A Note From Jeff Maguire

MessageFrom-MV2

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

A Note From Kyle Zimmerman

MessageFrom-IR

God is on the move! For the past couple weeks as we’ve been focusing on God’s heart for generosity, it has been so powerful to see our church respond, courageously stepping into that space. Watching you Be Fearless and express God’s love to those in need and serve the community around us is so beautiful. I’m encouraged as I believe it is who we are called to be, knowing God is changing us as we serve others!

I love that hundreds of you have jumped in and given for the first time, brought bags of food for the first time, and are coming to serve with me and many others this Saturday for the first time! I love that this is what we are putting on display, believing this is what the world is longing to see from us as followers of Jesus. I love that it represents how God is transforming our hearts and that we will get to experience His power at work through us as we change the world together!

I’m looking forward to seeing you guys as we serve together this Saturday and then gather for services to continue our series, Things I Wish Jesus Never Said. Bring a friend and I’ll see you soon!

Peace,

Kyle

A Note From Jeff Pries

MessageFrom-OH

What a great week we had last Sunday. Thank you all for stepping up and jumping in with our Be Fearless campaign. We gave away over 300 bags of food to feed the homeless in our community. There is a bin out front of the church so you can drop bags off any time before May 15.  We had over 35 people say they will participate in sending care packages to Nykiea, who is being deployed to Japan with the Marines. Your enthusiasm for our Medical and Dental Clinic, as well as our serve project to fix up San Juan Elementary School, was incredibly encouraging. We are a church that values making a difference in the lives of others, and you embrace that vision and always participate. Thank you.

Community Nights was once again a big hit as we had a great evening listening to Jared Kirkwood talk about learning to find your story and help others find theirs. Next week, Kathleen Chapman will join us. She will be talking about different personality types as we learn how to navigate life with our own personalities. She will also be discussing how to get along with the other “personalities” in our life.

Finally, I had a great meeting this week about the launch of our new preschool. We are a church that desires to reach the young families in our community. This will be a great opportunity to build relationships and help parents shape the hearts of their children.  The preschool opens in September, so if you can, get the word out.
Always great doing life and ministry with you all.

Blessings,

Jeff

Be Fearless

Fearless_logo2016-Compass

GIVE FEARLESSLY • FILL A BAG • SERVE WITH US

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. Sign up for our Serve Day on Sat, April 30!

BE FEARLESS WEEKENDS
Apr 16/17, 23/34 & Apr 30/May 1

Mexico: Families Home Build Faith Adventure Info Meeting

Outreach-Compass-2016Whether this is your first Home Build Faith Adventure or you just want to learn more about our upcoming Summer 2016 Families Home Build Faith Adventure in Mexico, please join us for this info meeting. You can RSVP for this meeting by clicking here or search “Mexico” on our website. For questions contact Paul at: phan@marinerschurch.org

MEXICO: FAMILIES HOME BUILD FAITH ADVENTURE
INFO MEETING
Sun, May 1, 10:30a OR 12:30p
Life Development Building Room 206

 

Thursday Night Service

MV-Thursday-Nights

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