UNITY AND ITS BLESSING IN THE CHURCH

The unity of the church is not just the absence of conflict, an atmosphere of niceness, or a concept in our heads that is disconnected from our hearts. Psalm 133 tells us that it is "good and pleasant" when we live together in unity (133:1). We should be affected by this. We should be filled with joy. This psalm takes us deeper into understanding and appreciating what this joy is like. It leads us to consider what might be keeping us from enjoying all God has for us in our life together. 

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE

COME DISCUSS WITH US AT BRIDGE

Our final Bridge Course session is Monday, November 20th at 7pm. We are ending our series with a very important question: Why did Jesus have to die? What did his death accomplish? Could God have saved us any other way? We’ll explore all this and more over the course of a meal, a talk, and a conversation where every perspective is encouraged. Even if you’ve missed the previous sessions, ALL are welcome to join in as we wrestle through these big questions of life. Sign up below or invite a friend and we’ll see you on 11/20 at Hopper & Burr (202 W 4th St, Santa Ana, CA 92701).

REGISTER FOR THE CLASS HERE

SING CAROLS WITH US IN FRENCH PARK

It’s the best time of year! What better way to spread the joy of Jesus and celebrate the birth of Christ than by singing for all to hear. 

This December we’re making plans to gather together in French Park to sing carols, spread Christmas cheer, and invite our neighbors to share in the celebration with us. We’ll serve up some hot chocolate, enjoy sweet treats, and extend an invitation for our neighbors to join us at church on Christmas Eve.

SEE YOU ON December 17TH at 7pm

MAKE IT A PRIORITY TO ATTEND

Outside of Sunday mornings, small groups are the most important moment in the life of our church. It will be our last small group before our December Fallow Month. You won’t want to miss the final 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

JOIN US FOR A NIGHT OF FELLOWSHIP & FUN

Because of the Thanksgiving holiday, we’re moving our monthly Women’s Meeting up a week. This month, the ladies of CGSA will gather to share in an informal Friendsgiving fellowship night as they share in the grace of friendship. No turkeys, potatoes, or fancy dishes necessary. We’re keeping it simple. If you are able, please bring an appetizer, snack, or dessert to share as we spend the evening celebrating God’s goodness through our relationships and giving thanks to his name.

TONIGHT AT 7PM AT THE Davis HOME

NOVEMBER 13 - NOVEMBER 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, NOVEMBER 16: FRENCH PARK RUN CLUB

• 6:30 am - French Park Grass Area

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 16: WOMEN’S MEETING- FRIENDSGIVING

• 7:00 pm - Davis Home

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17: SMALL GROUPS

• 7:00 pm - Erkelens & Lee Home

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 18: Plaza Navideña TREE LIGHTING

• 5:00 pm - Plaza Calle Cuatro, Downtown Santa Ana

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 19: SUNDAY GATHERING AT THE EBELL CLUB

• 10:00 am - Meeting Room: Ballroom

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 20: THE BRIDGE COURSE

• 7:00 pm - Hopper & Burr

CHURCHES IN PARTNERSHIP

It’s here! The seventh edition of the Sovereign Grace Journal. It’s written by Sovereign Grace pastors for the pastors and members of Sovereign Grace Churches. We hope you will enjoy reading it. You can purchase a hard copy on Amazon, download the full PDF, or simply read it article by article (below).

• The Grace of Partnership (Jared Mellinger)

• Partnership Story, Care (Matt Gray)

• Why I’m Part of Sovereign Grace (Mark Prater)

• What Does Partnership Mean for Church Members? (Riley Spring)

• Philippians, Lessons in Partnership (Ben Kreps)

• Acts, Lessons in Partnership (Steve Whitacre)

• Partnership Stories, Ministry in Hard Places (Stephen Bowne)

• A Band of Brothers, Pastors United in Fellowship (Steve Teter)

• United in Governance, An Introduction to Sovereign Grace Polity (Rob Flood)

• The Value of Extra-Local Leadership (From the Working Group on Extra-Local Leadership)

• Sovereign Grace Over the Years (Mickey Connolly)

• Partnership Story, International (Roberto Estupinian)

• Of Fruit Trees and Healthy Regions (Jon Payne)

• Planting Churches Together (Ricky Alcantar)

• Partnership Story, Church Planting (Bart Lipscomb)

• The Value of Partnership in Global Missions (Leo Parris)

• Training Future Pastors (Jeff Purswell)

ATTEND THE TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY IN DOWNTOWN SANTA ANA

Grab a friend or two and head to Downtown Santa Ana this Saturday, for the annual Plaza Navideña! The event celebrates the start of the holiday season and is a way to meet our neighbors and support local businesses, as the city lights a Christmas tree right in the heart of downtown Santa Ana. This free community event is open to all with entertainment, kids crafts, and photo opportunities. The tree lighting ceremony will begin promptly at 5:30pm. Find out more information here.

WALK IN A MANNER WORTHY OF THE CALLING

As Ephesians chapter 4 begins, Paul shifts his emphasis from what God has done for us (the indicative) to how we respond to it (the imperative). In light of all God has done to make us the church and in awe of all the church is (see chs.1-3), we are called to "walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which we have been called" (4:1). The first application of this, as those who have been called to life and peace with God and each other, is the charge to fight to maintain peace within the church. The continued enjoyment of God's peace will be experienced as we make war on what causes divisions among us. Paul encourages the Ephesians & us to walk out the unity that characterizes the Church of every age. Sharing in common the seven amazing "ones" that have become ours through the one gospel which has created the Church (4:4-6). Living in a manner which is worthy and reflective of that gospel as we live together "with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love," as we strive, not against one another but together with each other, to preserve the peace that God has established with us (4:2-3).

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE

OUR PASTORAL TEAM WILL BE AWAY FOR THE WEEK

Every year our family of churches enjoys a family reunion. A time when pastors, wives, and members of Sovereign Grace Churches come together for a week of worship, fellowship, and encouragement in our shared mission. This year there are 700+ registrants from 22 different nations attending our annual gathering in Orlando. It’s sure to be a sweet time away!

As a pastoral team we say thank you for sending us! This conference is one of the highlights of our year - and this time, there are ten of us going! The Houltons, Schlieders, and Roenickes, as well as the Cunninghams and Lopezs have registered to attend. It’s a joy to attend and always makes us eager to come back and serve the church. In addition to sending us, we also ask that you please pray for us while we’re here. Throughout the week, you can pray that:

• The Lord would refresh our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Pray that we would be brought so close to the fire of the cross that the sparks would fall on our hearts and set our affections aflame for Christ.

• The Lord would use this time to equip us to serve our church well. We’re being sent by the members of our church for the members of our church. Pray that we’d come back better leaders than when we left.

• The Lord would build existing and establish new relationships among pastors and members of Sovereign Grace Churches across the globe.

• The Lord would give us moments of clarity about our local mission. Pray for the Lord to fill us with His Spirit to give us a greater longing to spread the joy of Jesus to our neighbors.

• The Lord would be with Jason as our Western Region votes to affirm his ordination to pastoral ministry. This is the final step in his long journey of being assessed and equipped to be a pastor at Cross of Grace. Pray his call to ministry would once again be affirmed and that we’d return with good news of a coming ordination service!