Monthly Archives: March 2013

Irvine

A Note From Kyle

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Romans 8:32-39

Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.

Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I love the way this passage expresses the heart of God for us, His people…generous, loving, sacrificial. God, the Creator of everything, the Author of life, did all the work in overcoming the distance that exists because of our sin by sending His own Son as a sacrifice. I love the power put on display in conquering death, giving us hope that nothing is truly impossible with God and His power within us. When we are confronted by our own brokenness and failure, we can hold to these truths and remember that God brings dead things to life…nothing is beyond His love and power. Victory is ours in Jesus!

This is the message we live out, and this is the season where we get to invite all the world to hear and be transformed by this profound truth. I can’t wait to remember the victory of Good Friday and the power of Easter together with you all. Bring your family and friends and join us…

peace…

kyle

Mission Viejo

A Note From Jeff

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As we move toward Good Friday, we come face-to-face with the reality of the cross of Jesus. We confront the disquieting truth of our own sin. We witness the incredibly high cost of our freedom. We wonder how this day could ever come to be known as “Good.” At our Good Friday services, we’ll get a chance to release the captivity of our sin to Jesus, participate in communion, and acknowledge that what was accomplished on the cross was the surprising and ironic victory of God.

The culmination of victory on the cross isn’t only that Jesus died; it is that He also rose again, conquering death itself. In rising from the grave, Jesus embodied the hope that our own lives can be resurrected, begun anew. Easter services at Mission Viejo will be a time to celebrate that new life is possible in Jesus.

If you call Mariners “home” and you’d like to join the over 200 volunteers serving this Easter, there are still 25 spots available. Here’s how to make the most of the Easter services: Bring a friend to join us on Saturday night at 5pm (14th Annual Peep Roast to follow on the patio). Then, come and serve with us on Sunday morning.

I’m looking forward to being together this weekend,

Jeff

Huntington Beach

A Note From Caleb

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IT’S A BIG WEEK!

In case you were wondering, this is the best week of the year to invite friends, family, and acquaintances to church. Bring your wives, bring your husbands, bring your kids… And bring your neighbors, your hairdresser, your barista, your co-worker, your crossing guard… you get the idea.

In addition to our three Sunday services (8:30, 10, 11:30am), you can also bring people to our excellent Good Friday Prayer Experience (11am-2pm, 4pm-7pm–go through at your own pace). Saturday, we’ll have a booth at the Big Easter Egg Hunt in Central Park–stop by and say hi!

Looking forward to an amazing weekend!

caleb