A CLASS BY OUR CHURCH FOR OUR NEIGHBORS

Each fall we host The Bridge Course. A 10-week opportunity to explore the Christian faith, wrestle with the big questions of life, and build relationships with our neighbors. Each week begins with a meal followed by a talk that addresses common questions about life and God. Afterward there is a small-group conversation where participants can share what they believe, ask any questions they have, or just sit back and listen. No one will be called upon, pressured to talk, or forced to believe anything. Click here to learn more about how it works.

Why Bridge?

Because the course creates a context for us to bless and befriend our neighbors, show them the joy we have in Jesus, and invite them to receive it for themselves. How great is that! Our goal is that each of us would invite at least one neighbor, family member, co-worker, or friend who is not yet a Christian, not sure what they believe, or is new to the faith and looking to learn more to join in. Who will you bring to Bridge? Start thinking and praying of who this will be and send them the registration link below.

HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Who is it for?

• Anyone seeking answers

• Anyone who isn’t sure what they believe

• Anyone who is spiritual but not religious

• Anyone with doubts about Christianity or wanting to investigate the Christian Faith

• New Christians or newcomers to the church

• Anyone who wants to “brush up” on the basics

When and where does it take place?

• Dates: Mondays from September 9, 2024 - November 11, 2024

• Time: 7pm-9pm

• Location: Hopper & Burr, 202 W 4th St, Santa Ana, CA 92701

How can I participate?

• Take the class yourself, have your questions answered, and be strengthened in your faith

• Invite someone to Bridge (and attend the course with them!)

• Volunteer to serve with the class

REGISTER FOR THE CLASS HERE

SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER HERE

JOIN US FOR SMALL GROUP AT 7PM

Small groups continue every 1st & 3rd Friday of the month 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

AUGUST 12 - AUGUST 18

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 13: FINAL SUMMER PARK DAY AT SANTIAGO PARK

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

THURSDAY, AUGUST 15: FRENCH PARK RUN CLUB

• 6:30am - French Park Grass Area

FRIDAY, AUGUST 16: SMALL GROUPS

• 7:00pm - Houlton, Lee, & Erkelens Homes

SUNDAY, AUGUST 18: SUNDAY GATHERING AT THE EBELL CLUB

• 10:00am - Meeting Room: Ballroom

GOD REMAINS FAITHFUL

Just as predicted in Isaiah 39:5-7, the total collapse came. Everything fell apart because of Judah’s unfaithfulness and they find themselves in exile. Despairing, hopeless, and far from home and wondering if God is done with them. Into all this, God speaks a word of comfort. He’s never abandoned his people, and he never will. Judgment won’t have the last word. He stands ready and willing to comfort his people and bring them home again. Isaiah 40 comes to us as the good news of God's unfailing comfort in the midst of our catastrophic experiences of collapse - whatever they may look like. The times when we give up and stop running along the King's path. When we believe we're beyond restoration. When we've lost hope. When we've been crying out on the side of the road but it seems God has hidden his face and forgotten us. In all these moments and more, we take heart that even as we may collapse, the King’s path never does. Even as we grow weary, God never does. Even as we compromise and collapse, God will never compromise on his commitment to his people.

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE

ALL GUYS 15 AND OLDER ARE ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND

Every second Thursday of the month, 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 Hopper & Burr (202 W 4th St, Santa Ana, CA 92701) at 7:00 pm.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 13 AT 10 AM AT SANTIAGO PARK

Members of the church have been gathering for a weekly park day over the summer. It has been an amazing time of fellowship and sweet interactions with many neighbors who frequent Santiago Park in Santa Ana. But as the summer is drawing near to an end, so are our summer park days.

IT’S BEEN A GOOD SUMMER TOGETHER IN OUR CITY

Anyone is welcome, whether you have kids or not. Bring a blanket or chair and some snacks and join us this Tuesday at 10am. We hope to see you there!

A CELEBRATION OF OUR UNITY IN CHRIST IN THE MIDST OF OUR DIVERSITY

Save the date! On Sunday, September 15th, we’ll be hosting our annual “Festival of Nations” celebration. Coinciding with Fiestas Patrias and Dia De La Independencia, we want to 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. Join us at 4pm on Sunday, September 15th in the Madrigal backyard.

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