Week of April 1st, 2012 

Hello Friends,  

This is the most blessed of weeks, Holy Week. I pray that this week is fruitful for your faith and that you have a chance to participate in one or more of the special services offered this week. I want to share with you a beautiful description of Easter that I found while reading- I couldn't find the name of the author, but here is a great description of the promises this week holds..

"Easter turns doubts upside down, sets loose new possibilities, reveals a God stronger than death, a love mightier than despair.

Easter brings us the risen Christ, who knows our wounds, forgives our denials, sends us out to love and serve; who is not bound by a period in history but finds us wherever we journey; who receives our questions, whispers a word of peace and causes our hearts to be warmed.  

Easter releases the Holy Spirit, setting us free from sins that wound, resentments that smolder, anger that burns; empowering us to be witnesses to truth and obedient to a higher authority; causing us to walk with joy in our steps, hope in our hearts and a song on our lips."

Have a blessed week - see you soon!

~ Blessings, Pastor Sarah  

Flowers on Easter Sunday

Often at Easter churches are filled with Easter lilies. This year we are going to mix things up a little and beautify the altar together as a community during the service through a long practiced tradition of adorning the cross.  

We are asking people to bring single stemmed flowers from home to Easter service. The flowers will be brought to the altar in a procession at the beginning of worship and added to a moss form of the cross. There is something so powerful in seeing the once barren cross come alive with flowers that represent the various people in the community. We ask that if you have a garden, if you could please bring extra flowers for any guests who may be joining us so that all can participate.

Santa Margarita campus on Good Friday, April 6^th from 7-9 pm

Choral Meditation and Communion at 7:15 pm and 8:15 pm

The 14 Stations of the Cross are a retelling of Jesus' final 24 hours, from the Garden of Gethsemane to his death on the cross. Participants walk through the stations at their own pace, stopping to read the story and reflect on the art that goes with each station. The art may be a literal interpretation of the story - a cross, a garden, a crown of thorns; or it may be a reflection of the tone, mood, or emotions of the scene - betrayal, suffering, denial, obedience. As usual, the labyrinth is available for additional prayer and meditation.

Turkey, Greece & Rome in September 2012

A Pilgrimage with the Apostles John and Paul

Pastor Craig will be hosting an informational meeting about the pilgrimage on Sunday, April 15th following the 11 am worship. Be sure to join him in the conference room to learn more details about how you can sign up for this great pilgrimage in the footsteps of the Apostles, John and Paul. Also, you may visit the pilgrimage website.

Keep it Positive Parenting Class

Wednesday evenings at the Mission Viejo campus beginning April 18^th through May 16^th from 6:30 - 8:30 pm.  The class will be led by Juda Carter. Free childcare is available! Register today online - space is limited. Cost is $110 per person or $175 per couple. Contact Juda at with any questions.