Get your Easter bonnet ready because Easter comes early this year, Sunday, April 4^th.  We are holding our Easter Service and our Saddleback Church 30^th Year Celebration all at the same time at Angel Stadium.  This is unlike any Easter Service we’ve ever held.  We’ll have as our special guests the Jonas Bros., inspiring worship, and Pastor Rick will take a memorable look back at where we’ve been as a church, and most importantly, talk about the future. 

So put on your Easter bonnet and bring the entire family, your friends, neighbors, co-workers, come and enjoy this very special Easter Service.

Blessings,

Bonnie

Attention iPhone owners . . .

You’re only a tap away from Pastor Rick’s weekend messages, find out about the latest happenings at all of our campuses, check out our media center, connect with various ministries here at Saddleback, and more.

There’s so much you don’t want to miss, so go to check it out!

Saddleback iPhone App

Join pastors and church leaders from around the world at the Radicalis Conference February 9-12. As part of the Saddleback Church family, you are invited to join us at Radicalis for a great week of learning from Pastor Rick and world-renowned leaders, Mark Driscoll, Perry Noble, Dino Rizzo, Kerry Shook and Andy Stanley. Enjoy special musical guests Phil Wickham and Fee. 

You can learn more visiting www.radicalis.com.  See you there!

Well, here we are in the New Year and already half way through January.  Getting back into routine is never easy for me, if you had any time off during the Christmas holidays, you might be able to relate.  Here are a couple of helpful things to get you back into the groove of the new year.

 Taco Tuesdays 5-7:00 PM and Pasta Wednesdays 5-7:00 PM in the Refinery can help you with dinner decisions during the week.  You can even take it to go. 

Open Basketball Monday 7-10:00 PM and Saturday 8-11:00 AM. 

Walk and Worship 6-7:00 PM every Monday, Wednesday & Friday. 

Women's fitness 9-10:00 AM every Monday, Wednesday & Friday.

Check out the complete list of upcoming activities on the community calendar. Happy 2010!

Shopping,baking, decorating, and finding just the right tree, visiting with family andfriends it always such a busy time of the year so we have made it easy toattend a Christmas Service this year.  Thereare 10 services to choose from at our Lake Forest Campus, one Spanish service and our 4 RegionalCampuses to serve you on Christmas Eve.

In addition,on Christmas Eve we have a wonderful live nativity experience at the 1:00,3:00, 5:00 and 7:00 PM services.  Lookingfor a late Christmas Eve service with candlelight then join us for the 9:00 and11:00 PM Christmas Eve services and enjoy a wonderful time of worship and acandlelight service. 

Check outall the information at Christmas at Saddleback.

Christmas Service Times at Lake Forest – 10 Services Times

• Tuesday, December 22 – 7:00 PM
• Wednesday, December 23 – 3:00 PM
• Wednesday, December 23 – 5:00 PM
• Wednesday, December 23 – 7:00 PM
• Wednesday, December 23 – 8:00 PM – El Encuentro ONLY
• Thursday, December 24 – 1:00 PM – Live Nativity Experience
• Thursday, December 24 – 3:00 PM – Live Nativity Experience
• Thursday, December 24 – 5:00 PM – Live Nativity Experience
• Thursday, December 24 – 7:00 PM – Live Nativity Experience
• Thursday, December 24 – 9:00 PM - Candlelight
• Thursday, December 24 – 11:00 PM – Candlelight

Regional Campus ServiceTimes

• Corona – Thursday, December 24 – 5:00 PM
• Irvine – Thursday, December 24 – 5:00 & 7:00 PM
• San Clemente – Thursday, December 24 – 5:00 & 7:00 PM
• Laguna Woods – Thursday, December 24 – 4:00 PM

MerryChristmas everyone!!

Saddleback¹s own Christmas musical The Journey is back after a three year hiatus, bigger than ever!

 

Don¹t miss this dramatic and awe-inspiring musical visit to the Nativity presented in a massive stage production featuring a cast of over a hundred actors, singers, dancers and musicians.

 

A Christmas Musical Experience for the Whole Family!

