Join us for a scavenger hunt in Pacific City! We’ll meet for dinner and then divide into teams for our hunt! For more info, click here or search “Hunt” on our website. Contact Julie with questions, jdenouden@marinerschurch.org
JHM PACIFIC CITY SCAVENGER HUNT
Fri, Oct, 7, 6-8:30p, $5
TUESDAY EVENING MEN’S BIBLE STUDY
Sep 20 – Nov 22, 7-8:45p
Join us for an epic 10-week journey entitled, ‘’How God Makes Real Men.” Together we will survey and study ten legendary men of faith and learn ten proven principles to how God makes and molds real men for His glory and honor! More info and register.
THURSDAY MORNING MEN’S BIBLE STUDY
Sep 22 – Nov 10, 6:30-7:45a
Start your Thursday off right! Join us for this 10-week morning study through God’s Word. This is a great time to gather as men and encourage each other to be the husbands, brother, fathers and friends God has called us to be. Coffee and donuts provided. More info and register.
Contact Cole with questions, cbeshore@marinerschurch.org
For those in need of help—whether you’ve experienced personal failure, crisis, abuse, addiction, loss, or pain—or you are simply searching for hope and the next right step towards healing, we welcome you. Click here for more info about Care & Recovery or see some of our upcoming meetings listed below.
Women’s Abuse Support: Mondays, 6:30-9p
Anger Support: Wednesdays, 7-9p
Divorce Care: Mondays, 6:30-8p (starting Oct 10)
Anxiety and Depression Workshop: Thursdays, 7-9p
Grab your grass skirt and join us for a hula lesson set to praise music! Bring your daughters, friends and neighbors—women of all ages! Food, fun, iced coffee, photo booth and a time of encouragement! Don’t miss this special event! If you have any questions, email us at hbwomen@marinerschurch.org or to register click here.
COFFEE CONNECT
Sat, Aug 6, 9a-11a
UNITY IN DIVERSITY CONT…
In many respects, Mariners is a global church. We have seen the dramatic impact of Rooted on our church over the last several years. Not only has it created a shift in the landscape and culture of Mariners, it has also impacted 100+ churches here in the U.S. and numerous churches in other countries. Rooted is a direct result of engaging with the global church, specifically Mavuno Church in Kenya. Our relationship with Mavuno and our other global partners has created a new foundation in our church for a more holistic picture of ministry. We have moved from being an independent church to becoming a beautiful picture of interdependence with other Kingdom-builders throughout the world. “I am because we are, and because we are, therefore I am.” In essence, we are interdependent and inter-connected by the gospel.
There is nothing more beautiful than unity in diversity. Yet, as we look around, we can see this is the very thing that is lacking in our world today. We are overwhelmed by perilous and tumultuous times. Our country is plagued by polarizing views and rhetoric, the UK and Europe struggle with many challenging issues, and the Middle East continues to be in shambles since the Arab Spring began five years ago. Africa has been challenged for decades and Latin America and some parts of Asia have their own struggles. It’s in the midst of this turmoil that the global church of Jesus Christ is called to rise up and be a much needed light in dark times. When we, (the church), put into action the mandate we have to model unity in diversity, something incredible happens. Healing. In today’s world we are not shocked by dissension, polarization, enmity, hatred, jealousy, and bigotry, among other ills. But when healing takes place in the harshest of conditions, the world pays attention.
The world is confounded by the idea of unity in diversity. It’s powerful when people who have no reason or business loving each other come together IN love FOR one another. Jesus did not stay far, He came close. His love compels us to do the same. As we come up close and personal to others, we realize that every human being is an image bearer. No one knows this better than the Church (“ekklesia,” the called out ones), to follow Jesus and fearlessly change the world. You have the opportunity to put Jesus on display daily as you encounter others who are nothing like you. How can you be Jesus to them and how can you display love, even when it’s personally conflicting? I implore you to consider engaging with “the other.” As a church, we are committed to engaging the global world. That means right here in our own neighborhoods, “across the tracks” and across the oceans. Would you consider your part in putting love on display for the world to see?
