Our Fall In The Prophets Begins This Sunday

This Sunday, July 28, begins a sermon series on a section of Scripture that is most unfamiliar to the majority of Christians - the prophets. Over the next four months, we’ll preach through the books of Joel, Micah and Jonah, learning along the way how relevant these books are for our contemporary lives, how infused with Gospel truth they are, how to read all of prophetic literature and finally, to learn to love reading the prophets. We’re looking forward to an exciting fall.

Prepare for this sermon series by spending a few days reading through the first book in the sermon series - Joel. It’s a short book consisting of only 3 chapters, so consider maybe even reading through it a few times.

We’ve made a version without chapters, verses or headings for you to read though.

Learning About Using Our Homes To Spread The Joy of Jesus

Our monthly women’s group is switching to Wednesday and taking a field trip this month! Rosario Butterfield, author of the book about hospitality, The Gospel Comes with a Housekey, will be speaking on Wednesday night, July 24, in Irvine. For those who can get there early, there will be food trucks starting at 5:30pm, and the session begins at 7pm. Read about the event here and email Rebecca Erkelens (bequita_17@yahoo.com) with any questions.

Live Like Jesus Is Actually Coming Back

Prophets, for hundreds of years before Christ, had predicted that God would one day come to judge the living and the dead and finally make all things new. Jesus Himself had identified Himself as that very judge. He told His followers that after He died and was raised, that He would come back - to judge, but also to bring all who belong to Him to Himself. This is the final chapter to the Good News of Jesus Christ.

However, Peter writes in 2 Peter 3 to the Church in Rome … and to us … to remind us that we shouldn’t only be mentally convinced that Jesus is coming back. His future return should utterly change the way we live.

Listen to Sunday’s Message To Hear More

Supporting Heninger Elementary School

We will be having a Back to School drive for Heninger Elementary’s classrooms - to supply teachers and students with what they need for a successful school year. The donation deadline will be Sunday, August 4. More details to come this Sunday and in next week’s newsletter, so stay tuned!

THIS FRIDAY AT 7:00PM

Downtown Santa Ana Small Group - Led by Kyle Houlton and hosted at the Houlton residence. Please contact kyle@sovgracesantaana.org for directions and details.

East Santa Ana Small Group - Led by Christopher Erkelens and hosted at the Schlieder residence. Please contact taylorschlieder@gmail.com for directions and details.

Jesus has invited us to respond.

The fifth message in our “What Is The Gospel?” sermon series asked questions like, “what kind of response does the work of Christ require?” , “who can respond?”, and “who should respond?”. The Gospel tells us that Christ first responded in love toward us to successfully deal with our sin where we had failed. This initiative on the part of God bids everybody respond with the simple, yet infinitely profound posture of the heart called “faith”.

Listen to last week’s sermon from Romans 10:5-13 to learn more.

Baptism Service, Sunday, July 21

Baptism is one of the sweetest moments in the life of the church. It’s a visible portrayal of the effects of the Gospel in a person. Baptism does not save a person or contribute to their salvation. Rather, it’s an outward display of an inward work that has already taken place. It’s also an act of obedience, something that every believer is commanded to do.

If you’d like to be baptized, please email kyle@sovgracesantaana.org. Send an email even if you’d like to talk about baptism or learn more about it.

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

Daniel Is Returning To Colombia

Daniel Latorre, a member of Sovereign Grace Santa Ana, has been with us for nearly 6 months. In that short period of time, he has become an integral part of this local body of Christ. Now, for a variety of circumstances outside of his control, he’s returning to Colombia later this week. He doesn’t know what’s next for him. We don’t know if he’ll ever be back.

What We Do Know Is That God Will Use Daniel For His Glory

It can be difficult when people leave. Especially when they’ve become so dear to us. However, because of Christ, our sadness stops short. Because in one sense, we are “sending Daniel out”. He carries the Gospel message. He is an ambassador of Christ. This message has become even more implanted in Him during his time with us. And now, according to God’s purposes, it’s time for him to take that message to a new neighborhood in another country.

We’re sad to see Daniel go, but we send him out with faith that God will use him in tremendous ways for His glory and the good of the neighbors he’s surrounded by.

God Is The Great Physician

God created each of us uniquely. He created each of us entirely. Down to every cell. He knows our frame. We also believe that, in mercy, He gives gifts of healing. Months ago, Rosario’s son, Gusi, suffered a traumatic leg break, which required invasive surgery and internal metal hardware to fix. Last week, he had a second surgery to remove that hardware and is now on the road to full recovery and a return to playing soccer, the sport he loves.

God gave the doctors and surgeons their wisdom and intelligence. God gave Gusi’s body the ability to heal and regrow a broken skeletal structure. Thank you to all of you who prayed. We’re praising God with Rosario and Gusi for His incredible mercy.