While In Person Gatherings are cancelled, we are resuming our monthly meetings via Zoom

Our Sunday morning services will continue to be live-streamed, but here is what you can expect for our other meetings:

1. 1st & 3rd Friday Nights - Small Groups (Via Zoom)

On the nights when we normally would have small group, we still be holding small group but it will be through Zoom. Your small group leader will send out the call info to you the day before. If you have not yet sent Pastor Kyle your small group preference (Houlton small group, Erkelens small group, Spanish-speakers small group), please do so ASAP by sending him an email at kyle@sovgracesantaana.org

2. 2nd & 4th Friday Nights - All Church Zoom Meetings

These will be all- church Prayer meetings- very similar to what we have been doing on Friday nights.

3. Men’s & Women’s Meetings (via Zoom)

Men’s meeting will take place on the 2nd Thursday of every month and Women’s meeting will take place on the 4th Thursday via Zoom. Zoom meeting details will be shared on our Slack pages. If you are not on Slack yet, send an email to office@sovgracesantaana.org

A 9Marks Article To Accompany Last Sunday’s Sermon

From the article - “What do we do during those seasons where we don’t feel joyful? What’s to be done when we know in our head that God is good and kind and sovereign but our joy in God has gone AWOL? The answer may surprise you: Stop looking for joy.”

Read “Stop Looking For It - Pastoral Reflections on Joy”

Sunday Morning PJ’s, Illustrated Sermon Notes and The Kids of SGSA

Thank you for sending photos and videos of your household worshipping together to photos@sovgracesantaana.org. This will continue to be what services look like for at least another few weeks, so keep sending them along to remind your brothers and sisters of the voices that are joining together with them as we sing, listen and pray on Sunday mornings.

Rejoice Always Because You Can

One of the shortest verses in the Bible is a command to rejoice. For anyone without Christ, this is a hard command. Sorrow, pain and anxiety hamper attempts at constant joy. Further, any lesser joy cannot sustain the constancy that Paul envisions in his command. But there is a single source of joy that makes following this command possible - God. God is the perfection of joy itself. Further the Gospel is a message of a Jesus who saves us into that very joy and tells of a Holy Spirit who sustains that joy. Do you want to know the not-so-secret secret to joy? Listen to this week’s sermon here.

Every Nation Is Touched by the COVID-19 Pandemic

For our small denomination, Sovereign Grace Churches, the pandemic is a reminder that the pastors and churches we are currently working with in 32 different nations are being impacted by the COVID-19 virus. The needs in these nations are different but very real and one of the ways we can serve them is to pray. The Apostle Paul writes, “praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints” (Eph. 5:18). The word “all” is used four times in this one verse meaning that we are to pray at ALL times for ALL the saints that are in ALL the nations. Therefore, please join Sovereign Grace Churches for a Day of Prayer for the Nations on Friday, April 24. Here is a partial list of items you can pray for:

• Pray that God would protect the saints in the churches we are working with around the world from being infected with the COVID-19 virus.

  1. Pray that God would heal any of the saints that are sick, especially those who test positive for COVID-19.

  2. Pray for Dyonah Thomas and the eight churches he serves in Liberia asking God to provide finances and resources to purchase food and supplies for the saints in those churches.

  3. Pray for Carlos Contreras as he serves our churches in Mexico and Central America asking God to provide for the churches that are facing financial challenges.

  4. Pray for Jorge and David Del Castillo who just planted Iglesia Gracia Soberana in Santa Cruz, Bolivia who only had the opportunity to hold a few public services before shut in orders were given in that nation. Please pray that God would provide for this new church.

  5. Pray for Jeffery Jo (Manila), Pete Valdez (Bohol), Cornelio Nebo (Cebu City) who care for churches in the Philippines asking God to provide finances and resources to purchase food and supplies for the saints in that nation.

  6. Pray for pastors we are relating to in Costa Rica, Columbia, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Brazil, Zambia, Ethiopia, South Korea, Australia, India, Nepal, England, Germany, Italy, Croatia, Belarus, and Thailand asking God to give them wisdom to lead their churches and provide for their needs.

  7. Pray for Dave Taylor, our Director of Emerging Nations, asking God to give him wisdom as he and his team serve the saints in different nations during this unprecedented time.

