Saddleback Irvine

On Sunday, April 22, Pastor Jake and his sweet wife Erin shared their news that they are moving to Washington State to serve on staff at Eastlake Church in Seattle. Here's a letter Jake sent to the Irvine family:

 

To all our friends at Saddleback Irvine,

Yesterday was a big day at our campus and I wanted to write to tell you about some exciting, but difficult things happening in the life of the Rutenbar family. We announced at church yesterday that God has been stirring some new things in Erin's and my heart, and that we'll be moving our family to Seattle, WA area to start serving on staff at Eastlake Community Church. It was so fun to have Pastor Rick join us to announce this transition, and explain how Saddleback Irvine will continue to thrive.

This is a HUGE and difficult change for us as Orange County and Saddleback have been home for most of our lives. Besides our two years serving in Irvine, we have served together for almost 9 years at Saddleback. And as many of you know, my family has been highly involved at our church since I was a young kid.

We love Saddleback and this area ... but we also love God, and know that in this season, He is calling us to continue our ministry learning and growth in a different setting.

Pastor Rick has been unvelievably encouraging and affirming, as we've processed during this time. He has challenged us to continue our ministry in a new setting and has personally supported me as we navigate this transition.

Our last Sunday at Saddleback Irvine will be May 6th, and please know that, as always, Saddleback will be on our hearts and minds as we all continue the work that Jesus Christ has called us to.

I love you guys and am so thankful for the many relationships I have from this amazing place.

Jake Rutenbar

 

 

As most of our church family is aware, sweet Jessie Rees went to be with the Lord on January 5. She is the 12 year old daughter of Erik and Stacey Rees. Erik is one of our awesome pastors at Saddleback Church. Just 10 months ago, Jessie was diagnosed with 2 inoperable brain tumors and in that short time, this little girl didn't waste a minute. She did more in that time than most of us will do in 10+ years. She immediately came up with her motto, NEGU ("Never Ever Give Up"), which inspired and established Joy Jars and The NEGU Foundation, a charity committed to Caring for Courageous Kids. Their goal is to create awareness of pediatric cancer and encourage those kids and parents.

Tonight, we'll be celebrating her life - her amazing, joyful, incredible, loving life. At the same time, we are heartbroken that this has happened to this little girl and her family. Pastor Tom Holladay talks about this ... that we need to pray for comfort and peace, but that we also pray for the hope of Jesus to speak to our hearts. And most importantly, that we pray that some one will be with Jessie in heaven someday because they come to the service tonight. 

" ... for we have heard that you trust in Christ Jesus and that you love all of God's people. You do this because you are looking forward to the joys of heaven - as you have been ever since you first heard the truth of the Good News." Colossians 1:4-5 (NLT)

 

 

 

 

 

" ... you will be encouraged that God still uses flawed human beings to change the world. And if He can use me, He can use you." Katie Davis talks about this in her study, "Kisses from Katie," which the Women's MInistry will study for two weeks beginning January 9. If you'd like to join this study, they will meet on Mondays at 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. or on Fridays at 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Irvine Ministry Office. You can purchase the book for $15 on Monday or Friday. Childcare is available on Friday morning for a fee.
 

If you have any questions, please contact Ruth Russell at ruthr@kardia.org.
 

Don't forget that December 11 is part of "Good Neighbor Weekend," where in place of church service, each of us will be going out to show compassion to our neighbors as our act of worship.

For more information, check out www.saddleback.com/goodneighborweekend.

Don't do nothing. Find a neighbor, co-worker or, as Jake has been talking about ... that single-parent family that you can love on and serve in the name of Jesus.

We can't wait to hear the stories of how YOU were actually blessed because you were a blessing. Please email irvine@saddleback.com with your stories!!

The Irvine Women are just wrapping up their 3-week study of "Choose Joy," written by our very own Kay Warren and they aren't going to skip a beat as they kick off their new study, "JONAH: Navigating a Life Interrupted." I think we can all appreciate that while we can't escape life's interruptions, we can definitely learn to change our perspective of them!

This great 7-week study will begin the week of October 10 - Mondays at 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. or Fridays at 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. at the Irvine MInistry Office. Childcare is available for a fee on Friday mornings.

