PARK DAYS ARE PART OF OUR SUMMER CALENDAR

In case you missed our newsletter last week, we introduced our summer calendar. The calendar is filled with park days, beach days, and movie nights for us to enjoy together and use as opportunities to reach out to our neighbors. Kick off your summer by joining us for a morning park day this Wednesday.

EVERY WEDNESDAY AT 10AM UNTIL AUGUST 9TH

Members of the church will be gathering for a casual park day every Wednesday morning. This is a once-a-week hangout to encourage fellowship in the church, meet our neighbors, and “go into our city” to share the joy of Jesus.

We will be meeting at a new location this summer

We’re meeting at Jack Fisher Park in Santa Ana. You can find directions to the park here. Anyone is welcome, whether you have kids or not. Bring a blanket or chair and some snacks and join us each Wednesday at 10am through August 9th. We hope to see you there!

If you have any questions, contact us here.

THE NEWEST MEMBERS OF OUR CHURCH

This past Sunday we had the privilege of welcoming 3 new members into our church: Jennifer, Jake and Meghan Williams who recently moved to California from Louisville, Kentucky. We had the added privilege of hearing from Jennifer, who was a previous member in 2018 prior to relocating back to Kentucky, share her testimony of what brought them to Cross of Grace Santa Ana. Read the testimony to be reminded of how God is building his Church in our city:

Long story short I came here in 2018. I had been jogging in Louisville, for years and for some time I was being harassed on my runs. It was a Sunday that I came in from a run and told my son Jake (he and Meghan his wife and my first grandson Ellis had been living with me and were going to be moving) I am moving to California. It kinda shocked me, but I was sure, when I looked online to see what Sovereign Grace Churches there were in Orange County, Kyle popped up immediately talking about the church in Santa Ana. Then I went to church and we prayed for the church in Santa Ana that morning. I was so thankful to the Lord and I moved.

When I got to the first community group at the Houlton’s apartment, I was moved to tears and so encouraged as I saw an overwhelming joy amidst the stories of struggle and trials in the lives of those present. I saw the kind of joy you read about in the book of Philippians in the life of this sweet church. The joy that expresses itself through humility of mind, active participation in what God is doing in and through his people, and spurring one another on to glorify the Lord by taking thoughts captive, holding each other up in prayer, and intentionally growing as disciples together. As I look around the church today I can see so many people who have encouraged me and I love watching each of you love Jesus.

Fast forward to Meghan and Jake having more kids, and I moved backed to Kentucky to be a Nana close to them. Fast forward to Meghan and Jake really loving the church here and, as they visited over and over, just wanted to be a part of God’s work through you in Santa Ana. They surprised me a year ago with a sweet gift box with all things California in it and a letter board that said, “ We are moving to California in April 2023.” I was so excited! It’s because of Jesus that we are here, He is faithful, and so kind to let us be a part of the wonderful community here and to share the love and hope of Jesus to Santa Ana and beyond. So thankful for this church, her shepherds, and the city in which we are placed.

GREEDY FOR JESUS OR MONEY?

The unnamed woman in Mark 14 who in other places is said to be Mary, the sister of Lazarus (Jn 12:3), prepares Jesus' body to be buried by anointing it with perfume. Her act of honoring Jesus through this costly sacrifice points forward to the worth of his coming sacrifice. While Mary's action shows that she has no greater treasure than Christ, this is not so with Judas. He looks "for worldly treasure, and forsakes the King of kings," as he conspires with Jesus' opponents to turn him over to them in exchange for money (and 30 pieces of silver at that! Not even half the price of the perfume). Mark intends for this to strike our hearts: what are you captivated by? Money and the things of this world? Or Jesus? Listen to Sunday’s sermon to learn more.

Listen to the sermon here

JOIN US FOR WEEKLY ACTIVITIES THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER

As you begin planning for summer, we invite you to join us as we gather for weekly activities over the next few months. From park days in our city, to beach days and movie nights, let’s experience and spread the joy of Jesus to to our neighbors.

We’ve created a calendar of all the summer events that can be downloaded here, or better yet, subscribe to our church calendar here for all events happening at our church.

For any questions, please reach out to our Church Administrator at office@crossofgracesa.org.

SATURDAY, JUNE 24TH AT 4:00PM

For a second year in a row, we’re bringing an afternoon of food, fun, and community to the French Park neighborhood. We’re throwing a party to show our neighbors how glad we are to be their neighbors. It’s our hope they’d catch a glimpse of the joy we have in Jesus and come to enter into that joy themselves.

There are many ways to get involved with this event: pre-party neighborhood outreach & promotion, event set-up & clean-up, serving food, facilitating games, bringing key supplies, and more! Contact Jerry Requena or our Church Administrator at office@crossofgracesa.org with questions or to take the initiative and to sign up to help. Otherwise, pray that the Lord uses this event for the salvation and the overall good of our Santa Ana neighbors.

SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER HERE

EVERY FIRST FRIDAY OF THE MONTH AT 7PM

This Friday, our small groups will be meeting to kick off June. The Houlton and Erkelens small groups will be meeting at their regular locations at 7pm. The Roenicke small group, however, will be meeting at the French Park grass area at 6pm to pray. 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 in and through us for his glory.

MAY 29 - JUNE 4

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, JUNE 1: FRENCH PARK RUN CLUB

• 6:30 am - French Park Grass Area

FRIDAY, JUNE 2: PRAYER IN THE PARK AND SMALL GROUPS

• 6:00 pm - French Park Grass Area (Roenicke Small Group)

• 7:00 pm - Erkelens & Houlton Home

SUNDAY, JUNE 4: SUNDAY GATHERING AT THE EBELL CLUB

• 10:00 am - Meeting Room: Ballroom

WE NEED A VIEW OF THE LAST DAY THAT SPURS US ON TODAY

After besting his opponents in the temple and proving himself to be the true authority over that house, Jesus turns right around and prophesies its impending destruction. In response to his disciples' marveling over this structure, he tells them of a coming day in which "There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down" (13:2). For it to be done away with, signaled the end of the world as they knew it to the first century Jew. Naturally, the disciples ask, "When will this be?” And in response to this ONE crucial question, Jesus once again provides TWO answers. Jesus’ answers were intended to fill His followers with confidence because the same Christ who journeyed toward a cross will return for us and bring us into eternal joy before his throne.

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE

SATURDAY, JUNE 24TH AT 4:00PM

For a second year in a row, we’re bringing an afternoon of food, fun, and community to the French Park neighborhood. We’re throwing a party so that our neighbors can catch a glimpse of the joy we have in Jesus. It’s just one way to “paint another blade of grass blue” or to “spend a dollar” of the precious time we have to spread the joy of Jesus.

Keep an eye out next week for a volunteer signup. There are many ways to get involved with this event: pre-party neighborhood outreach & promotion, event set-up & clean-up, serving food, facilitating games, bringing key supplies, and more! Contact Jerry Requena or our Church Administrator at office@crossofgracesa.org with questions or to take the initiative and to sign up to help. Otherwise, pray that the Lord uses this event for the salvation and the overall good of our Santa Ana neighbors.

WOMEN’S MEETING TONIGHT. DON’T MISS IT.

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. This month, they’ll gather for a time of fellowship, prayer, and discussion on true spirituality and gospel-shaped generosity.

Join us tonight at 7pm at the Schlieder Home