You can read more about our national day of prayer for the nations here.

DON’T MISS OUR WEEKLY PRAYER MEETING EVERY FRIDAY AT 7PM

Until our church calendar normalizes and we’re allowed to meet together again, we’ll conduct a 1.5 hour zoom call to receive a brief update from one another and pray together for one another and for our neighbors. This is the rare chance we get to see one another in one place. We love seeing your faces and hearing your voices.

FOR SECURITY PURPOSES, THE ZOOM LINK WILL NO LONGER BE PUBLICLY POSTED ON THE BLOG

If you need the call information, please email us at office@sovgracesantaana.org

CONTINUE TO SEND US YOUR PRAYER REQUESTS

Thank you for responding and sending them. We’re so used to knowing one another’s needs through experiencing regular fellowship. We talk to one another on Sunday morning. We share life together at small group. We host one another in our homes. We can’t do any of that right now. It’s important to know, however, how to pray for one another and to ask the Lord to guide us, sustain us and encourage us each individually in this season. Here are the prayer requests from this past week (anonymity is maintained):

1. Pray for those who are experiencing loneliness, depression and extreme isolation

2. Pray for our neighbors and members experiencing severe lack of resources and access to information limited by language and income barriers.

3. Pray for healing for Krista Alvarez as a frustrating health issue has returned.

4. Pray for wisdom for the church’s leaders in determining how best to return to meeting together again once social distancing measures are lifted

5. Continue to pray for frontline workers - Alice, Kevin, and Angie working in medical contexts, Peter delivering mail daily, Jeff serving the homeless population and others among us.

6. Pray for favor for those in need of and seeking assistance through SBA loans, unemployment and other resources

7. Pray that the Lord would strengthen each member’s communion with Him; pray that devotional patterns would be strengthened and that we each learn to trust the Lord well

8. Pray for the Houltons as they finish up foster training and prepare to receive a child into their home within the next month

9. Pray for the Lord’s favor as we seek a place to meet on Sundays, given that Heninger may no longer be an option

10. Pray for little Simon as he continues to battle cancer and for faith for his family during the trial

    KEEP SENDING PRAYER REQUESTS TO PRAYERS@SOVGRACESANTAANA.ORG.

KEEP SENDING PICTURES OF YOUR HOUSEHOLD WORSHIPPING TOGETHER

We are now entering month 2 of worshipping from our own homes. Each week, we receive the pictures you send us and it fills us with joy while also deepening how much we miss you. We’re grateful to the Lord, though, for modern technological advances that allow us to worship together despite the inability to meet in person. Thank you for sending photos and videos of your household worshipping together to photos@sovgracesantaana.org. This will continue to be what services look like for at least another few weeks, so keep sending them along to remind your brothers and sisters of the voices that are joining together with them as we sing, listen and pray on Sunday mornings. Take a look at a few photos from this livestream Sunday.

GOD HAS BEEN MERCIFUL TO US IN CHRIST. WE WANT TO BE MERCIFUL TOWARD ONE ANOTHER AND OUR NEIGHBORS

If you or your neighbors are facing medical, financial, food-related or any other kind of challenges due to the coronavirus outbreak, here’s your one-stop shop of resources available to residents of Santa Ana and throughout Orange County. We will update this list on a weekly basis to keep you up to date on all available resources.

MEDICAL ASSISTANCE

• COVID-19 Health Referral Hotline - 800-564-8448

The Orange County Health Care Agency has established a Health Referral Hotline to call if you suspect you have COVID-19 symptoms.

• Orange County Healthcare Agency - COVID-19 “What you should know” - http://cms.ocgov.com/gov/health/phs/about/epidasmt/epi/dip/prevention/novel_coronavirus.asp

Contains daily updates on the spread of and response to COVID-19 within Orange County as well as other additional resources and informational graphics and flyers.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

• Rental/Utility Assistance - Salvation Army of OC - 714-384-0481 

Santa Ana Office - 1710 West Edinger Avenue, Santa Ana, CA 92703

Other cities served: Fullerton, La Habra, Yorba Linda, Brea, Placentia, Buena Park - 714-451-8080

Anaheim and Villa Park - 714-783-2344

• Rental/Utility Assistance - Share Our Selves - 949-270-2100 - https://www.shareourselves.org/services/financial-assistance/

