TAKE HEART ALONG THE WAY

Isaiah 25-27 was a glimpse of heaven. Chapter 35 is the journey to get there. A pilgrimage that begins in the desert and ends in a garden. But on the way to anywhere worth going, we wonder if it’s worth getting there - especially when we're walking through the wilderness! Traveling through the inhospitable desert of our current cultural moment where it's harder than ever to be an ordinary Christian. It would be far easier to abandon Christ and go back to Egypt. To give up on the Promised Land we’re headed toward and live like this life and this world is all there is. To become overcome with doubt whether we'll make it to the destination after all. To become distracted by the troubles that we face and lose sight of where we’re going. Isaiah 35 assures the "anxious heart," stuck in the thick of the wilderness and scurrying about with all these thoughts, that we have a King who will surely bring us home, we won’t be disappointed when we get there, and can enjoy the journey all along the way.

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE

LADIES, SEE YOU AT 6:30PM

Every summer, our women’s ministry takes a break from its usual monthly meetings to enjoy a series of potlucks. For the second time this summer, the ladies of our church will gather together to share meals and stories of God’s grace. This is a great event to invite your friends, especially friends who aren’t sure what they believe, don’t attend church, or are new to the faith.

Each potluck is hosted at a different member’s household. This time around the ladies of Cross of Grace will be gathering at the Davis home. See you tonight for encouraging testimonies and a buffet of Indian foods!

CONTACT US HERE FOR LOCATION DETAILS

JULY 22 - JULY 28

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:

TUESDAY, JULY 23: SUMMER PARK DAY AT SANTIAGO PARK

• 10:00am - Santiago Park (600 E Memory Lane, Santa Ana)

THURSDAY, JULY 25: FRENCH PARK RUN CLUB

• 6:30am - French Park Grass Area

THURSDAY, JULY 25: WOMEN’S SUMMER POTLUCK

• 6:30pm - Davis’ Home

SUNDAY, JULY 28: SUNDAY GATHERING AT THE EBELL CLUB

• 10:00am - Meeting Room: Ballroom

TURNING TO GOD IS ALWAYS THE RIGHT DECISION

Isaiah 30-31 proclaims, “Don’t go down to Egypt!” Here’s the running logic of the book: In chapters 13-23, the nations are under judgement for their compromise. In Isaiah 14, we learn that the nations are empowered by the Original Compromiser - Satan himself. Therefore, in chapters 30-31, we emphatically conclude - SO DON’T TRUST IN THE NATIONS! Yet, the people of Judah compound their compromise, “add sin to sin,” and look to Egypt to find safety from the incoming Assyrian army. In so doing, they are foolishly and tragically “undoing” the exodus and recreating the captivity of old! This should be unthinkable, but if we’re honest, we do the same kind of thing when we’re under pressure and beginning to experience the consequences of our compromise. We find ourselves in situations where we indulge in sin and give into the backslide, seek counselors who will only tell us what we what to hear, and look in vain to idols of all kinds instead of the God who is our only hope. But even as we persist in pursuing our own personal “Egypt,” God patiently waits to be gracious to those who’ve doubled-down in their sin.

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE

GRAB SOME FRIENDS AND ENJOY A MOVIE WITH OUR NEIGHBORS

Summer is in full swing and so are all the summer activities! These movie nights are a great way to spend time together in the midst of our neighbors. Pick a night (or a few!) and make plans to go into the city this summer!

Each event will feature a screening of a family-friendly movie with free popcorn available while supplies last. You can expect food trucks, jumpers, and other themed activities as well. Arrive early to find parking and pick your spot & bring your own lawn chairs, blankets, and picnic supplies.

Movies in the park will end on Friday, July 26th, so make plans to join a friend or two in the park. For a list of movies and parks, click here.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 4 AT THE ROENICKE HOME

The church is like a body with many members (1 Cor. 12:12). Our lives are connected. We need one another. Church membership is our way of ensuring everyone who belongs to our congregation enjoys the benefits and privileges of being a part of Cross of Grace Church.

We want to make it simple for anyone interested in becoming a member of Cross of Grace Church to pursue the process. If you’ve been visiting for any length of time, this class is for you. We invite you to join us for one two-hour class on a Sunday afternoon immediately following our worship service. You’ll receive an introduction to what we believe and how those beliefs shape our life together as a church and have the opportunity to ask any questions you have. Lunch and childcare are provided.

If you are interested in this class, register here.

JULY 15 - JULY 21

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:

TUESDAY, JULY 16: SUMMER PARK DAY AT SANTIAGO PARK

• 10:00am - Santiago Park (600 E Memory Lane, Santa Ana)

THURSDAY, JULY 18: FRENCH PARK RUN CLUB

• 6:30am - French Park Grass Area

SUNDAY, JULY 21: SUNDAY GATHERING AT THE EBELL CLUB

• 10:00am - Meeting Room: Ballroom

JESUS CHRIST WILL DELIVER HIS PEOPLE

The pressure to compromise that comes from without is not only fueled by nations, peoples, and cultures that oppose God, but spiritual rebellion. The pressure out there is a pressure that comes from earth and heaven. Satan, the Original Compromiser – the very first creature who was not willing to receive God’s ideal for him – tempts the world to compromise just as he did and does. But on that day, he will be defeated. Predicted in Genesis 3, awaited by Isaiah’s generation, and received by us in the Messiah, the Branch, the Suffering Servant himself, Jesus Christ will cast him down and deliver His people from the original compromiser forever. As a result, we can be happy warriors! Satan is real and he’s really at work in a time when it’s harder than ever to be an ordinary Christian. But Christ is greater.

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE

BRING A FRIEND AND NOTE AN EARLIER START TIME OF 6:30 PM

In lieu of Men’s Meeting this July, the men will be gathering together for a Men’s BBQ tonight. They’ll be sharing meals and stories of God’s grace. This is a great event to invite your friends, especially friends who aren’t Christians, don’t attend church, or are new Christians.

CONTACT US HERE FOR LOCATION DETAILS

JULY 12-15, 2024 PRESCOTT, ARIZONA

Starting tomorrow through July 15th, students from all 9 churches in the Sovereign Grace Church West Region will gather together for a time of worship, teaching, games, and lip-sync battles, all to the glory of God!

In our church alone, there will be 6 youth going and Kelsey Houlton will be chaperoning! Would you join us in praying for all the youth and leaders that are attending.

WATCH LAST YEAR’S RECAP VIDEO HERE