GOD IS GOOD

We begin our mini-series in the Book of Habakkuk. A book designed to encourage us when all we see is bad and it's hard to believe God is up to anything good. The book begins with the first of 2 cycles of Habakkuk’s complaint and God’s response. The prophet complains that God is not doing anything while injustice pervades the land of Judah. He sits idly by, and his law brings no benefit. God responds that he is doing something, though it’s hard to believe. He is sovereignly governing the nations, and will use the most evil among them to bring about his justice. 

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE

“GOD IS GOOD” BY THE MODERN POST

This Sunday, we’re bringing back a song that will serve us well as we spend the month of August in the book of Habakkuk. A song that leads us to confess the goodness of God even when it’s hard for us to see. As we journey along with the troubled prophet from complaint and unbelief to comfort and confidence in the Lord, we’ll be singing: “Even when it seems the answer’s no / The promises of God all find their yes.”

Listen to the song here and read through the rest of the lyrics below.

VERSE 1

Even when it seems the answer’s no
The promises of God all find their yes
In Christ who worked the Father’s will below
That all who run to him would find their rest

VERSE 2
And even when it seems he hides his face
And darkness seems to be our only friend
We look to Christ who suffered in our place
That one day all our suffering would end

CHORUS
God is good all of the time
All of the time God is good
God is good all of the time
God is good

VERSE 3
And even when it seems he pays no mind
We have a guarantee of his great love
In Christ who came and left his crown behind
That one day we would reign with him above

BRIDGE

Lord, we believe
But help our unbelief
Lord, we believe
But help our hearts to sing

CHORUS

That you are good all of the time
All of the time you are good
You are good all of the time
You are good

You are good all of the time
All of the time you are good
You are good all of the time
You are good

Lord, you are good

CAN’T WAIT TO SING TOGETHER

WE’RE JUMPING INTO HABAKKUK THIS SUNDAY

We’ve provided an online version in the ESV format on our website for you to be able to read through in one sitting here.

BEGIN READING TO PREPARE FOR THE NEW SERMON SERIES

LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER FOR STARTING POINT - A TWO HOUR CLASS FOR GUESTS

If you’ve been visiting for any length of time and would like to learn more about what we believe as a church and how those beliefs take shape in the life of the church, this class is for you. The aim is to help you discern whether or not this is the church family the Lord is calling you to. If we discover together that this isn’t the church for you, we want to help you find another church. If by the end of the class you believe this is where the Lord is leading you, then we’d love to take steps toward welcoming you as a member and assisting you to plug into the life of the church.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

AUGUST 6 IMMEDIATELY AFTER CHURCH AT THE SCHLIEDER HOME

LUNCH WILL BE PROVIDED

EVERY 1ST & 3RD FRIDAY OF THE MONTH

After a month of taking a break from small groups to allow for July Fallow Month, we are excited to resume our small group meetings on the 1st & 3rd Fridays of the month.

Outside of Sunday mornings, small groups are the most important moment in the life of our church. Make it a priority to attend small group this Friday at 7pm 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

This August, Prayer in the Park returns. Prayer is central to our mission and, in 2023, our small groups have been taking to French Park on the the first Friday of the month to pray for the good of our neighborhood. 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 ERKELENS SMALL GROUP WILL BE MEETING AT FRENCH PARK AT 7PM

July 31 - AUGUST 6

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:

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2: SUMMER PARK DAYS

• 10:00 am - Jack Fisher Park in Santa Ana

THURSDAY, AUGUST 3: FRENCH PARK RUN CLUB

• 6:30 am - French Park Grass Area

FRIDAY, AUGUST 4: PRAYER IN THE PARK OR SMALL GROUPS

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

• 7:00 pm - Roenicke & Houlton Home

SUNDAY, AUGUST 6: SUNDAY GATHERING AT THE EBELL CLUB

• 10:00 am - Meeting Room: Ballroom

SUNDAY, AUGUST 6: STARTING POINT

• 12:30 pm - Schlieder Home

A NIGHT TO REMEMBER

Our Volunteer Appreciation Dinner was filled with delicious food, great conversations, and plenty of laughing. Though there were some volunteers who couldn’t make it, the pastoral team would like to express their sincere gratitude to all the volunteers who joyfully serve at Cross of Grace Santa Ana.

LET’S INVITE OUR NEIGHBORS TO HAVE LUNCH WITH US

Picnic in the Park is back! Get ready to eat together, play games, and enjoy one another’s company in the heart of our neighborhood. Make it your 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 welcome. Make sure you remind them to bring a lunch as well!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR 8/13

Let’s take the joy of Jesus to neighbors. After service on 8/13, 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.

THE KING WHO WAS CRUCIFIED FOR SIN NOW LIVES

As Mark places the finishing touches upon his written portrait of Jesus, what does he want us to see? That Jesus is the Crucified and Risen King who goes before us to build his Kingdom. The King who was crucified for sin now lives and calls sinners to receive him. He’s welcoming former rebels into the Kingdom that he's building through what he's just accomplished on the cross. And we, to whom the answer to the question, "Who is Jesus?" has come, are sent out to "Go, tell" our neighbors the answer we've received (16:7). 

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE