

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:

FRIDAY, JUNE 3: CHILI VAN OUTREACH OR SMALL GROUPS

• 6:00 pm - OCRM Chili Van

• 7:00 pm - Schlieder & Cunningham Home

SUNDAY, JUNE 5: SUNDAY GATHERING AT THE EBELL CLUB

• 10:00 am - Meeting Room: Ballroom

STARTING POINT- SUNDAY, JUNE 26

The church is like a body with many members (1 Cor. 12:12). Our lives are connected. We need one another. Church membership is our way of ensuring everyone who belongs to our congregation enjoys the benefits and privileges of being a part of Cross of Grace Church.

We want to make it simple for anyone interested in becoming a member of Cross of Grace Church to pursue the process. If you’ve been visiting for any length of time, this class is for you. We invite you to join us for one two-hour class on a Sunday afternoon immediately following our worship service. The aim of the class is to provide an introduction to what we believe and how those beliefs shape our life together as a church. Lunch and childcare are provided.

If you are interested in this class, register here.

THE CHURCH CAN’T BE THE CHURCH WITHOUT ALL HER MEMBERS

On Sunday, guest preacher Trey Richardson from Center Church in Gilbert, AZ preached from 1 Corinthians 12:12-26. He helped us to behold the beautiful picture of the church as the body of Christ. A body that is beautiful because it is the unity of many different members under one Savior & Head, in which every member matters, and all members are serving and being served. If you’ve ever looked at the local church and wondered, “How can I be sure I belong? Where do I fit in? What’s my place here?” listen to this message and learn just how you need the church and the church needs you.

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE

OH, HOW GOOD IT IS BY KEITH & KRISTYN GETTY

This Sunday, we’re introducing a new song that celebrates the joys of belonging to Jesus together. Take time to read the lyrics and give it a listen so that you can sing it loud when we gather together. Listen to “Oh, How Good It Is” here.

Verse 1
Oh how good it is
When the family of God
Dwells together in spirit
In faith and unity
Where the bonds of peace
Of acceptance and love
Are the fruit of His presence
Here among us

Chorus
So with one voice we’ll sing to the Lord
And with one heart we'll live out His word
Till the whole earth sees
The Redeemer has come
For He dwells in the presence of His people

Verse 2
Oh how good it is
On this journey we share
To rejoice with the happy
And weep with those who mourn
For the weak find strength
The afflicted find grace
When we offer the blessing
Of belonging

Verse 3
Oh how good it is
To embrace His command
To prefer one another
Forgive as He forgives
When we live as one
We all share in the love
Of the Son with the Father
And the Spirit

4 DIFFERENT PASTORS OVER THE NEXT 4 WEEKS

We’ve recently began our summer sermon series, “The Beauty of the Church.” A series that will span the course of 6 weeks, feature 6 pastors, and explore 6 different reasons we love the local church. Pastor Kyle kicked it off last Sunday and Pastor Jeff will bring it to a close. But in between now and then, we’re privileged to be joined by 4 different Sovereign Grace pastors from 4 different churches in 4 different cities.

We’re eager to hear from 4 pastors who’ve spent a combined century beholding the beauty of the local church! These men have faithfully served the church for decades. They joyfully partner with us in mission. Would you join us in welcoming the following pastors and their families as they come to Santa Ana:

• Trey Richardson - Associate Pastor of Center Church in Gilbert, AZ.

• Tim Lambros - Associate Pastor of Sovereign Grace Church of Tucson in Tucson, AZ.

• Mike Davis - Associate Pastor of our sending church, Sovereign Grace Church of Orange in Orange, CA.

• Abelardo Muñoz - Associate Pastor of Iglesia Cristiana Gracia Soberana de Cd. Juarez in Juarez, Mexico.

Please join us in thanking God for our gospel partners, praying for their travels and time with us, and extending them a warm, Cross of Grace welcome!

ALL LADIES, HIGH-SCHOOL AGED AND OLDER ARE INVITED

Women at all stages of life are invited to come and learn how to be women whose lives honor God - women who live in light of the Gospel.

Tonight, they’ll be discussing chapters 10-13 in What is Biblical Theology, by James Hamilton Jr. An excellent little book that helps us understand the grand storyline of Scripture. Don’t have the book? That’s okay! Reading is not required for participation. Just come eager and expectant to dive into the riches of God’s word.

Join us tonight at 7pm at the Schlieder Home. We hope to see you there!