3rd-5th graders, come for a night of fun at Big Air! Check in begins at 4:30p and dinner will be served after jumping time. Be sure to wear your brightest NEON colors and to invite your friends! For more info search “Neon Night” or click here. For questions contact Christina, cswanson@marinerschurch.org.
NEON NIGHT AT BIG AIR
Fri, May 13, 5-7p
23251 Avenida de la Carlota, Laguna Hills, CA 92653
Registration Required, Cost: $15
Baptism is the outward expression of the decision to follow Jesus and an important next step in your faith journey. Our next baptism will take place on Sunday, May 15, after services. Class is required for baptism. Find out more or search “baptism” on our website.
ADULT BAPTISM CLASS
Sun, May 15, 9a, Life Development Building Library (3rd floor)
EQ WORKSHOP
Sat, May 21, 9a-1p, Registration required
Raising our EQ (emotional quotient) by tuning into the emotional climate in relationships can help us better navigate life, work, and marriage. Hear Dr. John Townsend and Dr. David Stoop discuss how we can better “tune in” to emotional interactions both at work and in marriage. Search “EQ” on our website or click here to register.
MARINERS RECOVERY MINISTRY
Mon, 6:30p, Groups start at 7:30p
Our MRM Program contains a wide variety of both Christian Recovery Groups and traditional Anonymous 12-step meetings. No registration required, all are welcome to attend. Search “Recovery” for more info or click here. For questions email, care@marinerschurch.org
If you want to see how up-to-date the Bible is, study the first six chapters of Zechariah with us. This Bible study will not only be very practical and life changing, but also extremely revealing about God’s care for His people. More info here.
THE LORD REMEMBERS AND BLESSES IN HIS TIME
A verse by verse study of the prophecy of Zechariah—Part One
Sun, May 15 – Sun, July 3, 11a-12p, Upper Room
Yesterday (May 4th) my kids and I honored that greatest of all holidays, Star Wars Day (as in “May the Fourth… be with you”) by watching The Force Awakens together. If you missed it, there’s always a second chance, today, on May 5th. For the nerdiest among us, it is known as the “Revenge of the Fifth” (A play on the title of the third episode of Star Wars called “The Revenge of the Sith”). It’s for those who don a villainous Star Wars costume shortly before realizing, as they venture out into public, that they’re the only people they know celebrating the fifth of May without the faintest of references to Mexico or its 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War.
So, at the risk of wounding the Star Wars allegiant masses and those honoring significant Mexican military victories, it turns out that there is something far more universal that ought to be celebrated and honored this week. No, it’s not the onset of the summer “blockbuster” movie season that begins with the release of the latest Captain America this Friday. It’s something far greater… far more important.
Your mom.
This Sunday we’ll celebrate, honor, and cherish mothers of all types. We’ll remember our own mom. We’ll pray that those who are about to become mothers have babies that sleep through the night. We’ll pray for those moms whose kids NEVER sleep through the night. We’ll mourn with those who lost mothers this year and those who want to be moms and aren’t. We’ll express our gratitude for those who “mothered” us who weren’t technically our moms. We’ll be reminded of the role so many of us play as those same “mothers” for people who need it from us.
So, put on a sweater… Your mother is cold. Look nice. Buy something special — better yet, make something special and give it to your mom. After all, you know, she still has that macaroni necklace you made when you were 4. It’s in a drawer somewhere. Call her. Answer the phone when she calls. Wipe that smudge off your cheeks. Keep your elbows off the table. It’s Mother’s Day at Mariners, Mission Viejo. We’ll eat treats, take pictures, and make crafts. We’ll make moms feel special. Let’s celebrate together.
Happy Mother’s Day,
Jeff
Recently, in a Chick-fil-A, I witnessed an awkward moment. Two guys were sitting near me having lunch when they saw someone they recognized…
• Hey, that guy over there in line looks like Eric.
• That is Eric!
