Give Thanks In All Circumstances
Give Thanks In All Circumstances

Lessons From Little Green Aliens

Who knew that the little green aliens from Toy Story could ever teach us anything genuinely valuable? Their memorable phrase, “you have saved our lives, we are eternally grateful”, is an accurate reflection of the appropriate disposition of our hearts toward God. The Gospel stands as the foundation of our gratitude - Jesus saved our lives through His death and we, in turn, have reason to be perpetually grateful.

Friend, your life should be characterized by gratitude. And the wonder is that gratitude breeds even more gratitude. Do you want to be more grateful? Do you want to know how such gratitude is possible?

Then listen to this week’s sermon here.

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We Thank God for Moms
We Thank God for Moms

"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" - 1 Thess 5:18

This Sunday, we will gather to hear God's word proclaimed and learn about 1 Thess 5:18. God commands us to be grateful in all circumstances. This Sunday, as we gather we will also be celebrating the mom's in our lives and wishing them a happy Mother's Day. 

We are grateful for mom's in all circumstances because their care for their families is constant in all circumstances. In good times, hard times, and even pandemics, the mothers in our lives care for their families and exemplify the love, compassion, and service of Christ.

So as we thank God in all circumstances for the literally millions of things he is doing - all of them working for good for his people - we take care to give a special thanks for the mothers he has placed in our lives.

Join us for our livestream service this Sunday at 10:30am to learn what it means to "give thanks in all circumstances" and how the gospel of Jesus Christ makes that a possibility and have a Happy Mother's Day!

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All Church Zoom Prayer Call this Friday - Tomorrow!
All Church Zoom Prayer Call this Friday - Tomorrow!

This Friday Will Be our All Church Prayer Call

As a reminder, we are switching up our Friday Zoom Calls. The 1st & 3rd Fridays, our small groups will be meeting. The 2nd and 4th fridays we will have an all church Zoom call to share updates, pray with each other and have a bit of fun.

Round two of SGSA jeopardy will be on the docket, so if you’re looking for ways to gain an edge, consider brushing up on your Downtown Santa Ana random facts, strange truths about individual members and obscure Bible knowledge!

FRIDAY NIGHT AT 7PM

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

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Here's How You Can Pray For One Another This Week
Here's How You Can Pray For One Another This Week

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 little Simon as he continues to battle cancer. He had a rough week last week with seizures, low sodium, and low oxygen levels. Pray as well for his parents, siblings and all nurses/doctors on his team.

  2. Pray for the parents of the Erkelens as they look for a place to live.

  3. Pray for Nancy as she cares for a family member with a tough medical condition.

  4. Pray for those for whom the financial lack caused by joblessness has hit a second month of rent, mortgage and bills being due.

  5. Continue to pray for singles who are weathering this storm alone.

  6. Pray for those who have opportunities to serve their neighbors - pray for the Lord to give them wisdom, courage and compassion.

    KEEP SENDING PRAYER REQUESTS TO PRAYERS@SOVGRACESANTAANA.ORG.

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**UPDATED 5/7/20** - A Comprehensive List of Resources To Give To Your Struggling Neighbors
**UPDATED 5/7/20** - A Comprehensive List of Resources To Give To Your Struggling Neighbors

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 Testing and Screening - FDA Approved testing in OC. By appointment only. No out of pocket cost but your insurance may be billed later. 

  • Santa Ana COVID-19 Testing - AltaMed-Santa Ana Bristol - (888) 499-9303 for appointment

    • 2720 S. Bristol St. #104, Santa Ana; Mon-Sat 9am-3pm

  • 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.

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

  • 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 

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:

CHILDCARE ASSISTANCE

Mental Health Assistance

COMMUNITY RESOURCES

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

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Hospitality Challenge - COVID-19 Update
Hospitality Challenge - COVID-19 Update

2020 HOSPITALITY CHALLENGE

In January, we launched our 2020 Hospitality Challenge. On the second friday of every month, we were encouraging you to reach out to your neighbors, unbelieving family and friends and invite them over for a meal in your home. Little did we know that 3 months into this year’s challenge, a pandemic would sweep the globe and limit the contact we can have with one another.

Though it may look different now, our commitment to spreading the joy of Jesus to our neighbors remains. Even in the middle of a pandemic, there are ways we can reach out to encourage our neighbors and glorify God.

Here is a list of ideas to get you started.