• Rental/Utility Assistance - Serving People In Need (SPIN) - 714-751-1101

  • https://www.spinoc.org/news for COVID-19 response;

  • https://www.spinoc.org/programs for general programs for those in need

• Rental/Utility/Misc. Assistance - St. Vincent de Paul in Orange County - 714-542-0448 http://www.svdpoc.org 1505 East Seventeenth Street Suite #109, Santa Ana, CA 92705 

  St. Vincent de Paul provides home visits, hospital visits, food pantries and grocery distribution, person-to-person visit for assessment, discernment and encouragement, financial aid for utilities, medication, household items, rent assistance, temporary housing (motel voucher), transportation (bus passes, gasoline), and clothing.  available assistance.

For those who have experienced job-layoffs or a reduction in hours/pay:

• CA Unemployment - General Number & Website - English 1-800-300-5616 - Spanish 1-800-326-8937 https://www.edd.ca.gov/unemployment/. Representatives are available at the above toll-free numbers, with NEW hours beginning April 20th: Sunday through Monday (7 days a week) from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Pacific time) except on state holidays.

To file a claim online: https://edd.ca.gov/Unemployment/Filing_a_Claim.htm

• CA Unemployment COVID-19 Specific Resources: Disability insurance for those off due to COVID-19 due to mandatory quarantine or unpaid sick/get better time after having the COVID-19.

To connect to claims: https://edd.ca.gov/about_edd/coronavirus-2019.htm 

Frequently Asked Questions: https://edd.ca.gov/about_edd/coronavirus-2019/faqs.htm 

• Disaster Loans for Small Businesses - https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/

• Federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance: Federally funded benefits distinct from UI program for the self-employed, employed individuals who lack sufficient work history, independent contractors, and gig workers. 

• California Disaster Relief Fund: Will support undocumented Californians impacted by COVID-19 who are ineligible for unemployment insurance benefits and disaster relief, including the CARES Act, due to their immigration status. Approximately 150,000 undocumented adult Californians will receive a one-time cash benefit of $500 per adult with a cap of $1,000 per household to deal with the specific needs arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. Individuals can apply for support beginning next month.

• Labor & Workforce Development Agency – Information regarding: Paid Sick Leave, Disability and Unemployment Insurance, Paid Family Leave, Workplace Health and Safety Guidance, Employer Assistance, CA Department of Public Health, & Common Sense Tips for Staying Healthy - https://www.labor.ca.gov/coronavirus2019/

Additional State-sponsored assistance:

• OC Social Services Agency - http://ssa.ocgov.com/calfresh/apply

  • To apply for various aid/relief programs such as CalFresh (food stamps), CalWorks (homeless, diversion, and immediate need assistance), and General Relief (temporary cash assistance to adults without children)

  • Check your eligibility or sign-up for benefits by going to https://www.mybenefitscalwin.org/

Job Opportunities - for those in need of employment due to lay-offs or temporary furlough:

• Amazon Jobs - https://www.amazondelivers.jobs/?cmpid=PRPRLC0780H6

  • Amazon is adding 100,000 new full and part-time positions across the U.S. in our fulfillment centers and delivery network to meet the surge in demand from people relying on Amazon’s service during this stressful time, particularly those most vulnerable to being out in public.

  • Sign-up for job alerts in your area by texting AMAZON to 77088

• Walmart Jobs - https://careers.walmart.com/

  • Walmart is adding 100,000+ jobs nationwide in response to the COVID crisis

• Domino’s Jobs -https://jobs.dominos.com/dominos-careers/

  • Domino’s is adding 1,000s of jobs nationwide in response to COVID crisis

• Orange County OneStop- https://www.oconestop.com/employment-opportunities

  • Assisting those looking for employment. View their job board.

CHILDCARE ASSISTANCE

• Children’s Home Society of California - https://www.chs-ca.org/

  • Offering childcare reimbursements for essential workers and referrals for locating childcare

• The YMCA of Orange County - https://ymcaoc.org/essential-services-child-care/

  • Offering childcare for essential workers during COVID-19 crisis

COMMUNITY RESOURCES

• Gaining Internet Access during COVID-19: https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/he/hn/availableinternetplans.asp 

• California Guide for Immigrants: https://covid19.ca.gov/guide-immigrant-californians/

  • A PDF guide for immigrants living in CA during this crisis 

• SAUSD Family & Community Resource Page: https://www.sausd.us/covid19resources

FOOD/GROCERY ASSISTANCE

• CA Meals for Kids Mobile Application - https://www.cde.ca.gov/re/mo/cameals.asp

  • The CA Meals for Kids mobile application helps you find nearby California Afterschool and Summer Meal Programs Sites through your iOS, Android, or Microsoft devices.

