EVERY FIRST FRIDAY OF THE MONTH AT 7PM

This Friday, our small groups will be meeting to kick off March. The Houlton and Roenicke small groups will be meeting at their regular locations at 7pm. The Erkelens small group, however, will be meeting at the French Park grass area 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.

And as we ask God to make disciples through this outreach, we’re asking him to mature disciples through our small group meetings. As you prepare for Friday, whichever activity you’re engaging in, please pray for God to work among us and through us for His glory.

HUMILITY: THE JOY OF SELF-FORGETFULNESS BY GAVIN ORTLUND

There are many misconceptions about what it means to be humble. Some think that being humble means hiding your talents and abilities or being weak and inauthentic. But the Bible paints a different picture―defining humility as a self-forgetfulness leading to joy and explaining that it is a life-giving virtue that frees you from the restricting needs of your ego. 

In Humility: The Joy of Self-Forgetfulness, Gavin Ortlund encourages readers that humility is not just an abstract virtue but a mark of gospel integrity. Ortlund examines humility both on a personal level and in the context of the church, giving examples of ways to cultivate it―including meditation on the gospel and practicing intentional gratitude. Drawing from Philippians 2 and historical texts such as C. S. Lewis’s Mere Christianity and Jonathan Edwards’s sermon “A Christian Spirit Is a Humble Spirit,” Ortlund defines humility in light of the incarnation and death of Jesus Christ, casting a vision for a gospel-centered, humble life.

PURCHASE A COPY OF THE BOOK HERE

FEBRUARY 27 - MARCH 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, MARCH 2: FRENCH PARK RUN CLUB

• 6:30 am - French Park Grass Area

FRIDAY, MARCH 3: PRAYER IN THE PARK

• 7:00 pm - French Park Grass Area (Erkelens Small Group)

FRIDAY, MARCH 3: SMALL GROUP

• 7:00 pm - Houlton & Schlieder Home

SUNDAY, MARCH 5: SUNDAY GATHERING AT THE EBELL CLUB

• 10:00 am - Meeting Room: Ballroom

MARCH 12TH AT 5PM

Daylight Savings Sunday is coming and that means our annual all-church Communion Dinner is right around the corner. This is a dinner that represents the life we share. Please take note, on 3/12 our Sunday morning service will be replaced with a Sunday evening service beginning at 5:00pm. We will switch gears from our regular Sunday service for a special service centered on the Lord's Supper. We will eat and drink together as we meditate more deeply on our Savior's sacrifice. You can look at last year’s photos here.

WE NEED YOUR HELP TO PREPARE

Not only will we share in the eating of a meal. We’ll share in the preparation of the meal. This is an event that requires all hands on deck. Whether you’re a single or a family, sign up to bring one of the needed dishes or items on March 12th.

SIGN UP TO BRING AN ITEM HERE

HE CAME TO DIE FOR US

In Mark 10:32-45, we come to the single most important verse in the Gospel of Mark. Prior to this point, it's been made abundantly clear that Jesus will die. But the crucial question that remains to be clearly answered is "Why?" Why must the Messiah suffer and die at the hands of men? What does his death mean? Our all-important verse answers these questions. But, in order for us to reach the top of Calvary's hill and take in the astounding accomplishment of the cross, we must first journey along with the disciples to the cross. The meaning of Christ's death is explained in the context of James & John's endeavor to become men of greatness and reign in glory. But what does it mean to be truly great? According to Christ, the great ones sacrifice. The foundation and fuel for living this kind of sacrificial life is the sacrificial death of Christ. The Son of Man "who was given dominion and glory, that ALL peoples, nations, and languages should serve him," (Dan 7:14) "came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (10:45). And here we come to the heart of the gospel and meaning of the cross. Jesus says it himself: "I won't just die, I'll die for you."

Listen to the sermon HERE

JOIN US FOR PANCAKES AT THE CUNNINGHAM’S INSTEAD

Due to the forecasted rain, we’re adjusting our Picnic in the Park to Pancakes on the Patio! Join us as we gather in the Cunningham’s home and under a covered patio to share a meal, play games, and enjoy each other’s company. No need to bring a lunch, we’ll have plenty of pancakes & bacon to go around.

Need the address or have any questions? Contact us here.

SEE YOU THIS SUNDAY AFTER CHURCH

ALL LADIES, HIGH-SCHOOL AGE AND OLDER ARE INVITED

Our Women’s Ministry exists to spur women on in their pursuit of Christ through biblical discussion and building friendships. Each month the ladies of CGSA meet together for a time of discussion and prayer in order to grow in Christ and grow as friends. This month, they’ll gather for a time of fellowship, sharing and prayer.

Join us tonight at 7pm at the Schlieder Home

FEBRUARY 20 - FEBRUARY 26

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 23: FRENCH PARK RUN CLUB (WEATHER PERMITTING)

• 6:30 am - French Park Grass Area

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23: WOMEN’S MEETING

• 7:00 pm - Schlieder Home

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26: SUNDAY GATHERING AT THE EBELL CLUB

• 10:00 am - Meeting Room: Ballroom

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26: PICNIC IN THE PARK (WEATHER PERMITTING)

• 12:00 pm - French Park Grass Area

EVERY 2ND & 4TH MONDAY BEGINNING MARCH 12TH

As Christians we believe that God’s great goal in our redemption is to create a people “conformed to the image of his Son” (Rom 8:29). A people who look like, love like, and live like Jesus. A people who are being changed as they follow after Jesus Christ. 

The amazing thing about this are the instruments God has chosen to complete this transforming work: us. He's chosen his people to be the means by which his people grow and change. But how is this accomplished? Our Spring Class exists to answer this question. 

Register today to learn what true discipleship looks like and become equipped in encouraging, caring for, and applying the life-changing gospel to every aspect of each other's lives. During our time together, we’ll use the book How People Change by Timothy Lane & Paul Tripp to help us along the way. Each participant is required to purchase the book. Scholarships are available upon request.

REGISTER FOR THE CLASS HERE

BY COMING TO GOD WITH THE EMPTY HANDS OF A CHILD

The march toward the cross continues on and along the way, through the living illustrations of children and a rich young ruler, Jesus makes it clear how we can enter the kingdom of God. The answer, in short? It’s impossible. That is, it’s impossible with man. Listen to last Sunday’s sermon to learn more about what the Bible teaches about how anyone can be saved.

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE