Monthly Archives: January 2015

Ocean Hills

A Note From Jeff Pries

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MessageFrom-OH

I can’t believe that we are already through the holidays; it goes by so quickly. I hope that you had a great Christmas season. If you are like me, you probably made some sort of New Year’s resolution, and statistically speaking, by now you have blown it. But remember, we live under an umbrella of grace, so jump back in and keep it going.

I want to start the new year by saying thank you. As we stated all through December, it is a critical month in the life of the church. Approximately 25% of the church budget comes in during the month of December. This is not just our church, but churches in general.  So we talk about our financial needs and help communicate how important it is to our church and you responded in such an amazing way. You gave 30% over the amount budgeted for the month of December. You have no idea how remarkable that is. Thank you for your incredible generosity. Let me say that again – thank you for responding to all that God is doing and being so incredibly generous. I hope that you can feel the sense of momentum and excitement in our church. God is doing great things and using you in amazing ways. God is good.

A couple things to be reminded of: Rooted sign ups kick off this weekend. It’s a great time for you to jump into community and grow closer to God and to others. Also, our yearly read is called Streams in the Desert, if you haven’t done so already, pick one up in the bookstore this weekend. It’s a great way to look at God’s Word every day. And like I stated last week, I am sad to say that our worship leader, Allison, will be leaving us. Please join us this weekend as we honor her and say goodbye.

Blessings to you all. I pray that you are having a great start to this new year. See you Sunday.

Jeff

Mission Viejo

A Note From Jeff Maguire

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MessageFrom-MV2

I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  PHILIPPIANS 4:11

I’m about to say something that I’m pretty sure is out-of-bounds. I teach the Bible regularly. I read it for study and for personal devotion and insight. I believe it is holy, authoritative, and inspired by God. I believe it reveals God’s story in and through the world.

What if I don’t believe the apostle Paul (the writer of the letter to the church in Philippi)? I mean, I believe him. It’s just that when he says he’s “learned to be content in all circumstances,” I hesitate a little. All circumstances? All? Really… All? This idea — unencumbered contentment — at least for me, is as amazing as the resurrection of Jesus from the grave.

I’m skilled at finding reasons to be discontented. In the greatest moments of my life, I can find a way to undermine everything good. Paul wrote a lot of his letters from prison. He knows really awful circumstances. I’m a virtuoso in the art of discontentment, I rarely need tough circumstances to become dissatisfied.

Maybe that’s why Paul wrote his oft-quoted line a few verses later, which detail the source behind the miracle of contentment: “I can do all things through him who gives me strength.” He’s not talking about personal achievement or landing that new job. He’s talking about contentment. He credits Jesus as the way in which he finds contentment. It’s as if he knows too that it’s nothing short of a miracle to find contentment.

OK. Maybe, I believe him after all. He’s not Superman. He’s like me. Apparently, he needs the very power of God to find contentment… in all circumstances.

This week we’ll start our new series called: UNLEASH THE IMPOSSIBLE. We’ll look at some of what God will do in and through our church over this next year. I could not be more excited about it. I can’t wait to get started.

See you Sunday,
Jeff

Huntington Beach, Outreach

A Note From Caleb Anderson

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MessageFrom-HB

Welcome to a brave new year!

Sunday we launched a new series called, “The Pursuit of Happiness.” The response has been amazing. This series is speaking to a lot of people.

We said that HAPPINESS IS RECEIVED, NOT ACHIEVED and that God blesses people who aren’t focused on blessing themselves. Many of you asked about ways you can serve. I’m going to tell you this Sunday. You can also see an updated list of opportunities Monica has posted on our website.

Our journey to a better understanding of happiness is just beginning. We’ll be continuing through the most famous sermon ever preached—Jesus’ message called the Sermon on the Mount. If you missed last week’s message, you can listen to it or pass it along here. (You might as well subscribe to the podcast, uploaded every week.)

Did you know that our church is one of the fastest growing churches in the country? Can you believe our church has grown from 150 to 826 adults this past Sunday—in just 2 1/2 years?! Numbers matter because each number represents a life (including yours), and God has a passion for every life, and plan for each person. More and more people are experiencing the love of Jesus at our church and lives are changing. And lives will keep changing because you invite people! Thank you for loving God by loving other people. You’re making a difference.

If it makes sense in your schedule, I’d encourage you to come to a service other than 10a. The 6p service is picking up great momentum. This week we’ll have food and patio loitering after the service.

Don’t worry, we’ll always make room for your family, friends, co-workers, and neighbors…so bring someone with you this week to encounter genuinely loving people, great music, and to hear a message about finding purpose in life and meaning in work. (I’m also going to give you an update on our future location.)

See you soon,

caleb

P.S.: If you haven’t signed up for Rooted, do it NOW!

Irvine

A Note From Kyle Zimmerman

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MessageFrom-IR

Happy New Year! I hope and pray you were able to experience the beauty of Christmas and the New Year, spending time with family and friends, having fun, laughing and enjoying one another. I love that you all made this Christmas one of the most amazing ever at Mariners Church, as almost 2,000 more people joined us for Christmas services this year than last year! You guys are loving your family, friends and neighbors well, inviting them to join the story that God is writing in your life and here at Mariners Church.

Last week, we launched into the new year together with our Pursuit of Happiness series, remembering that the pursuit of happiness begins with the pursuit of God. My prayer is that you have been looking, listening and experiencing God in new and profound ways this week. The series continues this weekend. Kenton will be back with another chapter of Jesus’ message to us out of Matthew 5, so invite your family and friends to join us.

One of the things we don’t want you miss out on is doing life together through Life Groups, where we learn to more clearly discern God’s voice and live our lives with purpose and meaning. Whether you are new to our church or have been coming to Mariners for a while – I want to invite you to join a Life Group. The starting point for all of our Life Groups begins in a couple of weeks with Rooted. If you haven’t gone on the Rooted journey with us, now’s the time. Rooted is the place to dive in and learn what God’s voice sounds like and start developing healthy spiritual rhythms in your life where you can become all God has designed you to be. And, the best part is you get to do it with others, pursuing life right where you are. Jump in!

Looking forward to seeing you all this weekend as we continue to discover all God has for us in 2015!

Peace…

Kyle

Irvine, Men

Men’s Breakfast

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Join the Men of Mariners as we hear from the son of the notorious Underboss of New York’s violent and feared Colombo crime family. Michael Franzese has since given his life to the Lord and is compelled to share how God saved him from a deadly lifestyle. Register here.

Saturday, January 10, 2015, 8-10a, in the Community Center, $12pp

Irvine

Your Body For God

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Your Body For God focuses on showing you how to thrive with the amazing body that God has given you. Make 2015 the year in which you achieve true health, lose that stubborn weight once and for all, and experience abundant energy! Led by Dr. Tony Ganem, Founder of Body PRO, Chief Wellness Officer. For more info, click here, or contact Lizzy to RSVP.

Sunday, January 11, 9a-12p, Life Development Building r208

Irvine

High School Rooted

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High School Rooted is for any high school student who is looking to get more plugged in, questioning what this church thing is all about, or hoping to grow closer to God. We are excited for YOU to join us and see how you are a part of the story that God is writing! To register, click here. For more info, contact Alex.

Jan 11-Feb 22, $25