REJECTION IS THE UNIFYING THREAD INTERWOVEN INTO EACH SCENE

The humiliated Savior sends us into a life of humble service - being rejected by men, not being impressive, relying upon God's sustaining grace and not our own strength, and dying the daily deaths of humble self-denial. We embrace this calling because the Savior who "emptied himself" and was humbled unto death has been "highly exalted" and received the "name that is above every other name" (Phil 2:7-9). Listen to last Sunday’s sermon to hear more.

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE

SIGN UP FOR THE ANNIVERSARY PARTY POTLUCK

Our fifth anniversary celebration is just around the corner! We’ll be gathering together at the Houlton home immediately after service on Sunday, 11/6 to mark God’s faithfulness with kickball, fellowship, and a potluck meal. But it’s not just any meal…It’s a giant nacho bar!

Over the past 5 years we’ve tasted and seen that the Lord is good. He’s built our church and filled us with joy. What better way to celebrate than assembling and enjoying a giant nacho bar! Chips, cheese, meat, beans, and all the other fixings. This is ‘nacho’ average potluck.

Help us make it possible by signing up below. Contact the church office with any questions.

HELP US CREATE A GIANT NACHO BAR BY SIGNING UP HERE

EVERY 1ST AND 3RD FRIDAY OF THE MONTH

Outside of Sunday mornings, small groups are the most important moment in the life of our church. They are a context where biblical discipleship happens within the church as we connect the truths of the gospel to every aspect of our lives. 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 to be refreshed in the gospel and to serve your friends by pointing their lives to Christ.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT SMALL GROUPS, CLICK HERE

OCTOBER 17 - OCTOBER 23

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, OCTOBER 21: SMALL GROUPS

• 7:00 pm - Houlton, Schlieder, and Erkelens Home

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23: SUNDAY GATHERING AT THE EBELL CLUB

• 10:00 am - Meeting Room: Ballroom

HAS ANYONE DEFEATED DEATH AND CAN THAT TRIUMPH BE APPLIED TO ME?

That is the one question Canadian scientist G.B. Hardy said is the only essential question that needs to be asked in the selection of true religion. In the latter half of Mark 5, Jesus definitively demonstrates that He has the power to defeat death. But whether or not that triumph can be applied to you and me has to do with whether or not Jesus cares enough about us personally to do what’s necessary to defeat death for us all. And that’s precisely what Mark answers through the story of the suffering woman who interrupts Him on His way to defeat death in a dying girl. It’s a gripping story of a tender Savior. Listen to last Sunday’s sermon to hear more.

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE

LET’S INVITE OUR NEIGHBORS TO HAVE LUNCH WITH US

We like to gather every other month or so for a casual picnic in French Park. We eat lunch together, play games, and enjoy one another’s company. This month we’re making it a priority to invite our French Park Neighbors to join us! Send a text, knock on a door, or reconnect with someone you met at the Block Party and extend the invite. Make sure you remind them to bring a lunch as well!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR 10/30

Let’s take the joy of Jesus to neighbors. After service on 10/30, head over to French Park to spend time together in the middle of the neighborhood God has placed us in. Here are the details:

• It’s “BYOL” (bring your own lunch). If you forget your lunch or your favorite lunchbox isn’t clean, there are plenty of great restaurants nearby in DTSA.

• Bring some folding chairs - unless you like sitting on the grass, bring something to sit on.

• Expect the Lord to build existing relationships and create new ones with our neighbors.

ALL GUYS 15 AND OLDER ARE ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND

Men’s Meeting is back! After taking last month off to enjoy Savor Santa Ana, the men of our church are gathering together to sit under God’s word and spur on each other’s walk with Christ. All guys, 15 years and older, are invited to participate in a conversation where "men talk like men" about God. The topics are chosen to challenge the group and promote humble theological dialogue. Meets every second Thursday at the 4th Street Market patio at 7:00 pm.

OCTOBER 10 - OCTOBER 16

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, OCTOBER 13: MEN’S Meeting

• 7:00 pm - Fourth Street Market Patio

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16: SUNDAY GATHERING AT THE EBELL CLUB

• 10:00 am - Meeting Room: Ballroom

EVEN THE DEMONS HAVE TO ASK FOR PERMISSION

In Mark 5:1-20, Jesus faces down the supernatural forces that are fearfully arrayed against us. The demoniac is a walking-dead, bell-tolling, rooster-crowing, alarm-ringing, reminder of darkness and death (5:2-5). He personifies the problem of death and provides a visual representation of the unseen realm of demonic powers. He is the Gerasenes unsolvable predicament - none can control, subdue, or bind this threat of evil - but then Jesus comes to town. Jesus overcomes the power of death and brings peace to the man once caught in the throes of demonic possession. He overcomes the power of death in our own lives and brings peace to those living in fear of any and all unseen forces. Listen to Sunday’s sermon to hear more.

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE

THE LORD MERCIFULLY MET US IN IDYLLWILD

This past weekend, many of us gathered with our sister churches Sovereign Grace Church of Orange and Sovereign Grace Church of Pasadena, for the 2022 Celebration California Retreat. We sang loudly, made new friends, enjoyed the beauty of God’s creation and listened to gospel-centered preaching.

Enjoy some pictures from the weekend! You can check out the full album here (special thanks to Karla Martinez for capturing great photos!).