A Note From Jeff Pries

MessageFrom-OH

We are three weeks into the Nehemiah series where we’ve been talking about finding significance in life. FAVOR WITH KINGS is an amazing story about discovering the dreams we have in life and how to accomplish them. There is nothing better than listening to people share with me their story of what God has put on their hearts, and their desire to follow this dream. My prayer is that God is starting to stir in your heart this quest for fulfillment in life.

Community Nights continue to be a big success. Of course the food has been out of this world, but it has been the community that has really given the night meaning. One of the major values of our church is finding a connection and community with other people and we are certainly finding that on Tuesday nights. It is never too late to jump in if you haven’t been able to make it.
 We have a lot of things happening in the coming month. Don’t forget to scroll down and see all that’s taking place as we move into the holiday season.

Blessings,
Jeff

A Note From Jeff Maguire

MessageFrom-MV2

“…The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love”- Galatians 5:6

“We don’t have all the answers.”

If you’ve ever visited a service at Mariners, chances are high that you’ve heard someone mention that phrase before. The apostle, Paul, writes in his letter to a young pastor, named Timothy, that he’s to avoid people who have “an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions.” Timothy, like so many of us is left wondering about what kinds of things are substantive and which are merely a worthless distraction. No more is this apparent than during an election year. And, in the course of most of our lives, there has been no election like the one to which we are presently witnesses. We want answers. In many cases we deserve them. Both sides of the current political debate speak with absolute certainty about their opponents. They speak with a bit less clarity with regard to their own accused indiscretions. Over the past few weeks, we’ve been tuning into the debates — part politics and part reality show caricature.

Between the accusations and the mudslinging, the exposés and the unflattering uncovering, the shame and the name calling, the apologies and near-apologies, the vitriol and the contempt,  it feels like we’ve reached a new plateau of quasi-political discourse. But, as history frequently reminds us, we do have rather short memories. The names on the November ballot are merely the latest-arriving characters in a long history of behavior that ranges from outright vile to just plain bizarre.

These are serious times. The freedom to elect our leaders that Americans enjoy comes at a great cost. So, we ought to vote. As a church, our political agenda is clear: to continue to aim people at pursuing Jesus. To that end, we all ought to pray that it is Jesus and not party allegiances, nor knee-jerk emotionalism which influence how we “live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28), in light of this election.

Whether or not we subscribe to a particular party platform: Democrat or Republican, Green party or Libertarian, Independent or decline-to-state, none of these are the lens through which we view our world. To state it as simply as I’ve ever heard it: “…the only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love” (Galatians 5:6)… THE ONLY THING THAT COUNTS. For people who follow Jesus, we all have the same agenda — that our faith IS expressed in LOVE. In that sense, the only thing up for energetic debate is HOW that is best put into practice — regardless of which  side of the political spectrum on which we may fall. At the heart of all the controversy, the issues, and the political war of words, the burden we bear is to determine which candidate and which policies best puts into practice “the only thing that counts… faith expressing itself through love.” This is our on-going challenge — election year or not.

See you Sunday,

Jeff

A Note From Kyle Zimmerman

MessageFrom-IR

I love how God has given us our weekend series FAVOR WITH KINGS to walk through at the same time He is inviting us to go Beyond ourselves in the way we love and serve our community! Nehemiah shows us passion and purpose is found in caring for people, and that is exactly what God is inviting us into as a church as we begin to re-purpose our campus so we can love and better serve our community in new ways for years to come.

Visit our Beyond website to learn more about going Beyond

It was so encouraging last Saturday seeing all of you who came to hear the story of going Beyond ourselves. If you weren’t able to make it, I invite you to join me this Saturday night after the service in the Community Center, to hear more about the intersection of the growing needs in our community and the opportunities we have as a church to be a resource that offers tangible solutions. Don’t worry, we’ll  take care of your kids in Port Mariners (dinner for them too!) and be done around 7p. We will share what we’ve learned about our community, the existing needs that are present, and how this is our opportunity to be a front door to love and serve!

This weekend, we will continue looking at Nehemiah’s journey together and remember that people are the reason for the vision God gives us. This is a great weekend to invite friends and neighbors to come and discover how the Church is the hope of the world!

Looking forward to being with you guys this weekend!

Peace,

Kyle

Mexico Faith Adventures

Outreach-Compass-2016

Join our Mexico Ministry as we return to Ribera Del Bosque Church and begin an exciting new project! A major remodel project will begin October 21-22 to add a second story to the existing church. Click the links below to learn more and register.

MEXICO ONE DAY FAITH ADVENTURE
Sat, Oct 22, 6a-8:30p
$40/adult and $20/student under 16 years

MEXICO TWO DAY FAITH ADVENTURE
Fri, Oct 21, 6a-Sat, Oct 22, 8:30p (adults only)
$90/adult

Note: Passports are required; under 18 years of age may present a birth certificate. Passports should be valid for at least 6 months post event date.

Contact Mindy with questions, mindy@marinerschurch.org

Q Commons

qcommons

Q Commons is intended to provoke conversation concerning some of the critical issues facing our country. Come hear from national and local speakers who will address topics such as race, reconciliation, and our nation. Find out more and purchase tickets here.

Thu, Oct 13, 7-9p, Worship Center

Foster Adoption Support Group

Outreach-ProvidingHope

Please join us for a monthly learning and support group to get to know others on this journey as we find support, equipping and encouragement. Open to foster and adoptive parents and those who want to learn more about adoption and foster care. More info here.

FOSTER ADOPTION GROUP
Fri, Oct 14, 6:30-8:30p
Life Development Bld r205

Baptism Classes

Mariners-Baptism-compass

BAPTISM CLASS, 2ND-5TH GRADERS
Sun, Oct 23, 11a-12:15p
Port Mariners Room 237
Children will learn more about the purpose, importance and significance of baptism. Class is required and must be completed prior to baptism. To register click here. Parents are encouraged to attend. Next baptism is November 6. 

JHM BAPTISM CLASS
Sunday Oct 30, during 9a & 11a services
Meet in Student Center basketball court.
If you’re a junior high student thinking about getting baptized, we would love to talk to you about how you can TAKE ONE STEP forward in your faith. Our next baptism will take place Sunday, November 6. If you would like to be baptized, please attend our upcoming Baptism Class. For more info click here.

Q Commons

qcommons

Q Commons is intended to provoke conversation concerning some of the critical issues facing our country. Come hear from national and local speakers who will address topics such as race, reconciliation, and our nation. Find out more and purchase tickets here.

Thu, Oct 13, 7-9p, Mariners Irvine Campus Worship Center

Homeless Ministry

Outreach-Compass-2016

Come join us as we build relationships with the homeless through games, dessert and stories. As we build relationships, we can help those who are ready to take the next steps to get off the street. Register here or search “Homeless Ministry” on our website for info.

HOMELESS MINISTRY
Sat, Oct 15, 5:30-8p
Salvation Army, 1710 W Edinger Ave, Santa Ana

Care & Recovery

careRecovery2015-compass

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 through Nov 28, 6:30-9p
ABORTION RECOVERY: Wednesdays through Dec 14, 6:30-8:30p
DIVORCE SUPPORT: Mondays through Dec 5, 6:30-8:30p
PARENTING THROUGH GRIEF WORKSHOP: Sat, Oct 15, 2-4p