THE CROSS OF CHRIST BY JOHN STOTT

"I could never myself believe in God, if it were not for the cross. . . . In the real world of pain, how could one worship a God who was immune to it?" With compelling honesty John Stott confronts readers with the centrality of the cross in God's redemption of our pain-filled world. Can we see triumph in tragedy, victory in shame? Why should an object of Roman distaste and Jewish disgust be the emblem of our worship and the axiom of our faith? And what does it mean for us today? From one of the foremost preachers and Christian leaders of his generation, The Cross of Christ is a classic, accessible, and compelling look at the work of Christ. At the cross Stott finds the majesty and love of God disclosed, the sin and bondage of the world exposed. More than a study of the atonement, this book brings Scripture into living dialogue with Christian theology and contemporary issues. What emerges is a pattern for Christian life and worship, hope and mission.

PURCHASE THE BOOK IN ENGLISH HERE OR IN SPANISH HERE

SURROUNDING THE IDENTITY OF JESUS AND THE NATURE OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS THE SHAPE OF THE CROSS

In Mark 8, Jesus directly asks His disciples, “who do you say that I am?”. God opens Peter’s eyes to see, albeit still dimly, that Jesus is the Christ. In response to the first accurate confession of Jesus’ identity by another human being, Jesus makes a prediction about “the Christ” that leaves His followers baffled and dismayed. Further, He explains just what it means to be a follower of the Christ. Everybody is stunned. Why? Because both of Jesus statements - about the identity of the Christ and the nature of discipleship - are characterized by suffering and self-denial. In short, the cross shapes everything. This is as true for Christians today as it was for Peter and his compatriots. Listen to last Sunday’s sermon to learn more from this stunning passage of God’s Word.

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE

IMMEDIATELY AFTER SERVICE. MEMBERS REQUIRED, GUESTS INVITED

Every six months, we hold a brief members meeting after service which usually lasts about 30 minutes. This meeting is mandatory for all members, but guests are welcome as well. This meeting is a time to communicate what we wouldn’t communicate on a typical Sunday morning. We’ll look back on what God has graciously done in the last 6 months in our church and look forward to where we believe God is taking us as a church.

DON’T MISS IT! THIS FRIDAY AT 7PM

After a month of cancelling small groups to allow for a December “Fallow Month,” we are excited to resume our small group meetings on the 1st & 3rd Fridays of the month.

Outside of Sunday mornings, small groups are the most important moment in the life of our church. Make it a priority to attend small groups in 2023 in order to encourage one another and be encouraged. To care for others and to be cared for. To point your brothers and sisters to Christ and apply his gospel to their lives, and experience the same.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT SMALL GROUPS, CLICK HERE

REPLACING OUR MONTHLY CHILI VAN OUTREACH

Prayer is central to our mission. In 2023, on a rotating basis, our small groups will take to the Park on the first Friday of the month to pray for our neighbors. Asking Jesus to save Santa Anans, meet our neighbors according to his grace, and open doors for sharing his gospel and spreading his joy.

The Houlton small group will be kicking off Prayer in the Park on 1/6/23 at 6pm.

JANUARY 2 - JANUARY 8

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, JANUARY 5: FRENCH PARK RUN CLUB (Weather Permitting)

• 6:30 am - French Park Grass Area

FRIDAY, JANUARY 6: PRAYER IN THE PARK OR SMALL GROUPS

• 6:00 pm - Prayer in the Park (Houlton Small Group)

• 7:00 pm - Small Group (Schlieder & Erkelens Home)

SUNDAY, JANUARY 8: SUNDAY GATHERING AT THE EBELL CLUB

• 10:00 am - Meeting Room: Ballroom

SUNDAY, JANUARY 8: MEMBERS MEETING

• 11:45 am - Meeting Room: Ballroom

RUN CLUB BEGINS THIS THURSDAY AT 6:30 AM (WEATHER PERMITTING)

Do you want to get in shape, meet more Santa Ana neighbors, and share the gospel in 2023? We’ve got you covered! Our French Park Run Club kicks off this Thursday. Every week we’ll meet up in the middle of the park for a casual run in the middle of our community. We’ll benefit our bodies and build relationships with our neighbors - it’s a win-win!

RESOLVE TO SEE HIM EVEN JUST A BIT BETTER EVERY DAY

For the Christian, the new year is a series of opportunities, month by month, day by day, moment by moment to behold Christ. 365 days filled with every providential detail the Lord has designed to set our sights on his Son. Returning to Mark’s Gospel this past Sunday, we came to the section right before the main hinge of the story - Peter's confession of Jesus as the Christ (Mk 8:27-9:1) - and encountered 3 stories about spiritual sight. Through them, we’re warned about the blinding effects of unbelief and encouraged by Christ’s eagerness to open our eyes to all he is. We see now "in a mirror dimly" (1 Cor 13:12) yet await that great day when we'll see Jesus "face to face," just "as he is" (1 Jn 3:2). Until then, in every year in between, especially this new year of 2023, our prayer is that the Lord would help us to see Jesus more clearly.

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE

LADIES, SAVE THE DATE FOR 1/29/23 AT 12:30PM

We’re excited to announce our first ever Women’s Seminar! Ladies of Cross of Grace, you’re invited to an afternoon of teaching, fellowship, and unhurried time together at the beautiful Spurgeon Building Atrium. We’ll eat together, enjoy one another’s company, and be encouraged in the gospel by special guest speaker, Charlotte Richardson from Center Church in Glibert, AZ. It’s an afternoon you won’t want to miss.

REGISTER FOR THE EVENT HERE

RUN CLUB BEGINS NEXT THURSDAY

Do you want to get in shape, meet more Santa Ana neighbors, and share the gospel in 2023? We’ve got you covered! Our French Park Run Club kicks off next Thursday, January 5th. Every week we’ll meet up in the middle of the park for a casual run in the middle of our community. We’ll benefit our bodies and build relationships with our neighbors - it’s a win-win!

JOIN US THURSDAYS AT 6:30AM