“LGBTQ+” Describes Many of Our Neighbors - How Do We Extend Compassion Without Compromise?

We exist to spread the joy of Jesus to all of our neighbors regardless of age, race, gender, income level. occupation or sexual identity. Come to this seminar to learn how to love our LGBTQ+ neighbors without compromising the truth of God’s Word.

Please note that childcare will not be provided for this event, but we encourage you to take the intervening weeks to find a babysitter and make it a priority to attend this important seminar.

JOIN US FOR AN EVENING SEMINAR
GUEST SPEAKER: JOSH BLOUNT
THURSDAY APRIL 25, 2019
7PM-9PM
CHAPEL OF ORANGE

RSVP right here.

Spreading The Joy of Jesus Through Sharing Our Belongings

Many thanks to all the hands involved in planning, promoting and “putting on” the women’s clothing swap this past Saturday. The ladies of Sovereign Grace Santa Ana were able to meet and have pleasant conversations with many of our female neighbors - and others - in Santa Ana.

Moments like these are oftentimes the tarting points to genuine relationships and friendships. When we know our neighbors as friends; when we know their hurts and fears; their joys and celebrations, the Gospel we share with them can be a message of hope and joy that relates to their particular lives. Thanks for building friendships with our neighbors for God’s glory.

FRIDAY, MARCH 1

This year, we'll be spending the first Friday of every month fasting together and praying for a particular topic. Church members who fast for all 12 Fridays 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. 

This month, we’re praying for our small groups. Here are a few ideas to guide your prayer:

• Pray for every member of our church to be vitally involved in, cared for by others and caring for others through small groups

• Pray for our small groups to be contexts where guests feel welcome

• Pray for our next small group leaders (whoever they might be) to be developed in their gifts of leadership and mercy

• Pray that our small groups would be launching pads for ministry toward our hurting neighbors

• Pray that our small groups would be launching pads for deep one-on-one discipleship with one another throughout the week

• Pray that true sanctifying discipleship would take place at our small groups

• Pray that the Spirit would be present and active to minister the Gospel, reveal God’s Word and dispense His gifts during our meetings

God’s Word From the Mouth of One of the Wisest and Godly Men We know

This past Sunday, Jim Cunningham stood behind the pulpit and preached God’s Word from Romans 1:1-17. He served us well and reminded us that the Gospel is the saving work of Jesus for everyone, regardless of distinction.

Jim has spent a lifetime loving God’s people and taking the Gospel to his out neighbors and friends, whether in Santa Ana, Orange, Pasadena Thailand or at his workplace in LA. The message we heard from Jim was from God’s Word. The message, however, came from a man whose life is worth imitating. Thus, this past Sunday was a treasured moment for our church. Thank you, Jim (and Angie!) for showing us what it means to faithfully follow and proclaim Christ through many seasons of life.

Listen to the sermon here

Thursday @ 1:15pm In Front of Heninger Elementary

There are mothers and fathers in our neighborhood whose children attend the school we worship in on Sunday mornings. There are community members who are invested in the success of this school and the education of its students. By God’s grace, a small group of them have partnered with our church to establish a bi-weekly prayer meeting out in front of Heninger Elementary.

If you can pull away from work or whatever is on your schedule in the early afternoon on Thursday, please consider joining the group this Thursday. If you have kids, go ahead and bring them along. This is a uniquely wonderful opportunity to meet and express solidarity with our neighbors.

Bring your (and your husband’s/children’s) gently-used clothes and accessories and swap them for some new fun finds. This is a fun way to clear out your closet, eat a tasty brunch and share with the ladies in our church and neighborhood. All women 13 and older are invited to participate.

For Questions and Details, Please Contact

Rebecca Adams-Erkelens

bequita_17@yahoo.com

HOW TO BE A GRACIOUS PART OF A COMMUNITY EMBROILED IN CONTROVERSY

The topic of sexual identity is a contentious issue. Opinions are strong. Confusion abounds. We need Biblical clarity and Biblical compassion to engage in ways that glorify God and provide a compelling witness to our neighbors.

We want to equip you to do just that. Please note that childcare will not be provided for this event, but we encourage you to take the intervening weeks to find a babysitter and make it a priority to attend this important seminar.

JOIN US FOR AN EVENING SEMINAR
GUEST SPEAKER: JOSH BLOUNT
THURSDAY APRIL 25, 2019
7PM-9PM
CHAPEL OF ORANGE

RSVP right here.

If You Love Jesus, You Will Love The Holy Spirit

Hours before Jesus leaves His disciples for the cross, He comforts their troubled hearts with two realities: the reality of His return and the reality of the coming of the Holy Spirit. The presence of the Holy Spirit, for modern Christians like us can easily be assumed and taken for granted. But the picture that Jesus paints is anything but common. He hints that the Holy Spirit will be His very presence. The Holy Spirit will dispense Truth just as Jesus dispensed Truth. The Holy Spirit will help God’s people in even greater ways. In short, the presence of the Holy Spirit dwelling within believers is a glimpse of heaven come down to earth.

Listen to this last Sunday’s sermon from John 14:15-31 to grow in your understanding and experience of the Holy Spirit.

Listen to the sermon here.

Every Other Thursday In Front of Heninger Elementary

We’ve prayed for opportunities to serve the students, teachers and families of the school that we meet in on Sunday morning. By God’s grace, Angie Cunningham was able to connect with a parent who leads the Parent/Teacher organization of the school a couple weeks ago.

Through this connection, it was agreed that a great first step would be prayer. Thus, last week, 11 people, both from the neighborhood and our church, gathered outside the school early Thursday afternoon to do just that.

This is an evidence of God’s faithfulness to us and toward our neighborhood! We’re learning as we go, but for now, the plan is to gather every other Thursday at 1:15pm. So, mark it on your calendars and we’ll see you at the next one on Thursday, March 28 at 1:15pm!

Effective Personal Ministry - Listening and Loving

This past Friday, our small groups travelled up to the city of Orange to join our brothers and sisters from Sovereign Grace Church of Orange for a seminar with Andy Farmer concerning what it means to “counsel” one another well. Many thank to both our sister church and Andy Farmer for helping us to grow in our ability to serve one another through this outstanding seminar.

Love, Know, Speak Do

Though we tend to want to assume we know what other people are going through, what the sin issues is in their hearts and even to know the appropriate solution, there are a couple steps that must always take precedence over the impulse to speak. Genuinely loving - expressing affection, care and concern and then genuinely seeking to know - asking open-ended, thoughtful questions, help us to then speak intelligently, humbly and faithfully toward one anthers’ real life situations.

Our small groups will be discussing this paradigm and how we can each grow in these areas the next time our small groups meet on Friday, April 5.