INVITE YOUR FRIENDS TO EXPLORE THE CHRISTIAN FAITH

Our mission is to spread the joy of Jesus to our Santa Ana neighbors. One of the ways we advance this mission is through The Bridge Course. A class we offer each fall that creates a context for our neighbors who are skeptical, seeking, unsure of what they believe, or are brand new to the Christian faith to come and have honest conversations about the most important questions in life. Over the course of 10 weeks, we’ll share meals, build relationships, and learn how the Bible answers those big questions.

Know someone who is looking for answers? Isn’t sure what they believe? Has doubts about Christianity or is investigating the faith? Bring them to Bridge! The course is entirely free. No homework or preparation needed. And your guests will never be pressured to participate more than they’re comfortable. It’s a safe place to explore the Christian faith and enjoy community along the way.

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

Bridge is starting soon! So don’t wait, invite your friends & neighbors today!

SHARE THE REGISTRATION LINK

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE ODA FAMILY

“Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward” (Ps 127:3). Children are a blessing from the Lord and we’ve recently had the joy of coming alongside Jared and Tracie to celebrate the blessing of baby Emi! We thank God for another healthy baby who will grow up surrounded by the community of his church.

Please join us as we continue to pray for the Odas as they move from being a family of 2 to a family of 3! Asking for God’s grace and guidance as they navigate life with a newborn and raise up their daughter in the ways of the Lord.

THERE IS NO SMALL GROUP THIS WEEK

This Friday is a 5th Friday, which means small groups won’t be meeting together.

USE THE OPPORTUNITY OF A FREE FRIDAY

It also means that it’s an extra free night to spend time with your neighbors! Who can you invite over for dinner? Maybe text a few people and head down to Downtown Santa Ana. Have a game night with friends from work and friends from church. Host a movie night in your neighborhood. Use this extra Friday as an extra opportunity to spend time together.

AUGUST 26 - SEPTEMBER 1

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 29: FRENCH PARK RUN CLUB

• 6:30am - French Park Grass Area

SATURDAY, AUGUST 31: NEIGHBORHOOD OUTREACH

• 9:45am - Ebell Parking Lot

  • Reach out to Robert Lopez to RSVP & get all the details

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1: SUNDAY GATHERING AT THE EBELL CLUB

• 10:00am - Meeting Room: Ballroom

THE SERVANT OF THE LORD

To a people tempted to believe God had been beaten, a champion is revealed: The Servant of the Lord. One who would come out of Israel in order to fulfill everything that Israel was meant to be. The people as a whole had been called to be God's servant (Is 40:8-10, 42:18-19, 44:1-4, 21, 45:4). Chosen to live in the goodness of his presence, keep his law without compromise, and shine forth his beauty to all the world. But they'd failed in their task and the nations had come to Zion not out of devotion to their God but for the destruction and discipline of his compromised people. Into this failure, there is one from Israel given "to bring Jacob back..and that Israel might be gathered to him" (49:5). Though he is not esteemed in the eyes of men (49:4, 7), he is honored in the sight of God because he trusts unreservedly in him (49:5). This one will be raised up, exalted, and shine forth "as a light to the nations" extending God's saving reign "to the end of the earth" (49:6). 

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 last 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.

This time around the ladies of Cross of Grace will be gathering at the Lee’s home. See you tonight for encouraging testimonies and a buffet of finger foods!

CONTACT US HERE FOR LOCATION DETAILS

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