MEET AT THE EBELL PARKING LOT AT 9:45AM

“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news” (Romans 10:15).

On Saturday, August 31st, we’re going into our French Park neighborhood and DTSA to have spiritual conversations with our neighbors. Taking the initiative to get to know them, asking how we might pray for them, inviting them to church or the Bridge Course, and, most of all, sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Love to do this sort of thing? Come on down! Scared to do this kind of thing? Then come on down as well! We’re expecting that the Lord will meet us and use us to extend his welcome to our neighbors in a way that takes our very ordinary efforts and blesses them in extraordinary ways. You’re invited to grow more confident in striking up spiritual conversations, learn from your brothers and sisters as you watch them reaching out, and watch God “paint our city blue,” one blade of grass at a time.

We’ll meet at the Ebell parking lot at 9:45am to pray before we go out. We’ll wrap up around noon at Hidden House for a quick debrief.

Please reach out to Robert Lopez if you have any questions.

A CELEBRATION OF OUR UNITY IN CHRIST IN THE MIDST OF OUR DIVERSITY

On Sunday, September 15th, we’ll be hosting our annual “Festival of Nations” celebration. Coinciding with Fiestas Patrias and Dia De La Independencia, we’ll celebrate what God has built in our church through the gospel - a gathering of people from 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. Join us at 4pm on Sunday, September 15th in the Madrigal backyard.

AUGUST 19 - AUGUST 25

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 22: FRENCH PARK RUN CLUB

• 6:30am - French Park Grass Area

THURSDAY, AUGUST 22: WOMEN’S SUMMER POTLUCKS

• 6:30pm - Lee Home

SUNDAY, AUGUST 25: SUNDAY GATHERING AT THE EBELL CLUB

• 10:00am - Meeting Room: Ballroom

GOD ALONE IS WORTHY OF OUR TRUST

Judah is captive in Babylon; life is out of control. It seems like the gods of the nations have won. Like YHWH, the God of Israel, the True and Living God, is not only far off and hidden, but perhaps even defeated and irrelevant. The idols which represent the gods of Babylon can appear to be more present, tangible, and real to a people longing for comfort and deliverance but growing weary of waiting. In our day, we may not be tempted to trust in man-made statues, images, or carvings to bring us comfort and help. But make no mistake, our hearts are just as prone to cling to and confide in that which is not God. Turning a good thing into an ultimate thing. Making messiahs out of mere men. Trusting in self-care routines or looking to numbing distractions to bring us peace. Drawn to find our most fundamental identity in perceived ethnic or cultural superiority, instead of in the Son of God. Relying on our work, our stuff, our money, or our abilities to deliver us from the difficulties that we face. In these moments where idols of every kind seem more present to us than God, Isaiah grabs us by the shoulders and shouts at the top of his lungs: "God alone is worthy of your trust! Only he can be counted on to meet you in the moments of collapse and bring you out of captivity. Because, he alone is: the Creator of heaven and earth, the Redeemer of all mankind, and Author of all history.” 

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE

CHECK OUT A DETAILED OUTLINE OF ISAIAH 41-48 HERE

A CLASS BY OUR CHURCH FOR OUR NEIGHBORS

Each fall we host The Bridge Course. A 10-week opportunity to explore the Christian faith, wrestle with the big questions of life, and build relationships with our neighbors. 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 participants can share what they believe, ask any questions they have, or just sit back and listen. No one will be called upon, pressured to talk, or forced to believe anything. Click here to learn more about how it works.

Why Bridge?

Because the course creates a context for us to bless and befriend our neighbors, show them the joy we have in Jesus, and invite them to receive it for themselves. How great is that! Our goal is that each of us would invite at least one neighbor, family member, co-worker, or friend who is not yet a Christian, not sure what they believe, or is new to the faith and looking to learn more to join in. Who will you bring to Bridge? Start thinking and praying of who this will be and send them the registration link below.

HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

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: Mondays from September 9, 2024 - November 11, 2024

• Time: 7pm-9pm

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

How can I participate?

• Take the class yourself, have your questions answered, and be strengthened in your faith

• Invite someone to Bridge (and attend the course with them!)

• Volunteer to serve with the class

REGISTER FOR THE CLASS HERE

SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER HERE

JOIN US FOR SMALL GROUP AT 7PM

Small groups continue every 1st & 3rd Friday of the month and comprise the most important moments in the life of our church, outside of Sunday mornings. Make it a priority to attend one of the three groups meeting throughout the city this week in order to share in the joy of Jesus, care for one another, and apply the gospel to each other’s lives. We’re confident you’ll come away encouraged.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT SMALL GROUPS, CLICK HERE

AUGUST 12 - AUGUST 18

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, AUGUST 13: FINAL SUMMER PARK DAY AT SANTIAGO PARK

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

THURSDAY, AUGUST 15: FRENCH PARK RUN CLUB

• 6:30am - French Park Grass Area

FRIDAY, AUGUST 16: SMALL GROUPS

• 7:00pm - Houlton, Lee, & Erkelens Homes

SUNDAY, AUGUST 18: SUNDAY GATHERING AT THE EBELL CLUB

• 10:00am - Meeting Room: Ballroom

KNOWING GOD

On July 12, our friends at Sovereign Grace Music officially released their latest album, “Knowing God.” This album was inspired by and written to reflect the riches of the J.I. Packer must-read, Knowing God. The book, which recently celebrated its 50th anniversary, is the ultimate result of a series of articles written by Packer in 1973 that has influenced and inspired Christians since its creation. Sovereign Grace Music has carefully crafted each song on the album to help us worship God and know God better. As they shared on their website, “Sovereign Grace Music exists to write songs that are theologically driven, Christ-exalting, congregationally accessible, and artistically fresh. Packer’s book was a perfect vehicle to bring all those elements together in one place.”

Listen to it today and get ready to sing along to some new songs on Sunday mornings. Check it out on Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube. For more resources from Sovereign Grace Music (lyrics, charts, videos, and more) visit soveriegngracemusic.com.

GOD REMAINS FAITHFUL

Just as predicted in Isaiah 39:5-7, the total collapse came. Everything fell apart because of Judah’s unfaithfulness and they find themselves in exile. Despairing, hopeless, and far from home and wondering if God is done with them. Into all this, God speaks a word of comfort. He’s never abandoned his people, and he never will. Judgment won’t have the last word. He stands ready and willing to comfort his people and bring them home again. Isaiah 40 comes to us as the good news of God's unfailing comfort in the midst of our catastrophic experiences of collapse - whatever they may look like. The times when we give up and stop running along the King's path. When we believe we're beyond restoration. When we've lost hope. When we've been crying out on the side of the road but it seems God has hidden his face and forgotten us. In all these moments and more, we take heart that even as we may collapse, the King’s path never does. Even as we grow weary, God never does. Even as we compromise and collapse, God will never compromise on his commitment to his people.

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE

ALL GUYS 15 AND OLDER ARE ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND

Every second Thursday of the month, 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 Hopper & Burr (202 W 4th St, Santa Ana, CA 92701) at 7:00 pm.