A Note From Jeff Maguire

MessageFrom-MV2

Early on in my married life, I determined, with ironclad conviction, that I would dedicate myself to the activity of surfing for the remainder of my days. I was certain, I would one day raise my yet-to-arrive-children to be comfortable with sand in their hair, their toes, and even a harmless bit of it in their granola bars and beach snacks. I envisioned us spending our days camped out along the seaside, playing together, nightly taking in sunsets over the Pacific ocean. However, my grip on that conviction started to weaken once my actual (not fantasy) children began to arrive. Because in the wake of “onesies,” and late nights with no sleep, and soccer teams, and a minivan, Amanda and I realized that kids eat sand, apparently funnel it in their diapers, and run with determination into arriving cars and crashing waves. We started to find the beach to be far more of a nuisance than a joy. I eventually, and reluctantly found ways to put my surfboards in places far less convenient to easy access, but better for long-term storage purposes and garage access.

But, that process began to reverse itself this summer. My two oldest (10 and 12) discovered a new, yet seemingly familiar love. Now, those who used to eat sand, dare cars in the parking lots to a game of chicken (a la: toddler-versus-car), and demand a nap in the middle of the day, can’t surf enough. The water that used to terrify them (and their sleep-deprived parents) now calls to them with the promise of adventure. The question: “What are we doing today?” has now been replaced by, “Can we go surfing today?” They, like most kids who surf, don’t ever stop once they’re in the water. For three or four hours they paddle in a kind of endless surf-treadmill: ride a wave, paddle out, paddle into a wave, ride a wave, and so on…

In looking back over the past few months, I’ve been trying to figure out what the “magic bullet” was. Why did they, all of a sudden, decide this was an activity they sought after? The only thing I can conclude regarding this surf enthusiasm was that they found friends to accompany them. This phenomenon is simple and time-tested. We know it with great familiarity. I find that question we ask first in most circumstances is not, “what are we doing?” but “who’s going to be there?” We can do most anything: adventurous, scary, daring, boring, or even labor-intensive if we’re with people willing to share the experience with us.

To stretch the analogy a little further… This year, as we proverbially “put away the white shoes” after Labor Day, we’ll look into the fall calendar and possibly wonder about the adventure ahead. For me, that adventure involves launching our new service on Sundays at 5pm. I’m grateful we get to take that next step together. It marks a great moment for our church community. Yet, for others of us, our present and near-future adventures are not the ones we eagerly sought because we’re in the midst of “it.” It hurts. It is a challenge. It feels like we’re ready to give up. So, we’re finding we may need other people more than ever — more than we thought we did. And, it turns out, they need us, too. So, no matter what’s ahead, don’t let an opportunity to get connected slip by. Start that process with our “Community Kick-off” on September 14th. So whether you’ve yet to complete the ROOTED experience or haven’t quite found a connection in a life group, come. Whatever’s ahead and whatever we’ll face can be met with confidence and even a sense of joy, so long as we’re not alone.

See you Sunday,

Jeff

A Note From Jeff Pries

MessageFrom-OH

It is safe to say that fall is here. How do we know that? Well, football is back, the temperature has cooled, the kids are going back to school. It’s also the perfect time for me to remind you how important it is to be in community at Mariners Ocean Hills. And, one of the best ways to find community is through Rooted.

When you jump into Rooted for ten weeks, you will experience new relationships with people at the church, and a deeper relationship with God. You will begin to experience some of the key values of our Church: community, serving, openness and authenticity. Rooted is a foundational part of the life of our church, so if you haven’t done Rooted, now’s the time.

I’m excited to be back this weekend. Growing up it seemed like every time my grandmother made us dinner, or cookies, or cakes, she always raved about some special ingredient that went into it. The problem was she would never tell us what it was, so we would try to guess, but to be honest, I never had any idea so I would say “vanilla.” She would say “no,” but would never tell me what it was. This weekend, we are going to learn about the secret ingredient to having an intimate relationship with God. And the exciting part is, I am not going to keep it to myself! I am going to let you know exactly what it is. I look forward to seeing you on Sunday.

Blessings,
Jeff

A Note From Kyle Zimmerman

MessageFrom-IR

Are you running on empty or full?! What a great time we had in our REFUELED series in August, remembering that God is powerful, loving, close, personal, and always available to fuel our lives. Last weekend was such a beautiful finale as we celebrated with over 50 people who said “I believe,” choosing to trust and follow Jesus with their lives! And many of you decided to get in the game and use your giftedness to serve our kids in Port Mariners (as opposed to watching from the sidelines)! The opportunity to serve our church family (including our kids) along with many other opportunities are available every week, so I want to invite you guys to continue to develop as mature followers of Jesus by living a life of character, unity, and service.

It’s September! Fall is here, kids are back in school, football is back, and this is a great time to look back – did you have the summer of your dreams or was it a disaster? Do you feel rested and ready for this season or are you already exhausted just thinking about what the fall season brings and all of its demands? This weekend, we will look at God’s Word and discover that it is possible to have a life of rest at the speed of life. What could it look like to move through life not overwhelmed or burdened, but with a sense of freedom? The world is desperate to hear we don’t have to live exhausted, crushed by the demands of life, burdened by the weight of performing and pleasing God or those around us.

Invite your friends and family to join us this weekend as we gather together to remember that a life of rest is possible, even promised, in God’s Word. And, we’ll slow down, taking communion together as we remember our identity in Christ. Looking forward to being with you all and saying hello to you and your friends this weekend.

Peace,

Kyle

A Note From Caleb Anderson

MessageFrom-HB

Happy Labor Day Weekend!

Did you know…

Labor Day—celebrating the first Monday of September since 1894—honors the workers of the industrial revolution. In those days, men, women, and children as young as 5 years old were put to work in mills and factories under brutal, unsanitary conditions. Today, employees throw a fit if they can’t bring their pet iguana to work in its diamond-studded collar.

Work is part of life. It’s not punishment. It’s always been the plan.

The first instructions that God gave to humans was to “care for the earth.” That’s work with purpose. And work with purpose is satisfying.

Consider how your work is purposeful. How does it make the world better? How are you contributing to the lives of others? How are you able to use your God-given talents for the sake of a bigger story?

If those questions are difficult for you, hope is coming. The FAVOR WITH KINGS series (starting 9/18) will be powerful.

In the meantime, don’t miss the opportunity to rest and reflect this weekend. And don’t miss your 60 minutes with us on Sunday: 8:30, 10, 11:30a & 6p.

May God bless you as you work.

caleb

PS: Listen to past messages here. We’ve fixed the podcast problem from earlier in the week.

PPS: Put September 24th in calendar and don’t miss the ALL IN night. It will be a defining evening for our whole church.