A BOOK ABOUT THE KING(S) WE WANT AND THE KING WE NEED

On Sunday, we kicked off our first sermon series in the book of 1 Samuel. Pastor Jeff helped us to see the book in its Old Testament historical context coming right off the heels of the book of Judges, which ends with the following summary of God’s people: “In those days, there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Jud. 21:25). In the absence of a king, God’s people lived as though they each ruled their own personal domains. When that didn't work, the people who had been set apart by God from the nations demanded a king like the nations (1 Sam. 8:6). All the while, the King who had always been, “the King who is”, was being actively rejected. 1 Samuel results in God’s people and its readers concluding, “we need a king to restore us to the King who is; we need a better king”.

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE

THERE IS NO SMALL GROUP THIS WEEK

This Friday is a 5th Friday, which means small groups won’t be meeting together (small groups meet on the 1st and 3rd Fridays).

USE THE OPPORTUNITY OF A FREE FRIDAY

It also means that it’s an extra free night to particularly invest in another household in the church. Who can you invite over for dinner? Maybe text a few people an head down to Downtown Santa Ana. Follow up with someone in your small group and check in with them regarding something that they’ve shared in a recent discussion. Use this extra Friday as an extra opportunity to love one another.

THIS SUNDAY WE BEGIN A NEW SERMON SERIES THROUGH 1 SAMUEL

Read the book of 1 Samuel - either incorporate it into your daily devotional time or read it separately. However you do it, we encourage you to take the time to familiarize yourself with this Old Testament book that we’ll be spending the next 10 months journeying through. We’ve even created a page on our website for you to use to get going. Just click the link below and start reading …

READ 1 SAMUEL HERE

JULY 26 - AUGUST 1

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:

WEDNESDAY, JULY 28: PARK DAY

• 9:30 am - Morrison Park, Santa Ana

SUNDAY, AUGUST 1: SUNDAY GATHERING AT THE EBELL CLUB

• 10:00 am - Meeting Room: Ballroom

A NIGHT TO THANK OUR VOLUNTEERS

Last week, we asked you to save the date. Here’s why: because if you’re reading this and you have been volunteering on any ministry team at Cross of Grace Santa Ana over the past year, we want you to know how deeply appreciated you are. The pastoral team is grateful for your joyful and sacrificial service. The members of the church whom you serve through your volunteer roles are built up by your selflessness.

Volunteering within a church plant can be hard and oftentimes thankless work. We know that you don’t do it for the thanks, but for the honor and glory of the Lord (1 Cor. 10:31). Nevertheless, it’s our joy to thank you through a special dinner on August 13. We’ve reserved Benchmark Restaurant (just a stone’s throw away from the Ebell Club) in Santa Ana for a special evening to reflect on God’s grace through your joyful partnership in the Gospel together.

• Who’s Invited: All Cross of Grace Ministry Team Volunteers

• Childcare: Not provided

• Date: August 13, 2021

• Time: 7-9pm

• Location: Benchmark, 601 E Santa Ana Blvd., Santa Ana

• Details: This is an adult only dinner event. Feel free to park in the Ebell Parking lot.

RSVP FOR THE EVENT HERE

The Psalms don’t shy away from the difficult realities of life. Neither do they shy away from our complex emotional responses to them. Psalm 73 is one such psalm; one in which Asaph, the author, looks out on the world and sees more prosperity among the wicked than among the godly. The inequity, this apparent unfairness, drives him to question God’s goodness. Have you ever found yourself questioning God’s goodness toward you because, compared with others, you’re just not getting out of life what you wanted or expected? Then listen to last Sunday’s sermon and be reoriented by Psalm 73 to walk away saying not “poor me”, but confidently declaring “I am rich”.

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE

HEAD TO FRENCH PARK AFTER CHURCH

This Sunday take the opportunity to eat lunch with your French Park neighbors. Immediately after the service, we’ll be walking over to French Park to eat lunch and enjoy one another’s company while in the midst of the neighborhood God has placed us in. Here are the details:

• It’s “BYOL” (bring your own lunch). If you forget your lunch or your favorite lunchbox isn’t clean, there are plenty of great restaurants nearby in DTSA.

• It’s optional - but we highly encourage coming!

• Bring some folding chairs - unless you like sitting on the grass, bring something to sit on.

• Expect the Lord to build existing relationships and create new ones with our neighbors

7:00 pm on Thursday at the Schlieder Home

All ladies, high-school-aged and older, are invited to join the women’s meeting this week. This meeting is a place where women at all stages of life can come and learn how to be women whose lives honor God - women who live in light of the Gospel.

For more information, contact Rebecca Erkelens at bequita_17@yahoo.com.

JULY 19 - JULY 25

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:

WEDNESDAY, JULY 21: PARK DAY

• 9:30 am - Morrison Park, Santa Ana

THURSDAY, JULY 22: WOMEN’S MEETING

• 7:00 pm - Schlieder Home

SUNDAY, JULY 25: SUNDAY GATHERING AT THE EBELL CLUB

• 10:00 am - Meeting Room: Ballroom

SUNDAY, JULY 25: PICNIC IN THE PARK

• 12:00 pm - French Park

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR AUGUST 13

Clear your calendars on the evening of Friday, August 13th. If you volunteer on any of Cross of Grace Church’s ministry teams, the pastors would like to take an opportunity to bless you and thank you in a special way. The event will begin around 7:00pm. Childcare will not be provided, so take the next few weeks to find a trusted friend to watch your kiddos so you can enjoy the evening. More details to come.