IS GOD’S POWER TO SAVE

On Sunday, we started a 3 week mini-series on evangelism and mission. We began by laying out the foundational principle for all our evangelistic activity: Why should we be eager to share the gospel with our neighbors? Because the gospel and the gospel alone is God’s power for salvation. This is why Paul was so eager to share it in Rom 1:15. But being honest, why aren’t we as eager as him? There are many reasons we could suggest, but the heart of the matter is that we don’t share the gospel because we don’t see the God of the gospel as we should. Before passing “Go” to practical strategies, we need to examine our personal communion with him. Listen to Sunday’s sermon on Rom 1:15-17 in order to drink deeply of the goodness, glory, and generous grace of God so that his gospel will be overflowing from you.

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE

Since November 2022, Jason has been serving as a Pastoral Resident at our church. Throughout the past few years, Jason has been engaged in a process to discover if God has called him and to equip him to become a pastor at Cross of Grace Santa Ana.

The process has been long and difficult, but the Lord has given him grace along the way and proven him in his gifting. After multiple academic steps, thousands of pages of books read, an internship and a residency, he’s now taking his first two of four formal ordination exams this Saturday.

HE’S ON THE HOME STRETCH

Jason will taking a comprehensive Bible knowledge exam and a written exam pertaining to our theological distinctives. If he passes, he’ll proceed on to one more written exam and an oral exam later this year, followed by the approval of his ordination by the Regional Assembly of Elders and the formal ordination of Jason by the local church - Cross of Grace Church of Santa Ana. First things first, though. Let’s pray for him as he prepares for this Saturday:

• Pray for peace and clarity for Jason as he takes this exam

• Pray for Kayleigh and the kids as they come alongside Jason to help him prepare and serve.

“THE BIG PICTURE” CARDS FOR FAMILIES

Our children’s ministry exists to spread the joy of Jesus to the Kids of CGSA. Every week the kids hear the gospel in an age-targeted manner. The curriculum is designed to come alongside parents as you disciple your children. The new unit starts this Sunday for the Preschool class, and next Sunday for the Elementary class. The new unit is titled The Mission Begins and will be centered on the early church, after Jesus returned to heaven and the Holy Spirit was given to the disciples.

PARENTS, THIS IS A TOOL TO SUPPORT THE PRIMARY ROLE YOU PLAY IN DISCIPLING YOUR CHILDREN

Parents, we have an exciting new resource for you! With this new unit, you will be given Big Picture Cards for Families when you pick up their child from Children’s Ministry. The cards will summarize what the lesson was about, and will equip you with tools and discussion starters to help your kids continue learning at home throughout the week. Parents, our hope is that this helps your children understand how the Bible events they are learning fit into the big picture of God's story.

BRING YOUR LUNCH TO FRENCH PARK AFTER SERVICE ON 4/23

Immediately after Sunday service on 4/23, we’ll be walking over to French Park to eat lunch and enjoy one another’s company while in the midst 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.

• It’s optional - but we highly encourage coming!

• 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

Tonight, 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.

APRIL 11 - APRIL 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, APRIL 13: FRENCH PARK RUN CLUB

• 6:30 am - French Park Grass Area

THURSDAY, APRIL 13: Men’s Meeting

• 7:00 pm - Fourth Street Market Patio

SUNDAY, APRIL 16: SUNDAY GATHERING AT THE EBELL CLUB

• 10:00 am - Meeting Room: Ballroom

WE CAPTURED EASTER MEMORIES TOGETHER

This past Sunday, we experienced the joy of celebrating a Risen Savior. We sang, heard a message full of gospel hope, fellowshipped together, and even took pictures to commemorate the moment. Thank you Kelsey Houlton and Taylor Schlieder for setting up our photo booth this year! Take a look at some of the photos captured, additional photos can be accessed through our shared photo album linked here. If you took photos from your own phone feel free to upload them unto the shared album!

THE MATTER OF FIRST IMPORTANCE

On Easter Sunday we celebrated the same gospel we celebrate every Sunday. That gospel of which the resurrection is a central fact. That gospel which is the message this church is built on. That gospel which is the greatest news we could ever hear: that God has done all it took to accomplish our salvation through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is the gospel we receive, rest in, and rejoice in each and every week.

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE

REFLECTING ON THE DEATH OF CHRIST

Today, we remember that Jesus was crucified.

In the most egregious miscarriage of human justice ever committed, the only truly innocent man was condemned. In the height of cosmic rebellion, man and the Evil One conspired together to most defiantly reject their Maker.

Yet we call it “good,” because in and through the greatest act of evil, God worked our eternal good. Because on that first Good Friday, “Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures” (1 Cor 15:3). And apart from what happened on that Friday, there’d be no good news for us to celebrate Easter Sunday. Because Jesus died a death without which we could never enter new life.

Dying for us, as our Substitute. He bore the penalty of our sin in our place and on our behalf. He satisfied the righteous demands of God’s law. His blood washed away the very sins that separated us from God.

As our Representative, his death for sin meant our death to sin. We died with him so that God could do away with our old selves and raise us up as new creations.

So we call today “good” because death secured the hope of life. Because our condemnation was taken and Christ’s righteousness was given. Because crucifixion brought an end to the old for resurrection to usher in the new. Because Friday’s suffering paved the way to Sunday’s glory.

Would our hearts rest in the goodness of Good Friday to the glory of our Savior.

FOR FURTHER REFLECTION

Listen to The Father's Cup: A Crucifixion Narrative by Sovereign Grace pastor, Rick Gamache & read “Why Is Good Friday Good?” by Jon Lee.

INVITE YOUR FRIENDS, FAMILY AND NEIGHBORS

Easter Sunday is this Sunday! Join us at the Ebell Club at 10:00am to hear the good news of new life in Christ. We’ll celebrate the same gospel we celebrate every Sunday, enjoy coffee & treats, and have a special activity for the kids. Share the digital flyer located here with your friends, family, neighbors and on social media.