Jesus Succeeded Where We Failed In The Wilderness

Jesus’ temptations in the wilderness are not about teaching us a lesson about resisting temptation. They’re not even a moral teaching about how we should endure in the wilderness.

Jesus entered the wilderness because Adam, Israel and every one of us had already entered the wilderness over and over again and at every time had failed to follow God without sin in the wilderness. In light of this, we can understand that what Matthew 4:1-11 is about is Jesus’ perfect wilderness wandering. He is the suffering servant. He came to stand in our place. Not only on the cross, but in His life, as He succeeded at every point we had failed. Listen to this week’s sermon and learn the central and most important lesson we could each possibly learn - belief in Jesus - about how to successfully walk through the wilderness.

Listen to this week’s sermon here.

Our Admin Assistant is Taking a Two Week Leave of Abscence

On Wednesday, Krista Alvarez underwent a scheduled surgery for the recurrence of a health issue that came back during quarantine. Her operation was successful and she will be taking the next two weeks to rest and recover at home.

Let’s lift up the Alvarez family in prayer, as they prepare for the road ahead with Krista’s recovery. Pray for healing and good pain management for Krista, endurance, health and patience for Mike and their two year old daughter Rayanne. Don’t forget to also take this opportunity to thank God for the work he’s done through Krista and perhaps even to express your appreciation to her personally.

During this time, if you need anything you can contact us at office@sovgracesantaana.org and someone from our pastoral team will get back to you as soon as they can.

The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan

El Progreso del Peregrino por John Bunyan

July’s book of the month is The Pilgrim’s Progress  by John Bunyan. This summer as we walk together through a series concerning “Waiting on God in the Wilderness”, we’d encourage you to read this book.

A Book About The Christian’s Journey Through Life In A Fallen World

This book is a story. It’s an allegorical story, which means that the characters, places and events represent a bigger reality. What reality? The reality of the Christian’s journey through life in a fallen world. This book was written many centuries ago and has stood the test of time because of its resonance and application of the Gospel for Christians in any Era. So, fellow wilderness wanderer, pick up a copy in English or Spanish and make sure this gets on your 2020 summer reading list.

Purchase the book in English here.

Purchase the book in Spanish here.

STARTING POINT - DATE TBD

A TWO-HOUR CLASS DESIGNED TO HELP YOU LEARN ABOUT THE LIFE AND BELIEFS OF THIS CHURCH

REGISTER HERE

If you’ve been visiting Sovereign Grace Church of Santa Ana for any length of time, we’d like to invite you to our upcoming “Starting Point” class. It’s a class that takes place immediately after church where you can learn about what we believe, what those beliefs look like in the life of the church and how you can become a part of the community of Sovereign Grace Santa Ana. Once registration fills up, we’ll coordinate a date for the class.

Lunch will be served. If you’d like to attend, please register here or at the link above.

IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE SERVICE AT THE HOULTON HOUSE

LUNCH PROVIDED

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/

• District 1 Grant for Small Businesses - https://district1grantprogram.com/ 

  • Andrew Do’s Economic Support Grant Program is designed to assist eligible small businesses (including home-based businesses and independent contractors) and non-profits within the First District of Orange County (which includes Santa Ana, Garden Grove, Westminster, a portion of Fountain Valley, and Unincorporated Midway City) that have been affected by COVID-19. Funding will be allocated in the form of $10,000 grants.

• 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

• 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. Serving 1-week supply of food.

  • 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 - 

  • Santa Ana Unified School District - Summer meal program through July 31st https://www.sausd.us/site/default.aspx?PageType=3&DomainID=1&ModuleInstanceID=6157&ViewID=6446EE88-D30C-497E-9316-3F8874B3E108&RenderLoc=0&FlexDataID=95453&PageID=1&Comments=true

  Free meals will be available to all children, ages 1-18 during this time.

  Food will be distributed Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the following eight locations:

  • Madison Elementary School

  • Romero-Cruz Academy

  • Carr Intermediate School

  • Willard Intermediate School

  • Villa Intermediate School

  • Saddleback High School

  • Santa Ana High School

  • Segerstrom High School

• 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

JULY 6TH- 12TH

Every Tuesday we will be publishing a blog to share what is going in the life of the church for that week. We hope that this serves you and helps to keep you updated.

Thursday, July 9th: Men’s Meeting

• 7:00pm, 4th Street Market Front Patio

SUNDAY JULY 12TH: SERVICE AT 10:00AM AT THE EBELL CLUB

• Meeting Room - Theater

  • This is the first time we’ll be together in the theater. If you’re on a Sunday service team, take some time to familiarize yourself with the new space.

  • If you’re new, while we meet every Sunday at the Ebell Club, depending on the venue’s availability, we switch between the ballroom and the theater, which are right next to one another in the building.

Singing or No Singing, We Worship The Lord

Last week, Governor Newsom issued some updates to California’s COVID-19 Industry Guidance for places of worship. It is now required that all singing during worship services be discontinued.

Beginning this past Sunday, we as a church will be complying with this order. We understand that some may disagree with this decision and that’s ok so long as we’re able to hold our differing opinions humbly and respectfully. While we won’t be singing during the duration of the existence of this order, we’ll be worshipping together in other ways - through the corporate confession of God’s Word through Scripture readings and responsive readings of historic confessions, creeds and catechisms.

Rather than lamenting this temporary period without singing, we’re seeing this as an opportunity from the Lord to worship Him together by proclaiming His Truth in a different way.

If you have any questions regarding how we are responding to COVID-19, you can read our meeting guidelines here or email us at office@sovgracesantaana.org.

What If You’re Part Of The Reason You’re In The Wilderness?

The hard truth is that sometimes, the wilderness is the experience of facing the consequences of our own actions. But if and when this is the case, does it mean that God has turned His back on you? Does it mean God has left you? For those who are in Christ, the answer is “no”. The fact of the matter is that when our own sin is the reason we’re in the wilderness, God has led us into the wilderness to draw us as sons and daughters and people of promise back to Him. Listen to this week’s sermon from 2 Kings 24:10-17 to learn that God exiles us from what draws us away from Him.

Listen to this week’s sermon here.

We hope you enjoy a safe & happy holiday with your family!

As a church, we celebrate the historical moment that July 4th commemorates, but it’s also an opportunity to remember the unshakeable liberty and freedom from sin that we have in Christ Jesus, our Lord, through His death and resurrection. Let freedom ring indeed!

LET’S CONTINUE TO BE A CHURCH THAT PRAYS

Keep sending us your prayer requests. We’ll keep sharing them (annomously) and share other guidelines for how you can be praying during the week. 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.

1. Pray for the justice and peace of the Lord to prevail in the homes and neighborhoods of our city

2. Pray for those still experiencing the financial burdens resulting from COVID-19 restrictions

3. Pray for those who are currently having meaningful conversations with unbelieving family, friends or neighbors. Pray for the Gospel to work powerfully to save.

4. Pray for the upcoming sermon series in the book of Acts.

5. Pray for those experiencing deeply painful seasons of wilderness

6. Pray for the leadership of the church as new COVID-19 restrictions are put into place and possibly further restrictions in the weeks to come.

7. Pray for Krista as she undergoes surgery next week- that the surgery may go well and her recovery may be as swift and painless as possible.

8. 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.