Here’s a snapshot of what’s going on this week:
Basketball in the Park
6:30pm - El Camino Real Park
Reach out to Manny for more info
French Park Run Club
6:30am - French Park
Women’s Potluck
6:30pm - De La Cruz home
Reach out to Taylor for more info
From July 10th - 13th, 12 students and 4 leaders from CGSA joined our sister churches in the West for the 2026 Youth Camp! They gathered together in the mountains of AZ for a time of worship, teaching, games, and lip-sync battles, all to the glory of God!
God met them in big ways! This past Sunday, we heard about Malachi’s experience at camp. Read his testimony below and be encouraged that God is at work among the next generation.
Before I went to camp I was worried about my future, super self focused, and trying to navigate relationships (mainly a relationship) from this past year. And I kept praying to God to give me peace, in the midst of all the madness in my head, but i still was worrying and facing the battle of not letting go. So I definitely had a vulnerable heart going into camp. And spending the time at camp really helped take my eyes off of the stresses and worries by just looking at God’s creation and fellowshipping.
One of my favorite moments from camp was the worship. God was showing me through worship that he loves me and that I don’t need to worry about anything. And I think a turning point for me was a sermon that was spoken on Hebrews 12. Which was talking about running the race which God has set for you. And the pastor pointed out that, "God has set a race for you, and you keep resisting because you’re not willing to let go of the past." And for me that was the relationships or even the worries about where I’m gonna end up 10 years from now. And so one note I wrote down was, “Stop clinging to what is keeping you from running to Jesus.” On my notes I wrote a list of things, people, and ideas that are hindering me from following God’s path for me and prayed for him to give me the strength to let these things go.
Coming back from camp, God ultimately showed me I don’t need to worry about anything, all I need to do is pursue Jesus in his word and find joy being in his presence.
Praise the Lord!
What do we do with all the rules we find in Exodus 20:22-23:19? A section known as the Book of the Covenant filled with words about altars, bondservants, 3,500 year old criminal codes, unruly oxen, our neighbor’s farm animals, and ancient festivals. Do we hang onto the 10 Commandments and skip over what comes next? Do we assume it doesn’t apply to us and move onto the stuff that seems less removed by time, culture, or differing places in the redemptive storyline? What do we when we come to weird, obscure, or challenging parts of our Bibles (especially the Old Testament laws)? We believe that even if there’s a sense in which these words aren’t directly spoken to us, they are absolutely spoken for us. You should receive all God’s words as words for you.
On Sunday, we took up 3 different laws in the Book of the Covenant and did just that. Considering rules regarding slavery, equity, and sexual intimacy and asking the following questions: 1) What does this law say to do? In that time back then. 2) What does this law say about God? For all time. 3) What does this law say for us? In our time, context, and place in the story on the other side of the cross and enthronement of Jesus Christ.
If you’ve been visiting Cross of Grace for any length of time and want to learn more about who we are, what we’re like, or what we believe as a church, this class is for you! Starting Point is a two-hour class designed to help you to get to know us, ask any questions you have, and take the next step in believing in Jesus and becoming part of the Cross of Grace family.
Here’s a snapshot of what’s going on this week:
Basketball in the Park
6:30pm - El Camino Real Park
Reach out to Manny for more info
French Park Run Club
6:30am - French Park
Sunday Gathering at the Ebell Club
10:00am - Sermon: The Book of the Covenant - Exodus 20:22-23:19
Starting Point
12:30pm - Schlieder Home
Learn more and sign up for Starting Point Here
On Sunday, we announced that after 5 faithful & fruitful years as our Church Administrator, Liz Madrigal would be stepping out of the role. She’ll continue serving us as a deacon, church member, dear sister, and faithful friend, but will be transitioning out of her part-time position by the end of the month. So we took a moment to honor her labor of love, pray for her as she steps into a new season of work and ministry, and hear her heart for us.
Here’s what she had to say:
When I think upon my last 5 years as Admin, I think about what a privilege it has been to serve, and be employed as the church admin, and I want to begin by simply saying “Thank You!” Thank you for praying for me, encouraging me, employing me, and allowing me to serve in this role that has meant so much to me.
Through this role I have been able to see the inner workings of our church. This has led me to really cherish our church. I got to know how HARD and with HOW MUCH CARE our Pastors shepherd the flock, and just how much they love this church as well. I have been able to see how hard the volunteers work and serve so that God may be glorified. I have seen all the behind the scenes work, and how much our little church does locally and globally to advance the mission.
I love this church and you all so much, which is why I’m not going anywhere! I’m just stepping away from this role, in faith, knowing that God is building this church and is doing something new. And if He is in it, we know it is good.
So, thank you, Church!
Amen, amen! We couldn’t agree more. God is in this, God is with us. Building his church, bringing all the right laborers into all the right positions in his harvest-field, and going before us into every new season.
God could have simply said, "No stealing," but he didn't stop there. Not only should we not take what others have, we shouldn't want it either. We shouldn't sinfully desire something that belongs to someone else. But instead, God must reign over our desires. So that we learn to be content with whatever he has given us. And, more than anything else, so that we never take for granted that we have the Lord Jesus Christ. The One who gave himself to satisfy the demands of God's Law and satisfy the deepest desires of our souls. He alone can give a people always wanting more something that is finally enough.
Starting tomorrow through July 13th, students from churches all across the West Region of Sovereign Grace will gather together for a time of worship, teaching, games, and lip-sync battles, all to the glory of God! It’ll no doubt be filled with fun and fellowship, but also with some real heart-work and spiritual growth as God meets with our youth.
This year we’re sending 12 youth and 4 adult leaders. Would you join us in praying for them as they go. Ask the Lord:
To build enduring friendships amongst students
To bring youth to saving faith or strengthen their walks with Christ
To meet them in specific ways that demonstrate the Lord’s personal care for them
To use the speakers, teachers, and adult leaders to minister powerfully to the next generation of our family of churches
To plant desires for pastoral ministry, missions, and service to the church in their hearts
To impress upon our young people that there’s nothing better than living for Jesus
On July 26th, we’re sending the Lopez family off to the Sovereign Grace Pastor’s College. We’ll hear the gospel preached by Robert and then commission these dear friends for a year of training, growing, and living life in Louisville, Kentucky.
After a special service in the morning, we’ll gather in the Madrigal Backyard and send them off in style! We’ll dig into a BBQ feast to give them a head-start on all the country living that awaits them.
Here are the details:
Date: Sunday, 7/26/26
Time: 1pm (early arrivals ok)
Location: Madrigal Backyard in Santa Ana
What to bring: Sign up here for ways to contribute to the BBQ feast.
Make it a point to be there as we honor these dear friends and celebrate that God is raising up more pastors among us.
Here’s a snapshot of what’s going on this week:
Basketball in the Park
6:30pm - El Camino Real Park
Reach out to Manny for more info
Men’s BBQ
6:30pm - Lee Home
Reach out to Daniel for more info
French Park Run Club
6:30am - French Park
Youth Camp
Pray for our students & leaders as they go!
Sunday Gathering at the Ebell Club
10:00am - Sermon: Exodus 20:17 - The 10th Commandment