The workbook is $14 and can be purchased at the time of the study. If you have any questions, please drop by on Sunday at the Women's Ministry Table and speak to one of our lovely women's leaders, or email Ruth at RuthR@kardia.org.

As you’ve been hearing on Sundays we are calling this month Small Group September, and we are challenging you to be a part of it. We appreciate you reading through this information and considering.

At Saddleback Church we celebrate the truth that we are Better Together, and the way we live this out is through small groups. This fall, we are making a push at Saddleback Irvine to have everyone who’s committed to our campus to join one of our Irvine Small Groups. This will allow our volunteers and staff in Irvine to know, communicate, and care for our groups in a much better way in the upcoming year. So whether you’ve never joined a group or have been in one for years…if you’re a part of Saddleback Irvine, sign up for an Irvine Small Group! Here’s how:

Tell us who you are

I’m not in a group yet but want to connect with one.

Go to www.saddleback.com/irvinesg and let us know about you and your preferences for a group in the MEMBER section so we can match you with a group.

I’m already connected in a group.

That is great! Let us know that you are on board to be a member of an Irvine Small Group and tell us about the group you attend by completing the MEMBER section www.saddleback.com/irvinesg.

I’m a host of a group.

Whether your group has been meeting for 20 years or only 20 minutes, we want you to register the group at www.saddleback.com/irvinesg. Hosts, we need you to get your small group information input by this Sunday, September 18 so we can build out all of our groups.

What happens next?

As everyone signs up for their Irvine Small Groups, we will be in the process of matching your preferences to existing and new small groups whose hosts attend the Irvine Campus. By October 3, you’ll receive an email with information about the host and group for you.

Dates to put on your calendar

Everyone:  Friday, October 7th -

Block out this evening now. We’re hosting a Small Group Rally for everyone that is part of a small group. You won’t want to miss this as we meet our groups, worship together, and gather as the committed community of Saddleback Irvine!

Hosts only:

9/27 & 9/28 – We have a mandatory dinner gathering for all Irvine Small Group hosts one of these two nights from 7:00-9:00 p.m. Please mark your calendars.

Pastor Jake

Our newest church planting conference is this coming Nov 2^nd-3^rd in the Lake Forest Campus Refinery.

 

Commissioned: Planting Healthy Churches on Purpose

 

The conference has three very unique tracks for people responding to the call:

• TRACK1- Leaders who are ready to plant a new church
• TRACK 2- Leaders who are ready for their church to plant a new church
• TRACK 3-Leaders who are ready to leave their marketplace job to get started

 

The number of participants is limited to just 300 people in the Refinery so participants can get up close with our pastors and expert guests -- real hands-on and relevant training and information. This is a very “how to do it” conference.

 

If you know anyone who is planting a church, thinking about becoming a church planter, or a church that wants to plant churches or start multi-site campuses, tell them about Commissioned.

If you haven't had an opportunity to take CLASS 101: Discovering Our Church Family, now is a great time! It is the basic introduction to our church family and explains who and what our church is. For more information and to register, please go to http://saddleback.com/irvine/events/eventdetails.aspx?id=34809.

Pastor Jake is looking forward to seeing you there!

Join us this weekend for special services in which we will remember those who died and those who fought as a result of the attacks on 9/11. We will honor their sacrifice by celebrating our freedom and hope.

We'll hear from Pastor Rick, our own worship team, and some very special guests. Invite your family, friends and neighbors as we gather together to remember the hope we have in Christ despite the violence that was brought upon our country.

Join us on Easter Sunday, April 24, for the biggest celebration of the year. There will be three services - 9am, 11am & 1pm. We meet at Northwood High School, 4515 Portola Parkway, Irvine, CA 92620. Pastor Rick Warren will be teaching a message entitled, "The Greatest Rescue," where we will examine what happened to Jesus in the days following his death. You'll also hear the miraculous testimony of survival and redemption from one of the rescued Chilean miners. Your family will also be able to enjoy jump houses, inflatable slides, family photo booths, shaved ice, a special children's program, and more!

Join us as we celebrate life - and bring a friend!

Hi Saddleback Irvine!

