Mission Viejo

A Note From Jeff

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Each summer, my family and I take a trip to San Antonio, Texas. And, while there isn’t much to do in the ultra-humid, mind-numbing heat of Texas in July, there’s always eating Texas-style barbecue and swimming in the backyard pool. Today, Molly, my seven-year-old daughter, found the motherload of bubbles that were begging to be set aloft adjacent to the pool deck. Dylan, her older brother, discovered a virtual armory of water guns that resulted in a nearly unavoidable splash-battle. And my four-year-old son, Scotty, continued in his education on how to “surf” a boogie board from the side of the pool.

While looking at the pool, full of sun bleached rafts and foam noodles floating listlessly in the water, I was faced with the constant reminder of the subtle power of DRIFT. This past Sunday, we talked about how easy it is to drift from the life we were intended to live in a series of countless micro-decisions and tiny indulgent permissions leading us into the middle of the proverbial deep end. What is it that God might be reminding you of during this week that might be causing some drift? How might you resist it?

I can’t wait to be back together with all of you soon. I miss my MV family. Each Sunday, I’ve been meeting your friends — those you’ve been inviting to join us — who all say how welcome they’ve felt among our church body. They keep using the words “family” and “home” to describe us. There are so many great opportunities to include your friends and neighbors with you and your community over the next few weeks: baseball games and beach days to name a few.

See y’all real soon,

Jeff

Irvine

A Note From Kyle

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I love our church…

One week ago today, I returned from Kenya with a team from our church.  Since then God has continually reminded me what a privilege it is to be a part of His Church right here in Orange County. I love that we were able to share some snapshots of our trip last weekend, doing our best to capture the essence of how generous God is with limited words. He transforms us as individuals when we trust our lives to Him and He leverages our gifts together in community to bring about change in the hearts of people around us and around the world.

Throughout the last week, I have loved seeing kids gather on our campus for fun activities, including a water day! I was so encouraged as we gathered in community together last night for a time of worship with Martin Smith to aim our hearts at the joy and freedom found in a journey with Jesus. I saw so many find healing and rest in worshiping Jesus together. I’m looking forward to being with you all at the Angel game tomorrow night, enjoying life and laughing with one another – connecting with old friends and meeting new ones. I love seeing our church put the Gospel on display relationally each weekend, particularly on Saturday nights, as we hang out with one another, listen to music, share a meal, and engage in conversations that encourage and shape our lives. Keep taking the time to create space to connect with God and one another as we move through the summer, and continue to invite your friends and family to join you on the journey…the Church is beautiful!

Peace…

Huntington Beach, Irvine, Mission Viejo

Men’s Summer BBQ

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BBQ on The Lawn with Magician/Illusionist, Jim Munroe! The MAZE is an entertaining performance that utilizes illusion, humor, and other psychological chicanery to get audiences to question what they believe to be true. Spearheaded by Orange County native, Jim Munroe, the MAZE has performed all over the world sharing the gospel message in a most powerful way.  THIS IS A MUST-SEE!  Don’t miss it! To register, click here.

Friday, July 26, 6:00p
Irvine Campus, $20

Huntington Beach

A Note From Caleb

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Greetings!

This Sunday we’re having some mid-summer fun. Join us for another inspiring hour of celebration in the Library Theater. Then walk outside and enjoy burgers and desserts from two locally-owned food trucks. We’re all about loving and supporting people in our community, so bring a little cash with you this Sunday.

Remember, no matter what you encounter today, God is Good and can be trusted.

If you or someone you know needs encouragement, here are recent messages.

Now, some random summer facts for your viewing pleasure:

  • The modern Summer Olympics were revived in 1896.
  • Mosquitoes, summer’s pest, have been around for more than 30 million years.
  • Watermelon is summer’s most popular vegetable. It is part of the cucumber, pumpkin, and squash family. The average American eats 15 pounds of watermelon a year and these juicy favorites are 92 percent water.
  • July is National Ice Cream Month. More Americans buy ice cream in July than any other month.
  • Summers spent throwing a Frisbee back and forth owe their game to a pie maker named Mr. Frisbee.
  • The first bathing suit for women was created in the 1800s. It was long sleeved with woolen bloomers.

Lastly, our registration is technically closed for next week’s Sports Clinic. But we’ll still let your kids and their friends come if you email Jordan Lynch really soon!

caleb

Mission Viejo

A Note From Jeff

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It’s true what they say: “God doesn’t bring you half-way around the world to bring you back the same.”

In the past eight days, in Africa, we’ve laughed harder, prayed longer, shared more vulnerably, and gone deeper than we ever could’ve imagined. To see God at work through new friends and new relationships has been nothing less than remarkable. We’ve been able to see how God is beginning to move in massive reconciliation projects in Congo. We’ve seen a professional clown who turned his attention toward impoverished victims of cancer. We’ve heard from the head of Google-Africa and saw a vision for a rapidly industrialized Africa. To tell the stories and to show the pictures still couldn’t capture all of what we were able to experience God do here in Nairobi, Kenya.

I’m leaving for the airport as I write this – grateful for the experience here in Africa, and looking forward to a lengthy sleep on the plane where visions of IN-N-OUT hamburgers occupy my dreams.

– Jeff

Irvine

A Note From Kyle

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“God doesn’t bring you half-way around the world to have you come home the same way.” If you’ve been anywhere on a faith adventure with Mariners Church, chances are you’re familiar with that quote…and it’s always true. We’re on our way home from Kenya after laughing, crying, praying and seeing God stir powerfully in ways that will move our lives and our church forward. We can’t wait to share the stories with you all. Don’t miss this weekend as Kenton returns and offers a glimpse into some of what God did on the faith adventure and what He is doing in our church.

Summer provides a great opportunity to change our life rhythms and invest in one another differently. I love that so many of you are choosing the Saturday night service to celebrate and remember Jesus together, and then staying to connect over a meal and music. If sports is a more comfortable way for you to connect and meet people, we’ve got that too. Join us for the Angels game on Friday night, July 19. It’s going to be a great time with lots of fun people.

I invite you to take advantage of this season, (through these and other upcoming opportunities), to develop the relationships that God designed for each of us.

peace

kyle