Saddleback Irvine

 

• Sunday, December 23 – we are celebrating as a family with Pastor Rick in a Fire Side Chat video to our campus.  
• Monday, December 24 – the Christmas festivities begin as we transform our location and welcome the entire community to hear the wonderful Good News of Jesus Christ in a Candle Light Service.  

Here are the instructions for the Christmas Peace Boxes many of you lovingly and generously picked up on Sunday at the Irvine Campus patio. We apologize that these instructions were not available.

 

If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to let us know! Please email irvine@saddleback.com.

 

We look forward to your filled boxes on Sunday, December 2.

 

 

I picked up a box, now what? 

Step #1: Assemble your box. 

Step #2: Decide who you will give the box to: child (gender and age) or family. Then mark it on the box 

Step #3: Shop to fill your box (see suggestions on other side for items to purchase) 

Step #4: Pray for the person who will receive the box

 

 

WHAT TO PUT IN A BOX:

 

CHILD: 

3-5 years old 

Age-appropriate toys: Coloring books, crayons, Play-doh, dolls, stuffed animals, books, etc. 

Snacks: Fruit Roll ups, raisins, Goldfish, etc. 

Clothing: Fun socks, hair clips, sun glasses, beanies, etc. 

6-9 years old 

Age appropriate toys: Jump ropes, Slinky, hand-held games, books, dolls, small balls, etc. 

Snacks: Lollypops, gum, crackers, etc. 

School supplies: Pencils, markers, book covers, stamps, etc. 

Clothing: T-shirts, caps, socks, hair clips, etc. 

Hygiene items: toothbrush 

10-12 years old 

Age appropriate toys: Hackysack, books, finger skateboard, hand-held or card games, etc. 

School supplies: Pencils, Gel pens, book covers, etc. 

Snacks: Gum, crackers, hard candy, mints, etc. 

Clothing: baseball caps, ankle socks, hair clips/headbands, scarves, beanies, etc. 

Hygiene items: Toothbrush, hand sanitizer 

Metal water bottle 

Ear buds 

13-18 years old 

Age-appropriate toys: Hackysack, hand-held or card games, gift cards (Target, Wal-Mart), balls, etc. 

Snacks: Fast-food gift card, gum, crackers, chips, candy, etc. 

School supplies: Locker decorations, book covers, gel pens, sketch pads, journal etc. 

Clothing: baseball caps, ankle socks, hair clips, headbands, scarves, beanies, etc. 

Hygiene items: Shower gel, toothbrush, hand sanitizer, nail polish, lip gloss, 

lip balm, fragrance, etc. 

Metal water bottle 

Ear buds 

 

FAMILY: 

Night out: Movie tickets, restaurant gift card, etc. 

Night in: DVDs, popcorn, family game, books, etc.

 

 

WHAT NOT TO PUT IN A BOX:

 

 

CHILD: 

Money 

Items that don’t fit in the box 

Used or damaged items 

Items that have a sharp edge or that might be a choking hazard 

Common allergy items (i.e. peanut products) 

Medications or vitamins 

Military figures or toy guns 

Beverages 

Breakable or glass items 

Perishables 

 

FAMILY: 

Used or damaged items 

Child-specific or parent specific items (box is for the whole family) 

Movies rated PG-13 or R

The second annual Irvine Campus Trunk or Treat event is Saturday, October 27 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

 

It is going to be held at 4769 Portola Parkway, Irvine, CA 92620.

 

This is NOT our usual Northwood High School campus or our Irvine Ministry Office.

 

Instead - it's a private park! If you were at church on Sunday, you would have heard (and seen) Pastor Derek do a great job of explaining how to get there. If you missed it, here's the scoop:

 

From Northwood High School, go EAST on Portola Parkway and turn LEFT at the "Fire Station" signal. You will see signs, banners and balloons that say, "Trunk or Treat." You can't miss it!

 

Don't forget to grab a friend who you think would love to have fun with our Saddleback Church family.

 

For more information about this event, please go to http://saddleback.com/irvine/events/eventdetails.aspx?id=54378

 

See you there! 

Do you want to become more like Jesus? This CLASS will help you develop the habits you need to jump-start your spiritual growth. It will give you an overview of the three basic spiritual habits every Christian needs in order to grow: Daily Time with God (prayer and reading), Giving, and Fellowship. 

Come join us for this exciting class.

If you and your spouse would like to attend together but you don't have anyone  to watch the kids - no problem! We will provide free child care for your children, ages 11 and under that night.

Don't want to miss dinner? No problem! We'll provide you with a light dinner during CLASS.

Haven't taken 101 yet? No problem! You do not have to take the CLASS series sequentially. So jump right in and sign up for this class today.

Check out the event on our website for more information and to register. If you are bringing a child, please also register on the separate childcare event in addition to the event itself. So, you'll sign up in two places. 

If you have any questions, please contact Pastor Derek at DerekR@saddleback.com.

 

 

As many of you know, there is just about something for everyone at Saddleback Church. It's a great place to join a group or start something up! So, it should come as no surprise that we have a SADDLEBACK FLAG FOOTBALL FELLOWSHIP that meets every Saturday morning in Tustin from 8:15 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

 

This fellowship is intended for anyone with a desire to play 5 vs 5 adult flag football, get some exercise, and make new friends. This group gets together to play "socially competitive" football on Saturday mornings and possibly join a local league.

 

Anyone is invited to come out and have a great time. They primarily play five-on-five flag football, however, adjustments may be made throughout the year for various leagues, competitions, and such. The main goal of the fellowship is to provide a fun football expeience for Christ-centered individuals in a non-threatening environment for football-oriented people to get involved.

 

For more information, please email Saddlebackflagfootball@yahoo.com or call Alex Moote at 949-290-6940.

 

 

The Saddleback Church Irvine community is built upon the wonderful people that call our campus home. We are blessed with many humble servants who just love Jesus and serve quietly behind the scenes. Their prayer and desire is to fully glorify God through serving and helping people come to know and have a relationship with Christ. These people quietly set up, tear down, recycle bulletins, teach our children, love on our teenagers, pick up the coffee, or wash baptism towels. No glory, no pay ... just love.

 

One of these people is our Women's Ministry Leader, Ruth Russell. Ruth and her family came to the Irvine campus shortly after we launched, and she knew just what she needed to do. She worked behind the scenes to kick off the Women's Ministry. From the very beginning, she's done it all - from setting up tables, cleaning bathrooms, finding the right curriculum and studies, recruiting other Godly women to be table leaders, pouring into each woman - the list goes on and on. Today, our Women's Ministry is a thriving community of amazing women. Through personal challenges and illness, Ruth has pressed on. Her cheerful "Let's not grow weary in doing good" attitude never fails to encourage all those she reaches.

 

Our greatest gift to Ruth and all of our loving volunteers is to pray for them and their families every day. And if you see Ruth on the patio this Sunday, please give her a hug and let her know just how much we appreciate her for all she does for the Kingdom.

 

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