APRIL 4 - APRIL 10

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, APRIL 6: FRENCH PARK RUN CLUB

• 6:30 am - French Park Grass Area

FRIDAY, APRIL 7: GOOD FRIDAY SMALL GROUPS

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

SUNDAY, APRIL 9: EASTER SUNDAY AT THE EBELL CLUB

• 10:00 am - Meeting Room: Ballroom

MONDAY, APRIL 10: DISCIPLESHIP SPRING CLASS

• 7:00 pm - Schlieder Home

FRENCH PARK RUN CLUB

Every Thursday, since January (weather permitting), we’ve been meeting for a casual run throughout Santa Ana. Thank you to all who have joined, and for all who have helped spread the word about our weekly run club. If you haven’t had a chance to come out on a Thursday morning, this month would be a great time to start, as Santa Ana is hosting a FREE Fun Run on April 22nd.

TO SHARE THE DIGITAL FLYER CLICK HERE

SANTA ANA FUN RUN

The City of Santa Ana is hosting their annual Fun Run, which includes a Kid Dash, 5K/10K Fun Run and Fit Festival. This is a great opportunity to grab some friends, and make some new friends while walking/running throughout Santa Ana. Registration is open and ongoing. The event takes place April 21st & 22nd.

FOR MORE INFO AND TO REGISTER CLICK HERE

IF GOD IS GOD, THERE WILL BE A RESURRECTION

On Sunday, we moved from a focus upon Jesus' resurrection to our own. In Mark 12:18-27, Jesus comes into conflict with a group known as the Sadducees, "who say there is no resurrection" (12:18). They deny that the dead will be raised and teach that this life is all there is. What about you? Do you say there is a resurrection from the dead? Do you have hope in life beyond the grave? If it exists, do you have confidence that you'll enter into it? These are very important questions, but an even more important question is, "What does Jesus say?" What does the soon-to-be Risen Christ have to say about what is in store for us? In his response to the Sadducees trick question regarding the nature of marriage "in the resurrection," (12:23) Jesus argues from the OT Scriptures and the very nature of God that the dead will in fact be raised (12:24-27). He says that those who trust in the living God will not be abandoned to death but will be raised to life as he always intended it. All those who trust in the Crucified & Risen Christ will be raised in a resurrection like his to live with him forevermore. 

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE

INVITE YOUR FRIENDS, FAMILY AND NEIGHBORS

Easter Sunday is less than 2 weeks away! Join us at the Ebell Club at 10:00am Sunday, April 9th to hear the good news of new life in Christ. We’ll celebrate the same gospel we celebrate every Sunday, enjoy coffee & treats, and have a special activity for the kids.

You can help us spread the word of this special service, in the following ways:

1. Join us for a neighborhood outreach this Saturday, April 1 from 10am-12pm. Meet in the Ebell parking lot. We’ll be passing out flyers and personally inviting our French Park neighbors to service.

2. Share the digital flyer located here with your friends, family, neighbors and on social media.

READ, WATCH AND REFLECT

Below you will find a selection of resources that will immerse you in the last week of Jesus’ earthly life culminating in his death and resurrection. Take some time this weekend and the week leading up to Easter Sunday, to read, watch, and reflect on the Risen Savior.

Read

• Why You Should Reflect On The Final Days Of Jesus by Andreas J. Köstenberger - This is a short article about why you should reflect on the final days of Jesus at this time of year—and any other time for that matter!

• Easter Week in Real Time by Russ Ramsey - This is a day-by-day breakdown of what Scripture tells us happened on each day. Use this guide to lead you through Scripture reading this week.

Watch

• The Final Days of Jesus by TGC - This is an online course. Each day will include a video, Scripture reading, and reflection leading up to Easter Sunday. A concluding section will recap the week and give the learner time to consider other applications of Christ’s death and resurrection.

We hope this list helps you to reflect on Christ’s death and resurrection.

MARCH 28 - April 2

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, MARCH 30: FRENCH PARK RUN CLUB

• 6:30 am - French Park Grass Area

SUNDAY, APRIL 2: SUNDAY GATHERING AT THE EBELL CLUB

• 10:00 am - Meeting Room: Ballroom

WE WELCOMED NEW MEMBERS AND BAPTIZED NEW MEMBERS

This past Sunday not only did we have the privilege of welcoming 5 new members into our midst, but we will also had the privilege of celebrating several baptisms after service on the same day! These are two very important events in the life of our church.

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.

SCROLL THROUGH PHOTOS FROM THIS PAST SUNDAY

BY HIS RESURRECTION

Mark 12:1 begins with Jesus still locked in the same scene of conflict with the religious authorities of Israel who have questioned and challenged his own authority. They've feigned ignorance and failed to answer Jesus' question about John's baptism, but Jesus won't let them off the hook so easily. He advances the conversation by speaking a parable to them. One that provides an answer to the question, "By what authority?" In the story of the wicked tenant-farmers, Jesus warns the temple authorities of the fate that awaits all those who reject the Son - the tenant farmers will be destroyed (12:9). It further interprets the impending death and resurrection of the Son as his rejection at the hands of men but vindication by the hand of God (12:10-11, Ps 118:22-23). In other words, Jesus says His resurrection will prove the authority He’s been so audaciously claiming. His resurrection will be the decisive moment in which God's "Yes" would overturn man's "No" and the authority of Jesus' opponents would be decisively overruled. 

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THIS SPECIAL SERVICE

Join us Easter Sunday as we worship the Savior the grave could not hold. Invite your friends, family, and neighbors to join us at the Ebell Club at 10:00am Sunday, April 9th to hear the good news of new life in Christ. We’ll celebrate the same gospel we celebrate every Sunday, enjoy coffee & treats, and have a special activity for the kids.

HERE’S A DIGITAL FLIER TO SHARE WITH FRIENDS

CELEBRATE WITH US

This Sunday, we not only have the privilege of welcoming new members into our midst, but we will also have the privilege of celebrating several baptisms after service on the same day! There are two very important events in the life of our church that you don’t want to miss.

CHURCH MEMBERSHIP: THE LORD CONTINUES TO GROW HIS CHURCH

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 do the same with and for. We praise God for His grace and the evidence of the advancement of His gospel through Santa Ana.

BAPTISM: AN OUTWARD SIGN OF AN INWARD WORK

Baptism is one of the sweetest moments in the life of the church. It’s a visible portrayal of the effects of the gospel in a person. A means of grace by which our hearts are assured that we belong to Christ and have become new creations in him. Through it we declare our faith and signify our union with Christ and entrance into his body. It’s also an act of obedience, something that every believer is commanded to do.

BAPTISM AFTER SERVICE AT THE CUNNINGHAM’S

The Cunningham’s are graciously opening up their home for the baptisms and lunch will be provided at their house as well. To obtain location details feel free to contact the church office.

If you’re interested in being baptized or just have questions about baptism, please contact one of our pastors.