AUGUST 5 - AUGUST 11

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:

TUESDAY, AUGUST 6: SUMMER PARK DAY AT SANTIAGO PARK

• 10:00am - Santiago Park (600 E Memory Lane, Santa Ana)

THURSDAY, AUGUST 8: FRENCH PARK RUN CLUB

• 6:30am - French Park Grass Area

THURSDAY, AUGUST 8: MEN’S MEETING

• 7:00pm - Hopper & Burr (202 W 4th St, Santa Ana, CA 92701)

SUNDAY, AUGUST 11: SUNDAY GATHERING AT THE EBELL CLUB

• 10:00am - Meeting Room: Ballroom

DON’T STOP RUNNING

After the presentation of the Beautiful and Righteous King who brings his people home (Isaiah 32:1, 33:17, 35), we're caught up in the story of another king in Isaiah 36-39. We're introduced to Hezekiah, who is a relatively good and faithful king of Judah that still suffers from some critical compromises. In his case, first God heals him from sickness (38-39), then God saves Jerusalem from the siege (36-37), and the king STILL responds complacently. He pays a tribute price to broker peace with Assyria (36:1; 2 Kgs 18:13-16), he courts an alliance with Babylon (39:1-4), and he contents himself with his present comfort when he learns of his people's future peril (39:5-8). He’s okay that, “There will be peace and security in my days,” (39:8) even though the total collapse into exile and captivity awaits his people. How disastrous would it be if we thought like this as a church? God’s people should never live complacent lives. We shouldn’t take a breather from faithfulness for any reason. Whether we’re tired from the journey and just want to lie down on the side of the road or we’re so sure we’re going to make it to heaven we just phone things in here on earth. If we want to remain in our city for generations to come, we can’t think like Hezekiah. God’s people should never live complacent lives. Neither the present trouble (36:1) nor the future hope (Is 35) ever justifies our apathy toward living faithfully in God’s world in every way that we can.

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE

ONE THING BY SOVEREIGN GRACE MUSIC

Our friends at Sovereign Grace Music recently released “Knowing God” - an album based upon J.I. Packer’s classic book of the same title. “One Thing,” is one of 12 new songs featured on the album. Here’s what it’s all about:

The Bible says Jesus gave himself for us not only to pay for our sins, but "to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works" (Titus 2:14). Being forgiven by God isn't a replacement for seeking to please God, but the foundation of it. While the world pursues earthly pleasures, possessions, and power, those who belong to Christ Jesus are consumed with one passion: to please their Savior. J.I. Packer uses the words of British pastor J.C. Ryle to describe that kind of individual: "He only sees one thing, he cares for one thing, he lives for one thing, he is swallowed up in one thing: and that one thing is to please God." As Christians, may we be known as a people of "one thing."

We’ll make this our anthem this Sunday. Listen to it here and read the lyrics below to prepare your heart for worship.

VERSE 1
Jesus, You came to the earth
Dying the death I deserved
Freed me to love and to serve for Your glory
You pulled me out of the flames
Covered my guilt and my shame
Gave me a hope and a name for Your glory
So whatever I do, one thing I pursue

CHORUS
I want to please You, O God, all of my days
Your mercy has dawned and now I can see
I want to please You, O God, in all of my ways
No matter the cost I want to please You

VERSE 2
Whether I’m honored or cursed
Seen as the last or the first
You’ll give me faith to endure for Your glory
Let me be broken or blessed
Use me in life or in death
I want to spend every breath for Your glory
So whatever I do, one thing I pursue

BRIDGE
You bought me, You own me, the love You have shown me
Has captured my heart and devotion
My life has been paid for, I know I was made for
This one thing, this one thing

JOIN US FOR SMALL GROUP AT 7PM

After taking our summer month break, Small Groups are back this Friday! These groups will continue every 1st & 3rd Friday of the month until our next break in December and comprise the most important moments in the life of our church, outside of Sunday mornings. Make it a priority to attend one of the three groups meeting throughout the city this week in order to share in the joy of Jesus, care for one another, and apply the gospel to each other’s lives. We’re confident you’ll come away encouraged.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT SMALL GROUPS, CLICK HERE

SILAS & ALIA SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCES

From July 12th through July 15th, 7 students and 1 parent chaperone joined 9 churches in the Sovereign Grace Church West Region for the West Region Youth Retreat. They gathered together for a time of worship, teaching, games, and lip-sync battles, all to the glory of God!

THANK YOU FOR PRAYING!

Our youth came back with stories of God’s goodness. This past Sunday, we heard from Silas Houlton & Alia Erkelens, regarding their experience at the retreat. Read Silas’ testimony and come away encouraged by how the Lord met him and other youth on this retreat.

