REFORMATION DAY IS THIS MONDAY

This Monday marks the 505th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation. On October 31, 1517, a German Monk named Martin Luther nailed a document calling for reform in the Catholic Church to the door of the local church in Wittenburg. What followed was a movement that has changed both the church and the world to this day!

SOMETHING TRUE, NOT SOMETHING NEW

The triumph of the Reformation wasn’t the development of new doctrine that took the world by storm, but the rediscovery of the biblical gospel. It was the recovery of “the church’s true treasure,” as Luther said time and time again.

As a Sovereign Grace Church, we gladly locate ourselves downstream of the heritage and theology that flowed out of the Reformation. “Reformed Theology” is one of the 7 Shared Values that mark our family of churches. The story of the Reformation is important to us because it’s a story that helps us better understand ourselves as it points us to the shoulders of the gospel-centered saints of old that we still stand upon today.

RESOURCES TO KEEP US REFORMING

You can find an excellent summary of what the Protestant Reformation was all about and why it remains relevant today in the article Does the Reformation Still Matter? by Stephen Nichols. In addition to this, below you will find a selection of resources that will immerse you in the story of the Reformation as you sing, watch, and listen to the events which have shaped our church and the world around us.

• Sing

  • The Five Solas by Psallos puts the 5 summary slogans of the Reformation (Scripture Alone, Faith Alone, Grace Alone, Christ Alone, & God’s Glory Alone) to music and drives the truth of the gospel down into our hearts.

• Watch

  • Luther: The Life and Legacy of the German Reformer - Available to stream for FREE. “Watch this documentary to discover the events God used in Martin Luther’s life that led him to rediscover the gospel of justification by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.“ You can also download Ligonier’s free accompanying study guide.

• Listen

  • Luther: In Real Time - There are 2 seasons to the podcast. It was first released 500 years after the events described, this podcast allows you to walk in Martin Luther’s footsteps from his heresy charges to his famous stand for the authority of God’s Word at the Diet of Worms.

We hope this list makes you grateful to God for his work in the past and also encourages you to keep the spirit of the Reformation alive as we seek to always be reforming our church and our lives according to God’s Word. Semper Reformanda!

ALL LADIES, HIGH-SCHOOL AGE AND OLDER ARE INVITED

Our Women’s Ministry exists to spur women on in their pursuit of Christ through biblical discussion and building friendships. Each month the ladies of CGSA meet together for a time of discussion and prayer in order to grow in Christ and grow as friends. This month, they’ll explore the topic of anxiety. What does the Bible say about anxiety? How does the gospel provide comfort to the anxious soul? They’ll tackle these questions and more this evening.

To guide the discussion they’ll be reading several chapters from J.I. Packer’s book, Concise Theology. If you haven’t had a chance to read, that’s okay! Reading is not required for participation. Just come eager and expectant to dive into the riches of God’s word.

Join us tonight at 7pm at the Schlieder Home.

BRING A FRIEND AND YOUR LUNCH TO FRENCH PARK AFTER SERVICE THIS SUNDAY

Let’s take the joy of Jesus to neighbors. After service on 10/30, head over to French Park to spend time together in the middle 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.

• 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.

OCTOBER 24 - OCTOBER 30

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 27: WOMEN’S MEETING

• 7:00 pm - Schlieder Home

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30: SUNDAY GATHERING AT THE EBELL CLUB

• 10:00 am - Meeting Room: Ballroom

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30: PICNIC IN THE PARK

• 12:00 pm - French Park

Jason Roenicke has been serving for the past 11 months as our second intern at Cross of Grace Santa Ana. The role he’s occupied is one which serves the purpose of equipping and of evaluation - it’s a period when the church has the opportunity to watch and experience a person’s gifting in order to determine how God might be calling that individual to serve a particular role in the church. We’ve wondered if God has called Jason to be a pastor of Cross of Grace Santa Ana. He wonders the same thing. And we believe it’s a task given to the local church to assess the calling and gifting of a potential pastor.

THREE WEEKS TO SUBMIT YOUR FEEDBACK ON JASON’S INTERNSHIP

So far, we’ve heard nothing but positive feedback. We’re grateful to God for the work that seems to be evidenced in his life. However, we won’t assume we’ve heard everything from you. Before Jason proceeds on to the next stage of being positioned as a leader in our church, we’re giving you a final opportunity to provide your assessment of his leadership, character and influence in the church. Maybe it’s nothing but good and providing evidence of God’s grace. If so, go ahead and tell us. We want to be prudent where we need to be prudent and celebrate where we can celebrate.

YOUR THOUGHTS CAN BE SUBMITTED THROUGH THIS FORM.

REJECTION IS THE UNIFYING THREAD INTERWOVEN INTO EACH SCENE

The humiliated Savior sends us into a life of humble service - being rejected by men, not being impressive, relying upon God's sustaining grace and not our own strength, and dying the daily deaths of humble self-denial. We embrace this calling because the Savior who "emptied himself" and was humbled unto death has been "highly exalted" and received the "name that is above every other name" (Phil 2:7-9). Listen to last Sunday’s sermon to hear more.

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE

SIGN UP FOR THE ANNIVERSARY PARTY POTLUCK

Our fifth anniversary celebration is just around the corner! We’ll be gathering together at the Houlton home immediately after service on Sunday, 11/6 to mark God’s faithfulness with kickball, fellowship, and a potluck meal. But it’s not just any meal…It’s a giant nacho bar!

Over the past 5 years we’ve tasted and seen that the Lord is good. He’s built our church and filled us with joy. What better way to celebrate than assembling and enjoying a giant nacho bar! Chips, cheese, meat, beans, and all the other fixings. This is ‘nacho’ average potluck.

Help us make it possible by signing up below. Contact the church office with any questions.

HELP US CREATE A GIANT NACHO BAR BY SIGNING UP HERE

EVERY 1ST AND 3RD FRIDAY OF THE MONTH

Outside of Sunday mornings, small groups are the most important moment in the life of our church. They are a context where biblical discipleship happens within the church as we connect the truths of the gospel to every aspect of our lives. 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 to be refreshed in the gospel and to serve your friends by pointing their lives to Christ.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT SMALL GROUPS, CLICK HERE

OCTOBER 17 - OCTOBER 23

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, OCTOBER 21: SMALL GROUPS

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

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23: SUNDAY GATHERING AT THE EBELL CLUB

• 10:00 am - Meeting Room: Ballroom

HAS ANYONE DEFEATED DEATH AND CAN THAT TRIUMPH BE APPLIED TO ME?

That is the one question Canadian scientist G.B. Hardy said is the only essential question that needs to be asked in the selection of true religion. In the latter half of Mark 5, Jesus definitively demonstrates that He has the power to defeat death. But whether or not that triumph can be applied to you and me has to do with whether or not Jesus cares enough about us personally to do what’s necessary to defeat death for us all. And that’s precisely what Mark answers through the story of the suffering woman who interrupts Him on His way to defeat death in a dying girl. It’s a gripping story of a tender Savior. Listen to last Sunday’s sermon to hear more.

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE