On Sunday guest preacher Nate McLaurin shared from Psalm 40. He reminded us that waiting on God is not passive, it’s earnest and intense. We wrestle against the temptation to doubt God’s timely provision and His sure promises. But if we wait, we will experience a great joy in our deliverance that is drawn from the deep well of despair.
Our next Intro Course is happening this Sunday, April 7th from 12:30pm-2:30pm.
The Intro Course is the perfect next step for those interested in learning more about Sovereign Grace Church. The class is led by a pastor and hosted in their home. Lunch and childcare are provided.
Any and every guest of Sovereign Grace Church. Whether you've attended for 1 Sunday or 100 Sundays. Whether you're a Christian or not. Whether you want to join as a member or have no idea what membership is.
It's a place to explore, learn, and ask questions.
It’s not too late to sign up, but we need you to hit the link below and register right away.
Easter Sunday is coming up on April 21. For the first time ever we’re putting together an Easter choir. You’re invited to join us!
All we require is that:
You love to sing (we welcome singers of all skill levels)
You can commit to a rehearsal on Saturday 4/20 at 7:00pm
You can arrive by 8:30am on Easter Sunday to get ready
If you meet those requirements, then fill out the interest form and we will be in touch.
We’re at Hart Park every Tuesday afternoon to let the kids run wild. Everyone's invited. Moments like these give our friendships an opportunity to grow.
Check for updates on our after-school play group Facebook page.
Do you shop on Amazon? If so, Amazon will send 0.5% of your qualifying purchases to our Opportunity Fund. It doesn't cost you anything. You just designate our church and use smile.amazon.com.
Our Opportunity Fund is used for strategic projects intended to extend and expand our ministry: church planting, future leader development, new facilities, and global missions.
This year we’ve challenged you to memorize the 12 Bible Verses Every Californian Needs to Know.
If you missed out on the first three months, we’re instituting a grace period. You can jump in now and still get credit for the whole year. Think of it like the Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard.
For memorizing, we recommend you read the verse 10 times then recite it 10 times. Do this each day and within a few days it will stick. Learn more about how to memorize Scripture here and here.
Once you have it memorized, recite it for us before the month is over. You have two options:
Record a video and send it to info@sovgraceoc.org. You’re on the honor system, but make sure to keep your eyes on the camera the whole time.
OR
Head to our Welcome Desk on a Sunday morning and recite it to one of the Connect Team members. After you do, send an email to info@sovgraceoc.org letting us know which Connect Team member you recited it to.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
In Sunday’s sermon Pastor Eric quoted R.C. Sproul from the video above discussing the severity of the curse on Adam and Eve.
Sproul has had a profound impact on our thinking about God. If you want to get to know him, the books below are a great place to start.
The Holiness of God
”When we understand the character of God, when we grasp something of His holiness, then we begin to understand the radical character of our sin and hopelessness. Helpless sinners can survive only by grace. Our strength is futile in itself; we are spiritually impotent without the assistance of a merciful God. We may dislike giving our attention to God's wrath and justice, but until we incline ourselves to these aspects of God's nature, we will never appreciate what has been wrought for us by grace.”
Knowing Scripture
”I can’t make the Bible come alive for anyone. The Bible is already alive. It makes me come alive.”
Everyone’s a Theologian
”The purpose of theology is not to tickle our intellects but to instruct us in the ways of God, so that we can grow up into maturity and fullness of obedience to Him. That is why we engage in theology.”
Ladies, it’s not too late to join in!
We’ve pushed back the deadline to give you more time, but we need you to act immediately. New registration deadline is Friday 4/5/2019.
We encourage all ladies set aside the time and make it for the whole retreat. However, we recognize that’s not always possible. We are offering partial and day passes. The options are all on the registration page.
Women age 16 and older from inside and outside the church are invited. Carpooling and financial assistance are available.