RECAPPING OUR SERMON SERIES IN 1 TIM

We just completed a 5 month study of the NT book of 1 Timothy. A letter from one 1st century pastor to another which teaches the church in every age that: nothing shapes the life the church lives more than what the church believes. We learned that the church is the very household of God, a pillar and buttress of the truth of the gospel. Week after week, we were challenged to confront the bad beliefs which could threaten to misshape, disrupt, and upset our lives in the house. Believing that as we hold fast to what is true, God will cause us to be a happy, healthy, and ever-expanding household. Standing strong, standing long, and welcoming our neighbors into the warmth of Christ’s embrace for the next 100 years - and beyond.

LISTEN AGAIN OR CATCH UP ON WHAT YOU MISSED

Be fueled to fight the good fight of faith by going back and listening to a sermon or two or checking out the additional resources linked below.

• 1 Tim 1:1-2 - Series Introduction. Nothing shapes the lives we live more than what we believe.

• 1 Tim 1:3-11 - Our believing roots always bear moral fruits. Refuting the beliefs of the false teachers in Ephesus.

  • Learn more about how to use the law “lawfully” here

• 1 Tim 1:12-17 - What do you believe about yourself? Paul’s daily affirmation: “I am the foremost of sinners!”

• 1 Tim 1:18-20 -  Contrary to popular belief, it’s simply not loving to allow one another to continue in error. It’s not Christlike to never challenge one another with the truth. Learn about the proper place of church discipline & how to speak the truth in love to one another.

• 1 Tim 2:1-7 - There’s no person too far off for God to reach. There’s no place too dirty, dark, or off limits for God to work. As a church, we must pray for all kinds of people because God desires to save all kinds of people through the person of Jesus Christ.

• 1 Tim 2:8-15 - What does it mean to be a man or a woman? How do these differences play out in the church and in our homes?

  • Learn more about God’s good design for gender and sexuality here

• 1 Tim 3:1-7 - What is a pastor? What does he do? What kind of man should he be?

• 1 Tim 3:8-13 - What are deacons? What do they do? What kind of men and women should they be?

• 1 Tim 3:14-16 - What should the church believe about herself?

  • Learn more about what it means for the church to be “a pillar and buttress of the truth” here

• 1 Tim 4:1-5 - What should we do with the things of earth? How can we glorify God by enjoying what he’s made?

  • Resources to help you enjoy the good gifts of God here

• 1 Tim 4:6-16 - Watching your life and doctrine is a matter of life and death.

• 1 Tim 5:1-2 - How are we shaped into the likeness of Christ? Through a process called discipleship.

  • Two practical ways to pursue discipleship relationships here

• 1 Tim 5:3-16 - Are we our brother’s (and sister’s) keeper? Yes. We should feel responsible for the needs of those around us.

  • Find resources to help our neighbors in need here

• 1 Tim 5:17-25 - How should people relate to their pastors? By realizing that: people need pastors, pastors need people, and we all need Jesus!

• 1 Tim 6:1-2 - How does the gospel shape our view of work?

• 1 Tim 6:2-10 - How does the gospel shape our view of wealth?

• 1 Tim 6:11-16 - How do we fight the good fight of faith?

• 1 Tim 6:17-21 - What do we believe life “in this present age” is all about? What’s the winning strategy for the Christian life?

ALL SERMONS AVAILABLE ON APPLE PODCASTS OR SPOTIFY

ALL LADIES, HIGH-SCHOOL AGED AND OLDER ARE INVITED

Each month, the ladies of CGSA gather for a time of discussion, encouragement, and prayer. All to promote the growth of women in Christ as women in Christ.

Tonight, they’ll dive into their first of three discussions of the book My Dear Hemlock. A modern take on C.S. Lewis’ classic, The Screwtape Letters, which is designed to answer the question, “What if Screwtape tempted a woman?” Whether you’ve read the book or not, come and join in on a conversation that promises to be the best kind of provocative and point you back to Christ. We hope to see you there!

JOIN IN TONIGHT AT 7PM AT THE SCHLIEDER HOME

INVITE YOUR FRIENDS TO EXPLORE THE CHRISTIAN FAITH

Our mission is to spread the joy of Jesus to our Santa Ana neighbors. One of the ways we advance this mission is through The Bridge Course. A class we offer each fall that creates a context for our neighbors who are skeptical, seeking, unsure of what they believe, or are brand new to the Christian faith to have honest conversations about the most important questions in life. Over the course of 10 weeks, we’ll share meals, build relationships, and learn how the Bible answers those big questions.

Know someone who is looking for answers? Isn’t sure what they believe? Has doubts about Christianity or is investigating the faith? Bring them to Bridge! The course is entirely free. No homework or preparation needed. And your guests will never be pressured to participate more than they’re comfortable. It’s a safe place to explore the Christian faith and enjoy community along the way.

When and where does it take place?

• Dates: Mondays from September 8, 2025 - November 10, 2025

• Time: 7pm-9pm

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

Bridge is starting soon! So don’t wait, invite your friends & neighbors today!

SHARE THE REGISTRATION LINK

REMINDER: NO ELEMENTARY CLASSES THIS SUNDAY

This Sunday is the 5th Sunday of August, so we’ll only offer the Nursery/Preschool Class geared toward kids ages 0-3. All kids 4 and up will remain with us after the singing portion of the service to hear the preached word outside of their usual classroom setting. We’ll have coloring sheets to help them follow along as they hear the gospel alongside their parents.

