THIS IS HOW WE “DO” ANNOUNCEMENTS

This post serves as a reminder to read the rest of the posts in this newsletter - and every subsequent newsletter. If you’ve ever found yourself saying anything like, “I didn’t know Picnic in the Park was today” or “when was it announced that women’s meeting was moved up a week” or something similar, odds are that you skipped over a blog post making that announcement. So, use this reminder to prompt you to read through to the end of every newsletter so that you’re in the know about what’s coming down the pike in the life of our church.

Every Tuesday and Thursday we publish blog posts which explain upcoming events, past events and general updates regarding our city and our church. Read the blog so you know how to prepare for upcoming events.

If you have not subscribed to the blog to get email updates when the blogs have been posted, you can subscribe here.

OCTOBER 25 - OCTOBER 31

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:

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28: WOMEN’S MEETING

• 7:00 pm - Schlieder Home

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 31: SUNDAY GATHERING AT THE EBELL CLUB

• 10:00 am - Meeting Room: Ballroom

WE ARE ONE BODY, MEMBERS ONE OF ANOTHER

Paul says in Ephesians 4:25 that we are one body, yet “members one of another”. So, think of church membership not so much as “membership in a club” and more as an expression of commitment to the people around you. The Bible is full of “one anothers” - commands toward believers to act in godliness toward other people. What Scripture makes clear is that these “others” refer to a specific group of people and not all people generally. These others are the men and women identified in a particular local church. As members of Cross of Grace Santa Ana, we have the privilege of living out the Christian life with one another. We celebrate and grieve with one another. We build deep relationship with one another. We join arms to advance the joy of Jesus in a particular neighborhood with one another. We help one another pursue holiness. We remind one another of the sweetness of the Gospel.

In light of this, we praise God for the new members, Camron and Brian, we had the joy of introducing this last Sunday. We look forward to joining you in the spread of the joy of Jesus in Downtown Santa Ana.

A GOOD THING TURNS INTO A CORRUPT THING WHEN WE TURN IT INTO A SAVIOR THING

On Sunday, Pastor Kyle preached from 1 Samuel 11, which gives the account of Saul’s first victory as king. The story tells of how the city of Jabesh Gilead is saved. And though Saul appears to win the day, he gives the credit to God. This reminds us that in life, even though our replacement kings might sometimes come through for us, those are yet instances of God’s goodness and God’s deliverance as the King who is sovereign over all things. God works through imperfect and even at times sinful things - like a cruel Roman cross - to accomplish His perfect purposes.

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE

BRING YOUR LUNCH TO FRENCH PARK AFTER SERVICE

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

THE LORD CONTINUES TO GROW HIS CHURCH

This upcoming Sunday, we have the privilege of welcoming new members into our midst. These are people who have committed to participating in the life of the church and performing the “one anothers” with this local body of Christ. They’re also individuals whom we, as a church, commit to so the same with and for. We praise God for His grace and the evidence of the advancement of His Gospel through Santa Ana.

GO INTO OUR CITY ON OCTOBER 23

The Santa Ana 5K is returning to the city. As a church, it represents an opportunity to go into our city and speak to our neighbors. Whether you run or walk this race, come and join.

Registration is closed, but you can still cheer on your friends and neighbors and visit the Resource Fair after the race!

WOULD YOU CONSIDER JOINING ONE OF OUR SUNDAY TEAMS?

Every week we have teams that volunteer faithfully; from setting up chairs to taking care of the kids from an hour. We need these volunteers in order to hold service weekly.

If you are looking for a way to serve the church, we’ve got opportunities for you. On most Sunday teams, no experience is necessary, we’ll train you. All you need is to be available and willing. In particular, we are in need of volunteers for:

1. Children’s Ministry- taking care of kids 0-5 for an hour on Sundays

2. Worship Team- we are looking for vocalists, guitarists, and/or percussionists

3. Sunday Operations- set-up/tear down or ushers

4. Audio/Visual Team- Control the sound and/or run the slides

If you’d like to sign up, or if you have any questions reach out to the Church Admin, who will direct you to the correct Service Lead over the particular Sunday team. Thank you for considering!

“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace…whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

1 Peter 4:10-11

OCTOBER 18 - OCTOBER 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:

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23: REVIVE SANTA ANA 5K

• 8:00 am - Santa Ana Stadium in DTSA

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24: SUNDAY GATHERING AT THE EBELL CLUB

• 10:00 am - Meeting Room: Ballroom

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24: PICNIC IN THE PARK

• 12:00 pm - French Park

ISRAEL THOUGHT THEY KNEW WHAT WAS BEST FOR THEM

1 Samuel 9-10 tells the story of the selection and coronation of Israel’s first king. According to the “job description” that Israel had put forth, God selected the best man for the job - Saul. There was no one like him (10:24), but only in terms of height, handsomeness and strength. His heart, however, wasn’t what qualified him. Like Israel, we think we know what’s best for us. But God’s definition of what’s best for us is often quite different - and far better - than our own definition. God proved this very thing 1,000 years after Saul when He sent the King of Kings, one whom there was no one like in every way that mattered. Jesus teaches us to trust that in all things, God’s best is the very best there could possibly be.

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE