The Gospel and the American Dream— sometimes our pursuit of happiness confuses our idea of what we deserve. Through a fresh and surprising look at the life of Jesus, “Interrupted” will take a look at Scriptures you have heard before, in a frustrating, uncomfortable and challenging way. More info and register.

WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY: INTERRUPTED
Thursdays, May 5 – Jun 2, 9:30-11:30a
Meet in the Lobby

So, I think I might be fully an adult now. I know there has been some speculation among many, that my passage into adulthood may have been an unattainable reality. However, I turned 40 on Wednesday. I’m adjusting to life on the “other side:” I’ve decided to have my hips replaced (preventatively) and I scheduled a colonoscopy (Because, who wouldn’t want that?). I bought a pair of reading glasses at CVS because I know I’ll inevitably need them. I started eating dinner at 4:30p and referring to my favorite TV shows as “my programs.”

I talked about my birthday with one woman yesterday who is six months pregnant. I told her that I recently started calculating my birthdays in 10-year chunks but through the lens of my kids’ ages. So, ten years ago today, my daughter was 3 days old. My youngest son was still two and a half years away from being born. Similarly, I projected the next ten year span: my oldest will be in his fourth year of college and my youngest in his senior year of high school. That thought gave me pause.

Everyone fifty years old and older talk about that same kind of logic. They talk about speed — speed of life — that the decades ahead will bend the time-space continuum, teleporting my children into adulthood in little more than a blink. I had this thought: If I took one week with my kids on some kind of family trip, every year until my youngest graduates from high school, that’s only eleven weeks. That’s less time than it takes for P90X to transform someone from a squishy desk-jockey into a chiseled American Gladiator. Oh man.

So what do I do? I guess I could coast. I could take fewer risks. I could try to figure out how to dream smaller, to let go of the big, scary, vision-y stuff. I could keep holding on to littler dreams — dreams that can be purchased, ordered online, driven, flown, or worn. I could make preparations for more cynicism and disdain. I could start withdrawing from the world, deciding that it will need me less and less.

Or…

I could continue to prepare to be amazed. I could anticipate a renewal in God’s calling in my life. I could make those eleven weeks the best weeks ever. I could dream about what God is doing in and through our church for the community. I could step into fear rather than running from it. Together, we could start thinking about unleashing the compassionate, courageous, transformative love of Jesus into the world. We can believe God isn’t done with us — that we, like the world — are a work in progress… and that there is much to be done in both.

So let’s progress. Let’s stop counting the moments and start making the moments count. The best is still ahead of us. Onward everyone.

See you soon,

Jeff

Find out how you can support local and global causes and help bring healing to the poor and marginalized. Search “Be Fearless” on our website or visit the patio this weekend after services to find out more.

We’re excited to offer a college-to-young-adult focused service – but anyone is welcome! Each week, we’ll hear teaching from the upcoming weekend service, providing encouragement and a place where college students can grow together in community. Check out our Instagram and get more info!

THURSDAY NIGHT SERVICE
7PM, Worship Center
no childcare available

As I look back at the past year of all that God has done here at Mariners MV, I am in awe of the incredibly awesome God we serve! It was just a short year ago that I answered God’s call to come to Mariners MV and become the Children’s Pastor. (Phew…time flies by!) This journey has been nothing short of amazing and God continues to surprise me with His faithfulness. As I settled into my new position, I was immediately struck with what an amazing church community we have here at Mariners MV. You are a church that believes in what God has called you to and sees the blessings of serving. I see a community that has a desire to learn more of what God has for each of you. I quickly learned that you are a church “that is in the community for the community” and that every weekend you are people who love to invite others from your neighborhoods and your community to be a part of all that God is doing at Mariners MV. God is on the move here at this church and I love that you are people who don’t want to miss it! Every weekend I see Children’s Ministry growing as you continue to be an inviting church.

So, in light of all this excitement I see happening here, I wanted to continue to lean into what a next step for Children’s Ministry would be. I am so thrilled to let you know that this year we will be hosting Summer Fun Nights VBS on our OWN campus! Summer Fun Nights VBS will take place July 18-22 from 5:30-8:30p for incoming kindergartners-5th graders. This is an incredible opportunity for you as a church to be praying about who in your neighborhoods, your kids’ schools or sports teams need to experience this awesome event! Where Summer Fun Nights VBS is going to be nothing short of awesome with Bible stories, crafts, recreation and an amazing Outreach focus, my desire is for kids who have never heard the Good News of Jesus Christ to come to know Him in a way that will change their lives forever.

This is also a wonderful time for our church to come together and serve during the week of VBS. There are so many opportunities for you to jump in! Having it in the evening gives us the unique opportunity to serve as a family. We get to partner together as a church and watch in awe all that God is going to do. I don’t want you to miss out on this blessing. God is going to do an amazing work!

“Give thanks to the Lord, call on His name; make known among the nations what He has done. Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; tell of all His wonderful acts. Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.”  Psalm 105: 1-3

Blessings,

Susan Hulse
Children’s Pastor

Do you have a heart for Africa? Have you ever wondered what the church is up to in Kenya and Uganda? Join us for our information meeting to hear more about our next adventure to build a leadership team to join in on what God is doing in Kenya and Uganda. RSVP to Mindy@marinerschurch.org to let us know you’ll be attending! Our Faith Adventure is planned for July 24-August 4, 2016.

KENYA AND UGANDA FAITH ADVENTURE MEETING
Sun, Apr 24, 12:30-2:30p
Kindergarten room in Port Mariners

Help those who are ready to take next steps to get off the street as we build relationships with the homeless through games, dessert and stories. Be a part of our welcome home team for those moving into permanent housing. More info and register or search “homeless” on our website.

HOMELESS MINISTRY GATHERINGS
Sat, Apr 23, 5:45-8p
Salvation Army, 1710 W Edinger, Santa Ana
Every 3rd and 4th Saturday of the month

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

“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