  1. Zoom Dinners or Game Nights- Zoom can be a great tool to invite someone “into” your home during this time.

  2. Offer to pick up groceries for your neighbors- you can leave a note with your number and encourage them to call you with what they need.

  3. Drop off a meal, coffee, or snacks to your neighbors- sometimes it is hard to admit you need help. Instead you can simply drop off something to your neighbors with an encouraging note.

  4. Donate funds to our Neighbor Relief Fund here.

  5. Share Your Gifts- Love baking? Make a batch of cookies and drop them off to your friends. Have a great skill in creating Spotify playlists? Curate a fun playlist and send it out to your friends. There are ways to share the gifts God has given you with others during this time- this is a unique way to think about your gifts and use it to bless others.

This Friday is the second Friday this month. we encourage you look through this list and pick something that you and your family can do.

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Be Choosy About What You Read During This Pandemic
Be Choosy About What You Read During This Pandemic

Coronavirus and Christ by John Piper

Coronavirus y Cristo  por John Piper

By recommending a new book every month, we’re recommending resources to you that help you to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Pet. 3:18). It is not required that you purchase or read these books. They’re mere recommendations to assist you in choosing good books that help you to make the best use of the precious time you have.

“Our Words Are Grass. God’s Word is Granite.”

May’s book of the month is “Coronavirus and Christ” by John Piper. If you’ve ever read a book by John Piper, you’ll find that this book says very little that’s new - you’ll find the essential message that “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him”. He tells you the Gospel that you need to hear. He directs you to God’s Word and reminds you of your purpose for living. This book is different only in that He directs you to God’s Word in your experience of the Coronavirus and helps us to consider God’s redemptive purposes in the midst of the specific life-defining moment. Far from being a “seen that, read that” book, this is a book you need to read. The best news? It’s free.

We Have a Hard Copy For Each of You, Courtesy of DesiringGod

Download the book for free in English here.

Purchase the hardcopy of the book in English here.

Download the book for free in Spanish here.

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Pray Without Ceasing
Pray Without Ceasing

Exercise Your Liberty Through Prayer

Paul issues a 3-word command in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 - a command to pray unceasingly. This verse communicates the need for a Christian to be continually postured in dependence toward God. But it also reflects the awesome reality that because Christ has made a way to access God and because God has promised that He hears those who have been purchased by the blood of His Son, we CAN express our dependence on God through prayer. In a moment in history when people’s rights and liberties are the talk of the town, as Christians, it’s an opportunity for us to consider our liberties, because liberties that we have in Christ - liberties like prayer - far exceed the privileges that any American liberty might afford you. Do you want to become a more prayerful Christian by the end of this pandemic? Do you want to be able to exercise your dependence on the Lord through prayer more frequently? Do you want to learn more about the nature of Christian prayer? Listen to this week’s sermon and respond to God’s gracious invitation to pray to Him.

Listen to this week’s sermon here.

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Be Humble - Especially When You Don't Know Everything
Be Humble - Especially When You Don't Know Everything

When Everything Is Not Obvious

In the day 41 #CaliforniaQuarantine devotional, it was mentioned that everybody has their own opinion about the proper response to the coronavirus and it seems that most everybody seems intent on publicizing that opinion as the only right opinion. For many reasons, we need to be extremely careful with this. Read this article to understand some of the reasons why and how we as Christians have an opportunity to act in a way that glorifies God.

Here’s an excerpt from the article to get you going:

“At some point, it may be obvious all the ways we made a massive problem less deadly or made a serious crisis worse. But at the moment—in the fog of a pathogenic war—it only takes fives minutes on Twitter to realize that the best way forward is not patently obvious …

One lesson I’d suggest - epistemic humility. That’s just a fancy way of saying, let’s be mindful of what we truly know and of all the things we don’t really know. Along the same lines, let’s pray for our leaders to be men and women of wisdom and courage who want to do the right thing and the best thing no matter what it is and no matter who gets the credit. And finally, admitting our finite knowledge should make us gracious toward those who want the same ends in the crisis but don’t reach all the same conclusions.”

Kyle Houlton
Small Groups Via Zoom this Friday
Small Groups Via Zoom this Friday

This Friday Our Small Groups are Meeting via Zoom

We are switching things up as we head into a new month in quarantine. We will be resuming our normal monthly meetings- but they will be “meeting” via Zoom. This Friday our small groups will each have their own separate Zoom call.

Friday Night at 7pm

Your small group leader will send out the Zoom Call info to you. If you are not yet part of a small group, please email us at office@sovgracesantaana.org

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