• No, really?
• Yeah, that’s him.
• Did he see you?
• I don’t know.
• Is he walking over here?
• Oh, hey Eric.
• Hey guys, having lunch?
• Yep…… (awkward pause)…. want to sit down?
It was lunch at Chick-fil-A, and I had a front row seat for the awkward interaction of three co-workers – two of whom were enjoying lunch together – and a third uninvited co-worker who obviously felt left out.
We all feel left out at some point. And feeling left out stinks.
On one hand, you can’t manage everyone’s emotions and/or control whether or not someone’s feelings get hurt. That falls into the people-pleasing category.
On the other hand, you don’t want to be insensitive, callous, or careless with people either.
Like Jesus said, we honor God by loving and caring for others. That’s what matters most in life, and that means we live in the tension of rolling out the red carpet without being a doormat.
First, embrace that tension. Next, embrace an outsider.
There is someone in your life who is standing alone in line and feels uninvited. Ask him or her to sit down and have a chicken sandwich with you and your friends. What will it hurt? And think of all the ways it might help…
Especially on MOTHER’S DAY… Think about the women in your life who could use a phone call, a note, or a personal invite to church. If possible, bring them with you this Sunday (8:30, 10, 11:30a & 6p). We’ll help you make them feel special.
caleb
P.S. New visuals of the new building! StepInHB.com
P.P.S. Catch up on recent messages here.
Mother’s Day weekend is upon us! What a great opportunity to celebrate the women in our lives, honoring them for the way God created them to nurture, care, and lovingly protect us as we grow. This weekend will be a beautiful time as we honor not only mothers, but take time to bless all of the women in our midst.
The patio will have plenty of opportunities to connect families and honor moms with photo booths, flowers, card decorating and other family-friendly activities. We’ll also have picnic tables on the lawn where Mom can sit and enjoy a tasty macaroon or a refreshing lemonade! You don’t want to miss it!
Kenton will be speaking and continue in our current series Things I Wish Jesus Never Said. I got a preview of Kenton’s message this week and it is going to be awesome…the right message on the perfect weekend to invite friends, neighbors and family members who don’t attend church to experience the gospel.
I can’t wait to see you and celebrate with you this weekend as we remember all of who God is and we bless and honor the women in our lives.
Peace…
kyle
One of my favorite Sundays of the year is Mother’s Day. There is such a blessing in celebrating the women who have made a difference in our lives. We hope you can join us as we will have lots of fun things for you to participate in for Mother’s Day.
This Sunday’s message will be looking at an interesting woman in the Bible. She will show us how to navigate life, even when life doesn’t come together like we hoped it would.
The response to last night’s Community Night was overwhelmingly positive. Everyone had a great time and the speaker was really fun (not to mention I went back to the pasta for thirds). If you weren’t there, we talked about our personality traits and the personalities of those around us. I had fun giving my daughter the personality test this morning and it gave me great insights into how she is wired.
Next week at Community Night we will be blessed to hear from a professor from Talbot Theological Seminary. He will be speaking on apologetics and it should give you some great food for thought. As always, think about friends that you may want to invite.
Thanks to all of you who have returned your bags for the food bank. We have had an incredible response. Don’t forget, we continue to collect bags this Sunday as well. As you can tell, there is a lot going on, so jump in where you can!
Blessings to you,
Jeff
Motherhood isn’t always easy. Every day, moms are challenged to find the balance between love, strength, grace and courage. This Mother’s Day, we want to honor all moms and all they do to make the world a better place through the Art of Being a Mom.
MOTHER’S DAY
Sunday, May 8
during services and on the patio
Motherhood isn’t always easy. Every day, moms are challenged to find the balance between love, strength, grace and courage. This Mother’s Day, we want to honor all moms and all they do to make the world a better place through the Art of Being a Mom.
MOTHER’S DAY WEEKEND
May 7 & 8
during weekend services and on the patio