The Youth Camp was a weekend full of games, and God. I liked how they made it really fun while setting the full focus on God. It had the camp experience. The theme of the camp was "Jesus is better." During the camp we had five sessions, all the sessions had announcements, worship, a sermon, and then we split up into small groups. The sermons were preached by three different pastors from three different churches. I think this camp had a big impact on me, because when I got home I found myself worshipping him more and reading the Bible more often. I’m really grateful I got to go to this camp and I’m looking foreword to next year. So if you’re looking for a great way to have the time of your life while drawing closer to God (and win a lip sync battle) consider coming to this camp!

Would this cause you to praise the Lord for how he’s raising up the next generation for his glory!

ALL CHILDREN’S MINISTRY VOLUNTEERS REQUIRED TO ATTEND ON 9/28/24 AT 9:00AM

Our mission to spread the joy of Jesus to our Santa Ana neighbors includes our very nearest neighbors: the kids of Cross of Grace Church. Each week our Children’s Ministry Team comes alongside the parents of our church to show our kids that there’s nothing better than believing in Jesus and belonging to his people. To all these volunteers we say a big “THANK YOU!” and are eager to provide this upcoming training so that you can “excel still more” (1 Thess 4:10).

Whether you’ve been actively serving in Children’s Ministry or if you’ve just recently joined, please save the date. We will announce the location soon. Pastor Jason will lead a time of equipping and encouraging and our CM Lead, Rebecca will be leading a time of practical classroom training.

Coffee, refreshments and childcare will be provided.

PLEASE RSVP HERE

JULY 29 - AUGUST 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:

TUESDAY, JULY 30: SUMMER PARK DAY AT SANTIAGO PARK

• 10:00am - Santiago Park (600 E Memory Lane, Santa Ana)

THURSDAY, AUGUST 1: FRENCH PARK RUN CLUB

• 6:30am - French Park Grass Area

FRIDAY, AUGUST 2: SMALL GROUPS

• 7:00pm - Houlton, Roenicke, and Erkelens Home

SUNDAY, AUGUST 4: SUNDAY GATHERING AT THE EBELL CLUB

• 10:00am - Meeting Room: Ballroom

SUNDAY, AUGUST 4: STARTING POINT

• 12:00pm - Roenicke Home

RESOURCES TO ENCOURAGE YOU ALONG THE WAY

During Sunday’s sermon, Pastor Jeff referenced John Bunyan’s classic work, “The Pilgrim’s Progress.” A book that has encouraged generation after generation of believers to press on toward heaven, fight the good fight of faith, and take heart on the journey to our forever home. Pick up one or more of these resources below and be strengthened to walk the pilgrim path.

• Young Kids - Little Pilgrim’s Big Journey (quoted in Sunday’s sermon). Ages 2 and up.

• Older Kids - Little Pilgrim’s Progress. Ages 5 and up.

• Legacy Edition - The unabridged original text, with carefully updated language in a beautiful hardcover presentation complete with illustrations.

• Paperback Edition - Same classic book at an affordable price.

“Come in, come in! Eternal glory you shall win.”

TAKE HEART ALONG THE WAY

Isaiah 25-27 was a glimpse of heaven. Chapter 35 is the journey to get there. A pilgrimage that begins in the desert and ends in a garden. But on the way to anywhere worth going, we wonder if it’s worth getting there - especially when we're walking through the wilderness! Traveling through the inhospitable desert of our current cultural moment where it's harder than ever to be an ordinary Christian. It would be far easier to abandon Christ and go back to Egypt. To give up on the Promised Land we’re headed toward and live like this life and this world is all there is. To become overcome with doubt whether we'll make it to the destination after all. To become distracted by the troubles that we face and lose sight of where we’re going. Isaiah 35 assures the "anxious heart," stuck in the thick of the wilderness and scurrying about with all these thoughts, that we have a King who will surely bring us home, we won’t be disappointed when we get there, and can enjoy the journey all along the way.

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE

LADIES, SEE YOU AT 6:30PM

Every summer, our women’s ministry takes a break from its usual monthly meetings to enjoy a series of potlucks. For the second time this summer, the ladies of our church will gather together to share meals and stories of God’s grace. This is a great event to invite your friends, especially friends who aren’t sure what they believe, don’t attend church, or are new to the faith.

Each potluck is hosted at a different member’s household. This time around the ladies of Cross of Grace will be gathering at the Davis home. See you tonight for encouraging testimonies and a buffet of Indian foods!

CONTACT US HERE FOR LOCATION DETAILS