Disciples who steward their money to be generous for God’s glory

Every year, a couple in our church leads a Money Management Class. And every year it bears wonderful fruit in the lives of those who participate.

On Sunday, we heard from Jo and Karissa Le about how the Lord met them this year. Here’s what they shared:

Not long after attending Sovereign Grace, we were encouraged by a number of people to consider the financial management class led by Les and Sue Card. We were blessed by their hospitality, wisdom, and personal experience with finances.

One of the big reminders the class impressed upon us is that God really owns everything. Psalm 24 says, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him. For he laid the earth’s foundation on the seas and built it on the ocean depths.” The Lord is the Creator of all things, including us, so we know that He will provide. When we understand that the things we have come from God, the way we treat money, possessions, and time spurs us to become faithful stewards. The program included a set of financial goals: pay off debt, save emergency funds, invest. All with the ultimate goal to give more, so that as we are better stewards with God’s things, we are able to give generously.

Secondly, we learned that the way we handle money reflects what we believe about God. It can show our faith, hope, or confidence as much as our fear, doubt, or worry. Looking at how we handled our finances, we were convicted to see such tangible decisions point to things we hold close in our hearts.

God gave us this opportunity at just the right time, as we embarked on one of the biggest financial decisions of our lives - the purchase of a house. The concepts we learned, such as tracking expenses, building a budget and setting an emergency fund, helped prepare us for this new season.

Not only was it a class, it was an opportunity for us to get to know and grow alongside members of the church. We lifted each other in prayer, shared struggles, and the wisdom of creative ways to set goals and accomplish them. We discovered more about how work and money fit into a correct perspective of who God is.

If you’re interested in sharpening your money management skills, submit your information here. The next class starts in the beginning of 2020. Watch our blog for more info.

A musician and songwriter in one of our sister churches has pulled together a Spotify playlist with gospel-centered songs for kids. Get these playing in your home and your car to help your kids learn core truths about God and HIs gospel. Have fun singing with them!

Show me the playlist.

We publish updates on our financial status throughout the year. A final annual report is published every Fall.

These figures represent the grace of God at work in the members and friends of our local church. It's unmistakable. God is being kind towards us and we want to thank Him and you.

Thank you.

Of course, numbers are only a small fraction of all the way our church is contributing to the ministry of our church. Wouldn't it be great if we could publish a monthly report on your generous affections for one another? Or all the hours you spend together? Thank you for living no longer for yourselves but for God and your neighbor!

May the accounting of His provisions encourage your faith. Please continue to pray that we would steward it all for the advance of His gospel and the good of His church.

Sept 1st 2018 - May 31st 2019

$ 208,481 Contributions

$ 223,739 Expenses

Questions? Please contact a member of our Finance Committee.

Lose everything to have Him

On Sunday Pastor Dustin preached from Philippians 3:3-11. He reminded us that it’s worth losing everything to have Jesus. All we once held dear, all our efforts to earn God’s favor — we count them as loss. If we have Christ, we have all we need.

Listen to the sermon.

June’s Verse: John 3:16-21 (ESV)

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 

18 “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 

19 “And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. 21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”

How are you doing memorizing June’s Bible verse?

There are only 3 days left in June to complete the challenge for this month. Make sure you show us you’ve memorized it by either:

1. Recording a video and sending it to info@sovgraceoc.org. You’re on the honor system, but make sure to keep your eyes on the camera.
   OR

2. Heading to our Welcome Desk this Sunday morning and reciting 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.

Learn more about how to memorize Scripture here and here.

“I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.”
-Psalm 119:16

The Intro Course

Guests, join us next Sunday 7/2/2019 for The Intro Course. This is the perfect next step if you want to get to know Sovereign Grace Church.

The class is led by a pastor and hosted in their home. It’s right after church from 12:30pm-2:30pm. Lunch and childcare are provided.

Should I Attend?

The Intro Course is for 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.

This class is for you.

It's a place to come and explore, learn, and ask questions.

Get registered right here.

Invite your friends and family to join us!

Our beach camping trip to Refugio State Beach is only a couple weeks away.

There’s no big program planned. This is kick-back beach camping with friends. Bonfires, swimming, kayaks, surfing, horseshoes, volleyball, fishing, hiking, and eating.

The week of July 8-15, 2019
$8 per person per night

The price includes access to stand-up paddle boards and kayaks that will be shared among the group.

Spots are limited and it’s first come, first serve. You can come for all or part of the week.

RSVP by emailing Les and Sue. Include the following:

1. Number of campers in your party and their names

2. Number of vehicles you’ll be bringing (trailers count as a vehicle)

3. Which nights you would like to camp

Women in the Word

Our women’s ministry leader, Kirsi Turbedsky, has organized a summer Bible reading challenge for women at Sovereign Grace. They are working through the entire New Testament tackling roughly 4 chapters per day with catch up days and Sundays off. Approximately 25 women are participating.

We asked Kirsi to share what inspired her to spearhead this:

I did the summer plan last year with 3 ladies from the church who benefited from the readings. I also personally completed the whole Bible plan from September through May. I knew that I intended to continue through the summer and had faith that it really is possible to stick with it. I know many women have expressed a desire to be more regular in their Bible reading so I wanted to invite other women to join me. Reading for the summer can feel like a more attainable goal.

You Can Still Jump In

Many of you have your own Bible reading plan, which is wonderful! There are many excellent approaches to reading Scripture available to us.

However, if you’re on the hunt for one, this is a great option. You can start today.

Check out the website with instructions for using a Bible reading app or use this printable PDF.

Here are a few encouragements as you read:

• If you get behind, don’t feel the need to catch up. Start reading where ever you are.

• Listening to an audio Bible is a really good option.

• It will feel frustrating to read large chunks of Scripture and pass by all sorts of good stuff, but consider this a different style of reading where you get a big picture overview of God's Word.

• Try a paperback consumable NT Bible you can take everywhere and write in.

• Don't expect it to be a 'quiet' time, instead add Bible reading/listening to your regular life. Some families listen at breakfast or in the car. Make it normal to have your Bible out next to you during everyday life.

If you’re joining the challenge, let Kirsi know.

And men, if you’re feeling left out, there’s a version for you too. Consider taking your family through it together.