A KINGDOM LIKE NO OTHER

On Sunday, guest preacher Mike Davis from our sending church, Sovereign Grace Church of Orange, preached from Colossians 1:13-14. He helped us to behold the beauty of the church as the kingdom of Christ. What makes this kingdom better and more beautiful than all the other kingdoms of the world? It is ruled by Christ, the amazing King who is supreme in power and abounding in love. It is a place of redemption, hope, and forgiveness freely given while the kingdom of this world is characterized by condemnation, enslavement, and hopelessness. Its citizens are a special people who proclaim the excellencies of the King and live out the beautifully strange culture of his kingdom. When we behold this beauty, there’s nowhere else we’d ever want to be. Listen to this message to learn more about the kingdom without comparison.

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE

STARTING POINT- SUNDAY, JUNE 26

If you’ve been visiting Cross of Grace for any length of time and would like to learn more about what we believe as a church and how those beliefs take shape in the life of the church, this class is for you. If you’re discerning whether or not this is the church family the Lord is calling you to, this class is for you. If you’re ready to take the next step in pursuing membership at Cross of Grace, Starting Point is your starting point to do so!

Wherever you’re at in the process, we invite you to join us for Starting Point. One two hour class immediately after church at the Schlieder home in Santa Ana. Lunch and childcare will be provided.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.

ALL GUYS 15 YEARS AND OLDER ARE INVITED TO ATTEND

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.

JUNE 6 - JUNE 12

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, JUNE 9: MEN’S MEETING

• 7:00 pm - Fourth Street Market Patio

SUNDAY, JUNE 12: SUNDAY GATHERING AT THE EBELL CLUB

• 10:00 am - Meeting Room: Ballroom

EVERY WEDNESDAY NIGHT ALL SUMMER LONG

Summer is here and Movies in the Park are back! These movie nights are a great way to spend time together in the midst of our neighbors. Pick a night (or a few!) and make plans to go into the city this summer!

For more details click here.

THE BEAUTY OF THE CHURCH IS THE CHURCH LOVING THE CHURCH

On Sunday, guest preacher Tim Lambros from Sovereign Grace Church of Tucson, AZ preached from John 13:31-35. He helped us to behold the beauty of the church as the people of Christ. A people who are beautiful because they are marked by love. Created through the self-sacrificial love of Christ upon the cross. Called to live out this love with one another through service, patience, and perseverance. Known for beautifully shining forth the brilliant light of the love of Christ for all to see. Listen to this message to learn more of what it means for the church to be known by her love for the church.

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE

WHY SHOULD WE LOVE THE LOCAL CHURCH? BY DUSTIN BENGE

Our June Book of the Month is the concise edition of Dustin Benge’s The Loveliest Place: The Beauty and Glory of the Church. It’s a little book with a grand vision for the beauty and glory of God that shines forth in and through the local church. This vision has fueled our current sermon series “The Beauty of the Church,” and we hope it fuels your affections for Christ and his bride as well.

Here’s the heartbeat of the book laid out in the introduction:

This book has one aim: to set before you a thoroughly biblical portrait of the church that derives its life from the sweet fellowship of the Father, Son, and Spirit, creating a community of love, worship, fellowship, and mission, all animated by the gospel and empowered by the word of God.

By beholding such radiant beauty and loveliness, may we lift our collective and worshipful cry, “Indeed, the church is the loveliest place on earth.”

You can purchase a copy of the book here

FRIDAY, JUNE 3RD AT 6PM

This Friday, the Erkelens small group will be taking the OC Rescue Mission Chili Van out into our city to share a meal - and the gospel - with our homeless neighbors. They’re going into our city to speak to our city. If you’re not a member of the Erkelens small group, but would like to join the Chili Van outreach this month, let your small group leader and Christopher Erkelens know.

Contact Pastor Jeff for more details.

EVERY 1ST AND 3RD FRIDAY OF THE MONTH AT 7PM

Our small groups are a context where biblical discipleship happens within the church. We gather together to apply the gospel to every aspect of our lives, care for one another, and cultivate genuine relationships. Outside of Sunday mornings, these are the most important moments in the life of our local church. 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. Carve this time out in your calendar every other week to be refreshed in the gospel and to serve your friends by helping to point their lives to Christ.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT SMALL GROUPS, CLICK HERE

MAY 30 - June 5

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, JUNE 3: CHILI VAN OUTREACH OR SMALL GROUPS

• 6:00 pm - OCRM Chili Van

• 7:00 pm - Schlieder & Cunningham Home

SUNDAY, JUNE 5: SUNDAY GATHERING AT THE EBELL CLUB

• 10:00 am - Meeting Room: Ballroom