  • The Emergency Meal Sites section may be used during unanticipated school closures due to emergency situations. Download the app and search in your area!

• Santa Ana Food Pantries - https://www.211oc.org/food/groceries.html

  • Serve the People-  714-352-2911 - 1206 East 17th St, Santa Ana, CA 92701

    • 6am-9am

  • El Sol Academy - 714-543-0023 -1002 North Broadway, Santa Ana, CA 92701

    • Email mercado@elsolacademy.org for detailed information 

  • First Presbyterian Church of Santa Ana - 714-542-7253 - 600 North Main St, Santa Ana, CA 92701

    • 10am-3pm, Tuesday-Thursday

• Second Harvest Pop-Up Drive Through Distribution - https://www.feedoc.org/covid-19-update/

  • 9am-Noon, Saturdays throughout COVID crisis. At the Honda Center, 2695 E Katella Ave, Anaheim 92806

  • Serving 500-1,000 families in a drive-up format with a one-week supplemental supply of bagged food.

• Waste Not OC - https://www.wastenotoc.org/pantries/

  • A cross-county food pantry map to 200+ food pantries across OC

• Catholic Charities of Orange County - https://ccoc.org/programs/

  • See English & Spanish CalFresh Healthy Living Calendar for information on OC food pantries.

• So-Cal Grocery Stores Open Early For Seniors and those with Medical Conditions

  • Northgate Market - 7am-8am (Seniors, Pregnant Women, Disabled)

  • Big Saver Foods - 7:30am-8am (Seniors)

  • Stater Bros. - 7:45am-8am (Seniors, Disabled)

  • Smart & Final - 7:30am-8am (Seniors, Disabled)

  • Albertsons - 7am-9am (Seniors)

  • Vons - 7am-9am (Seniors)

  • Target - Wednesdays, 8am-9am (Seniors, those with medical conditions)

  • Whole Foods - 7am-8am (Seniors)

  • Gelsons - 7am-8am (Seniors)

  • Ralphs - 7am-7:30am (Seniors)

  • Superior Grocers - 7am-8am (Seniors, Disabled)

• Grab & Go Meals - Free lunch and at many locations, even breakfast are offered to all students 18-and-under at multiple school in most Orange County school districts - https://na0.icarol.info/resourceview2.aspx?First=1&country=United%20States&sp=CA&county=Orange&city=-1&org=2287&agencynum=67353452

• Additional Resources by City: Select the service from: Food, Food Pantries, or Grab & Go Meals at https://www.211oc.org/ and on the page that loads, search by city in the section that reads, “Search for resources in or near a location”

• Additional information by School District (school closure length, grab & go meal times & locations): https://newsroom.ocde.us/these-oc-districts-are-offering-grab-and-go-meals-at-a-campus-near-you

GENERAL SERVICES

Dial 2-1-1 to be linked to any of the following services: 

• Women, infants and children (WIC) help

• Food and food stamps

• Homeless shelters

• Substance abuse

• Prenatal care

• Help with housing assistance

• Help with utilities

• Emergency housing

• 24-hour crisis, suicide help and suicide counseling

• Mental health services

• Food distribution

• Access to healthcare

• Medical, dental help and vision clinics

• Government assistance programs

• Transportation assistance

• Elder services

• Nutrition assistance

• Help for low-income families

• Other youth and child care issues

• Other physical and mental health services

The Cutest Video You’ll Watch All Week

Last week on Easter we asked the kids of Sovereign Grace Santa Ana to help us tell the Easter story. We gave them each an Easter egg with a symbolic item & asked them to send in a video explaining the significance of the contents of their egg as it relates to the story of the Resurrection of Jesus. Thank you to one of our children’s ministry leaders, Angie Cunningham, for organizing this and to Mike Alvarez for putting this video together!