WE LOOK TO CHRIST TO LEARN HOW TO SUFFER WELL

This past Sunday was our final Sunday wrapping up what we've learned in the book of Habakkuk. We turned to the letter of 1 Peter - a textbook on how to suffer well as a Christian. The believers then lived as exiles in a world in which there was no social benefit to being a Christian, they were regularly slandered and insulted by their neighbors, and they faced the same struggle against "the passions of the flesh, which wage war" against our souls as we do today (1 Pet 2:11-12). So how did Peter encourage them? How does he teach them to suffer well? By telling them to suffer like Christ. Why does he do this? Because Jesus Christ himself puts what we learned from Rom 8:31 ("If God is for us, who can be against us?") to the test and proves it's 100% true. We look to him and we learn how to suffer well as we live as exiles on the way to our eternal home. 

*Due to some technical difficulties, the opening portion of the sermon audio was not captured. You can read the manuscript here to fill in the gap and listen to the rest of the sermon below.

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE

CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THE BIG QUESTIONS OF LIFE

“Am I a good person?” “Why does God allow suffering?” “Is Jesus really the only way?” We’ll discuss all this and more during the Bridge Course.

What’s Bridge?

The Bridge Course is a 6-week opportunity to explore the Christian faith in a fun and relaxed way. Each week begins with a meal followed by a talk that addresses common questions about life and God. Afterward there is a small-group conversation where you can ask any questions you have or sit back and listen. It’s a safe space to share your perspective - whatever it is. There is no pressure and no one will force you to believe anything.

Who is it for?

• Anyone seeking answers

• Anyone who isn't sure what they believe

• Anyone who is spiritual but not religious

• Anyone with doubts about Christianity or wanting to investigate the Christian Faith

• New Christians or newcomers to the church

• Anyone who wants to “brush up” on the basics

When and where does it take place?

• Dates: 2nd & 4th Mondays from September 11, 2023 - November 27, 2023

• Time: 7pm-9pm

• Location: Hopper & Burr, 202 W 4th St, Santa Ana, CA 92701

REGISTER FOR THE CLASS HERE

SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER HERE

SEE YOU AT PORTOLA PARK AT 3PM

This Sunday, 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 party, 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. Parking is available at the North and South ends of the park.

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

4. Bring a picnic blanket or chairs for your family

THE LORD CONTINUES TO GROW HIS CHURCH

This upcoming Sunday, we have the privilege of welcoming new members into our midst. 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 so the same with and for. We praise God for His grace and the evidence of the advancement of His gospel through Santa Ana.

SEPTEMBER 4 - SEPTEMBER 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, SEPTEMBER 7: FRENCH PARK RUN CLUB

• 6:30 am - French Park Grass Area

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7: MEN’S MEETING

• 7:00 pm - Fourth Street Market Patio

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 10: SUNDAY GATHERING AT THE EBELL CLUB & NEW MEMBER SUNDAY

• 10:00 am - Meeting Room: Ballroom

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 10: FESTIVAL OF NATIONS

• 3:00 pm - Portola Park Santa Ana

JOIN US IN PRAYER FOR OUR FAMILY OF CHURCHES

From Sovereign Grace Churches Director of Global Missions, Dave Taylor:

In 1 Peter 3.18a, we read:

‘For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God.’

As Peter pens those words we find ourselves on holy ground, as our attention is once again drawn to a Hill called Calvary, and to the wondrous cross upon which the Prince of Glory died. For through the substitutionary death of Jesus, who suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, we have now been brought back to God.

It’s a breathtaking and stunning reality. The penalty of our sin has been paid for, the sacrifice of our substitute was sufficient and through Him, we have now been brought near. And so knowing that and in awe of that, here’s how you can be praying to the One who is near in the month ahead…

1. Please pray for Jeremy Hetrick and his team as they plant Redeeming Grace Church, Mechanicsburg, PA, asking God to provide for all their needs, and to bless their services as they begin to gather this month.

2. Please pray for our new 2023-2024 US Pastors College students and their families from 3 different nations who have recently moved to Louisville, with classes having started at the end of August. Please ask God to provide for all their needs and to give them the grace to grow over the next year while at the PC.

