Godly Fatherhood Reflects the Fatherhood of God

God is the best Father. He cares for the weak. He loves without fail. He provides out of the abundance of His grace. He’s patient and long-suffering as His children grow and stumble toward spiritual maturity. He sacrifices for those He loves.

We thank God for the Fathers among us who reflect these traits.

We’d also invite you to pray with us for God to raise up more fathers in our communities to raise up the next generation in wisdom and godliness.

Small Groups Meet This Friday Night

Our regularly scheduled mid week programs are up and running again, following careful guidelines to ensure the health of all attendees. These meetings will occur outdoors until further notice, with 6 feet of social distance between each member present, masks required and in observance of CA Guidelines. Childcare will not be provided.

DTSA SMALL GROUP: HOULTON’S YARD

"EAST SANTA ANA” SMALL GROUP: ERKELENS’ YARD

We have seating spaced out for families, hand sanitizer available and masks available for those that don’t have one. If you are not quite comfortable joining us in person yet, we will have a “Zoom In” option available for all.

If you have any questions or concerns about small groups or need an address, please send an email to office@sovgracesantaana.org.

As We Prepare to Meet Together Again, Spend Time Praying For One Another

Keep sending us your prayer requests. We’re so used to knowing one another’s needs through experiencing regular fellowship. While the state begins to open up and we are able to meet in person again, we still want be lifting our brothers and sisters up in prayer. It’s important to know 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. Praise the Lord with those who are celebrating the Supreme Court’s decision to continue the DACA program

2. Pray for Reunion Sunday- that the Lord would bring new visitors from the neighborhood to our church. Pray for health & safety as we meet together again.

3. Pray for racial unity in our city

4. Pray for the Lord to use the preaching of the Word through the series “Waiting on God in the Wilderness” to grant us perspective, hope, conviction and to see the mighty hand of God at work in the wildernesses we walk through.

5. Pray for the Men in Our Church- Father’s day is this Sunday. Pray for strength and endurance in the middle of fatherhood. Pray for comfort for those who are longing to be fathers.

6. Pray for the requests of individuals who have shared them on our church Slack prayer channel. If you have questions about how to be added to this, email office@sovgracesantaana.org

   KEEP SENDING PRAYER REQUESTS TO PRAYERS@SOVGRACESANTAANA.ORG.

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. 

  • https://occovid19.ochealthinfo.com/covid-19-testing-and-screening

• 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

• Additional Testing in Buena Park, Orange, & San Juan Capistrano - 888-634-1123  https://lhi.care/covidtesting

• COVID-19 Hotline - 714-834-2000 

  • General questions regarding 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 or have questions about the virus.

• COVID-19 Health Referral Hotline - 833-426-6411

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

• 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, financial aid for utilities, medication, household items, rent assistance, temporary housing (motel voucher), transportation (bus passes, gasoline), and clothing. 

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

• Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) - https://edd.ca.gov/about_edd/coronavirus-2019/pandemic-unemployment-assistance.htm

  • Up tp 39 weeks of benefits to Californians who are: business owners, self-employed, independent contractors, or those with a limited work history who are out of business or have significantly reduced their services as a direct result of the pandemic.

• 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, 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:

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

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

• OC Virtual One-Stop- 714-480-6420 www.onestop.com

• 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

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

MENTAL HEALTH ASSISTANCE

• OC Health Care Agency Mental Health Services - https://occovid19.ochealthinfo.com/resources-all County sponsored resources for anyone struggling to cope with the COVID-19 crisis

• NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) COVID-19 Resource and Information Guide - https://www.nami.org/covid-19-guide

• Senior Guide to Mental Health During Coronavirus: Tips for how seniors can stay healthy and connected during the COVID-19 pandemic

  • https://www.medicareadvantage.com/resources/senior-guide-to-mental-health-during-covid-19

• OC Mental Health Hotlines:  https://occovid19.ochealthinfo.com/mental-health-support

  • OC WARM Line: (877) 910-6412 - Confidential 7-day a week telephone support services for anyone struggling with mental health, substance abuse, etc.

  • Community Counseling - (714) 645-8000 - Short term services, Mon-Fri

  • OC-Links - (714) 834-2332 - To be linked to county behavioral health services

  • Suicide Prevention Line - (800) 273-8255 - 24/7 English & Spanish crisis counseling for anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts

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

• OC Schools Anticipated Start Dates - https://newsroom.ocde.us/when-will-the-2020-21-school-year-begin-here-are-the-anticipated-start-dates-for-oc/

  • SAUSD to resume classes on 8/10. It is TBA whether this will be on-campus, virtual, or a hybrid approach.

FOOD/GROCERY ASSISTANCE

• Pandemic EBT: Families can receive up to $365 per child to spend on groceries in addition to picking up meals from school through this new program.

  • APPLICATION DEADLINE IS JUNE 30th

  • Visit www.ca.p-ebt.org/info for more info.

• 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 Moment We Have All Been Waiting For Is Here…

JUNE 21ST - EVERYBODY WELCOME

10:00AM AT THE EBELL CLUB OF SANTA ANA

718 Mortimer Street, Santa Ana, CA 92701

It’s been 15 weeks since we’ve opened the doors on a Sunday morning and said “welcome” to any and all in-person attendees. More than a welcome to attend a service, we want to extend a welcome to come and meet the Savior of the world; to come and be a part of a diverse and loving community centered on Jesus - the one who unites us. We extend a welcome to all because the grace of God in Christ has welcomed all.

