Monthly Archives: July 2016

Irvine

A Note From Shelly Juskiewicz

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There are so many reasons why I love our church and I even like to think of it as an extension of my own family. As I entered into this week, I found myself struggling. If I’m completely honest, I would admit that part of me wants to stay numb, because I’m not sure I want to feel the pain of the violence and loss surrounding us. Yet, as I sit with those I love on staff in their pain, I too must acknowledge my pain and not make the mistake of pushing it away. What a great reminder it is for me that we are not only hurt in community, we are also healed in community.

Left to my own devices, I think I would not have chosen to share or discuss the tragedies of last week. But, I am blessed to be part of a community at Mariners that makes it safe to not only talk about our pain, but to also pray and support one another through difficult times. I hope you were able to be with us last weekend when we experienced true community as we heard from Gerardo and Christian as they shared, prayed and worshiped with us during the service. I have included the prayers (here) we prayed together; May they encourage and sustain you as you move through the days ahead. I am so grateful for our church family and for the hope we have in Jesus!

What will this week bring? I don’t know…but I take comfort in knowing there is One who does and He is with us! I hope you will join us this weekend as we launch into our second week of Summer Saturday Nights. Please plan on joining us on the lawn (right after the 5p service), where you’ll find fun activities, food trucks, music and of course, great community!

If you need someone to talk with or to pray for you, we are here… because we are a church that believes in community. Think about someone in your life or community who might need to come with you to church this weekend!

Blessings of God’s healing love,

Shelly Juskiewicz
Community Life &
Leadership Development Pastor

 

 

Huntington Beach

A Note From Caleb Anderson

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MessageFrom-HB

FAITH FLOWS…from our heads, to our hearts, and out through our hands. That’s faith in action. What does faith in action look like for you this week?

Sunday we are continuing our conversation (inspired by James) about faith in real life. This week: WORDS.

Who do you know that needs encouragement? Who needs words of life breathed into them? Bring them to one of our services: 8:30, 10, 11:30a or 6p.

Summer is in full swing. The Angels game is this Saturday. Come and tailgate with us! Say YES to connecting with others and building relationships. Don’t miss out on our other summer events—pick up a calendar at the Welcome Center after services.

I love you and I pray that your summer is refreshing and fun…

caleb

P.S.: Visit our StepInHB.com website and give toward our church’s future!
P.P.S: Listen to recent messages here.

Mission Viejo

Summer Fun Nights: VBS 2016

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VBS-Compass-2016

Kids entering K-5th grade are invited to this SUPER POWered adventure hosted on our MV campus for the first time where they will experience Bible stories, games, drama, crafts, dinner and opportunities to serve kids and families in need around the world and in our community! Click here to register or search “VBS” on our website.

SUMMER FUN NIGHTS: VBS 2016
Mon, Jul 18-Fri, Jul 22, 5:30-8:30p, $60/child, MV Campus

We offer childcare and a preschool program for volunteers who serve during the entire VBS week. Contact Susan for details, shulse@marinerschurch.org

Huntington Beach

Summer 2016

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HB-Summer-Calendar-2016-Compass[1]

ANGELS GAME
Sat, Jul 16, 6:05p, $20 per ticket, available at the Welcome Center
Bring your friends and family for tailgating and enjoy the game and fireworks afterwards. More info on our website.

BEACH DAYS BEACH PARTY
Sat, Aug 20, 11a – 1p, location TBD
Enjoy summertime fun with friends, food, fun, beach volleyball and more. Bring a favorite dish to share. We will provide hot dogs and burgers.

Pick up our complete Summer Calendar at the Welcome Center this weekend. Contact Neil with questions, njansen@marinerschurch.org

 

Huntington Beach

WOMEN OF INFLUENCE

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Women-of-Influence-Comp

Come be encouraged, empowered and equipped as God’s women to serve, to lead & to become Spirit-Fueled Women of Influence! Come discover how, because of God in your life, you are an influence in your world. Register online or search “Women” on our website.

WOMEN OF INFLUENCE CONFERENCE
Sat, Jul 16, 9a-12p, $10/person

Irvine

LCC Kids Camp Volunteers

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llcCompass3

Volunteer as a camp counselor and help provide a memorable summer camp experience for kids (grades 2nd-6th in the fall) from our Lighthouse Community Centers! For more info search “LCC” or click here to register.

VOLUNTEER AT LCC KIDS CAMP
Fri, Aug 5 – Sun, Aug 7
Volunteers must be 18 yrs or older

VOLUNTEER TRAINING
Sun, Jul 24, 12:30 – 2p
Life Development Bld, r206

Irvine

JHM Summer Camp

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Incoming 6th-8th-graders of Mariners JHM and their friends are invited to the BEST WEEK OF THEIR SUMMER at camp where they can have fun, hear God’s Word and discover who He has made them to be in a completely new and different way. Search “Camp” or click here to register.