3. Please pray for Pat Tedeschi and Greentree’s Muslim Outreach Team as they head over to London, UK, September 8th-18th. For many years Greentree has been partnering with a church plant to the Muslim community in London, where the majority of the church members are former Muslims. Please pray for this team as they join with the church members in doing evangelism, help to lead the church services, and encourage the new believers in the church.

4. Please pray for the Philippines Pastor’s Institute that launches this month in Madrid, Mindanao. Please pray for the 20 students, that they may be equipped as future leaders, pastors, and church planters for the Mindanao region.

5. Please pray for Joselo Mercado as he heads over to Santa Cruz, Bolivia, to serve at their annual SGC Bolivia Conference. Please pray that this is a wonderful time for both pastors and members, alike.

6. Please pray for our brothers and sisters in Pakistan who have been affected by the recent rioting. There were about 20-25 churches that were looted and burned as well as many homes of Christian families. One of those looted and destroyed churches is pastored by a man who is with the group that we have the privilege of partnering with in Pakistan. So please pray, that God would meet them in this time of great affliction and sorrow.

   … Once we were far off, but now we have been brought near. What a staggering reality that is.

ALL GUYS 15 AND OLDER ARE ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND

Usually Men’s Meeting is held on the second Thursday of the month; however, in certain months it falls within the same week as Small Group. This is one of those certain months. For that reason, Men’s Meeting is being pushed up a week to THIS Thursday at 7pm. Men’s Meeting is when 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. This month they’ll be discussing the question, “How do we know what’s good for us?” and digging into God’s word to find the answer.

JOIN IN AT THE 4TH STREET MARKET PATIO THIS THURSDAY @ 7PM

YOUR ROCK SOLID CONFIDENCE OF HIS GOODNESS

In this treasure of a text, the song we've been singing all along in Habakkuk reaches its crescendo. How can we be confident beyond a shadow of a doubt that God is good and always working good? Because of Romans chapter 8. Reasoning from the gospel, Paul tells believers that if God saved you ("he did not spare his Son") then God will surely sustain you ("how will he not freely with him give us all things?") through anything and everything. If the cross, then the grace to live for God's glory and our joy in and through every situation, circumstance, and EVEN suffering of life as we press on toward glory. 

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE

A SONG OF REJOICING IN THE LORD

This Sunday, as we gather to “take joy in the God of our salvation” (Hab 3:18), we’ll be singing a new song. “Good and Gracious King” by Cityalight will put the praise of the prophet Habakkuk freshly on our lips. Helping us to rejoice in God because whatever we lack, we have him. And he’s with us, for us, and powerfully and lovingly reigning over everything in our lives. Even “though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines,” (Hab 3:17), we have “the promise of acceptance, from a good and gracious King.”

Listen to the song here and read through the lyrics below.

VERSE 1

I approach the throne of glory
Nothing in my hands I bring
But the promise of acceptance
From a good and gracious King

I will give to You my burden
As You give to me Your strength
Come and fill me with Your Spirit
As I sing to You this praise

CHORUS

You deserve the greater glory
Overcome, I lift my voice
To the King in need of nothing
Empty handed I rejoice

You deserve the greater glory
Overcome with joy I sing
By Your love I am accepted
You’re a good and gracious King

VERSE 2

O what grace that You would see me
As Your child and as Your friend
Safe, secure in You forever
I pour out my praise again

BRIDGE

Holy, holy, Lord Almighty
Good and gracious
Good and gracious
Holy, holy, Lord Almighty
Good and gracious King

CAN’T WAIT TO SING TOGETHER

CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THE BIG QUESTIONS OF LIFE

The Bridge Course is a 6-week opportunity to explore the Christian faith in a fun and relaxed way. Each week begins with a meal followed by a talk that addresses common questions about life and God. Afterward there is a small-group conversation where you can ask any questions you have or sit back and listen. It’s a safe space to share your perspective - whatever it is. There is no pressure and no one will force you to believe anything.

Who is it for?

• Anyone seeking answers

• Anyone with doubts about Christianity

• Anyone wanting to investigate the Christian Faith

• New Christians

• Newcomers to the church

• Anyone who wants to “brush up” on the basics

When and where does it take place?

• Dates: 2nd & 4th Mondays from September 11, 2023 - November 27, 2023

• Time: 7pm-9pm

• Location: Hopper & Burr, 202 W 4th St, Santa Ana, CA 92701

REGISTER FOR THE CLASS HERE