Mothers Are a Gift of God's Grace

Everybody experiences Mothers Day in different ways. For some, it involves brunch and flowers. For others, it's actually a difficult day, whether it's because of a lack of children, the loss of a mother or some other trying circumstance. Nonetheless, we acknowledged and celebrated Mothers Day because all women who are mothers, have been mothers or aspire to be mothers are God's distinct gift to families and to the church. They are models of care, compassion, mercy, joy and love to those around them and we quite literally would not be here without them. We praise God for the mothers of Sovereign Grace Church of Santa Ana. 

The New Man Longs For Renewed Neighbors

In the second-to-last message in the book of Colossians on Sunday, we encountered Paul's instruction regarding conduct and attitudes toward our unbelieving neighbors. Even while in chains in Rome, Paul's priority isn't necessarily that the doors of his prison would be open, but rather that doors to share the Gospel with his captors would be opened. Even in trials, the Apostle Paul was consumed by a desire to see the unbelievers around him saved. And he knew he only had so much time left.

Listen to this past week's sermon and learn how Paul helps his readers to use the precious moments we do have with our friends and neighbors in our city for their eternal good. 

What Does It Mean To Rejoice?

Our small church had the honor of hosting Chris Daukas, pastor of Grace Church in Peoria, Arizona, on Sunday. He preached from Philippians 4:4-7, helping us to understand how we can rejoice in all circumstances - even in the challenges of church planting in the midst of a busy, obstacle-frought life. Speaking from experience, being a recent church planter himself, he reminded us of the basis of the Christian's joy - the nearness of Christ Himself.

Listen to the sermon here. 

7:00pm On The Front Patio Of The 4th Street Market

Men need other men to be godly men. The men of our church are a combination of husbands, fathers, brothers, sons, friends and employees. Our calling as men is to pursue Christ-likeness in all that we do and all the roles we fulfill. There is hardly a more noble calling, but it's not an easy one. We need one another.

For that reason, we come together once a month to open up God's Word, to encounter Christ and encourage one another in our calling as men. All men, high-school-age and older are welcome. You don't even have to be a Christian. For more information, contact kyle@sovgraceoc.org. 

Your Pastors Gathered To Ask God To Build Existing Churches and To Plant New Churches

This past Thursday through Saturday, pastors from Sovereign Grace Churches in California, Colorado and Arizona came together for just over 48 hours to press into our shared mission together. We gather around one core principle and priority: the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We worshipped God together because of that Gospel. We were also equipped as leaders by solid teaching of the Gospel for the growth of our churches. It's how God builds His Church. Finally, we strategized together to plan and ask God to plant new churches in our surrounding cities through the advance of that Gospel.

We need one another's help to do this. And our sister churches are eager to engage in partnership together with us. We thank God for them. 

We're a church and we're a family. We want to take full advantage of every moment we have together. One of the great things about having 5:00pm services is that you always leave church hungry. Why not use that hunger to do build relationships? After church on Sunday evening is a great time to press in even further and to get to know new people. 

This next Sunday, immediately after church, head over to the 4th Street Market for some dinner, some great company and conversation with our guest preacher. 

It's In Our Closest Relationships Where the Reality of Our Changed Lives Should Be Most Evident

Our homes. It's the context where our most familiar relationships exist; husbands and wives, parents and children. It's in the relationships where the renewing and transforming power of the Gospel should be most evident. There are broken relationships, broken families and hurting people in our neighborhood. Knowing how to help our friends and neighbors will often come first by learning how to apply the Gospel in our own homes. 

Listen to this past Sunday's sermon out of Colossians 3:18-4:1. 

They'll Be in Phoenix Together From 5/3-5/5

Our church is a part of a larger family of churches. Within that family of churches, we're a part of the West region. Every year, the pastors from the west region come together twice for a "Regional Assembly of Elders". They come together to share stories of how God is at work. They come together to encourage one another and build relationships between churches. More than anything, they come together to be led by God in order to lead their churches well. 

Pray that God would accomplish all of these and more and that your pastors would return more equipped to love and lead like Christ. 

Friday, May 4

This year, we'll be spending the first Friday of every month fasting and praying together. 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. 

For the month of May, we'll be praying for the Sovereign Grace Churches in the west region of the United States. This includes churches in Arizona (Tucson, Yuma, Gilbert, Peoria), Colorado (Westminster, Aurora) and California (Pasadena, Orange, Santa Ana). Here are some ways that you can pray:

• Pray for effectiveness for each church in reaching the lost in their own neighborhoods
• Pray for the marriages, families and children in each church
• Pray for the singles in each church
• Pray for those who are suffering
• Pray for leaders to lead well and wisely
• Pray that God would safeguard the Gospel in and through each Church

At The Houlton Casa In DTSA

All ladies high school-age and older are welcome to attend this month's women's meeting. Starting at 7:00pm on Thursday, April 26, the women of Sovereign Grace Church of Santa Ana will meet together for one of the best meetings every month. Where women grow as women on the foundation of God's Word. It's an opportunity to share life together; both the celebrations and the struggles. It's an opportunity to grow in friendship and make new friends.

Invite any woman you'd like whom you think might benefit. If you're not a woman, pray for the Spirit of God to be at work at this month's meeting. Contact Kelsey Houlton for questions or directions.