In Colossians 2:16-23, Paul, the author of Colossians, identifies a danger that threatens the health of the church and exposes that danger for what it is, helping us to identify it and turn instead to Christ.
God is going before us. He's bringing people from across the street and across the country as He builds Sovereign Grace Santa Ana. This Friday, Jennifer Williams is moving from Louisville, Kentucky to Orange County. The Lord provided her with a job. She's excited for the move. And she would appreciate a little help getting moved in and unpacked. We'll take the opportunity not only to lend a hand to her, but also to have a party; to do something together. Our regularly scheduled small group meeting is being replaced by a moving party for Jennifer. Please pray that she gets settled in, enjoys the move and becomes plugged in quickly - at work, in her neighborhood and in the church!
Mark your calendars for March 11th at 5:00pm. Our regular Sunday service is being replaced by an all-church meal centered on the Lord's Supper. We will eat and drink together as we meditate more deeply on our Savior's sacrifice.
It's a potluck and more instructions will be coming, so keep an eye on the blog.
We love it when we get the chance to learn from one another; when we're discipled by our friends. This last Sunday, we had the opportunity to hear God's Word preached by Jeff Schleider. As he taught from Colossians 2:6-15, we were reminded that Christians need Jesus as we continue our walk just as much as we needed Him at the beginning of our walk. He alone gives us our best life no matter where - or when - we are.
We're praising God together with Mike and Krista Alvarez for His gift of little Rayanne Marie. She's the first baby in the Alvarez family. She's also the very first baby born within Sovereign Grace Santa Ana. We're praying for God's grace to be poured out on this now family of three.
Al pastor. Asada. Pollo. What do all of these things share in common? They'll all be eaten by you and your friends on delicious corn tortillas from 6:30-7:30pm on Sunday, February 25.
That very Sunday, Sovereign Grace Santa Ana has the privilege of hosting Riley Spring, a student at the Sovereign Grace Churches Pastors College hailing from Sovereign Grace Sydney (Australia). We're going to treat him to a taste of Santa Ana right outside the gates of Heninger Elementary. Tacos El Campesino will be supplying the tacos. They're on the house. Our friends from Sovereign Grace Orange are invited. Our Downtown Santa Ana friends and neighbors are invited.
As we continued our series in Colossians - a book concerning the new life of a small church in Colossae - we discovered this last week just how much the new life of this church was worth to Paul, the author of Colossians. In Colossians 1:24-2:5, we find that it was worth every bit of suffering that he had experienced. Listen to the message to find out not only why, but also how Paul is able to say "I rejoice in my sufferings ..."
NBC did a careless thing. They scheduled the Superbowl right during the middle of our service. But we're going to take advantage of it by throwing a party as soon as we finish our corporate gathering.
Head over to the Houlton apartment after the service at 7:00pm for a DVR'ed showing of the game, some good food and some even better company. Make sure that all of your friends who are watching the game on-time don't spoil the results for you. Better yet, invite your friends to church and to the party afterward. Contact Kyle at kyle@sovgraceoc.org for questions, details and directions.
YOU DON'T NEED SOMETHING NEW. YOU NEED SOMETHING TRUE.
This past Sunday, we continued our series in the book of Colossians with Col. 1:15-23 and learned what is the best safeguard against the problems of this life: an intelligent appreciation of the doctrine of Christ. In layman's terms? A deeper understanding of who Jesus is. Jesus is the Creator, Sustainer, Head and Reconciler of all things. The more well-acquainted we are with His reality, the more equipped we are to face the problems we'll encounter in our lives.
This year, we'll be spending the first Friday of every month. Church members who fast for all 12 Fridays (all 11 since we missed January) will be invited to a year-end party to celebrate the answers to our prayers. If fasting is new to you, here are some instructions.
Our focus for February is Orange County and our ambition to see more gospel-proclaiming churches planted. Let's be hungry for God to do what only he can do.
On this month's first Friday, we'll be gathering for small group at the end of the day at Jim and Angie Cunningham's house at 6:00pm to break our fast and yet continue to pray - together. For directions, please contact Angie at angiesc11@gmail.com.
