WE ARE ONE BODY, MEMBERS ONE OF ANOTHER

In Ephesians 4:25, Paul says that we are one body, yet “members one of another.” Church membership is so much more “membership in a club,” it’s a sincere expression of commitment to the people around you. The Bible is full of “one anothers” - commands toward believers to act in godliness toward other people. What Scripture makes clear is that these “others” refer to a specific group of people and not all people generally. These others are the men and women identified in a particular local church. As members of Cross of Grace Santa Ana, we have the privilege of living out the Christian life with one another. We celebrate and grieve with one another. We build deep relationship with one another. We join arms to advance the joy of Jesus in a particular neighborhood with one another. We help one another pursue holiness. We remind one another of the sweetness of the gospel.

In light of this, we praise God for the new members, Lana Chea, Cordell & Marina Warm, we had the joy of introducing this last Sunday. Be encouraged by what new member, Lana, had to share with us during the new member testimony:

I grew up attending church, but it was not until college that I began to ask what I truly believe. Through church and college friends, I became a believer and became active in college ministry.

However, a few years after college, I started to feel a lack of genuine community, despite my regular church attendance. Just as I was about to search for a new church, the pandemic struck, which made it difficult to get to know a church. After visiting several churches in Orange County, I found that few met my three primary criteria: Christ-centered and practical preaching, the Word lived out, and a genuine community.

Cross of Grace met all these criteria. In fact, from my very first visit, I knew Cross of Grace would be my new church home. I recall chatting with Jared and Tracie Oda both before and after the service. They even invited me to join them and several others for lunch, and to my surprise, I agreed. I’ve had the privilege of attending small groups and one-on-one hang outs, and I am continually amazed by everyone’s heart for the Lord. I thank God and each of you at Cross of Grace for welcoming me. It’s evident that the Lord is doing a good work in me and through each person at this church. I look forward to serving the Santa Ana community alongside my brothers and sisters and contributing to the church.

We look forward to joining our new members in spreading the joy of Jesus in Downtown Santa Ana!

A CELEBRATION OF UNITY

This Sunday we had our annual Festival of Nations celebration! It was a celebration of the beauty of unity in diversity in and through Christ Jesus. On the same weekend many in our city celebrated Dia De La Independencia, we celebrated our shared dependence on Christ. The One who has reconciled us to God and torn down the dividing wall of hostility that once separated us from each other. In him, our languages, cultures, and heritages are no longer things that keep us apart and at odds, but good gifts from God to be enjoyed as we live out our lives as one new family. Congratulations to Jennifer Williams, winner of Best Dessert, Silas Houlton, winner of Best Kids Dish and Brianna Rivera, winner of Best in the World!

Relive the event by visiting our shared photo album linked below. Add your own photos and comment on your favorites!

VIEW SHARED ALBUM HERE

AN UNCOMPROMISINGLY EFFECTIVE WORD

Isaiah 53 foretold the saving work of the Suffering Servant. Isaiah 54 announced God's unbreakable promise of uncompromising love in the New Covenant. Chapter 55 answers the question, “But who’s invited to receive the benefits of the Servant’s death and enter into blessings of the covenant?” In this chapter, God throws the greatest party ever. An abundant banquet and soul-satisfying feast. But what kind of people will he fill the room with? Contrary to what we might expect, he calls the thirsty, broke, tired, and compromised through sin to “come” and enter in! To “buy and eat” “without money and without price.” He welcomes the people of Israel and all the nations of the world to “run to” his Risen and Exalted King - who in his death has paid our cost of entry and satisfied the banquet price. To quit their striving to be the “right kind” of person to earn a seat at the table. To stop spending their money, time, and life laboring after that which will never satisfy. To turn from their sin and turn to Jesus Christ - the One who’s paid the price. The King who extends this uncompromisingly free offer and guarantees it through his uncompromisingly powerful word. Just as the rain falls from the heavens and causes the earth to spring forth with fruit, so his word will accomplish what it was sent forth to do. He will not fail to make good on his promise, to extend forgiveness, and bring the dead to life. As a church, would we trust that God’s word will do the work: to make us more and more like the Glorious Host of that great party, and bring our neighbors into the celebration as well.

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.

CHRIST IS BUILDING HIS CHURCH

This upcoming Sunday, we have the privilege of welcoming new members into our midst. These are people who have committed to participating in the life of the church and performing the “one anothers” of Scripture with this local body of Christ. They’re also individuals whom we, as a church, commit to do the same with and for. We praise God for his grace and the advancement of his gospel in Santa Ana.

A CELEBRATION OF OUR UNITY IN THE MIDST OF OUR DIVERSITY

This 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 or cultural background. 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.

SEPTEMBER 10 - SEPTEMBER 16

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, SEPTEMBER 12: FRENCH PARK RUN CLUB

• 6:30am - French Park Grass Area

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12: MEN’S MEETING

• 7:00pm - Hopper & Burr (202 W Fourth St, Santa Ana 92701)

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15: SUNDAY GATHERING & NEW MEMBER SUNDAY AT THE EBELL CLUB

• 10:00am - Meeting Room: Ballroom

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15: FESTIVAL OF NATIONS

• 4:00pm - Madrigal Home

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16: THE BRIDGE COURSE

• 7:00pm - Hopper & Burr (202 W Fourth St, Santa Ana 92701)

  • Registration is open through the course - invite a friend anytime!

MAKE YOUR WAY DOWNTOWN THIS WEEKEND

On September 14 and 15 the city of Santa Ana is putting on the Fiestas Patrias festival recognizing Hispanic and Latino culture and marking the independence of various Latin American countries. There will be street fair festivities that include live music, food, cultural exhibitors, carnival rides, and more! The event takes place from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. each day on 4th Street in Downtown Santa Ana. Grab a friend and enjoy some time in this vibrant city the Lord has called us to.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE EVENT DETAILS

THE COVENANT OF PEACE

Isaiah 53 takes us into the depths of God’s love - that he’d crush his Son for us. But right on its heels, Isaiah 54 confronts us in the depths of our doubts that this is truly God’s heart. Because we know we don't deserve this love. We see ourselves in the people of Judah, portrayed in this chapter as an estranged wife. Separated and sent away on account of her compromise and unfaithfulness. With no children to show of her union. She’s empty. She’s ashamed. She can produce no reason as to why God should take her back. To one such as this, and to sinners just like us, the prophet declares that God's words of comfort are no empty words, but a sacred and solemn oath he'd never fail to keep. Amazingly, to the very one who'd broken her vows, he makes an unbreakable promise of uncompromising love. What Isaiah calls the "covenant of peace," (54:10) - a new and better covenant that God's people could never break. One that would be sealed by the very blood of the Suffering Servant when he gave his life upon the cross (Mt 26:28; 1 Cor 11:25; Heb 8:6-12). We rest in the good news that God does not love us because we are lovely, but because he is so gloriously loving. We don't deserve it, but it's better this way. Because if we can't earn it, we can't lose it.

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE

JOIN US FOR SMALL GROUP AT 7PM

Small groups continue every 1st & 3rd Friday of the month and make up 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