GOD’S PLANS ARE BETTER THAN YOUR BEST PLANS

Paul’s second missionary journey in Acts 15:36-18:22 catalogues the movement of the Holy Spirit as He leads Paul and his colaborers through multiple cities, checking in on previously-planted churches and establishing new works in new regions. However, very little of what is described by Luke on this journey is what Paul had initially intended to take place. The Spirit had different plans than Paul. What happens in your heart when God’s plans prove to be different from your own? When your plans are frustrated, upended or altogether cancelled? What does it mean to live the Spirit-led life when His leading seems to be in a different direction than where you were willing to go?

Listen to the sermon here.

WRITE TO SOMEONE IN THE CHURCH, A FAMILY MEMBER, A NEIGHBOR OR ANYONE ELSE

This year’s annual challenge is pandemic-proof. Our encouragement to you (including kids) is to make it a point to write one handwritten card, note or letter to a different person every month this year.

January is days away from drawing to a close. Who can you write to let them know how you’re praying for them? Is there someone that would be encouraged by a note from you describing how you see God at work in their life? Have you been particularly blessed by someone to whom you would do well to write a sincere note of gratitude? Maybe you could share with a friend or family member how the Lord has been graciously meeting you in your devotional times in His Word. Maybe you have another idea.

If you need stationery, let the pastoral team know. We’d be glad to help.

YOU RECEIVED HIM AS AN UNDER-SHEPHERD OF CHRIST

According to Scripture, the calling, assessment, ordination and installation of a pastor in a local church is no mere appointment to a job. It’s an expression of Christ’s leadership and headship of His Church as we await His return. It’s something to be taken very seriously and something, when it takes place, worth celebrating to God’s glory.

This past Sunday, after a three year ordination process, Jeff made a solemn commitment to serve humbly, joyfully and faithfully as your pastor. And you, as the members of Cross of Grace Santa Ana, received him as your pastor.

As we enter into this new season as a church, take a moment and thank God for Jeff and Taylor Schlieder and pray for them as they adjust. More than anything, be hopefully expectant that God will continue to grow this church, spread the joy of Jesus and save more Santa Anans as a result of moments like these.

THE STAY-AT-HOME ORDER HAS BEEN LIFTED

As you’ve likely already seen, Governor Newsom lifted the regional stay-at-home order yesterday, January 25. While Orange County still remains in the purple tier and restrictions are still relatively tight, we may resume, for the first time since late November, our Midweek Meetings in-person.

SMALL GROUPS, MEN’S MEETINGS, WOMEN’S MEETINGS - ALL IN-PERSON AND OUTDOOR

This, of course, doesn’t mean we throw caution to the wind; that’s never been the case over the past year. These meetings will all occur outdoor, with masks and social distancing. So, make sure you wear something nice and warm. For a reminder of when each of these meetings takes place, see below:

• Small Groups - 1st and 3rd Fridays (This Friday is a 5th Friday)

• Men’s Meetings - 2nd Thursday

• Women’s Meeting - 4th Thursday

WE’RE HALFWAY THROUGH THE BOOK

We’ve spent the past six months observing and learning about the timeless traits of the Church, the Holy Spirit carrying the message of the Gospel through Jesus’ witnesses and the early church growing from infancy into the mature body Jesus intended it to be.

Acts is a long book - 28 chapters - and we still have 13 to go. You’ll be helped if you have some fresh familiarity with it; if you reread the first 15 chapters for context and the latter 13 chapters to prepare for what’s ahead. We’d encourage you to take the next few weeks to read through Acts. If you simply read two chapters every day, you will finish by mid-February.

Bookmark This Post And Read Two Chapters A Day

To make this task easier for you, below we’ve broken up the book of Acts into two-chapter segments. Bookmark this post and come back each day to read the chapters for that day.

Day 1: Acts 1 & 2

Day 2: Acts 3 & 4

Day 3: Acts 5 & 6

Day 4: Acts 7 & 8

Day 5: Acts 9 & 10

Day 6: Acts 11 & 12

Day 7: Acts 13 & 14

Day 8: Acts 15 & 16

Day 9: Acts 17 & 18

Day 10: Acts 19 & 20

Day 11: Acts 21 & 22

Day 12: Acts 23 & 24

Day 13: Acts 25 & 26

Day 14: Acts 27 & 28

SHEPHERDS AFTER GOD’S OWN HEART

On a very special Sunday, pastor Eric Turbedsky, senior pastor of Sovereign Grace Church of Orange and West Regional Leader of Sovereign Grace Churches, was present to preach at and mark the occasion of Jeff Schlieder’s ordination.

