SMALL GROUPS WILL NOT MEET IN DECEMBER

Plan on attending small group this Friday! It will be the last small group of 2021, because, as a church, we approach December as a “fallow” month and do not meet for small groups.

Our small groups are a context where biblical discipleship happens within the church. In other words, they’re small expressions of the local church where Gospel ministry takes place. Each group meets in a home, splitting their time between singing, praying, and discussion. Some groups include young children in their meetings. All groups welcome guests.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT SMALL GROUPS, CLICK HERE

“PROPHET, PRIEST AND KING” BY RICHARD BELCHER JR.

Every month, we’ll supply you with a recommendation to add to your library. This is by no means mandatory, but in a world of information overload, it’s important to discern what is valuable, fruitful and helpful from what is either distracting, unhelpful or even worse, damaging to your soul. This month’s book of the month will help you to follow along in our current series in 1 Samuel as well as our upcoming Christmas series. Most importantly, this book will grow your affections for Christ as your understanding of the depth and breadth of His love is expanded by your understanding of His fulfillment of the roles of prophet, priest and king, Pick up the book today.

You can purchase a copy of the book here.

GO INTO OUR CITY FOR THEIR ANNUAL CHRISTMAS AND TREE LIGHTING EVENT

From the City of Santa Ana’s website:

Celebrate with family and friends at the annual Plaza Navideña event and Tree Lighting Ceremony taking place on Saturday, November 20, 2021; from 5 pm to 8 pm at Plaza Calle Cuatro in the heart of Downtown Santa Ana. 

This free community event kicks off the holiday season and includes the annual tree lighting ceremony, holiday entertainment, tasty treats, and beverages.

NOVEMBER 15 - NOVEMBER 21

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:

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19: SMALL GROUPS

• 7:00 pm - Houlton, Schlieder and Erkelens Home

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 21: SUNDAY GATHERING AT THE EBELL CLUB

• 10:00 am - Meeting Room: Ballroom

YOUR PASTORS RECOMMEND THAT YOU LISTEN TO ALL FOUR MESSAGES

The pastoral team came home from the Sovereign Grace Churches Pastors Conference with refreshed souls, as they were filled with a steady diet of Christ exalting singing and preaching.

While the link to all the messages can be found here, listed below are a few impactful sound bites from each of the messages.

---

Christ Preeminent by Jeff Purswell (Col. 1:15-20)

• "Only in the person of Christ can God be truly known and genuinely encountered"

• "Christ is pre-eminent. Yes, there are powers that work against Him, but there are no rivals to Him!"

• "If your Gospel centrality does not magnify Christ above all things, then the Gospel is not your center"

• "The most effective remedy against discouragement is a high Christology (a high view of Christ)"

• "The very heartbeat of our assurance is the pre-eminence of Christ"

The Steadfast Savior and His Beloved Servants by Jon Payne (2 Tim. 4:9-18)

• "Our steadfast Savior can make a jail more beautiful than a palace; the reproaches of Christ far greater than the riches of Egypt" - Bunyan

• "Suffering for the sake of Christ creates a bond with other believers in your church and across salvation history" - Kostenberger

Our Prowling Adversary by CJ Mahaney (1 Pet. 5:8-9)

• "The most sinister thoughts Satan inserts into our minds are not enticements to sin, but doubts and suspicions about God"

• "When we resist Satan by remaining firm in Christ, Satan will flee - not because he is afraid of us, but because he is terrified of the one our faith looks to - Jesus Christ!

• "By becoming a Christian, you walked into a war. Every day you awake, you should remember that there is a vicious dark battle being waged over your soul. Satan is busy" - Christopher Ash

• "(In reference to the fact that Satan exists and is active) "It does not do to leave a live dragon out of your calculations if you live near him" - Tolkien

The Grace of Partnership by Jared Mellinger (2 Cor. 8:1-23)

• "Partnership in the Gospel is centrally connected to progress in the Gospel" - Schnabel

• "Individually, one church can accomplish little. But together, we become a weapon terrible to behold arrayed against the foes of God"

LISTEN TO THE MESSAGES HERE

BY GOD’S GRACE, WE CELEBRATED ANOTHER YEAR AS A CHURCH IN SANTA ANA

November 5th marked the fourth anniversary of our first service in Downtown Santa Ana! By God’s grace, this church was planted, sustained, and has been richly blessed through his faithful love over the years. Praise God for building his church, bringing the increase, and binding us all together to share in and celebrate the joy of Jesus!

We gathered this past Sunday for a celebration, which included tacos, a testimony from Pastor Kyle about the history of CGSA, our annual kickball game, a piñata and lots of great fellowship with one another. Enjoy the pictures that captured our celebration!

WE NEED TO HEAR FROM GOD

Throughout the book of 1 Samuel, the Old Testament offices of Prophet, Priest and King rise to the surface over and over. As Saul is anointed as Israel’s first king, he then presumes to act in both the prophetic and priestly roles in chapters 13-15, begging the question, “will this man whom the people want prove to be the prophet, priest and king that they need?”. Chapter 13 answers that he is sadly not the priest they need. Chapter 14 answers that he’s not the prophet they need; he’s not suited to speak as God’s representative to His people because he doesn’t seek God’s heart. Saul shows us how desperately we need to hear from God Himself and Jesus has satisfied that need. Listen to last Sunday’s sermon to learn more.

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE

ALL GUYS, 15 YEARS AND OLDER, ARE INVITED

Men's Meeting is a monthly conversations in an informal setting, where "men talk like men" about God. The topics are chosen to challenge the group and promote humble theological dialogue. Open to all guys, 15 years and older. Meets every second Thursday at the 4th Street Market patio at 7:00 pm.

THIS SUNDAY HEAD TO THE HOULTON’S HOME AFTER SUNDAY SERVICE

By God’s grace and for God’s glory, Cross of Grace Santa Ana is turning FOUR years old! Because it would be inappropriate to respond to such grace without a celebration, we’re definitely throwing our annual anniversary party!

INVITE YOUR FRIENDS FOR TACOS AND KICKBALL

Plan on heading over to the Houlton’s Home after Sunday service for tacos and our 4th annual kickball game. Make sure to wear or bring some sort of active clothing. There will be activities for the kiddos, including a piñata! Invite your friends and neighbors.

WE CAN’T WAIT TO CELEBRATE WITH YOU!

NOVEMBER 8 - NOVEMBER 14

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, NOVEMBER 11: MEN’S MEETING

• 7:00 pm - Fourth Street Market Patio

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 14: SUNDAY GATHERING AT THE EBELL CLUB

• 10:00 am - Meeting Room: Ballroom

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 14: 4th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

• 12:30 pm - Houlton Home