Here's what is happening around our church campus:

• Leadership Gathering is Sunday night! 6-8 p.m. at our ministry office. If you are currently leading or interested in leading at Saddleback Irvine, please join us for our monthly gathering as we learn and discuss leadership and enjoy dinner together. Email irvine@saddleback.com so we can save you some food!
• New Location As we announced this last weekend, Saddleback Irvine is beginning to look for a new single location to call home in the city of Irvine! If you have information that can help us find a location for us to meet and continue to grow, please contact me jaker@saddleback.com
• Baptism is taking place after our 11 a.m. service this weekend…if you have decided to follow Jesus with your life, but haven't been baptized…what are you waiting for! Join us after service. We'll provide you with a shirt, shorts, towel, and the water.
• Easter @Saddleback is coming April 24th. We are planning a celebration at Saddleback Irvine that I promise you and your friends and family will not want to miss. Stay tuned for more details, but services will be held Easter Sunday at 9 & 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
• SB Irvine Facebook & Twitter Have you checked out our Facebook page? Are you following us on Twitter? Click HERE to check us out and become a fan today.

Hope that you're doing well and we'll see you Sunday.

Pastor Jake

Our Child Dedication service is a celebration where parents commit to raise their children in home to one day know Jesus Christ and help them to grow in their faith. They will promise to model the teachings of Jesus and share His love. It is a service where family and friends are encouraged to support and pray for their special little one. The children typically range in age from newborn to young children.

Our next Child Dedication service will be held on Sunday, April 3.

Prior to that, parents must take the Child Dedication class. The next class will be on MARCH 27 at 11:15 a.m. in Room 916 at Northwood High School. Rergistration for the Child Dedication service will be available at the conclusion of the class.

Please contact our Children's Ministry Director, Kecia Jones, at KeciaJ@saddleback.com or call 949-609-8270.

So many have asked us what they can do to help and also what the church is doing about the earthquake in Japan. Please view Pastor Jake's short video ... he'll get to it after first briefly talking about the Daniel Plan! Just copy and paste this url:
http://vimeo.com/21177278

If you would like to receive these messages from Pastor Jake directly to your email, please contact Yukie at YukieM@saddleback.com. You will receive all Irvine-related email messages when you are registered as an Irvine Campus attendee. You will continue to receive information about Lake Forest and other campuses events, but you will specifically receive information about Irvine!

The Women's Ministry is at it AGAIN with their creative and enthusiastic activities. This time, this wonderful group of volunteers has formed "Walk 'n Worship!"
 
Every Monday and Wednesday from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., these ladies gather at Harvard Athletic Park (14701 Harvard Avenue) to walk and stretch with an attitude of worship and prayer. They would LOVE to have as many people join them, to enjoy the advantages of shared goals, mutual support and group encouragement. There's nothing like community to help you stick with your PLAN and achieve your desired goals.

If you have any questions, please contact Carisa at 949-439-0313 or email her at cwiensz@lightndark.org.

Do you have plans for Christmas Eve on Friday? 

Come to Christmas @ Saddleback Irvine.  Our services will be right here at Northwood High with amazing Christmas music, festive atmosphere, and a great Christmas message.  Service times are 3:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. If you are a Saddleback regular, please consider inviting a neighbor or friend and bring them to our campus.  Christmas is such a great opportunity to put out that ask, and we would love to see Irvine and the surrounding area feel welcomed to Saddleback in Irvine.

 

Please also pray that Christmas @ Saddleback Irvine would reach people in this community to know about and trust Jesus with their lives.

Merry Christmas!

- Pastor Jake

Hey Everyone!!

 We have great news for our campus- our Children's Ministry is growing in several areas!
Because of this growth, we need to make some adjustments, especially  at the 11:00 service.

  For the next two Sundays ( Nov. 14 and Nov. 21) please check your child into the following rooms for service:

  Nursery: 1102
  2's and 3's: 912
  4's and 5's: 914  ( NEW)*

    Kinder-1st grade: 904 ( New age group)*
   2nd and 3rd: 906
   4th and 5th: 926

  Would you like to join our growing team? Don't miss the chance to serve our awesom kids! The next Orientation class for volunteers is Sunday November 21, in Rm 916 at 11:15. We would love to have you!

Thank you so much for your flexibility as we work out how best to serve your families!

Becky Bernardes
Children's Ministry Director- Irvine Campus

I’ve got 3 things I need you to read about!  Thanks!

