WHENEVER GOD WANTS IT TO

Over the past few weeks, we’ve been freshly convinced that we are people in need of revival in a world that desperately needs reviving. We’re asking God to do something about it. But, what if he doesn’t answer? What if revival doesn’t come quickly enough? What if we do all this now, and nothing seems to change? Waiting is hard. But the words of Christ in Mark 4:26-32 speak into our longing and help us wait with hope. His short answer to our big question, “When will revival come?” is “Whenever God wants it to come.” There’s nothing we can do to get around waiting on him. It's all in his hands and on his timetable (Mk 4:26-29). But this isn't bad news for us! Because Jesus makes it plain that God definitely wants to bring revival (Mk 4:30-32). He desires to make our little church grow up like a big tree that can shelter countless Santa Ana neighbors under the shade of its branches.

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 this week as we continue the Proclaim Course: a 4-part series of talks and discussions designed to encourage and equip believers to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. This time around we’ll ask, “How do I become a friend of sinners?”

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT SMALL GROUPS, CLICK HERE

SEE YOU AT FRENCH PARK AT 10AM

It’s time to take our joy in Jesus on the road. This Sunday, we’ll be taking our service right into the middle of our neighborhood. We’ll seize a special opportunity to gather together in the open, sit under the shade of the tall park trees, and offer our neighbors a window into the goodness of belonging to Jesus. Complete with coffee, donuts, and pan dulce to share.

Because this service will look a little different than a normal Sunday morning, here are a few things to note:

• Children’s Ministry: We won’t be offering our regular children’s classes. Instead, kids will stay with their families during the service. To help them stay engaged, we’ll provide some simple activities to keep their hands busy while still allowing them to listen and participate.

• What to Bring: We’ll provide a number of seats. But to make sure there’s enough to go around, we encourage you to bring your lawn chairs or blankets. We’ll have coffee and treats, but you’re welcome to bring some water and anything else you need to be comfortable outdoors.

• Where to Park: Anywhere you can along French or Minter St. Additional parking can be found on Vance, Tenth, or the other surrounding streets.

We can’t wait to worship together in French Park! Mark your calendars, invite a friend, and join us for this special Sunday of celebrating Jesus in the center of our neighborhood.

SEPTEMBER 26 & SEPTEMBER 27

Next week, we're hosting a Journey of Generosity (JOG) retreat. It's a Friday - Saturday retreat led by our own Daniel Lee that's all about the joy that comes through generous living. We'll watch video stories, engage in personal Bible study, have focused solitude time before the Lord, and participate in authentic conversations with our friends. And at the end of it there won't be any financial ask of any kind! 

Here are the details:

• When: Friday, Sept 26 - Saturday, Sept 27.

  • 9/26 - 7pm-9pm with coffee and refreshments.

  • 9/27 - 9am-3pm with coffee, refreshments, and lunch. 

• Where: the Lee home.

• The event is entirely free.

• No childcare will be provided.

Your pastors got to attend one of these retreats earlier this year and we can't overstate the impact it made on us. We're jealous for you to have this experience as well. We believe the ceiling for joy in generosity is much higher than we've come to expect.

If you want to raise that ceiling, become a more grateful person, and believe even harder that “It’s more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35), then this journey is for you! Space is limited, RSVP today!

You can learn more about the JOG here.

Reach out to Pastor Jeff to RSVP or ask any questions

SEPTEMBER 16 - SEPTEMBER 22

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 16

• Basketball in the Park

  • 6:30pm - El Camino Park

    • Reach out to Manny for more info

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18

• French Park Run Club

  • 6:30am - French Park Grass Area

• Small Group

  • 7:00pm - Schlieder and Roenicke Homes

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19

• Small Group

  • 7:00pm - Houlton and Erkelens Homes

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 21

• Sunday Gathering at French Park

  • 10:00am - French Park Grass Area

    • Find more details here

• Youth Ministry

  • 6:30pm - Hopper & Burr in DTSA

    • Learn more about Youth Ministry here

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 22

• The Bridge Course

  • 7:00pm - Hopper & Burr in DTSA

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

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!