WHATEVER THE COLOR OF YOUR SKIN, WHATEVER LANGUAGE YOU SPEAK, WHOEVER YOU ARE, YOU’RE WELCOME THIS AND EVERY SUNDAY

If you’re a resident of Santa Ana, you’re welcome. If you know somebody who goes to Sovereign Grace Santa Ana, you’re welcome. If you have a past full of mistakes and pain, you’re welcome. If you know nobody at the church or haven’t been to church in a long time or ever, you’re welcome. If you’ve not felt welcome in other communities for whatever reason, we extend a warm welcome to you to come and join us this and every Sunday to worship the God of the Universe and hear from His Word.

Things will feel different than normal because of the pandemic and we want to make sure that while we welcome you, you’re also provided a safe and healthy experience. Specific guidelines of what you can expect are available here.

If you have questions or concerns, please email office@sovgracesantaana.org

HERE’S HOW WE’LL PRIORITIZE HEALTH AND SAFETY AS WE OFFICIALLY RETURN THIS NEXT SUNDAY

As we joyfully look forward to returning to meeting in person, we want to clearly communicate the process and procedures by which we will do so. We will be following the  health and safety guidelines established by the state of California. The following are the specific measures that we’re asking you to observe as we together abide by the best practices for health and safety:

1. Please stay at home if you are sick, may be experiencing COVID symptoms, or may have been in contact with anyone who is experiencing COVID symptoms. Also, if you are not quite ready to join in a large group again or are at high-risk for the virus, you can remain at home and participate in the service via live-stream.

2. Social Distancing will be in effect. Each family will be seated 6 feet away from others while in service  We also strongly suggest that all individuals avoid physical contact with other families, keep socializing to a minimum while indoors, and to not linger in common areas.

3. Limited time indoors - except for scheduled Sunday volunteers, all Sunday attendees will be allowed into the building minutes before 10:00am and encouraged to vacate the building as soon as the service concludes. Socializing may resume once you have left the building, but please continue to observe social distancing

4. Face Masks- Masks are recommended at all times and required during singing and when 6-feet of social distance cannot be maintained from those in your household. Young children under the age of two, do not need to wear a mask. 

5. Wash or Sanitize your hands regularly.

6. No Children’s Ministry. We will not have any programs available for children. We will, however, provide an in-service activity for children to do while they sit with their families. The Nursing Mother’s room will be open for mothers in need.

7. We ask that you do not bring any food or beverages inside the Ebell Club (with the exception of water). The best bet is to plan on eating/drinking prior to or after service. You can grab a great cup of coffee and a delicious pastry across the parking lot at Hidden House Coffee!

8. Resources- Our normal resource table will not be out and available, but if you are looking for a particular resource you can ask a pastor for more information. 

9. Giving- We will continue to offer online giving and text-to-give options, as well as having an offering box available for cash or check offerings. 

10. Communion- On Sundays when we take Communion, we will utilize single-serving pre-packaged communion elements. 

11. Singing- We will be singing on Sunday mornings and ask that everyone wear a mask while singing. 

12. Please keep in mind these “Ebell House Rules” as well: 

    1. Park in the parking lot off of 718 Mortimer- next to Hidden House Coffee

    2. No eating or drinking in the theater.

    3. Please keep a close eye on children- the Ebell Club is beautifully decorated and we want to be good stewards of this space and love the Ebell well. 

    4. No playing/ walking on the courtyard grass area. 

For now, these are the guidelines we are following. We're re-evaluating as we go. Thanks for your patience and understanding as we learn how to do this.

Contact the church office at office@sovgracesantaana.org with any questions or concerns. 

Thank You to All Our Volunteers

Thank you for devoting your morning to come early to the Ebell club to be trained on our new building and new safety measures. We’re so grateful to you all for your desire to serve the church and love our neighbors well.

A New Series To Help You Understand, Persevere In and Trust God In The Current Season

As we remain in a season of the effects of a global pandemic dictating new norms for daily life, social and political turmoil and the regular everyday challenges of life, it can become difficult to know where this is all going. Or if God is doing anything at all. This past Sunday, as we began our series concerning the Biblical concept of “wilderness”, we learned that every wilderness is a part of and subsumed by the first wilderness experience - the exile from the Garden of Eden because of sin. We also learned that because of God’s redemption, those who trust in Christ are being led bak to Eden as we walk through the wilderness. We also learned from the first of 6 characters in Scripture who walked through a distinct wilderness of their own - Moses. Moses stands as an example of how God will oftentimes use the wilderness to divest of worldly influence and prosperity in order to make us useful for His Kingdom. Listen to this week’s sermon and consider what God might be stripping you of during this season of wilderness to make you useful for His Kingdom.

Listen to this week’s sermon here.

For Those Attending Training Sunday

All Sunday team members (15-20 people) will be joining in person to learn the ropes of implementing the health measures and setting up in a new space.If you currently serve on a volunteer team, please arrive at the Ebell Club of Santa Ana, at 8:00am. Training will take place from 8am to 9am.

Guidelines and Procedures Will Be Sent Via Slack to All Attending

 If you won’t be attending in-person on this Sunday and plan to watch the service with other households from the church, please observe the guidelines set forth by the state. Our Livestream will take place at 10:00am.

SAVE THE DATE-“REUNION SUNDAY'“ - JUNE 21

June 21st - EVERYBODY WELCOME

10:00am at the Ebell Club of Santa Ana

We can not wait to be with you in person again. 14 weeks have passed since we last worshipped together in the same room. On June 21st, our church and members of our community, family and friends will all be able to gather in the same place to rejoice in the redeeming grace of God, our Savior!

Things will feel different than normal, of course. Specific guidelines of what you can expect will be communicated.

Send questions to office@sovgracesantaana.org