Music is an important and beautiful way that God plants His truth deep in our minds and hearts. That's why we love singing and why we pay special attention to what we sing.

We want to love God and teach ourselves truth through the songs we sing.

As we introduce a new song this week, may the unsearchable riches of God's grace, shown to us in Jesus Christ, thrill our hearts.

Listen to the song and come ready to join us in singing it on Sunday.

IN TENDERNESS

Verse 1
In tenderness He sought me
Weary and sick with sin
And on His shoulders brought me
Back to His fold again
While angels in His presence sang
Until the courts of heaven rang

Chorus
O - o - oh the love that sought me!
O - o - oh the blood that bought me!
Oh the grace that brought me to the fold of God
Grace that brought me to the fold of God

Verse 2
He died for me while I was sinning
Needy and poor and blind
He whispered to assure me:
"I've found thee, thou art Mine"
I never heard a sweeter voice
It made my aching heart rejoice

Verse 3
Upon His grace I'll daily ponder
And sing anew His praise
With all adoring wonder
His blessings I'll retrace
It seems as if eternal days
Are far too short to sing His praise

This Sunday, we introduce a new song for our congregation: Psalm 62. Listen above so that you are ready to sing along!

PSALM 62

Verse 1
My soul finds rest in God alone
My rock and my salvation
A fortress strong against my foes
And I will not be shaken
Though lips may bless and hearts may curse
And lies like arrows pierce me
I'll fix my heart on righteousness
I'll look to Him who hears me

Chorus
O praise Him, "Hallelujah!"
My Delight and my Reward
Everlasting, never failing
My Redeemer, my God

Verse 2
Find rest my soul in God alone
Amid the world's temptations
When evil seeks to take a hold
I'll cling to my salvation
Though riches come and riches go
Don't set your heart upon them
The fields of hope in which I sow
Are harvested in heaven

Verse 3
I'll set my gaze on God alone
And trust in Him completely
With ev'ry day pour out my soul
And He will prove His mercy
Though life is but a fleeting breath
A sigh too deep to measure
My King has crushed the curse of death
And I am His forever

Bridge
O praise Him, O praise Him
Hallelujah, hallelujah
O praise Him, O praise Him
Hallelujah, hallelujah
O praise Him, O praise Him
Hallelujah, hallelujah

Nate has completed a 1-year program to be trained to lead worship.

Nate served as our first Worship Leader Apprentice and his 1-year term has come to an end. We have all watched Nate grow in his ability and capacity to lead and are excited to let you know that he will continue serving as a worship leader! When you see Nate, thank him for the work he put in as he was trained.

We are also thrilled to announce that Mike will be our next Worship Leader Apprentice!

A few things for you, Sovereign Grace Church:

1. As you see Mike leading, encourage and pray for him.
    
2. Pray also that God would bring us more musicians who want to be trained to lead. We want to see churches singing gospel-centered songs all over Orange County! We will need more trained and equipped worship leaders in order for this to happen.
    
3. Consider if God might be calling you to serve in this capacity. We are looking for people who want to be trained. If you are interested, email Dustin Smetona.

On Sunday, Pastor Lucas preached from Genesis 45 & 50. God used evil for the greatest good mankind will ever know - the evil, wicked, sinful murder of Jesus - so that men and women might one day forever be saved from the evil and sin we encounter in this world. 

We have a good God.

At the cross, God used evil to destroy sin, for our good and the glory of Christ. God in the flesh came to earth to live in this world and experience the evil you and I face every day. He came to be sinned against. He came to die a death that every evil man, woman and child deserves. This was God’s plan, and it was good.

Listen to the Sermon.

RESOURCES FOR FURTHER STUDY

• Spectacular Sins: And Their Global Purpose in the Glory of Christ by John Piper (Book)
• God and Evil: The Problem Solved by Gordon Clark (Book)
• The Problem of Evil by Vincent Cheung (Article)

On Sunday, Pastor Lucas preached from John 20:24-31. We often want to see in order to believe. But everyone will need to believe without seeing. They will need to believe without touching. They will need to believe without any physical evidence. They will believe simply on the basis of the testimony of the Scriptures. You and I can believe in Jesus without seeing, because men and women have seen and believed.

You may never get the evidence you want, but you will always have the Savior you need. 

Listen to the Sermon.

RESOURCES FOR FURTHER STUDY

• The Absurdity of Unbelief by Jeffrey D. Johnson (Book)
• The Universe Next Door by James W. Sire (Book)
• Answers in Genesis (Website)

The church didn't begin 5 years ago in Old Town Orange. Something happened long before Sovereign Grace hit the ground in Orange County. Our Sunday School will use the next seven weeks to answer the question: "How did we get here?"

7 church Councils that shape what we believe

Sunday School is where we actively read our bibles together, learn together, and mature together. We meet every Sunday prior to our service in the Woman's Club garden from 9:30-10:15AM.

Sunday School 9:30am

You are not yet home.

Christians are exiles, pilgrims. This world, in its current state, is not our home. We long for the new heavens and new earth God has promised.

This Sunday we sing a new song to help remind us of that promise. Listen above and check out the lyrics below.

ON JORDAN'S STORMY BANKS

VERSE 1
On Jordan's stormy banks I stand
And cast a wishful eye
To Canaan's fair and happy land
Where my possessions lie

VERSE 2
All o'er those wide extended plains
Shines one eternal day
There God the Son forever reigns
And scatters night away

CHORUS
I am bound (I am bound) 
I am bound (I am bound) 
I am bound for the promised land
I am bound (I am bound) 
I am bound (I am bound) 
I am bound for the promised land

VERSE 3
No chilling winds nor poisonous breath
Can reach that healthful shore
Sickness, sorrow, pain and death
Are felt and feared no more

VERSE 4
When shall I reach that happy place
And be forever blessed?
When shall I see my Father's face
And in His bosom rest?

Last Sunday we welcomed Sophia as a new member of our church. 

Here is what she shared:

One thing that I love and appreciate about this church is how welcoming everybody is: I felt like family. I was anxious about moving and leaving my family and friends but I wasn’t homesick at all. Some of you showed love inviting us to your house, taking time to ask me how I was, if I was missing Brazil or if I was adjusting well, some took me to supermarkets to teach me how to shop, some helped us keeping me busy because they knew I couldn’t work. Some friends gave us furniture and things for the house, or maybe just sent us messages offering help, some blessing us with babysitting jobs, which we really appreciate. And I could list a thousand other things that make me feel the love of Christ through this church. 

I also love to see how everybody here is interested in studying the bible in a deep way, how you love to talk about theology and Christian life, how you are committed to a small group and the church in general. I love the ladies group, how we share and help each other in many different ways. It really encourages me, and I can see God working in you through all that. 

It is a pleasure to become part of this church and part of what God is doing in you and through you. We would love to stay here for many and many years, but - for those who don’t know we are not Americans- our future here is uncertain. We know who holds our future and we know he knows what is best for us. We are super glad to be here now and for sharing life with you as long as he wants us to. Thank you so much for loving us and showing Christ’s love.