LET’S CELEBRATE THE UNITY CHRIST HAS ACHIEVED IN OUR DIVERSITY

On Sunday, September 10th, we’ll be hosting our annual “Festival of Nations” Celebration. This year we are excited to announce that we are combining this celebration with our anniversary celebration, so as to free up our fall calendar. The event coincides with Fiestas Patrias and Dia De La Independencia, we’ll celebrate what God has built in our church through the Gospel - the gathering of people from all different nationalities and heritages into one new family in Christ.

HOW CAN YOU PREPARE?

1. Bring a dish (entree, dessert or side) representing your national heritage. Bring your best effort. The results will be judged and the “Best In The World” award will be given to the individual whose dish impressed the most. Multiple dishes per family are ok!

2. This year we’re changing the location to Portola Park in Santa Ana. Join us at 3pm on Sunday, September 10th at Portola Park.

3. Come dressed and ready to play a friendly game of kickball

4. Bring a picnic blanket or chairs for your family

Please RSVP and let us know you are coming to office@crossofgracesa.org

MEET AT THE BOTTOM OF NORTH STAR BEACH AT 10AM

With summer coming to an end, join us for our last summer outing to the beach- a waveless beach! Meet up with us tomorrow morning as we spend time together, play in the sand, and enjoy a Southern California summer to the glory of God! Invite your Santa Ana neighbors and friends to meet us at the bottom of North Star Beach for an awesome time of community and fun.

Address: 1 Whitecliffs Dr, Newport Beach, CA 92660

Parking: There is plenty of free parking in the lot directly behind the beach

Questions: Contact Liz Madrigal at 562-325-1428

ALL GUYS 15 AND OLDER ARE ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND

Every second Thursday, the men of our church gather 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. Join in at the 4th Street Market patio at 7:00 pm.

August 7 - AUGUST 13

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 9: LAST SUMMER PARK DAY

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

THURSDAY, AUGUST 10: FRENCH PARK RUN CLUB

• 6:30 am - French Park Grass Area

THURSDAY, AUGUST 10: MEN’S MEETING

• 7:00 pm - Fourth Street Market Patio

FRIDAY, AUGUST 11: SUMMER CALENDAR BEACH DAY

• 10:00 am - North Star Beach

SUNDAY, AUGUST 13: SUNDAY GATHERING AT THE EBELL CLUB

• 10:00 am - Meeting Room: Ballroom

SUNDAY, AUGUST 13: STARTING POINT (RESCHEDULED)

• 12:30 pm - Houlton Home

JOIN US FOR THE FINAL SUMMER WEEKLY ACTIVITIES

As summer is drawing to an end, we invite you to join us for our final TWO summer activities this week. It has been a joy gathering with one another for weekly park days, movie nights and beach days, and spreading the joy of Jesus to to our neighbors. Please see the final 2 activities below:

• Park Day at Jack Fisher Park in Santa Ana. This Wednesday @ 10am

• Beach Day at North Star Beach in Newport Beach. This Friday @ 10am

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

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 13 IMMEDIATELY AFTER CHURCH AT THE HOULTON HOME

LUNCH WILL BE PROVIDED

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