HABITS OF GRACE BY DAVID MATHIS

Hear his voice. Have his ear. Belong to his body.

Three seemingly unremarkable principles shape and strengthen the Christian life: listening to God’s voice, speaking to him in prayer, and joining together with his people as the church. Though often viewed as normal and routine, the everyday “habits of grace” we cultivate give us access to these God-designed channels through which his love and power flow―including the greatest joy of all: knowing and enjoying Jesus.

This month we will be giving out this book for free! If you haven’t done so already, grab a copy this Sunday.

DO YOU WANT TO BE GREAT?

We all want to be great. But all too often, we pursue greatness according to the world’s way. In Mk 9:30-50, Jesus doesn’t call us to quit this pursuit, but challenges our perception of true greatness. It’s a greatness which can’t come apart from humility shaped by the cross. A humility that thinks less of ourselves, more of others, and most of the Christ who became least, lowest, and last of all for us. Listen to the sermon to learn more about the cross-shaped humility that frees us to serve and celebrate those around us.

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE

SMALL GROUPS ARE AN ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP

Every 1st & 3rd Friday of the month at 7pm, we meet for small group at various house throughout Santa Ana. Outside of Sunday mornings, small groups are the most important moment in the life of our church. Make it a priority to attend small groups in order to encourage one another and be encouraged. To care for others and to be cared for. To point your brothers and sisters to Christ and apply his gospel to their lives, and experience the same.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT SMALL GROUPS, CLICK HERE

EVERY FIRST FRIDAY OF THE MONTH WITH ROTATING SMALL GROUPS

Prayer is central to our mission. In 2023, on a rotating basis, our small groups will take to the Park on the first Friday of the month to pray for our neighbors. Asking Jesus to save Santa Anans, meet our neighbors according to his grace, and open doors for sharing his gospel and spreading his joy.

The Roenicke small group will be meeting for Prayer in the Park on 2/3/23 at 7pm.

STARTING POINT - AFTER CHURCH THIS SUNDAY

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, which we call “Starting Point”, is for you. If you are interested in this class, register here.

JANUARY 30 - FEBRUARY 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:

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2: FRENCH PARK RUN CLUB

• 6:30 am - French Park Grass Area

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3: PRAYER IN THE PARK OR SMALL GROUPS

• 6:00 pm - Prayer in the Park (Roenicke Small Group)

• 7:00 pm - Small Group (Houlton & Erkelens Home)

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5: SUNDAY GATHERING AT THE EBELL CLUB

• 10:00 am - Meeting Room: Ballroom

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5: Starting Point

• 12:30 pm - Houlton Home

MAKING THE MOST OF OUR RELATIONSHIPS

The Lord met us graciously this past Sunday for our first ever Women’s Seminar. The ladies of our church gathered together to learn what the Bible has to say about Christian friendships and how to grow in glorifying God in those relationships. Guest Speaker, Charlotte Richardson, graciously spent the afternoon with us to teach and encourage us to view friendships how Christ has designed them. We left well-served, prepared to lean into those friendships with one another, and profoundly grateful for our partnership with our sister churches.

See above for a photo recap and below for the full list of resources Charlotte suggested for further study.

• Relationships: A Mess Worth Making by Paul Tripp

• Blessed by Nancy Guthrie

• Trusting God by Jerry Bridges 

• Instruments in the Redeemers Hands by Paul Tripp

• Feminine Appeal by Carolyn Mahaney

• Biblical Womanhood in the Home by Nancy Leigh DeMoss

EVERY THURSDAY AT 6:30AM

We are a month into our weekly French Park Run Club. Thank you to all who have joined, and for all who have helped spread the word about our weekly run club. If you haven’t had a chance to come out on a Thursday morning, we will be there this Thursday!

In addition to spreading the word via digital means, we have printed some flyers. Take some flyers will you this Sunday as a reminder to you and to pass out to others.

We’re excited to see how the Lord will use this time weekly to engage with our French Park neighbors. Contact us with any questions.

FIGHT AGAINST ANXIETY WITH PRAYER

This past Sunday we had the privilege of hearing the preached word from Trey Richardson, from our sister church, Center Church in Gilbert, AZ. We were reminded that in one way or another, we're all affected by the enemy of anxiety. Life often feels like too much. We're prone to be overwhelmed, paralyzed, or fearful as we look at what's before us today, tomorrow, or in this new year. In Philippians 4:4-7, Paul addresses our problem of anxiety by holding out the promise of prayer. Prayer is the weapon God provides to fight against anxiety. Because through it, we entrust ourselves to a sovereign God who's greater than any anxiety. 

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE

TONIGHT AT 4TH STREET MARKET IN DTSA

Our Women’s Ministry exists to spur women on in their pursuit of Christ through biblical discussion and building friendships. This month, we’ll break from our usual location and meet at the back patio of 4th Street Market. Join us for a night of fun and fellowship in the center of our city!

LADIES, WE’LL SEE YOU tonight at 7pm!