At Sovereign Grace Church Santa Ana, we believe that God is multiplying and maturing disciples of Christ - who will serve the body in many and multiple ways to His glory. We want to do all that we can to ensure each member is able to use the gifts the the Spirit has given them. In other words, we want to invest in the dear brothers and sisters God has given to us. At times, this investment comes in the form of giving men opportunities to preach and develop a potential gift of teaching. Through this investment, we believe that God will build, and sustain, this local church. The next generation of teachers, preachers and leaders are likely sitting among us. 

This last Sunday, we had the privilege of hearing from Mike Alvarez, a man who usually uses his gifts as a musician to lead us in worship on Sundays. On this occasion, he stood behind the pulpit and boldly preached God's Word from the book of Ruth. 

Listen to The Message Here

Read Through The Story Without Verse Or Chapter Breaks Here

It might be hard to believe, but we're already halfway through the short book of Ruth. Called "The classic love story of the Bible" and "one of the greatest short stories ever written". Whatever else it might be called, if nothing else, it's a book that is thoroughly permeated with God's hidden hand of mercy, reminding us of His constant redemptive activity in the lives of those who belong to Him. Over the next couple weeks, take 30 minutes and sit down with this book at least one more time. Reacquaint yourself with the characters. Reacquaint yourself with God's mercy. 

Free and Family-Friendly Fun

We love opportunities to meet our DTSA neighbors and to celebrate the city that God has given us to live and build our lives in. This Saturday at noon is the 5th annual East End DTSA Block Party. It starts at noon and goes into the evening. It’s free. It’s family friendly. It’ll be packed with our neighbors. 

Participate In How Our City's Money Is Spent

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. 

Listen To The Message Here

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". 

Subscribe To The Newsletter

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:

• Ruth: A Sweet and Bitter Providence by John Piper (book, 145 pages)
• Faithful God by Sinclair Ferguson (book/commentary, 160 pages)
• The Gospel, the Book of Ruth and Adoption (discussion)
• More Than a Love Story (article)

When You Can't See God, Compromise Becomes Appealing

Listen To The Message Here

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. 

Friday, June 1

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:

• Pray for courage and compassion to move toward our neighbors in love
• Pray for wisdom to see and move on opportunities
• Pray for leadership from among the congregation to spearhead opportunities
• Pray that we would keep the Gospel in clear focus as we seek to extend compassion and love toward our neighbors
• Pray that God would extend His grace toward our neighbors through Jesus and save them
• Pray that God would spread the joy of Jesus in DTSA through our small groups

Head Up To Orange at Noon

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.