This next Thursday, the City of Santa Ana will be giving a budget update at 9:30am at Hector’s on Broadway. As a church, we want to be involved in and aware of what the real issues are in our city. Because we want to see Jesus redeem the residents of our city; to spread the joy of Jesus spread where joy is least present. This budget meeting is an opportunity to do just that. To be active participants in our city.
Ruth has been called "the classic love story of the Bible". If you know anything about the book, you know it's a story of love between Ruth and Boaz. But on a much more significant level, it's a story of God's love - for His people. Listen to Sunday's sermon and be reminded that "even in the worst of times, God is often laying foundation stones of greater joy".
You'd be hard-pressed to find a week in Downtown Santa Ana when nothing is going on. From art walks, to festivals and carnivals, to farmers markets, to packed-street foodie events, to family friendly movie nights, there is rarely a quite night in DTSA. The upshot of this for a small church is that there are ample opportunities to meet and mix it up with our neighbors. It can be difficult, though, to know what's coming up next.
Downtown, Inc. has been working to resolve that issue for DTSA folks for the last three years by publishing a weekly newsletter. If you want to be the first to know what's happening every week in DTSA, subscribe to the newsletter and start clearing your calendar to head down to DTSA.
Ruth is a short book. But its brevity does not at all equate with limited value. We could spend far more than 6 weeks as a church in the book of Ruth. Whether you're just looking to follow along outside of Sundays or looking to dig a little deeper for extra nuggets of Gospel gold, here are a few resources to plumb the value of the book for all it's worth:
This Sunday, we opened up a six-sermon series in the book of Ruth. It's a book that starts our on a sour note that just becomes more sour, leaving the characters asking, "where is God?". When compromise becomes the option of preference, Ruth reminds us that it's never all that it's cracked up to be. Yet, even when it appears that God is furthest away, when we feel that we've drifted too far away or that God has become completely inactive, it's often then when we find that He's working His most glorious purposes.
In 2018, 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.
Also, since the first Friday conveniently intersects with the month's first small group meetings, our small groups will meet at 6:00pm for those who are able to make it by then (at their respective locations) to break the fast and share a meal together, followed by a time of prayer and discussion together at 7:00pm.
This month, we'll be praying for the outreach efforts of our small groups. Some things to consider praying for:
We were sent out and are supported by Sovereign Grace Church of Orange. On this articular Sunday, we'll gather with them in Orange at the Women's Club courtyard for a brief meeting to receive updates on what's going on in the regular rhythms of the church, how God is moving us forward in mission and to simply celebrate His grace in our life together. Eat beforehand, bring your lunch or if you're in a rush, buck-a-slice pizza will be available.
For the past year and a half, Jerry has been volunteering his time to help lead and grow the efforts of Intervarsity's ministry on the campus of Santa Ana College. He's a young man who's making the best use of his time - taking the opportunity to be a witness to the Gospel while he's going about his everyday studies on campus.
His team's efforts are being noticed and acknowledged. Praise God for Jerry and continue to pray for him and that His Spirit empowered ministry would lead to new disciples.
God has brought us through our first sermon series in a New Testament book. In Colossians, we met a preeminent Christ. We met Paul, who gently warned us of finding our qualifications in Christ and not "being a better person ism". We met the overwhelmingly awesome truth that in Christ, we become dead to sin and alive to Christ. As we finished up the book, however, we met 10 people in whom the rest of the book of Colossians takes on flesh and bones; 10 of Paul's companions, in whom new life is created and being lived out. 10 people whom even the apostle Paul simply couldn't do without.
Ruth is a great story. There are only a few characters. The main character is barely mentioned, but He's always working. It's a story that reminds us to be aware of that same character's constant and redemptive work in our own lives today. We'll spend 6 short week in the book of Ruth, but they'll be a rich 6 weeks.
To prepare for the series, read through this short book once or twice.
We've even created a page on the website with the entire book written out without verse divisions or translator headings. Become acquainted with this book. It will be worth your time.
