Some Verses...

I was really challenged this morning in my devotional by these verses from Psalms. God is never done with us. There are always areas in our lives that can be refined by Him. I pray that these verses would encourage you to find the joy that comes through obedience to God!

Psalm 119 1-8
1 Joyful are people of integrity,
who follow the instructions of the Lord.
2 Joyful are those who obey his laws
and search for him with all their hearts.
3 They do not compromise with evil,
and they walk only in his paths.
4 You have charged us
to keep your commandments carefully.
5 Oh, that my actions would consistently
reflect your decrees!
6 Then I will not be ashamed
when I compare my life with your commands.
7 As I learn your righteous regulations,
I will thank you by living as I should!
8 I will obey your decrees.
Please don’t give up on me!

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Help! I need somebody.

Ok, that was a reference to a quite famous Beatles song.

If you haven't heard Pastor Erin say it recently, let me reiterate something.... The Saddleback Irvine Campus has thrived this past year because of the faithful service of all of you! What a blessing it has been to serve alongside all of you.

We're excited to launch a third Sunday service at Irvine (4:30 PM beginning Easter Sunday, April 12). God is allowing us another opportunity to reach more people in the community that do not know Him.

Yes, we're making announcements to recruit more volunteers... we're placing ads in the weekend bulletin. But what I've found to be most successful is a personal ask. Similar to sharing your testimony, people get more excited about serving when they hear how fulfilling it is in your life. My question to you is this, "Who can you invite to serve alongside you?" Your small group members? The new friend you sit next to during services?

Another blessing which I'd like to share with you is that three different people privately told me that they'll do "whatever it takes" to make the Sunday 4:30 service a success. I love Saddleback Irvine!!!

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Saddleback Laguna Woods Opens Easter!

Saddleback is really excited to announce the opening of our 4th regional campus this Easter!

The campus will be centered in Laguna Woods Village, which is the largest and most well known retirement community in Orange County. It will be lead by Pastor Rick Bradford with the assistance of Ron Ferrante and Joe Marchione. These three guys will be able to ‘bring’ Saddleback to this community with future hopes of having the residents find ways to invest in the next generation at our Lake Forest campus (about 15 minutes away) and with hopes to decode the model of how these types of retirement community regional campuses could pour into the local churches around them.

Help us pass the word along and be watching for details on www.saddleback.com under the ‘Saddleback Campuses’ section. This service will be for LW and their guests only.

If you’re interested in helping Rick, Ron, and Joe establish this campus please email Rick Bradford at RickBr@saddleback.com

We’re all very excited and appreciate your prayers!

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God of this city....

Hey Saddleback Irvine,

As we are approaching our 1 year anniversary (can you believe it?), I was trying to think of a song that we could all sing together that would show our thanks and gratitude towards God for all HE has done through Saddleback Irvine. Chris Tomlin's version of "God of this city" paints a great picture of the church (you) praying for lives in the surrounding community. The song also gives thanks to God by explaining that "There is no one like our God". Take a look at the lyrics that follow and know that God is not done here, He has only begun!

Love you all

Stearnzie

Verse 1
You're the God of this city
You're the King of these people
You're the Lord of this nation
You are
You're the light in this darkness
You're the hope to the hopeless
You're the peace to the restless
You are

Pre-Chorus
There is no one like our God
There is no one like You God

Chorus
Greater things have yet to come
And greater things have still to be done
In this city

Greater things have yet to come
And greater things have still to be done here

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Are you in a Desert?

Hey Irvine Peep's

I wanted to share some lyrics with you from a song we will be playing this Sunday. These lyrics are powerful and instrumental during this time in all of our lives. I pray that our hearts would connect to God through these lyrics.

Love you all!

Desert Song by Brooke Fraser

Verse 1
This is my prayer in the desert
When all that's within me feels dry
This is my prayer in my hunger and need
My God is the God who provides

Verse 2
This is my prayer in the fire
In weakness or trial or pain
There is a faith proved of more worth than gold
So refine me Lord through the flame

Chorus 1
I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon formed against me shall remain
I will rejoice
I will declare
God is my victory and He is here

Verse 3
This is my prayer in the battle
When triumph is still on its way
I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ
So firm on His promise I'll stand

(BRIDGE)
All of my life in every season
You are still God
I have a reason to sing
I have a reason to worship

Verse 4
This is my prayer in the harvest
When favour and providence flow
I know I'm filled to be emptied again
The seed I've received I will sow

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Weekend Sweetness

Hey Team, I just wanted to share with you some cool stuff I saw today.

I think I may do this every week.

Actually, it would be cool if you shared too. Please comment!

1. We had 11 people get baptized today! I love hearing the stories of how people came to a decision about Jesus and why they wanted to be baptized.
2. The message HIT people - God was on the move. Brandon did a fabulous job. People loved seeing Stearns on stage at Lake Forest (that's our guy!).
3. Fresno Pacific brought their (basketball???) team to church - so cool, at least for the people sitting in front of them.
4. I had a great meeting with Derek and many of our deaf congregants regarding next steps for making it an official ministry. They were so receptive and positive.
5. I cannot tell you the joy I have when I see our leaders and teams enjoy one another. You guys love each other!
6. Dan S. is on fire for the Motel Outreach - heck, he has a BINDER.
7. I heard Ron H. gave a hilarious interview with Cody regarding his mustache.
8. Linda A. is ENGAGED! WHOOHOO - congrats!
9. Susan F. was finally back at church after her medical treatments - she shared with me how POWERFUL this campus, the data entry team and her small group have been in her life. Ask her what real fellowship looks like - she experienced it.
10. "Jim" prayed to receive Christ during the 9am service - gave him a FSWG kit. Thanks Mary for pointing him out to me. (Psstt, his name wasn't Jim).
    
11. We had our highest attendance on a non-launch or RW weekend - 1130. Please pray for our search for a new facility - any leads, email me.
12. We ran out of bulletins.
    
13. We ran out of space.
14. Cody is not allowed to interview me impromptu with a video camera on stage anymore.:)
    
15. There definitely is a hole in the baptismal.
16. Can you believe it has almost been a year? March 23rd is our 1 year anniversary! (we will be celebrating it on Sunday, March 22nd).

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