NOV 16th-22nd

Every Tuesday we publish a blog to share what’s going in the life of the church for that week. See below for a snapshot of what’s on the calendar this week:

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20th: SMALL GROUPS

• Houlton Small Group - 7:00pm at the Houlton Home

• Erkelens Small Group - 7:00pm at the Erkelens Home

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22: SUNDAY GATHERING AT THE EBELL CLUB

• 10:00am - Meeting Room - Outdoor Courtyard.

COMING UP NEXT WEEK

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23: FALL CLASS SESSION 6

• 7:00pm - Via Zoom. Link will be emailed to all registrants on Sunday.

WE’RE BACK IN THE PURPLE TIER

On Monday, November 16th, Governor Newsom announced that Orange County has dropped back into the Purple Tier in California’s reopening safety plan. For the latest information and updates on the Coronavirus in California, please visit this website.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR CROSS OF GRACE?

1. Very little will change for us. We’ve been prepared for this. We will still be holding service outside. Guidelines for Places of Worship still permit us to do so while in the purple tier, following a careful set of guidelines . This may mean that if we have a rainy or windy Sunday that we’ll need to do an occasional virtual service while in the purple tier, but this would be the exception, not the rule.

2. Face-masks must be worn at all times except if you are seated and sitting 6 feet away from the next household. If you’re walking around, talking or less than 6 ft away, we ask that you wear your mask. We will have masks available on Sundays should you need one.

3. We’re (still) being flexible. We know that by next Sunday, a whole new set of guidelines could be in place. If that happens, we will work swiftly to adhere to those new rules and communicate any necessary changes to you.

4. Prayer is as important as ever. More of our neighbors are being infected. Wisdom is desperately needed by leaders - from pastors to mayors to governors to know how to continue to respond appropriately to the latest developments. But God is still God. We need Him and He delights to give wisdom and grace to those who ask (James 1:5).

JESUS IS THE COMMON LORD OF OUR UNCOMMON LIVES

Equality is such a universally sought-after idea this day and age that it hardly sounds uniquely Christian to say that Jesus came to “break down the dividing wall of hostility” (Eph. 2:14) between peoples. However, Acts 10 tells the story of Peter’s vision and the conversion of Cornelius - a gentile - during a time when only Jews were understood to have the privilege of God’s blessing. So long as equality and unity were on the basis of shared outward characteristics, some would always be excluded - that’s why it’s such a difficult and seemingly impossible thing to achieve today. But the kind of unity Jesus achieved through His blood and the unity that was demonstrated through the conversion of Cornelius is one that is unique. It’s better. There’s nothing like it in the world. Because it’s a unity and equality that transcends our outward characteristics and is found in a common Lord - Jesus Christ. Listen to the sermon to learn more.

Listen to this week’s sermon here.

Our Sunday Livestreams are now Taking Place on Youtube

For those of you joining us via livestream at home, you may have noticed it looks a little different than normal! Rather then live-streaming via Facebook, our Sunday morning livestream is now done via Youtube! We made the decision to switch to Youtube streaming after having several issues week after week with Facebook. We are happy to report that streaming via YouTube should give you a much more enjoyable viewing experience.

We know this is different for many of you.

Youtube may not come as easily as Facebook to some- so we want to equip you with all the information you will need to view or troubleshoot!

1. The Livestream Link will still be posted on our Facebook page. Sunday mornings, just head to our page and you will see a post with the date and a Youtube link underneath it. Click that link!

2. This will open up Youtube for you in a new window. From this page, you will see the video playing as well as an option to “Live Chat”.

3. Live chat is where you can comment, let us know you are watching, and where we will post all links for the offering, etc!

If you are ever having any trouble on a Sunday morning, feel free to send us an email or send us a message on Facebook! We have members standing by to help you!

Thank you for your flexibility as we switch & make sure to share this page with any friends or family who are joining us via livestream

NOVEMBER 9-15

Every Tuesday we publish a blog to share what’s going in the life of the church for that week. See below for a snapshot of what’s on the calendar this week:

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12: MEN’S MEETING

• 7:00pm - Outdoor Front (Or back, depending on availability) Patio at 4th Street Market

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15: SUNDAY GATHERING AT THE EBELL CLUB

• 10:00am - Meeting Room - Outdoor Courtyard

7PM AT THE 4TH STREET MARKET FRONT PATIO

At all our mid-week meetings, we are following recommended 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 (when social distancing is not feasible) and in observance of CA Guidelines. Childcare will not be provided.

If you have any questions about this meeting, please email office@crossofgracesa.org.

IT’S NEVER TOO BAD FOR JESUS TO TURN THINGS AROUND

Have you ever reached a point in your life when you became convinced that you were on an irreversible course? That the narrative of the rest of your life has already been written by your sins or your mistakes or your circumstances? Of the many themes in the book of Acts, one of the most prominent is reversal. At the cross, Jesus accomplished the greatest reversal in history, yet after He ascends, Acts tells the story of a risen and reigning Jesus who still turns things around for His glory. Acts 9:32-43 gives two poignant examples of just how true this is as Jesus, through Peter, reverses two otherwise utterly irreversible conditions. Listen to this last Sunday’s sermon and be filled with the hope of a Jesus who can and will turn things around for you.

Listen to this week’s sermon here.

LOOKS LIKE IT WILL BE A RAINY SUNDAY

After following the weekend forecast for the past few days, it has trended toward a weekend full of rain. In light of this, we have made the decision to move our Sunday service indoors for this Sunday.

WE’LL BE MEETING IN THE BALLROOM

Our Sunday liturgy will look a bit different but we will still be gathered together to ensure compliance with state and local guidelines, especially as new cases spike. Nevertheless, we’ll worship our Lord together. We’ll see you Sunday!

CITY OF GOD BY AUGUSTINE

LA CIUDAD DE DIOS POR AUGUSTIN

The book of the month for November is written by one of Christian history’s most influential figures - St Augustine, the renowned 5th century bishop of Hippo. City of God was written during a period of significant political and social upheaval in the Roman Empire immediately prior to the empire’s immanent collapse. Whatever your present outlook on the state of our nation in 2020, the odds are that you’re unsettled by the direction of social morality and governmental leadership. Augustine’s City of God has stood the test of time in history because it has helped countless Christians living in tumultuous times living in corrupt and unstable national contexts to trust in God and see themselves first as citizens of the City of God as they live temporarily in the “City of Man”.

IT MAY TAKE YOU A YEAR TO READ, BUT IT’S WORTH IT

Fair warning, this is by far and away the longest and largest book we’ve ever selected for book of the month. It’s not one that you’ll read over the course of a week. But while reading short and contemporary books have their place, it’s also important for Christians to have a place for books written by saints long dead - books which have stood the test of time because of their solid entrenchment in the Truth of God’s Word.

Purchase the book in English here.

Purchase the book in Spanish here.

FRIDAY NIGHT AT 7PM

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 (when social distancing is not feasible) 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@crossofgracesa.org.