Fall Bible Reading Plan, Week 4: John 1:1-18
This chapter provides a prelude to the life and ministry of Jesus. In these initial verses, the apostle John gives us a description of Jesus' true identity. In contrast to the opening of the other Gospels, John begins his writing by fixing the attention of his readers to the eternal Christ. ...
Sunday Updates: September 20, 2020
Stay up to date on what's happening at Cross of Grace and make sure to check back weekly for all the latest information!...
Fall Bible Reading Plan, Week 3: Luke 3
This chapter focuses on the ministry of John the Baptist. In particular, Luke is portraying John the Baptist as "the voice in the desert" who would come and prepare the way for Jesus' ministry, as prophesied by the prophet Isiaiah. John calls the people of Israel to repentance from their sins and to be baptized as a sign of that repentance. ...
Sunday Updates: September 13, 2020
Stay up to date on what's happening at Cross of Grace and make sure to check back weekly for all the latest information!...
Fall Bible Reading Plan, Week 2: Luke 2
This chapter focuses on the narrative of Jesus’ birth. This joyous chapter includes the famous section of the angels' announcement to the shepherds and proclaiming the good news that Jesus, God incarnate, had been born. Additionally, Luke provides for us two scenes of Jesus’ childhood. ...
Fall Bible Reading Plan, Week 1: Luke 1
The section we'll be focusing on this week describes the foretelling of Jesus' birth. This remarkable little passage, provides for us a glimpse into who Jesus is and what He has come to do in the world. ...
An Important Update to the Lord's Supper and Livestream Services
We are making room for those who cannot attend in-person to participate in the Lord’s Supper, under the direction of the elders, alongside with those in the in-person gatherings. Here are a few practical ways to participate in communion over our livestream services. ...
Read the Bible With Us in 2020
Want to grow in your faith in 2020? Join us in reading the Bible together in 2020. We'll get a little help with some free resources. ...
Resources on Justice, Racism, Unity, and Hope
We want to encourage our whole church to spend time in the Word of God, with key passages and messages that can help inform our understanding of the world around us....
Marriage and Parenting in Quarantine is Tough, This Can Help
Ricky and Joe talk about the need for help in the areas of marriage and parenting during quarantine and offer a free resource from the church that can help! ...
Even If... - Our sermon series on the book of Habbakuk
The small book of Habbakuk transforms us from being a “What if?” people to being an “Even if” people. It takes us from being a worried people wondering what will happen next, to a people confident that even if the worst happens we are secure because God is in control. ...
Gospel Resources for the Midst of a Pandemic
In the midst of a very tumultuous season, our hearts can grow restless and our minds wander into all sorts of questions: "Will my family be ok? Will they be safe from the Coronavirus? Will I be able to keep my job? Are we going to be financially stable?" If we are not careful, our anxious hearts can lead us to doubts and fears. How then, are we to respond? Where do we go for comfort? ...
Church Service Update
These are extraordinary times. It feels like everything in life has changed in just a few days -- everything from our workplace to getting groceries to visiting friends to plans to even gathering as a church. ...
Kids Ministry Update
Ricky shared a few challenges our church is facing regarding our volunteer base and the variety of factors that contribute to them. Our Kids Ministry is facing the most significant problem, so here is the appeal we believe we need to make right now: If your kids are benefitting from Kids Ministry, we are appealing for your help in the ministry. ...
Gospel Culture 101 - An Invitation
When the gospel changes lives and brings people together it creates a gospel culture. It transforms our relationships, families, and churches. It creates a culture of unity, grace, love, and hope flowing from the gospel. Whether you've been a Christian for a month, a year, or a decade, this is a class worth taking. ...
Who Cares? - A Sermon Mini-Series
Everyone needs care. Everyone is called to care for others. Join us for a sermon mini-series this January on why God has called us to care for people around us and how to do it well. Whether you're feeling fainthearted, stuck, or weak, God has help for you in his word. ...
An Invitation to Our Emerging Leaders Course
Do you want to grow in your understanding of the Bible and theology so you can make an impact in your family, church, and world? Then consider joining us for this 12 month study program. ...