These 5th Sunday breaks serve 3 purposes. They provide an opportunity to bridge the gap between Children’s Ministry and the regular life of the church. They get our kids ready for what comes next once they graduate from the Elementary Class. They contribute to a helpful pattern of rest for our Children’s Ministry volunteers who serve so joyfully and selflessly every Sunday morning.

We appreciate you, volunteers! You come alongside the discipleship efforts of our parents as you declare the mighty works of God to the next generation week in and week out!

AUGUST 25 - AUGUST 31

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 26

• Basketball in the Park

  • 6:30pm - El Camino Park

    • Reach out to Manny for more info

THURSDAY, AUGUST 28

• French Park Run Club

  • 6:30am - French Park Grass Area

• Women’s Meeting

  • 7:00pm - Schlieder Home

SUNDAY, AUGUST 31

• Sunday Gathering at the Ebell Club

  • 10:00am - Meeting Room: Theater

• Baptism Ceremony

  • 12:30pm - Lee Home

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6TH

We’ve got two ways you can participate in spreading the joy of Jesus to our neighbors. Mark your calendar for Saturday morning, 9/6, and take part in our Santa Ana mission!

• Pray for our City - 9am-12pm - Prayer Meeting at the Warm’s. This is a rich opportunity to pray for the needs of our church, the good of our neighbors, and revival in our city. Moving forward, we’re setting a rhythm of a 1st Saturday of the month prayer meeting at 9am. RSVP with Cordell & Marina.

• Speak to our City - 10am-12pm - Neighborhood Outreach in DTSA. We’re taking to the streets to give out Bridge Course invitations, strike up spiritual conversations, pray for our neighbor’s needs, and share the gospel of Jesus Christ. Meet at the Ebell Parking Lot. RSVP with Robert Lopez.

Trusting the Lord will use our ordinary efforts to do extraordinary things. Come and receive the joy of being on mission with him!

Grasp THE RIGHT THINGS TIGHTLY

This Sunday was the last sermon in our study of 1 Timothy. A sermon series that’s taught us: that nothing shapes the lives we live more than what we believe. In the final section of the letter, we encountered a passage intended to shape what we believe this life is for. What it’s all about. The point of it all. In 1 Tim 6:17-21, the Apostle Paul lays out the winning strategy for the Christian life. Two movements that will get us in shape to score points for the glory and Kingdom of Christ. A 1-2 punch that will cause our life in the household of God to be happy, healthy, and fruitful until the head of the household returns. Here’s the winning combination: to be a church that will stand strong and stand long in our city for the next 100 years, we must hold our temporary treasures loosely (6:17-19) and grasp the imperishable treasure of the gospel more tightly than anything else (6:20-21).

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE

SAVE THE DATE - 9/21 @ 10AM

On September 21, we’ll be sharing in the joy of Jesus right in the heart of French Park. We’ll gather at the same time we do every Sunday. To do the same thing we do week in and week out. With a unique opportunity to do it in a different place.

On this special Sunday, we’ll be taking everything - our singing, preaching, praying, and fellowship - into the midst of our neighborhood. Enjoying the ability to gather together in the open, sit under the shade of the tall park trees, and offer our neighbors a window into the goodness of belonging to Jesus. Complete with coffee, donuts, and pan dulce to share.

Because this service will look a little different than a normal Sunday morning, here are a few things to note:

• Children’s Ministry: We won’t be offering our regular children’s classes. Instead, kids will stay with their families during the service. To help them stay engaged, we’ll provide some simple activities to keep their hands busy while still allowing them to listen and participate.

• What to Bring: We’ll provide a number of seats. But to make sure there’s enough to go around, we encourage you to bring your lawn chairs or blankets. We’ll have coffee and treats, but you’re welcome to bring some water and anything else that will make you comfortable outdoors.

• Where to Park: Anywhere you can along French or Minter St. Additional parking can be found on Vance, Tenth, or the other surrounding streets.

We can’t wait to worship together in French Park! Mark your calendars, invite a friend, and join us for this special Sunday of celebrating Jesus in the center of our neighborhood.

THURSDAY AND FRIDAY AT 7PM

This week, 4 groups will meet throughout our city to share in the joy of Jesus and apply his gospel to each other’s lives. Outside of Sunday mornings, small groups are the most important moments in the life of our church. Make it a priority to attend one this week as we kick off the Proclaim Course: a 4-part series of talks and discussions designed to encourage and equip believers to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT SMALL GROUPS, CLICK HERE

GET READY TO CELEBRATE NEW LIFE IN CHRIST

On Sunday, August 31st, we have the privilege of witnessing individuals publicly identify with Jesus Christ as they profess their faith in his sacrificial death and victorious resurrection. They’ll do this through their baptism. That sacrament through which we confess with our mouths what we’ve believed in our hearts. Demonstrating outwardly what was true of us inwardly from the moment we believed. Signifying our union with Jesus in his dying and rising. Marking the end of our old life in sin and commemorating our entrance into a new life with Christ and his people - which carries on forever.

BAPTISM IMMEDIATELY AFTER SERVICE on 8/31 AT THE LEE HOME

If you’re interested in being baptized or have questions about baptism, please contact one of our pastors.