Stop by the Life Group Connect table on the patio after church on Sun, Apr 24 to get connected into community with others just like you! With over 40 Life Groups to choose from, we have a group that’s right for you! For more information, please contact Neil, njansen@marinerschurch.org, or search “Life Group” on our website.
LIFE GROUP CONNECT
Sun, Apr 24, after each church service
Mariners Recovery Ministry is a place where the redemption of the Cross and the power of the 12 step model can create transformations in every area of life, ultimately leading to wholeness and wellbeing. More info here or search “Recovery” on our website.
Mondays, 6:30p, Chapel
Are you a mother with little kids? Or are you expecting to be a mother with little kids soon? If so, we would love your thoughts on how a mothers of preschoolers “MOPS” program at Mariners MV could be a resource to you and your family. Please follow this link and take a brief (5 minute or less) survey. We are anticipating a fall 2016 kick-off.
100% Yoga 100% Jesus. Holy yoga is a wellness ministry that combines yoga, music, and God’s Word to deepen our connection with God. More info here or contact Brooke with questions, thompsontimes3@gmail.com
Mondays through Apr 25, 7-8:30p
meet in the Children’s Theater
bring a yoga mat and water
$5 suggested donation
BE FEARLESS! This weekend we get to put on display and celebrate one of the best expressions of fearlessness in the church as we follow Jesus together. This is the perfect weekend to engage in our church community and invite one of your friends to come and join us as we put the gospel on display together, demonstrating the love of Jesus in a way the world is longing for. We’ll be continuing in our “Things I Wish Jesus Never Said” series and we will be living out our mission statement to fearlessly change the world. This week we are going to invite every single one of you to transform Orange County together as we tangibly express our identity as the hands and feet of Jesus in the world through generosity and service.
I can’t wait to see what God does in us and through us as we are fearless together!
Peace,
Kyle
We have a saying around here, “life change happens in circles not rows.” What this means is that as great as it is to come to church on Sunday morning, worship, open God’s Word, learn and hopefully be challenged or encouraged, the next level of life change occurs when you start unpacking life with other people in community.
I say this because Community Nights are a great first step to engage in this process. It is an excellent opportunity to jump into relationships and connect with others. At the same time, there is a casualness to the evening that makes this first step easy and safe. So be sure to join us for dinner, great speakers and a meaningful time of community and fellowship. If you haven’t signed up, I highly encourage you to, here is the link.
We are in the third week of our series, Things I Wish Jesus Never Said. This week we will look at a great encounter with Jesus. Although it may seem confusing and awkward, in the end you will find it comforting and encouraging. As always, there are people in your life who would love to come to church, all it takes is an invitation. This is a great week to invite them because this is a message that reminds us why we follow Jesus. I look forward to seeing you.
Blessings,
Jeff
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’”
– MATTHEW 25:34-36
I have a new favorite commercial. It’s a Hershey’s commercial. I’m sure you’ve seen it. If you haven’t yet seen it, watch it before you read on. If you have a working memory of 80’s top 40 hits, you can’t help but notice a great version of the Steve Winwood classic, “Higher Love” that paints the emotional backdrop for the story (It’s worth noting that this version of the song is performed by Steve and his daughter Lilly). A work-at-home father is called to a web meeting while his bored daughter tries to get his attention. Determined and indomitably clever, the daughter employs the help of a local printer to create a cardboard cutout of her father. We see her carrying her “dad” through the town: on a bus, past neighbors, and through a street hockey game. Ultimately, we find that the cutout was intended to take his “place” at his web meeting. The caper works. The two of them will spend the afternoon eating s’mores while the ever-important meeting carries on with all its attendees none-the-wiser.
There are a ton of layers to the commercial. I’m certain Hershey loves the fact that I’m so moved by its marketing and advertising machine. Yes, there’s a certain amount of cheezy-ness with which I have become increasingly more comfortable as I get older. But, among the most critical layers to this commercial and it’s unsubtle message — the triumph of fathers and daughters over career, is something else, too.
I wonder how many of the other people in this online meeting had parallel stories. I mean, what if there was only one person talking while everyone else, just like the depicted father, propped up a cardboard version of their likeness and “got on with their lives?” All of us wonder, at some point about the sacredness of the moments that come and go through our lives. We speculate, at times, if we’re merely watching the world go by through oversized windows like passengers on a great bus. We know how to sit dutifully and responsibly. We understand our role. We take those things “we have to do” as seriously and unarguably as gravity itself. But, what if, at times, we stepped out of the world of sensible and responsible obligation and into a world governed by selfless joy and spontaneous generosity? What if we saw ourselves as participants in a project for a world in need of people like us? Consider that God may have placed us uniquely in his world to accomplish something with him and for him that we could not do as a passive observer.
This week, we’ll talk energetically and enthusiastically about the things Jesus is calling our church to do and the kind of church he wants us to be. We’ll walk headlong into some of the most challenging and beautiful things Jesus ever said (It’s the stuff people outside the church hope we’re passionate about. So bring your friends who aren’t sure about church). We’ll celebrate what God has done in our community among the poor, the forgotten, and the marginalized. We’ll wrestle with the notion that our world cannot be changed by those unwilling to break from what that world tells them to do. Take an example from a girl with a grocery bag full of marshmallows, graham crackers, and some chocolate, holding a cardboard cutout of her father.
See you soon,
Jeff
Did you know that you’re part of something unusual? Of course, you are probably strange and unusual in all kinds of wonderful ways, yourself, but I’m talking about something special and unusual that we’re all part of together.
Some people travel from event to event, conference to conference, gathering to gathering trying to get some sense of God’s presence or power. But as a church we see it every week.
Lives are changed every week. Leaders step up all the time. Prayers are answered with regularity.
And it’s happening right here…right now… in front of us.
ROOTED plays an important part in the life change and momentum we’re seeing. I have talked with a couple different pastors from other churches this week who are considering doing Rooted at their church. Did you know, there are now over 100 churches throughout the United States that Mariners has trained to use Rooted? It is a tool that God brought to us from Africa, and now it’s going well beyond HB, well beyond Mariners Church.
YOU HAVE TO DO ROOTED! Seriously, if you’ve been delaying, it’s time. Email Ericka immediately, or sign up here right now. We kick off Thursday evening (groups meet other days/times, too).
Lastly,
SUNDAY is going to be powerful. I can’t explain it. You’re just going to have to experience it for yourself—8:30, 10, 11:30a & 6p.
See you then,
caleb
P.S.: Visit our StepInHB.com website to learn more about our move to the Regency Movie Theater
P.P.S.: Listen to past messages here
Rooted is a catalyst for life-change, provoking questions and conversations designed to give you a glimpse into your story and God’s purpose for your life. Click here or search “rooted” on our website for info, to register or see a complete list of groups.
The Rooted Launch for all Groups
Thurs, Apr 14, 6:30-8:30p
(Rodgers Senior Center, 1706 Orange Ave)
Who was I created to be? How can I find significance and how can God use me? We desire to make a difference in our world and spheres of influence, but don’t always know how. We believe the answers lie in how God has created us, in our life experiences, and in the opportunities we have to influence those around us. God is among us, inviting each of us to partner with Him to fearlessly change the world in unique ways. The Dream Event is your invitation to join us on this exciting journey as we discover how we can be facilitators of change in our world. More info and register or search “Dream” on our website.
You can also text “dream” to 949-267-3131 to RSVP.
Thursday, April 14
5-6p Food Trucks
6-8p Guest speakers, Matt Olthoff, Laurie Beshore and Kenton Beshore
Childcare provided