Monthly Archives: September 2013

Irvine

A Note From Kyle

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I can’t wait for this weekend! This season comes with so much anticipation – there’s a freshness, a newness, as we re-engage the rhythms of school, work, and, of course…football!:)  As a church, this is a unique time to begin conversations with friends, neighbors and family about becoming a part of the story God is writing here at Mariners Church, as new rhythms and routines are created.

Our staff and volunteers have been dreaming and preparing for this season. We are so excited to welcome you back this weekend, so invite your family and friends to join you as we gather to connect with God and one another…Welcome Home!

peace…

kyle

Mission Viejo

A Note From Jeff

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Each Tuesday morning, as the Mariners staff gathers for our weekly staff meeting, we take a few moments to capture what has happened in the past week of ministry. We call this time (not all that cleverly) “storytime.” In it we recall to each other the things we’ve been a part of that God is doing in our midst. This past Tuesday, we spent time telling stories of our own “Neighborday” weekend experiences (the holiday formerly known as Labor Day). We heard the stories of multiple generations of people participating in a neighborhood chalk-art expo. We heard the stories of community barbecues and pool parties, ice cream socials and breakfasts together.

Here were the consistent themes: First, people who do the inviting are generally uncomfortable to do so. Some talked about how the fear of rejection in inviting people from their neighborhood to a community event almost paralyzed them. Secondly, to a person, the response from all those invited was that they were incredibly grateful–that the pulling together of everyone in the neighborhood for little more than an informal get together made their community safer, more friendly, more enjoyable. Third, people are longing for the “next” time to get everyone together again. It turns out, everyone is longing to be connected to the people around them. They just need a courageous person to create a reason to gather.

We were all created for relationships. There’s a reason why people who hosted NEIGHBORDAY events kept repeating to us how they had received so much gratitude from the invitees. In some ways, it’s our longing for meaningful relationships that unites us. The church is no different. In fact, on September 18th, we’ll launch the fall session of Life Groups–our pathway to meaningful relationships. There has already been a huge response from people looking to find deeper connection here at Mariners. For some of you, not yet connected in a Life Group, your first session will start with ROOTED. ROOTED is the safe place to wrestle with the big issues we all face: God, purpose, relationships. Sign up online or this Sunday on the patio at church.

In keeping with the spirit of NEIGHBORDAY, Doug Fields will kick off our fall series, called “NEIGHBORGOOD.” In it we’ll look at one of the most radical statements of Jesus. It’s the phrase that, if you grew up in the church, you’ve heard a million times. In a lot of ways, it’s the phrase that may have lost a little of its power in all its repetition. But, it’s the way the church is most beautifully expressed outside the walls of the worship center:

“Love your neighbor…”

It’s a loaded expression that has any number of questions to accompany it: What does it mean to love? Who qualifies as my neighbor? What happens if I’m not comfortable with my neighbors trying to love me? Throughout our NEIGHBORGOOD series, wrestle honestly with the questions: “Who is my neighbor?” and “What would it look like to love them?”

See you on Sunday,
Jeff

Huntington Beach

A Note From Caleb

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Hi Friend,

PLEASE READ THIS WHOLE EMAIL!!

We’re moving to three services THIS Sunday!

– 8:30am (for the efficient, productive, morning people… and the guys who like to watch all their football in real-time)
– 10:00am (for the mid-morning-magic-hour types)
– 11:30am (for sleeping beauties or brunch before Bible saints)

Every service will be the same great experience, and we look forward to seeing you there. And a big THANK YOU to all of you who are stepping up in and serving at one or more of these services. You make a difference!

My Near Death Experiment
We’ll be starting a series this weekend based on a book I wrote called “My Near Death Experiment.” The idea is that life-change is better by design than disaster. I hope and pray this series will ignite something in you and encourage you to take a new step of faith in your life. I also hope that you will engage a friend, a family member, a neighbor, and your life group for the journey. We’ll give you everything you need. All I ask is that you extend the invitations.

The books will be on sale each Sunday for $10. (The publisher sells them to us at a discount for $9, but $10 is an easier cash transaction. The profit goes to our Outreach efforts in Huntington Beach.) PLEASE BRING CASH or check to speed up the purchase process on the patio. We’ll have card-swipers, but cash is fastest. Also, if you can buy books for yourself and others before the service it would help.

I want EVERYONE to have a book. If you can’t afford it, talk to Hilary, Christen, or Monica–we’ll get you a book.

Life Groups
We’re encouraging ALL life groups to go through the book and the discussion questions that we’ll provide each week. If you’ve already gone through Rooted and you’re not yet in a Life Group, we’re going to help you connect to a new life group. Email my cousin and pastor-in-training, Mike Myers.

Rooted
Don’t forget to signup for Rooted right here. In fact, copy this link and send it out to others who need to be in Rooted this session!

Parents of Students
We are shifting to offer two special services for students: Junior High at 10am, Senior High at 11:30am. Both will meet in the Tabby Theater (signs and volunteers will lead the way). Both will mirror the adult service–in music and message–but with an approach to speak relevantly your students. We’re setting you up for lunch-time conversations with your kids. :)

I totally support Jordan and his team in this transition and I believe it’s a great thing for the following reasons:
1. one service means more energy, enthusiasm, and momentum
2. we can meet the new kids who come with parents and slip out without connections
3. midweek meetings can shift to building deeper relationships and have real conversations
4. if a kid comes at a different time we have plans in place to get them serving–or they can always sit in the main theater

Change can be hard, but these changes are GOOD. Things are getting better and better around here.

See you Sunday!
caleb

If you missed either of the past three messages, click here.

Irvine, Parents

JHM Parent Learning Lab

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We’re bringing our JHM parent leaders and staff together to learn more about our jr. high students.

If you are the parent of a JHM student, please join us for the first of three Learning Labs, where we’ll hear from experts who will discuss topics specific to jr. high students. We want to better understand them, their culture, and, more importantly, how to love them best during their jr. high years.

All Learning Labs are free to JHM parents and their friends. Feel free to bring your students, we will have a movie to keep them entertained. Find out more or check out our parent resources.

Join us for our first Learning Lab:
Sat, Sep 7,  7-9p, Student Center
Featured Speaker: Adam Mclane
Topic: Social Media