It brings me such joy to see courageous people stepping out of their comfort zones and traveling to other countries to experience unity in diversity firsthand. Currently, we have a team in DR Congo, and our high school students just returned from Haiti. We have a team headed to Uganda in early August and another team traveling to Egypt and the Middle East soon after. Our Egypt and Middle East team will be joined by teams from Mavuno Church and Nairobi Chapel in Kenya, Sri-Lanka, and Germany. Please pray for all of these teams. You have an opportunity this fall to be a part of our teams to Mexico, Haiti, Egypt and Kenya. Prayerfully consider signing up for one of these fall opportunities. For info, please contact pphilp@marinerschurch.org
Courage is not the absence of fear, but the ability to act in the midst of fear. Let’s continue to display love, especially unity in diversity. Unity is not uniformity. Let’s do it afraid. Jesus loves us, so let’s love a world that is anxiously waiting to be loved. I promise you, it will be shocking.
Christian Mungai
Global Engagement Pastor
“…Don’t be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria or his mighty army, for there is a power far greater on our side! [The king of Assyria] may have a great army, but they are merely men. We have the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles for us!”
– 2 CHRONICLES 32:7-8
The other day, I was helping someone move their office. A lot of the things deemed worthy of the move needed to be left in the dumpster, forgotten forever. I knew, and so did they, that the trash was the inevitable end for much of the stuff we had worked so hard to “Tetris” into place inside the moving van. During the unpacking process we disturbed a handful of spiders who scampered by committee, out from the recesses of these long-forgotten pieces of furniture (further clarifying that these things belonged in the “throw-away” or “donate” piles. But, deciding the fate of things that were clearly not used was not my role on that day). As the panicked collection of little legs and segmented bodies ran for cover in a panic, a similar reaction ensued in the people around me.
In a flurry of swearing and fear-induced limb-shaking as if suddenly every spider ever lept onto the on-lookers’ bodies, my fellow movers likewise panicked. Then, as if it were a part of my own destiny as a guy, I grabbed the spiders by their spindly limbs and held them aloft (think Simba being held up by Rafiki in the Lion King) and then I mocked the spider, declaring my power over it and all of the rest of the animal kingdom (that may not have happened exactly as I have written it). I threw the spiders onto the road and crushed them under the weight of my awesome power (read: I squished them under my Nikes).
Up to that point, removing a bevvy of daddy longlegs from old furniture wasn’t an act meeting minimum qualifications of an act of “bravery.” But, based on the reaction of everyone else, I must be that — at least a little. Everyone retreated. Except me. I don’t retreat (unless it’s a rat, racoon, scorpion, angry squirrel, ferrell hamster, or a clown) because guys don’t retreat…
They camp.
This is the year we stop retreating. This is the year we go to camp. In the first weekend in June, we’ll host our annual Men’s Retreat MAN CAMP in the local mountains. It’s definitely not a time of hyper-emotionalism and craft-making, leaving our guy-ness at home. It’s not a time of loincloth nature over-exposure either. It’s a collection of guys from all the Mariners churches seeking to extend the scope of their friendships and deepen their faith. I’ll be joining the speaking team for the event. I can’t wait. It’s always a hit. Don’t miss it. Sign up here.
See you soon,
Jeff
What a great weekend we had this past Sunday! It was so fun to have our new worship leader Roy Schenkenberger and his family up front with us. I am so excited for the ways Roy will be leading us in the area of worship. He is a gifted leader with a great heart. If you didn’t have the opportunity to say “hi” to Roy, please make sure you do so this weekend.
This Sunday we are starting a new series called, “Art of Relationships.” Relationships are a huge part of every aspect of our lives, and the great thing is, God has a lot to say about them. This Sunday we will be learning the foundational part of making a relationship work.
You are not going to want to miss this series, and remember, it’s a great opportunity to invite someone to church. I look forward to seeing you this weekend. It looks like there may be a little weather this Sunday, so remember, we are here rain or shine!
Blessings,
Jeff
