This past Sunday, we experienced the profound joy of celebrating a Risen Savior. We sang, fellowshipped, heard the preached Word and even took pictures to commemorate the moment. Thanks to Christian and Kara Davis for manning our photo booth this year. Take a look at some of the photos captured and contact office@crossofgracesa.org for access to photos not pictured.
The resurrection of Jesus is a historical reality that matters to all people. While it can often be seen as something relevant only for Christians, that fact that Jesus rose bodily from the grave proves that He is Lord - of both the living and the dead, without distinction. This means that whoever you are, He is Lord over you life - either to your glory or your condemnation. Listen to the message to hear more about what this means for you and how you should respond.
LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE.
Good Friday is a day when when we remember the darkest day in history - the day when Jesus, the Son of God, the righteous Messiah, was unjustly accused and condemned, cruelly whipped, mocked and beaten, mercilessly nailed to a cross and left to die and agonizingly bore the wrath of God the Father for the sins of those who would place their faith in Him.
Good Friday is also a day that’s filled with hope - because we celebrate a crucified and buried Christ who did not stay in the grave. Allow the anticipation to build in your heart and your home as you and your family prayerfully progress from Friday to Sunday and celebrate the glories of your Savior.
Now that Orange County has officially moved within the Orange tier, our midweek meetings, including small groups, men’s and women’s meetings, and our spring class will all have the option of meeting indoor. Whether your small group will be moving indoor or enjoying the cool outdoor evening air will be up to your respective small group and small group leader.
Both the Houlton small group and Erkelens small group will be meeting tomorrow, April 7 at 7:00 pm.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE MORE INFORMATION ABOUT SMALL GROUP, CLICK HERE.
Join us this Sunday to celebrate and worship the Savior whom the grave could not hold.
Invite your English and Spanish (or any language, for that matter) speaking friends and family to join us at the Ebell Club at 10:00 am this Sunday, April 4.
Join us before service this Easter Sunday, starting at 9:30 am, for fellowship and an opportunity to take a family photo.
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:
7:00 pm - Houlton and Erkelens Home
10:00 am - Meeting Room: Outdoor Courtyard
This past Sunday, we had the joy of acknowledging the commitment of seven fellow brothers and sisters to call Cross of Grace Santa Ana their home. These are people you’ve committed to practicing the “one anothers” of Scripture with and to intentionally build up through the Gospel.
As you celebrate this expression of God’s grace among us, read the touching testimony that Allie Brooks shared on Sunday:
My name is Allie Brooks. I was raised in a home in Nebraska with my parents, two brothers, and two sisters who all faithfully follow Jesus. I have known the Lord since as far as my memory goes back, but the age when I first remember seeking a relationship with Him for myself was around 12. I have experienced trials and trouble, and the everyday sufferings that we all experience. And through these times, he has always been with me. He has always been an ever present help in times of trouble. He is everything for me that I could never be myself. And he did for me what I never deserved- saving me through his death and resurrection.
I moved to Southern California in July last summer. I came to Cross of Grace the second week I was here. I was planning on trying out many other churches, but this one felt special. From the moment I arrived I was welcomed with warm smiles and caring conversations - which have never stopped since. I quickly knew that this was where I wanted to be and felt a deep peace from the Lord that this is where he wants me right now. I have been so blessed with so many meals, conversations and kind texts. It’s hard to express what this has meant and still means to me and my thanks to all of you for the way that you love others so well. This church has been a safe place for me in what has been a challenging and often lonely season of moving across the country away from everything I have ever known. Praise God for his work in this church and in our lives.
Join us this Sunday to celebrate and worship the Savior whom the grave could not hold.
Invite your English and Spanish (or any language, for that matter) speaking friends and family to join us at the Ebell Club at 10:00 am this Sunday, April 4.
In Acts 21, when the Apostle Paul arrives in Jerusalem, he arrives in the city populated by “his people” - those he identified with culturally, ethnically and traditionally; those he grew up amongst and knew. Yet, false rumors were spreading about what he was teaching and he quickly found himself subject to violence at their hands and being turned over to the gentiles for judgment. The scene is meant to remind us of another scene - when a certain Savior of the world was rejected by His own (John 1:10), turned over to the gentiles to be judged and was even forsaken by His own Father (Mark 15:34). Today, when facing rejection from “our own people”, we look to Jesus’ example - He identified with us at our worst, suffered rejection for our sake and didn’t respond to rejection with rejection. Listen to last Sunday’s sermon to learn more.
LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE
Prayer is the power of the powerless. It’s the timeless privilege of the Church. Let’s seize the opportunity to bring the needs of our neighbors and one another before the One who holds all creation within His grasp. Here are some suggestions for how you can be praying this week:
Pray for the salvation of our Santa Ana neighbors
Pray for God’s Spirit to be powerfully at work among the women at tonight’s women’s meeting
Pray for those experiencing loss in any form
Pray for other churches in Santa Ana to honor God’s Word and to faithfully proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ
Pray for the message of the Gospel to be clearly proclaimed to our friends and neighbors during our bilingual Easter service on Sunday, April 4
Pray for the families who are expecting within the next few months
Pray for those seeking employment
Pray for the Lord to strengthen marriages in the church in Christ and for those seeking marriage to a godly spouse
Pray for CGSA pastors to lead courteously, humbly and sacrificially as ungdershepherds of Christ
Pray for city, state and federal leaders to lead in wisdom and honor Christ the King in their decisions and actions
