BECAUSE IT REVEALS THE GOOD GOD TO US

The past few Sundays, we've been reflecting on the goodness of God. Even when it doesn't seem like it, he's always good & always working good. And if God is good, then his word is most certainly good as well. In the midst of the valleys of life, we need God's word because it reveals the good God to us. We turn to Psalm 119 because it holds God out to us declaring, "You are good and do good" (119:66). Because of this, the Scriptures are a possession greater "than thousands of gold and silver pieces," (119:72). As we meditate upon the treasures God has laid up for us in his word, our faith and joy in the God who spoke the word is strengthened and deepened. 

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE

JOIN US IN PRAYER FOR OUR FAMILY OF CHURCHES

A survey of the Pauline epistles reveals how consistently Paul prayed for the churches he carried on his heart, and how consistently Paul asked them to pray for him. Prayer marks New Testament gospel partnership that churches share, and based on that biblical pattern, it’s our desire that prayer mark our partnership in Sovereign Grace. Additionally, as we pray for one another, the relationships we have among our pastors and churches are strengthened. Praying for one another fosters relationships in a way that makes us a genuine “family of churches.”

See the “Sovereign Grace Churches Third Quarter 2023 Prayer Requests” linked below. Please consider praying for our family of churches in a future Sunday service or corporate prayer meeting in your church. Doing so will strengthen us relationally as we go to God with our requests as a “family of churches.”

FIND THE THIRD QUARTER PRAYER REQUESTS HERE

EVERY 1ST & 3RD FRIDAY OF THE MONTH @ 7pm

Outside of Sunday mornings, small groups are the most important moment in the life of our church. Make it a priority to attend small group this Friday at 7pm 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

August 14 - AUGUST 20

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, AUGUST 17: FRENCH PARK RUN CLUB

• 6:30 am - French Park Grass Area

FRIDAY, AUGUST 18: SMALL GROUPS

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

SUNDAY, AUGUST 20: SUNDAY GATHERING AT THE EBELL CLUB

• 10:00 am - Meeting Room: Theater

NEED SOMETHING TO READ?

We’ve got a stack of books we’re eager to give away! Over the course of the years, extra copies of our Books of the Month, duplicates in our pastor’s libraries, and volumes we’ve received from ministry partners have built up in the church office. So this Sunday, we’re bringing them to church so that you can benefit from them. Be on the lookout for a Free Bookstore table in the foyer and grab a good book or two that will enrich your walk with Christ.

TAKE A BOOK OR TWO HOME WITH YOU THIS SUNDAY

FAITH WAITS FOR GOD’S PROMISES TO COME TO PASS

Habakkuk 1:1-11 taught us to believe that even when we can't see it, God is always working good. We believe he is up to something but his help never seems to come fast enough. God can do good, so why isn't he doing it now? This takes us into the tension of Habakkuk's second complaint. The prophet can’t fathom that God would use a nation as evil as the Chaldeans to bring forth justice and has a very limited sight of God’s work. God tells him that he is indeed working to bring justice, it’s just not as quickly as Habakkuk would like. It seems slow, but it will surely come, so he - and us - must wait for it, by faith. Faith not only believes when it cannot see, but it waits for God's promises to come to pass. 

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE

INVITE OUR NEIGHBORS TO HAVE LUNCH WITH US

Picnic in the Park is back! Get ready to eat together, play games, and enjoy one another’s company in the heart of our neighborhood. Make it your priority to invite our French Park Neighbors to join us. Send a text, knock on a door, or reconnect with someone you met at the Block Party and extend the welcome. Make sure you remind them to bring a lunch as well!

THIS SUNDAY AFTER CHURCH

Let’s take the joy of Jesus to neighbors. After service this Sunday, 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.

LET’S CELEBRATE THE UNITY CHRIST HAS ACHIEVED IN OUR DIVERSITY

On Sunday, September 10th, we’ll be hosting our annual “Festival of Nations” Celebration. This year we are excited to announce that we are combining this celebration with our anniversary celebration, so as to free up our fall calendar. The event coincides with Fiestas Patrias and Dia De La Independencia, we’ll celebrate what God has built in our church through the Gospel - the gathering of people from all different nationalities and heritages into one new family in Christ.

HOW CAN YOU PREPARE?

1. Bring a dish (entree, dessert or side) representing your national heritage. Bring your best effort. The results will be judged and the “Best In The World” award will be given to the individual whose dish impressed the most. Multiple dishes per family are ok!

2. This year we’re changing the location to Portola Park in Santa Ana. Join us at 3pm on Sunday, September 10th at Portola Park.

3. Come dressed and ready to play a friendly game of kickball

4. Bring a picnic blanket or chairs for your family

Please RSVP and let us know you are coming to office@crossofgracesa.org

MEET AT THE BOTTOM OF NORTH STAR BEACH AT 10AM

With summer coming to an end, join us for our last summer outing to the beach- a waveless beach! Meet up with us tomorrow morning as we spend time together, play in the sand, and enjoy a Southern California summer to the glory of God! Invite your Santa Ana neighbors and friends to meet us at the bottom of North Star Beach for an awesome time of community and fun.

Address: 1 Whitecliffs Dr, Newport Beach, CA 92660

Parking: There is plenty of free parking in the lot directly behind the beach

Questions: Contact Liz Madrigal at 562-325-1428

ALL GUYS 15 AND OLDER ARE ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND

Every second Thursday, the men of our church gather together to sit under God’s word and spur on each other’s walk with Christ. All guys, 15 years and older, are invited to participate in a conversation where "men talk like men" about God. Join in at the 4th Street Market patio at 7:00 pm.