JHM SUMMER CAMP
Mon-Fri, Aug 8-12
Registration closes July 24 at midnight

Mission Viejo

A Note From Hilary McCullough

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“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 COR 2:9

Over the past two weeks, I had the honor to vacation with my wonderful husband. It’s a rare occurrence that I would leave all my responsibilities behind to focus on rest, and it was a welcomed opportunity. As I toiled beforehand to prepare everything for my volunteer staff (who handled everything like the pros they are), I forgot to prepare myself for rest. It’s a funny thing, the necessity to prepare for rest. Isn’t rest supposed to be natural? Don’t we “fall into it”? I sure don’t.

As we spent time with family and friends in our native mitten-shaped state of Michigan, I was good. I was “on”. I was connecting with people like the pro connector I am! Productivity! Purpose! Connection! YEAH! Except I was not resting.

Later on, we built in some time for just the two of us. It was glorious. WE LIKE EACH OTHER, you guys. I forget that sometimes. Suddenly I was faced with the fact that I do not know how to rest. I just don’t. I wasn’t prepared to turn “off”. Here I was with my husband of seven years with no responsibilities other than to enjoy each other and our time, and I couldn’t do it.

As part of our travels, we went to a state park to explore the coast. There were rocky shorelines, cliffs, waterfalls and flowers. It stopped me. I was overwhelmed with gratitude and awe. It was so overt. “Okay, now I’m starting to rest. I’m good. Take it all in.” TRY. I was still trying to achieve a goal. I was not resting. I was checking off the “rest” box.

We stopped at some tide pools. Boring. There is nothing happening in these tide pools. I see specks and lumps and a shiny surface. What a waste of time. Next, please! Then I saw movement: a crab. A cute little sideways-walking buddy. Some shells started moving and I stopped in my tracks. The closer I looked, the more I saw. I saw colorful rocks, little tiny baby-sized mussels, and fish – so many intricate details. There was no purpose, only taking in the awe of what I could have missed if I kept trying to “achieve” rest. I almost missed this! My husband had to come over and ask me if I was okay because I stayed so long at that tide pool. I was okay – I was more than okay. I was resting. I was reminded in that moment that we have such clear expectations of what we SEE, what we HEAR, and what we KNOW. That tide pool was “boring”. There was “nothing there to see”. Yet in that moment, I started to experience true rest in God’s glory and in His creation. Don’t we have so many proverbial tide pools in our lives? Things we are so sure of as we glance by, trying to achieve something else?

The church verse always pops into my head in those moments. No one has seen, heard or even imagined what God has in store for us. We assume. We rush. We strive. But we have no clue how or when He will reveal what He is doing. Moments of grief become richer, joy becomes multi-faceted, and people’s stories become more valuable when we remember this. There is so much more beneath the surface of our assumptions, and sometimes we get precious moments where we are faced with it and God reveals his goodness. I’m so thankful for my tide pool moment.

See you soon, and keep an eye out for your tide pools.

Hilary

 

Irvine

A Note From Jen Epperson

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What a celebratory weekend it was! I hope you enjoyed the long 4th of July weekend and were able to celebrate with family and friends! In our weekend services, we were able to celebrate and remember all God did through VBS.

It was so great to have Tim Timmons back with us, leading us in worship and giving us a glimpse of what our VBS kids got to experience all week long. It is hard to summarize all that happened at SuperPowered VBS….but picture this: 2000 kids, 1100 volunteers, courageous superheroes, wild games, fun crafts, God’s word, giant water slides, joy filled worship with Tim, boat races on the lake, glow sticks, dance parties, collectable superhero trading cards, and kids walking away from the week knowing that with God all things are possible! (Can you imagine the fun?! In case you want to see it for yourself, check out our highlight video on our Facebook page here.)

In just 5 days, we also saw our VBS kids raise over $26,000 to support a village in Egypt. I am so proud of their generous hearts and how they courageously stepped into our church partnership with Healing Grace ministries. God moved powerfully throughout VBS week, and we saw 378 kids say “I Believe” and 54 kids choose to be baptized. Seeing kids make significant next steps of faith gives us plenty of reasons to celebrate! God is good!

Don’t forget that Summer Saturday Night kicks off this Saturday, July 9th with our Art Fair. There will be local art displays, face painting, music, food trucks, and more! Join us after the 5pm service. Parents, if you haven’t tried Saturday nights, summer is the perfect time to check it out! Summer Saturday Nights are so much fun to bring the family to!

See you this weekend as we continue in our James series!

Jen