However, his sermon wasn’t a mere formality - it was a helpful and sweet reminder of why God gave local churches pastors. Pastors who have been called and appointed by God are reflections of Jesus’ kingly reign, His compassionate care and His saving grace. Listen to the short sermon to hear more.

Listen to the sermon HERE

AFTER A LONG THREE-YEAR ORDINATION PROCESS …

… Jeff will finally be ordained as an elder/pastor/overseer (three terms that are used interchangeably in the New Testament but refer to the same office) of Cross of Grace Santa Ana.

YOU’LL PLAY A PART IN THIS FINAL STEP

Jeff is not being made a pastor by an outside organization - he’s being received as a pastor by the church which walked alongside him in the ordination process. So, on Sunday, you, the congregation, will be asked a series of questions confirming your commitment to follow his leadership as an under-shepherd (1 Pet. 5:2-4) of the Chief Shepherd. Come ready not just to watch, but to participate.

A BIG MOMENT FOR THE SCHLIEDER FAMILY

Though Jeff has walked through the specific steps of the ordination process, he’s done so with the unwavering support of his wife, Taylor. Sunday marks the end of a process and the beginning of a new journey together for both of them and we want to commission Jeff, thank them both and celebrate with them the wonderful grace of God at work in their lives. See you Sunday!

JANUARY 18-24

Every Tuesday we publish a blog post to lay out in one place what’s going in the life of the church for the upcoming week. See below for a snapshot of what’s on the calendar this week:

SUNDAY, JANUARY 24: SUNDAY GATHERING AT THE EBELL CLUB

• 10:00am - Meeting Room: Outdoor Courtyard

ROB AND HAIYAN ARE BAPTIZED!

This past Sunday, we had the joy and privilege of witnessing the profession of faith of Rob and Haiyan through baptism. They were each immersed in water and raised up from it, reflecting the rhythms of the sacrificial work of Jesus in His death, burial and resurrection (Col. 2:12). It’s an outward work of obedience that reflects an inward reality that has been achieved by grace through faith in Jesus. Celebrate with Rob and Haiyan by reading excerpts from their testimonies below:

ROB

Seven years ago I had something happen to me that would change my life forever. This change set me into a deep dark depression that I didn’t know how to get out of. I looked to many places for help including doctors, medications, professional counseling, friends, and family. After years and months of struggling with my thoughts and my health, there seemed to be no end to my struggles.

Until one day, my wife and I went to the Orange County fair. While we were walking through the vendor section where they sell different crafts and merchandise. An old man in his 70’s or 80’s was standing in the middle of aisle handing out small pocket size bibles. I approached this man and he handed me a bible, this is where things got a little blurry for me. I think he asked me if would accept the lord Jesus Christ as my savior, but I was stunned by the bold strong conviction of his eyes.

Ever since that night I’ve been reading the bible, attending church, listening to others preach the gospel, and listening Christian music. I have had many struggles along the way and asked God, through His Spirit, to convert my worldly life into a godly life. During this time, I have learned more about life and myself that no doctor or medication can fix. I believe I have started to find my way only to realize this is the only true way to know my true self. My old self is behind me, along with my past and everything that happened in it.

I want nothing more to grow closer with god through Jesus. I look forward to my relationship with the Lord and want to continue to grow in his wisdom and grace.

HAIYAN

I came from China ten years ago. I had never been exposed to Christianity before I came to America. We only know Christianity is about believing in Jesus Christ. My life revolved around family, kids, and work.

After coming to the United States, the first few years were about making money and living for myself. I never thought that one day, I would believe in God. I met friends that would ask me “Do you believe in God?“ I replied “no”, I only believe in myself.

One day my husband ask me if I wanted to go to church. I was very curious, because I have never been to church before. I was very excited to go but I didn’t know what to expect. Going to church was the first time I had seen people sing songs, pray together and listen to the preachers sermon. 

After a few visits to church my husband bought me a Bible in Chinese and English. He told me it was a good book and I could learn about Jesus and study English at the same time. Every Friday morning I learn English with the bible with a Bible class on Zoom. The teacher is from Hong Kong and many students are from all over the country. I’m starting to learn many good words and more about jesus.

I would like to be baptized today to confess that my heart has been opened to God’s love, and that I have believed in Jesus to forgive my sins and be my Savior.

Krista Alvarez has officially moved on to a new job opportunity after spending a year and a half as our church’s first administrator. She built many of the systems which now serve our members and free up our pastoral team to prioritize prayer and the ministry of the Word. We expressed our gratitude to her through a small gift on Sunday.

We’re allowing the open position to remain posted for a minimum of a month, after which we’re looking to hire a new replacement as soon as possible to continue on the good work the Lord had started through Krista.