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 Kara Davis & Adriana Palacios, who tied as winners of Best Dessert, Sandi Arista, 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

ENDURE HARD THINGS BY EXPECTING ETERNAL THINGS

We are people who are weary, wasting away, and in desperate need of revival. We live in a world that's groaning, filled with hard things, and longing to be made new. On Sunday, guest preacher Eric Turbedsky from our sister church in Orange offered us an eternal perspective on our present griefs. According to 2 Corinthians 4:17-18, one thing that keeps us going is the confidence that this is all going somewhere. That every hard thing we do is worth it. That the Risen Christ is at work to prepare the weary people that we are for "an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison." Expecting eternal things to come enables us to endure hard things now. So look to what is unseen, and be refreshed with the hope that one day all we'll know is revival. All things made new. All unholiness put aside. Every trace of death defeated. All sorrow turned to joy. 

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE

EVERY 2ND THURSDAY OF THE MONTH

This gathering is all about men in Christ growing as men in Christ. Every month, guys, 15 years and older, sit under the word, engage in robust discussion, and bear their brother’s burdens. Tonight the men are talking about revival. What it is, what it isn’t, and why we should want it. Join in at the Robles home in SA at 7:00 pm.

REACH OUT HERE FOR THE ADDRESS

THE BEST POTLUCK IN THE WORLD

It’s time for one of our favorite events of the year! This Sunday, 9/14, we’re celebrating our unity in the midst of our diversity by pulling together the best potluck in the world! We’ll enjoy dishes that represent our different cultures, heritages, and nationalities and rejoice that we’ve all been brought into one new family in Christ.

HOW CAN YOU PREPARE?

1. Bring a dish (main, dessert, or side) representing your culture, upbringing, or 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! Kids are welcome to join in the competition as well!

2. Join us at 4pm on Sunday, September 14th in the Schlieder backyard. Contact us here for location details.

VIEW PHOTOS FROM LAST YEAR HERE

SEPTEMBER 9 - SEPTEMBER 15

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. Below we’ve got a snapshot of what’s on the calendar this week:

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9

• Basketball in the Park

  • 6:30pm - El Camino Park

    • Reach out to Manny for more info

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11

• French Park Run Club

  • 6:30am - French Park Grass Area

• Men’s Meeting

  • 7:00pm - Robles Home

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14

• Sunday Gathering at the Ebell Club

  • 10:00am - Meeting Room: Ballroom

• Festival of Nations

  • 4:00pm - Schlieder Backyard

    • Find more details here

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 15

• The Bridge Course

  • 7:00pm - Hopper & Burr in DTSA

    • It’s not too late to invite your friends to register for Bridge!

OCTOBER 5TH @ 4PM

On October 5th, we’re commissioning the Houlton family to the ministry that awaits them at Sovereign Grace Church of Orange. Setting them apart so that our sister church would be strengthened and many more Californians would be saved.

And then, after a special service in the morning, we’ll send them off Santa Ana style!

We’re throwing it back with a good old-fashioned kickball classic. Complete with tacos, aqua frescas, a piñata, and all the cilantro Pastor Kyle can eat!

Here are the details:

• Date: 10/5/25

• Time: 4pm

• Location: Cabrillo Park in Santa Ana

• What to bring: Bring your own lawn chair/picnic blanket & your tennis shoes for kickball

Make it a point to be there as we honor these dear friends and celebrate that God is sending more laborers into the harvest.

THE SPIRIT WORKING THROUGH THE WORD

One of the chief marks of all true historical revivals - which preceded the sweet harvests of joy which followed - was a refreshed gravity regarding the holiness of God, a seriousness about spiritual things, and a soul-searching crucible in which the Church urgently cast herself upon grace. The instrument which does this heart-piercing, soul-splitting work, is none other than the word of God. And that's exactly what we see in Nehemiah 8. God at work through his word to meet the weak, weary, and self-reliant hearts of his people with conviction. Reforming and restoring them within. Refreshing them with the joy of their salvation. Preparing them to pour that joy out to those beyond. 

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE

THURSDAY AND FRIDAY AT 7PM

This week, 4 groups will meet throughout our city to share in the joy of Jesus and apply his gospel to each other’s lives. Outside of Sunday mornings, small groups are the most important moments in the life of our church. Make it a priority to attend one as we continue the Proclaim Course - a 4-part series of discussions designed to encourage and equip believers to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. This time around, we’ll be learning why evangelism is easier than we think.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT SMALL GROUPS, CLICK HERE

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6TH

We’ve got two ways you can participate in spreading the joy of Jesus to our neighbors, this Saturday, and take part in our Santa Ana mission!

• Pray for our City - 9am-12pm - Prayer Meeting at the Warm’s. This is a rich opportunity to pray for the needs of our church, the good of our neighbors, and revival in our city. Moving forward, we’re setting a rhythm of a 1st Saturday of the month prayer meeting at 9am. RSVP with Cordell & Marina.

• Speak to our City - 10am-12pm - Neighborhood Outreach in DTSA. We’re taking to the streets to give out Bridge Course invitations, strike up spiritual conversations, pray for our neighbor’s needs, and share the gospel of Jesus Christ. Meet at the Ebell Parking Lot. RSVP with Robert Lopez.

Trusting the Lord will use our ordinary efforts to do extraordinary things. Come and receive the joy of being on mission with him!

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 8, 2025 - November 10, 2025

• 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