 

-         Let me highlight a key event where we need your help.  THIS SUNDAY, November 7^th, Pastor Rick will be sharing on the importance of our physical health as he interviews famous doctors.  As part of the November 7^th weekend, each campus is putting on a health expo on the patio after the services.  So here’s the ask … if you are or you know a medical professional, personal trainer, nutritionist, or are connected to a business or company that is promoting or helping with personal health, we’d love to have you represented at our Irvine campus expo.  Please contact our team at irvine@saddleback.com.

 

-         If you missed it this past weekend, we announced that the Celebrate Recovery ministry will kickoff NEXT WEEK here in Irvine on November 4th!  We are so excited.  The meeting will be at 7:00 p.m. at our Saddleback Irvine ministry office location (click here to visit our website here for more info or our address).

 

-         Finally, if you’re looking for areas to serve and give back during this season please go to saddleback.com/serve to join our Hope for the Holidays campaign and serve families in need during Thanksgiving and Christmas.

  

I also wanted to say how exciting it has been to hear how you are learning, growing, and being stretched during our Decade of Destiny campaign.  I know a lot of people and families are making big decisions that are going to shape the next 3 years of our lives for Jesus Christ … and that is wonderful!  If you wouldn’t mind, please take a second to email me a story or thought of how God is blessing you and your small group and how you are growing and learning.  My email is jaker@saddleback.com.

 

Thank you for being a part of Saddleback Irvine and continue to pray for our community and our church.

 

God Bless,

 

Pastor Jake

  Last year, we held our first year of Kids Small Groups ( KSG ) in Irvine. We had a great experience in the midst of moving and all kinds of transitions! In spite of these, the kids kept coming and the relationships kept building!

  KSG is a midweek discipleship program built to take kids through the Bible and through Children's 101-401. They have the opportunity to meet with the same leaders and kids over a 24 week period that has proven time and time again to be a wonderful part of a firm foundation. The foundation that is built on Knowing Christ, Growing in Christ, Serving Christ and Sharing Christ.

  Come by the Children's Ministry table on the weekends to find out more and how you can get your child involved!

Registration ends August 22, 2010

Hi Friends,

 

As always when I write you, I will keep this as brief as possible.  I know how much must come through your inbox!

 

-          You are a flexible church and I am incredibly proud to serve with you!  As I have been getting up to speed on who you are and hearing the history of this church campus, I am blown away at your faith and flexibility.  In the little over 2 years that Saddleback Irvine has existed, you have remained dedicated through moves, transitions, and change ... and all while continuing to grow!  This reminds me that God has BIG things on our radar for our future!

 

-          I have been sneaking around in conversations and meetings around our church and I want to tell you that I think we are about to enter the MOST EXCITING era in the history of Saddleback Church.  Without knowing everything about where we are headed this fall, Pastor Rick is calling it our Decade of Destiny, our most important stretch in the history of our church.  At the same time, as I get to know our campus, my heart is swelling in anticipation for where we are headed.  As summer continues, please be in prayer about reaching our community as we head towards fall.

 

-          Finally, I wanted to thank our parents of children and teenage students here at Irvine and pass on a note about our summer calendars. It has been such a blessing to meet the many families who support our All-Stars and Student Ministry programs.  Thank you, and I look forward to continuing to get to know you!  Please be aware that in light of the transition to our staff over the last few months, our summer calendars have gone through some major transition too, and we apologize if we have caused you any inconvenience.  Please be sure to check out our website at www.saddleback.com/irvine for updated info on all our summer events and thanks for your patience and support.

 

Thanks for your friendship and support, and please shoot me a note with a family picture so I can continue to get to know you!

 

Pastor Jake

Jaker@saddleback.com

Make sure you come this weekend to see Pastor Rick commission Pastor Jake Rutenbar as the next Irvine Campus Pastor!

They will be at the END of the 9am service and beginning of the 11am service so make sure you arrive early!

THIS WEEKEND SERVICES-PASTOR ERIN AND FAMILY GETTING COMMISSIONED! Celebrate, support and send out Erin, Joy and Autumn as they follow God's call to plant a new church in Tustin! Don't miss this opportunity to pray over them as a church family and say your good-byes. Erin will be helping the Irvine campus transition until his last day on July 2.