PRAY NOT BECAUSE YOU SHOULD, BUT BECAUSE YOU CAN

2021 is likely to bring more of the same as 2020. In the last message that was preached in our advent series before the new year, we were reminded that our hope can’t rest in a better year. It must rest in the gifts given at Christ’s first coming and the securing of all God’s promises in Christ at His second coming. But during the in between, what does it practically look like to hope in Christ? Acts 12 and, in fact, the book of Acts as a whole teaches us that prayer is the single greatest tool - and often the single most underutilized tool - that we as Christians have at our disposal.

Listen to this week’s sermon here.

IT WAS TRUE LAST YEAR. IT’S STILL TRUE THIS YEAR.

FROM LAST YEAR: The New Year is often a time to reflect upon the year-gone-by; a time to look forward to the possibilities and opportunities of a year whose pages are yet to be written; an opportunity to resolve to start afresh in an area that has grown slack, unproductive or simply absent. However you prepare to enter this New Year, go into it reminded of the ultimate “new beginning” and the greatest “renewal” this world has ever seen - and it didn’t come merely with the arrival of a new year. It came through the salvation of Jesus Christ. His perfect life credited to us gives us a more perfect victory, a more satisfying success than any resolution could ever give us. His sacrificial death wiped the slate of our past sins and failures more completely than the ending of an old year could. May this New Year remind you of the new life, new identity, new hope and new community that the work of our Savior, Jesus Christ has offered you by grace through faith in Him.

Happy New Year indeed.

DELIGHTING IN THE TRINITY BY MICHAEL REEVES

¿QUE ES LA TRINIDAD ? POR R.C. SPROUL

January’s book of the month is Delighting in the Trinity: An Introduction to the Christian Faith by Michael Reeves. This book has not yet been translated into Spanish, so for our Spanish speakers we are recommending ¿Que Es La Trinidad? by R.C. Sproul which is available for free download.

A BOOK THAT TEACHES ABOUT THE ESSENCE OF WHO GOD IS

In our recent “Cast of Christmas” preaching series, we explored the role of the Triune God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit - in the incarnation of the Messiah. Yet, the doctrine of the Trinity remains for most as a difficult-to-understand doctrine that doesn’t easily connect with a sense of wonder and worship. However, the Trinity of God is the essence of who He is. Michael Reeves helps us to not only better understand the Trinity, but in our understanding, to increase our ability to delight in, wonder at and adore our God.

Purchase the book in English here.

Download the book in Spanish here.

A SONG THAT RECOUNTS HOW PRECIOUS A GIFT JESUS IS

As you look ahead into a new year, you likely have grand hopes and aspirations for what might come in the next 12 months. Yet, no matter how high your hopes might reach, they cannot reach higher than Jesus. There is nothing and no one quote so good, satisfying, fulfilling, wonderful or joy-giving. Thus, this Sunday, we’re introducing a new song that sets this truth deeply and sweetly into our hearts. The lyrics are below, in English. Read them slowly in adoration of Jesus and listen to this song in preparation for our Sunday gathering.

JESUS, THERE’S NO ONE LIKE YOU - LISTEN HERE.

LYRICS: 

VERSE 1
There is no song we could sing
To honor the weight of Your glory
There are no words we could speak
To capture the depth of Your beauty

CHORUS
Jesus, there’s no one like You
Jesus, we love You, ever adore You
There’s no one like You
Jesus, we love You, ever adore You, Lord

VERSE 2
There is no sinner beyond
The infinite stretch of Your mercy
How can we thank You enough
For how You have loved us completely?

BRIDGE
All we have
All we need
All we want is You

DECEMBER 28TH- JANUARY 3RD

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, JANUARY 1ST: NO SMALL GROUPS

• Small Groups are currently suspended due to Stay At Home Order in Place in Orange County

SUNDAY, JANUARY 3RD: SUNDAY GATHERING AT THE EBELL CLUB

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

ENJOY PICTURES FROM OUR SECOND CHRISTMAS EVE IN OUR CITY

Last week on Christmas Eve, we gathered as a church to celebrate the advent of Christ at our second annual Christmas Eve service in Downtown Santa Ana. This service, though a bit different with masks and social distancing, was still another remarkable and sweet moment in the life of our church. We had cookies, coffee, and cocoa, held a bilingual service, and finished by singing with candles in the Ebell Club courtyard.

RECEIVING HOPE IN BETWEEN TWO ADVENTS

1 Pet. 1:3-9 describes both the gifts God has given in Christ and the promised gifts yet to be received. At His first coming (or “Advent”), Jesus came bearing new birth, forgiveness from sin and the gift of His Spirit, all of which we receive through faith in His name now. Yet, there are still gifts - namely an eternal inheritance, which we have yet to receive, but which God has promised to us when His Son returns (the second “Advent”). So as receivers of these gifts and promises, how do we live in the in-between? In the face of a 2021 that’s likely to look a whole lot like 2020, how do the gifts and promises of the two advents inform how we live in between the two advents? Listen to the final sermon in our 2020 Christmas series to learn more.

Listen to this week’s sermon here.

WE HOPE YOUR CHRISTMAS IS FULL OF THE RICHES OF CHRIST

As you celebrate this Christmas holiday, we hope you experience the blessing of being surrounded by family and the warmth of holiday tradition and celebration. More than anything, though, we hope you experience the comfort and peace of knowing that Jesus was born to save you from your sins, bring a peace like none other and reconcile you to your Heavenly Father. May your celebration of Christmas be a worshipful expression of praise to the One whom the Father sent to earth out of love for you.

SEE YOU SOON!

Our 45 minute Christmas Eve service is tonight, held outdoors in the Ebell Courtyard with a message preached in both English and Spanish. We’ll have coffee, cocoa and cookies available for you to enjoy. Consider bringing a blanket and jacket to keep warm!

Masks and social distancing will be required.

DECEMBER 21-27

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:

DECEMBER FALLOW MONTH REMINDER

• It’s our annual Fallow Month- Small groups & Men’s & Women’s meetings are cancelled. We do this so you can press into natural and more intimate opportunities to relate to your church family and neighbors. The holiday season is notoriously one of the busiest times of the year. We want to help you to take advantage of the few free moments you have to spend unhurried, unscheduled time with one another and with family for the grand purpose of allowing your heart to be re-fertilized by the work of Christ. .

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24: CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE

• 5:00pm: Ebell Club of Santa Ana- Meeting Room - Outdoor Courtyard. Coffee, Hot Cocoa and Cookies provided! Bring a blanket to stay warm!

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 27: CHRISTMAS SUNDAY GATHERING AT THE EBELL CLUB

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