SILAS & ALIA SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCES

From July 12th through July 15th, 7 students and 1 parent chaperone joined 9 churches in the Sovereign Grace Church West Region for the West Region Youth Retreat. They gathered together for a time of worship, teaching, games, and lip-sync battles, all to the glory of God!

THANK YOU FOR PRAYING!

Our youth came back with stories of God’s goodness. This past Sunday, we heard from Silas Houlton & Alia Erkelens, regarding their experience at the retreat. Read Silas’ testimony and come away encouraged by how the Lord met him and other youth on this retreat.

The Youth Camp was a weekend full of games, and God. I liked how they made it really fun while setting the full focus on God. It had the camp experience. The theme of the camp was "Jesus is better." During the camp we had five sessions, all the sessions had announcements, worship, a sermon, and then we split up into small groups. The sermons were preached by three different pastors from three different churches. I think this camp had a big impact on me, because when I got home I found myself worshipping him more and reading the Bible more often. I’m really grateful I got to go to this camp and I’m looking foreword to next year. So if you’re looking for a great way to have the time of your life while drawing closer to God (and win a lip sync battle) consider coming to this camp!

Would this cause you to praise the Lord for how he’s raising up the next generation for his glory!

ALL CHILDREN’S MINISTRY VOLUNTEERS REQUIRED TO ATTEND ON 9/28/24 AT 9:00AM

Our mission to spread the joy of Jesus to our Santa Ana neighbors includes our very nearest neighbors: the kids of Cross of Grace Church. Each week our Children’s Ministry Team comes alongside the parents of our church to show our kids that there’s nothing better than believing in Jesus and belonging to his people. To all these volunteers we say a big “THANK YOU!” and are eager to provide this upcoming training so that you can “excel still more” (1 Thess 4:10).

Whether you’ve been actively serving in Children’s Ministry or if you’ve just recently joined, please save the date. We will announce the location soon. Pastor Jason will lead a time of equipping and encouraging and our CM Lead, Rebecca will be leading a time of practical classroom training.

Coffee, refreshments and childcare will be provided.

PLEASE RSVP HERE

JULY 29 - AUGUST 4

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 30: SUMMER PARK DAY AT SANTIAGO PARK

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

THURSDAY, AUGUST 1: FRENCH PARK RUN CLUB

• 6:30am - French Park Grass Area

FRIDAY, AUGUST 2: SMALL GROUPS

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

SUNDAY, AUGUST 4: SUNDAY GATHERING AT THE EBELL CLUB

• 10:00am - Meeting Room: Ballroom

SUNDAY, AUGUST 4: STARTING POINT

• 12:00pm - Roenicke Home

RESOURCES TO ENCOURAGE YOU ALONG THE WAY

During Sunday’s sermon, Pastor Jeff referenced John Bunyan’s classic work, “The Pilgrim’s Progress.” A book that has encouraged generation after generation of believers to press on toward heaven, fight the good fight of faith, and take heart on the journey to our forever home. Pick up one or more of these resources below and be strengthened to walk the pilgrim path.

• Young Kids - Little Pilgrim’s Big Journey (quoted in Sunday’s sermon). Ages 2 and up.

• Older Kids - Little Pilgrim’s Progress. Ages 5 and up.

• Legacy Edition - The unabridged original text, with carefully updated language in a beautiful hardcover presentation complete with illustrations.

• Paperback Edition - Same classic book at an affordable price.

“Come in, come in! Eternal glory you shall win.”

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.