3 Reasons to Come to the Gospel Parenting Seminar
I'm so excited about parenting seminar coming up soon. We have a wonderful opportunity to learn from Bob Kauflin next month. Bob is a well-known writer and speaker but also someone my wife Jenn and I know personally and who is someone we want to emulate in this area. ...
Our VISION as a Church
This Sunday we’re going to take a short break and launch a five-week mini-series at Cross of Grace on our vision as a church. In the next few weeks, we want to layout where we think God is taking us as a church, what we long to see happen in our city, and how we want to live as a church community. ...
God at Work in the Broken City
Pastoral resident Andres Contreras shares lessons his church learned during the worst period of violence in Juarez. He encourages us that God can and does work even through hard times to build his church and reach the lost. ...
6 Ways to Pray for Our City After Tragedy
At times like this fear and anxiety are near but the Lord is at hand. Because he is at hand we can pray. Here are six ways we can begin to pray for ourselves and our city. ...
6 Ways to Love Your Neighbor in the Aftermath of the Shooting
It seems surreal that it was only a few days ago that a gunman opened fire in El Paso. On Monday I had to go back to the store. Next week our boys are going back to school. We are here for a reason as disciples of Jesus and one of our tasks is to love our neighbors well in a way that serves them and points them to Jesus. But how do we do that? ...
Quick Ideas for a Christ-Centered Easter
With Easter approaching, here are some easy ways to make your family celebrations Christ-centered to share the truth, hope, and joy we find in Him. ...
Soundtracks for our Isaiah Series
Playlists to pair up with our sermon series on Isaiah ...
Our 2019 Sermon Series on Isaiah
We're about to embark on a one year journey through the book of Isaiah. Over the next year most of our preaching will focus on this book and even our worship and liturgy will be shaped by this book. Before we jump in, I want to answer a big question: "Why Spend a Year in Isaiah?"...
Jesus Perfect Family Series (and 5 Ways to Apply It)
We all feel pressure to be perfect around the holidays, but none of us are. The good news is that Jesus' family is made of imperfect people like us. And as a result, we should invite in others and care for them the way Jesus has cared for us. ...
Two Services One Mission
On March 4th we'll launch two services at 8:45am and 11am. There's a lot of change ahead but one thing that won't change at all. ...
Tracing the Theme of the Spirit in the Gospels & Acts
On Sunday we looked at Jesus' promise to send the Helper, the Holy Spirit, to give us power to advance the gospels. One of the things you see when you read the gospels is that the Holy Spirit didn't suddenly "show up" after Jesus left but that Jesus did his ministry in the power of the Spirit. We encourage you to explore and meditate on these verses as you trace this theme in the gospels....
Watch a Great, 4 Minute Overview of Proverbs
As we start our series on the Book of Proverbs for the summer we thought you'd enjoy this 4 minute animated introduction to the book. It's a great overview, and the art is great too. ...
The Beginning of Wisdom and the Bible on Your Shelf
Proverbs says that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. This means that getting time with God is one of the most practical things we can possible do. Here are some suggestions. ...
Good Friday Reading: A Brief History of Death
The following was a reading Pastor Ricky Alcantar shared at our Good Friday service called "A Brief History of Death." "Death entered the world like a knife?- quick and silent and irreversible....
Make a Plan to Read the Bible in 2016
We believe that the words in the Bible are God's very words, breathed out by him (2 Tim 3:16), as carried along writers across the centuries (2 Peter 1) to tell one great story. Now is the perfect time to plan what you'll read in 2016....
Making the Most of the Season
As the Christmas season turns to a new year we want to make the best use of our time to live an intentional Christ-focused life (Ephesians 5:16). Here are a few suggestions to get you started....
Praying for Paris & The Coming Kingdom
Here is a prayer offered in light of Friday's tragedy in Paris and Sunday's message: The Lord reigns, let us rejoice, mourn, and long for his return. ...
Why Join a Community Group? Four Reasons
Wondering whether to jump in to a community group this year? Here are four reasons why we think you should jump onboard. ...
