We’ve Missed Gathering Together

In December, we took a month off of our regularly-scheduled midweek small groups. While we sincerely hope that the time to allow your schedules to lie fallow was fruitful, we can’t wait to resume sharing our lives together in fellowship with one another around God’s Word.

DISCUSSION BEGINS at 7PM

• ENGLISH SANTA ANA SMALL GROUP: HOULTON HOME

• SPANISH SANTA ANA SMALL GROUP: HOULTON HOME

• “EAST SANTA ANA” SMALL GROUP: ERKELENS HOME

If you’d like to join a small group, visit a small groups or have questions at all, please contact office@sovgracesantaana.org

Ladies, Save the Date for our Winter Event

About once a quarter, the ladies of SGSA gather together on a Saturday to fellowship and learn together. The past few months our ladies have been discussing serving in their monthly meetings and have planned a service project for this quarter’s event!

We will be partnering for the morning of Saturday, January 18 with Reunion Family Center, to help with their weekly resource distribution. This is a wonderful opportunity to serve with our ladies and meet other families in our city.

Please RSVP to Krista Alvarez at krista@sovgracesantaana.org. Childcare will not available at the event, however, if you are unable to find childcare, let Krista know and we can find a solution for you.

Enjoy pictures from our First Christmas Eve In Our City

Last week on Christmas Eve, we gathered as a church to celebrate the advent of Christ at our first annual Christmas Eve service in Downtown Santa Ana. This service was a remarkable and sweet moment in the life of our church. We had delicious tamales made by one of our very own members, held a bilingual service, and finished by singing with candles in front of the school.

Heaven Will Satisfy Our Desire For The Satisfaction of All Other Desires

Christ has come and he has ushered in the new era. However, the fullness of all that this means for the church and for this world has not yet dawned. There is a final chapter to our history and to the history of the world that has been written and remains to be realized. The message of the Gospel tells us this world is headed somewhere. It will not carry on this way forever, and that speaks to something embedded deep within us. This past Sunday we looked to the future and encountered the hope that is held out for us in heaven. For all those longing and waiting for all things to be made new we have hope that in the new creation with Christ all our desires will be completely satisfied.

Listen to this week’s sermon here.

We Hope Your Longings Are Satisfied In Christ

As you celebrate this Christmas holiday, we hope you have the blessing of being surrounded by friends, family and the warmth of holiday tradition and celebration. More than anything, though, we hope you experience the comfort and peace of knowing that Jesus was born to save you from your sins, bring a peace like none other and reconcile you to your Heavenly Father. May your celebration of Christmas be a worshipful celebration of the One whom the Father sent to earth out of love for you.

Pray for Those Who Don’t Know The Joy of Jesus this Season

Join us today in lifting up our DTSA neighbors who do not yet know the saving love of Christ this Christmas season. This week holds such a special joy in the church-celebrating the birth of our Savior and the peace he brings us. But for some, this holiday season is anything but peaceful. Whether this lack of peace is felt in stressful family situations, grief, loneliness or poor health, it makes the holiday seem less than joyful. Take some time this week to pray for those you know and for our neighbors for whom this is a reality.

If any of this describes you and we can serve you or pray for you in any way, please email kyle@sovgracesantaana.org.

As a church, we want to lift these neighbors up to the Lord - that He may comfort them & that they may find their hope & peace in Him.

Christmas Is The Story of The Prince Who Battled The Dragon To Save His Bride

Of all the symbols of Christmas, you’ve probably never included dragons in your list. Yet, Revelation 12 tells a symbolic story of the birth of Christ through images including a prince, a bride and a dragon. It reminds us that even in His incarnation as a baby, Jesus’ birth was a declaration of war against Satan, sin and death. In our final installment of our 2019 Christmas series, we learn that Jesus satisfies our longing for peace through declaring war on that which destroys peace upon the earth.

Listen to this week’s sermon here.

WHO CAN YOU INVITE TO OUR CHRISTMAS SERVICES?

Our 2019 Christmas services are coming up and this year, for the first time ever, we will be hosting a Christmas Eve service in Downtown Santa Ana. These services are an opportunity for us to reach out to our friends, family, and neighbors - many of whom may not know the deep and all-satisfying joy of the birth of Christ. Who can you think of who might do well to hear the Gospel proclaimed through the advent of the Savior into the world this Christmas?

CHRISTMAS SUNDAY SERVICE - SUNDAY, DECEMBER22, 10:30AM @ HENINGER ELEMENTARY

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE - TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 5:30PM @ HENINGER ELEMENTARY

2020 HOSPITALITY CHALLENGE

For the last two years, every first Friday, we’ve encouraged you to join with your church family in a “First Friday Fast”. These were opportunities for us to practice the disciplines of praying and fasting, while bearing the needs and burdens of one another and our neighbors together in a unique way.

As we enter this new year, we have a new Second Friday opportunity for you - and it relates to how you use both your home and your time for the glory of God and the good of our Santa Ana neighbors. The challenge is simple - every first Friday, share a meal with a person or a family outside of our church. This can be in your home, their home or at another location.

EVERY SECOND FRIDAY, SHARE A MEAL WITH A PERSON OR A FAMILY OUTSIDE OF OUR CHURCH

Why hospitality? Because it’s one of the best ways to get to know and love new neighbors. Author Tim Chester says,

“Few acts are more expressive of companionship than the shared meal… . Someone with whom we share food is likely to be our friend, or well on the way to becoming one.”

In this, we’re simply following the model of Jesus, who used food as a means for effective Gospel ministry:

“Jesus spent his time eating and drinking—a lot of his time … His mission strategy was a long meal, stretching into the evening. He did evangelism and discipleship round a table with some grilled fish, a loaf of bread, and a pitcher of wine.”

More details to come. For questions, email office@sovgracesantaana.org.

Last month, we shared some important messages from our denominations annual Pastor’s conference. Now the entire conference is available for you to watch, listen to or read. We encourage you to spend some time on your Christmas break, soaking in the richness from these messages.

Watch, listen or read here.