God calls each of us to be good stewards.

Do you have debt you can’t seem to pay down?
Having trouble creating and keeping a budget?
Stressed by the state of your finances?
Aware that this is an area in your life that needs attention?

Once a year we offer a course on the biblical principles of financial stewardship. The classes are conducted in a small group setting, using a discussion format and curriculum adapted from Crown Ministries and Money and the Gospel.

9 classes, every other Monday, beginning January 27th.

Les and Sue lead the class. Their mentorship is invaluable. Check out testimonies of those who’ve been impacted by the class here, here, and here.

Materials cost $30 per person or $55 per couple. Scholarships are available. The registration deadline is January 12th.

Sign me up.

Heaven never ceases to worship Jesus Christ. Neither will we. He is so glorious that an endless number of songs will be written and sung about Him.

Today, Sovereign Grace Music has released a new album committed to extolling the glories of our Savior.

These are great songs. We want you to enjoy them. We’ll likely be singing some of them on Sunday mornings, so start listening now.

Get it on iTunes
Listen on Spotify

A few of our favorites are:

1. Turn Your Eyes
   An update and expansion of the classic hymn “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus.”

2. Christ Our Glory
   An upbeat song that includes lyrics like “Come joy or come sorrow, whatever befalls, the light of the Savior will outshine them all!”

3. See How He Loves Us
   This song is perfect for meditating on Jesus during the Christmas season.

The Emerging Leaders Course

Beginning in January, the west region churches of our denomination are beginning a new class for church members focused on theology and biblical studies.

Pastor Mark Alderton of Sovereign Grace Church of Aurora is leading the class. He will be joined by other pastors who will step-in to cover different parts of the material.

The class is designed for both men and women. The commitment is 5 hours of reading per week and 1 video call per month. You’ll get the chance to hear from teachers outside of our church with specific areas of expertise. You’ll interact with brothers and sisters from our partner churches throughout the western United States.

We can’t encourage you enough to consider joining.

Get more info and sign up for the Emerging Leaders Course.

Your 2019 Challenge

This year we’ve challenged you to the 12 Bible Verses Every Californian Needs to Know challenge. Each month we provide a Bible verse and you commit it to memory. For those who complete all 12 months, we will throw a party celebrating the ways God has strengthened you through His word.

December’s Verse: Isaiah 9:6-7 (ESV)

6 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

7 Of the increase of his government and of peace
there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

How to Participate

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:

1. Record a video and send it to info@sovgraceoc.org. You’re on the honor system. We trust you.
   OR

2. 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.

Lead Us In Singing To Our Savior

Our annual Christmas Eve service will be here soon. Each year we invite singers to join our choir to make our songs sound even more beautiful.

To join, all we require is:

1. You love to sing (we welcome singers of all skill levels)

2. You can commit to one rehearsal before Christmas Eve

3. You can arrive early on Christmas Eve

If you meet those requirements then fill out the interest form and we will be in touch.

On Sunday 12/22/2019, we are pulling together a kids’ choir. They’ll be singing a Christmas carol during our Sunday service.

Not only is this sure to be adorable, but it’ll be formative for the kids. As they sing the truths of the gospel, God will be presenting His Son to them. Check out this story of a Children’s Choir having an effect on their local church.

Here’s who we’re looking for:

• Kids ages 4-10 willing to sing (we’re flexible on this one)

• With parents who will work on the song with them at home and in the car

• And sing with the choir on Sunday 12/22

If that’s your kid, then email Alie and she’ll get you on the list.

The Humble Servant Is The Exalted Lord

On Sunday Pastor Dustin preached from Philippians 2:5-11. Jesus Christ came into the world as a man to represent imperfect men before God. He took the lowest road imaginable, death on a cross. The Prince of Life forfeited His life so that we could be saved. All this He did to serve us. And we respond by gladly serving Him.

Listen to the sermon.

Christ has come. Christ will come again.

During the four Sundays of Advent, our services begin a little bit differently. We participate in an age-old church tradition. We light candles as we read passages of Scripture that point us back to Christ’s first coming and ahead to his second.

The light of the candles is a reminder of the light of the world, Jesus. His light has shone in our hearts. An additional candle is lit each week to symbolize the growing anticipation we have that the light of the world will return.

Use these moments as a unique opportunity to reflect upon our Savior as we mark the reality that “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Tim. 1:15).