ATTEND THE TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY IN DOWNTOWN SANTA ANA

Grab a friend or two and head to Downtown Santa Ana this Saturday, for the annual Plaza Navideña! The event celebrates the start of the holiday season and is a way to meet our neighbors and support local businesses, as the city lights a Christmas tree right in the heart of downtown Santa Ana. This free community event is open to all with entertainment, kids crafts, and photo opportunities. The tree lighting ceremony will begin promptly at 5:30pm. Find out more information here.

WALK IN A MANNER WORTHY OF THE CALLING

As Ephesians chapter 4 begins, Paul shifts his emphasis from what God has done for us (the indicative) to how we respond to it (the imperative). In light of all God has done to make us the church and in awe of all the church is (see chs.1-3), we are called to "walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which we have been called" (4:1). The first application of this, as those who have been called to life and peace with God and each other, is the charge to fight to maintain peace within the church. The continued enjoyment of God's peace will be experienced as we make war on what causes divisions among us. Paul encourages the Ephesians & us to walk out the unity that characterizes the Church of every age. Sharing in common the seven amazing "ones" that have become ours through the one gospel which has created the Church (4:4-6). Living in a manner which is worthy and reflective of that gospel as we live together "with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love," as we strive, not against one another but together with each other, to preserve the peace that God has established with us (4:2-3).

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE

OUR PASTORAL TEAM WILL BE AWAY FOR THE WEEK

Every year our family of churches enjoys a family reunion. A time when pastors, wives, and members of Sovereign Grace Churches come together for a week of worship, fellowship, and encouragement in our shared mission. This year there are 700+ registrants from 22 different nations attending our annual gathering in Orlando. It’s sure to be a sweet time away!

As a pastoral team we say thank you for sending us! This conference is one of the highlights of our year - and this time, there are ten of us going! The Houltons, Schlieders, and Roenickes, as well as the Cunninghams and Lopezs have registered to attend. It’s a joy to attend and always makes us eager to come back and serve the church. In addition to sending us, we also ask that you please pray for us while we’re here. Throughout the week, you can pray that:

• The Lord would refresh our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Pray that we would be brought so close to the fire of the cross that the sparks would fall on our hearts and set our affections aflame for Christ.

• The Lord would use this time to equip us to serve our church well. We’re being sent by the members of our church for the members of our church. Pray that we’d come back better leaders than when we left.

• The Lord would build existing and establish new relationships among pastors and members of Sovereign Grace Churches across the globe.

• The Lord would give us moments of clarity about our local mission. Pray for the Lord to fill us with His Spirit to give us a greater longing to spread the joy of Jesus to our neighbors.

• The Lord would be with Jason as our Western Region votes to affirm his ordination to pastoral ministry. This is the final step in his long journey of being assessed and equipped to be a pastor at Cross of Grace. Pray his call to ministry would once again be affirmed and that we’d return with good news of a coming ordination service!

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.

This Men’s Meeting will be the last meeting before our December fallow month. Be sure to make it a priority to attend.

JOIN US FOR A FRIENDSGIVING FELLOWSHIP NIGHT ON 11/16

Because of the Thanksgiving holiday, we’re moving our monthly Women’s Meeting up a week. This month, the ladies of CGSA will gather to share in an informal Friendsgiving fellowship night as they share in the grace of friendship. No turkeys, potatoes, or fancy dishes necessary. We’re keeping it simple. If you are able, please bring an appetizer, snack, or dessert to share as we spend the evening celebrating God’s goodness through our relationships and giving thanks to his name.

NEXT THURSDAY AT 7PM AT THE Davis HOME

NOVEMBER 7 - NOVEMBER 12

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, NOVEMBER 9: FRENCH PARK RUN CLUB

• 6:30 am - French Park Grass Area

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9: MEN’S MEETING

• 7:00 pm - Fourth Street Market Patio

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 12: SUNDAY GATHERING AT THE EBELL CLUB

• 10:00 am - Meeting Room: Ballroom

THE DISCIPLINE OF GRACE BY JERRY BRIDGES

The Discipline of Grace offers a clear and thorough explanation of the gospel and what it means to be a believer. Written by Navigator author Jerry Bridges, this book explores how the same grace that brings us to faith in Christ also disciplines us in Christ. In other words, this book helps the Christian understand the Bible’s teaching on how those who are saved by grace can be motivated to live for God’s glory, not by their own will and power, but by grace. In learning more about grace, you also will learn about God’s character, His forgiveness, and the Holy Spirit.

PURCHASE A COPY OF THE BOOK HERE

EXPERIENCE THE PERSONAL PRESENCE OF the SAVIOR

In Paul's first prayer in Eph 1:15-23, we learned that the Spirit was the power of the Church who fills us with the power of the Risen King. Now, we marvel at the wonder that the same Spirit is at work to bring the loving, gracious, and soul-refreshing presence of the Savior at home to our hearts through faith. Taken together, these two prayers reveal that simultaneously: Christ is in heaven, reigning in power & Christ is in our hearts, refreshing us in love. Our King and Savior couldn't be closer, couldn't be nearer, couldn't be more eager to fills us with his life, joy, and peace. The "head" of the Church (1:22) is no mere figurehead, nor is he an inaccessible leader, but instead, he is both powerfully pursuing the advancement of his mission while making himself personally present and available to all those who are his. What other institution on earth has a leader who is so powerfully at work and personally involved in the lives of his people?

LISTEN TO Sunday’s SERMON HERE

COME DISCUSS WITH US AT BRIDGE

Our next Bridge Course session is Monday, November 6th at 7pm. Do all roads lead to heaven? Aren’t all religions basically the same? Who does Jesus say he is and what does that mean for each of us? We’ll explore all this and more over the course of a meal, a talk, and a conversation where every perspective is encouraged. Even if you’ve missed the previous sessions, ALL are welcome to join in as we wrestle through these big questions of life. Sign up below or invite a friend and we’ll see you on 11/6 at Hopper & Burr (202 W 4th St, Santa Ana, CA 92701).

REGISTER FOR THE CLASS HERE

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

The church is like a body with many members (1 Cor. 12:12). Our lives are connected. We need one another. Church membership is our way of ensuring everyone who belongs to our congregation enjoys the benefits and privileges of being a part of Cross of Grace Church.

We want to make it simple for anyone interested in becoming a member of Cross of Grace Church to pursue the process. If you’ve been visiting for any length of time, this class is for you. We invite you to join us for one two-hour class on a Sunday afternoon immediately following our worship service. The aim of the class is to provide an introduction to what we believe and how those beliefs shape our life together as a church. Lunch and childcare are provided.

REGISTER HERE & HEAD TO THE HOULTON HOME RIGHT AFTER CHURCH