 

December 9, 10, & 11 at 7:00pm (Doors open at 6:30pm)

 

Tickets: $7.00

Available at our Lake Forest Campus during weekend services - Dec. 5/6

There are many Christians all over the world living in fear and suffering, tortured, persecuted and condemned for their faith.  Join us for this very special Civil Forum, Sunday, November 8th at 5:00 – 7:00 PM come hear from the experts and learn how you can make a difference in the lives of those being martyred for their faith.  Pastor Rick Warren will host this event with our guests - Michael Cromartie, Vice President of the Ethics & Policy Center; Carl Moeller, President & CEO of Open Doors USA and Pastor Dishan Wickramaratne from Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Date - Sunday, November 8, 2009

Time – 5:00 – 7:00 PM

Location – Saddleback Church – Lake Forest Campus – Worship Center

Childcare provide

“What’s for dinner?”  Am I the only one who gets asked that question?  I’m guessing I’m not alone in that boat.  With the family getting back into the swing of things this fall everything from new school schedules, sports, clubs and other activities that simple question “what’s for dinner” can really be a difficult one to answer.  Well, I have answers for Tuesday and Wednesday . . .

Taco Tuesday is here!  At the Refinery from 5-7:00 PM come get $1 tacos and bring the entire family.  Wednesday is another opportunity to solve your dinner question with Pasta Wednesdays at the Refinery from 5-7:00 PM pile your plate with pasta $5.  

Well, that takes care of dinner for Tuesday and Wednesday nights, now if I can just figure out the rest of the week  . . . 

I’m a huge football fan, will to be specific; I’m a huge San Diego Charger fan.  But it doesn’t matter which team is your favorite if you are a football fan, there are times when watching the game at home even on my 56” flat screen doesn’t seem to do the game or the player’s justice.  I want to feel like I’m really there, I want to hear to crunch of helmets, see the tackles, blocks, passes and interceptions just like I'm sitting in the stadium cheering with the crowd.  Face it; it’s no fun doing a touchdown victory dance alone at home.  If you are like me and want to feel, hear and cheer along with other football fanatics, then come on over to the Refinery because Monday Night Football is back! 

Join us every Monday night from 5:00 – 10:00 PM at the Refinery.  Bring the entire family and enjoy dinner, games, weekly contests and prizes.  And, the best part is you can cheer, yell, compare your touchdown victory dance with the rest of the crazy fans and enjoy the entire game on a High Definition 20 FOOT screen!  I don’t know about you but that sure beats my 56” flat screen.   GO CHARGERS!

See you there!
Bonnie

We are honored to welcome President Kagame of the Republic of Rwanda and Yale professor Miroslav Volf to our campus on Friday, September 25 as they talk about the transformational power of reconciliation and how it reunified their people after a debilitating genocide. Invite your friends and other people that you know in the community to this rare and special opportunity.

Paul Kagame was sworn in as President of the Republic of Rwanda for a seven-year term on September 12, 2003 following the country’s first ever democratically contested multi-party elections held in August 2003. 

Dr. Miroslav Volf is the Henry B. Wright Professor of Theology at Yale Divinity School, and Founder and Director of the Yale Center for Faith & Culture.

Don’t miss this amazing opportunity!

 

Hosted by: Pastor Rick

When: Friday, September 25 at 7:00 p.m.
Due to security purposes, doors will close at 6:30 p.m.

Where: In the Worship Center on the Lake Forest campus

Tickets: Tickets are free and available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Click here to reserve your spot today! Tickets may be relocated to overflow venues.

 

 

Come listen to great music every Sunday evening during the month of August. 

The concerts are 8pm, Sunday Nights, at the Refinery - FREE!

Here are the scheduled performers –

 

AUG 9 - BILLY MITCHELL - Jazz/Blues

This Sunday night is the great Billy Mitchell, a legendary Los Angeles based pianist who mixes jazz, blues & R&B.

 

AUG 16 - THE TONY GUERRERO BAND - Latin/Brazilian Jazz It's me. Please come. :)

 

AUG 23 - DEREK BORDEAUX - Soul/R&B/Jazz/Motown One of the West Coast's best Soul singers! When the Motown Legends tour happened, he was the one they called to sing all the Motown classics. He'll be playing a mixture of R&B, Soul, Jazz and Motown tunes.

 

AUG 30 - THE SADDLEBACK BIG BAND - Swing Willie Murillo, trumpeter for the Brian Setzer Big Band, will be leading our own big band in a night of Swing Era music, featuring singer Tim Davis and others!

 

Bring your friends, family, neighbors, boss, co-workers, small groups and anyone else you want to invite!

 

See you at Jazz Under The Stars!

Finally, there is a way to hear contemporary Christian music, daily devotionals and encouraging messages without channel surfing on your radio or downloading dozens of songs to your iPod.   Introducing Purpose Driven Radio Connection and available to everyone through your computer.  Visit www.purposedrivenradioconnection.com

 

Smile!

There is something about summer time and listening to music outside.  It’s warm, it’s relaxing, and it’s a great way to enjoy friends and family.  This Sunday, July 19^th is a Night of Classical Music at 8:00 PM at The Refinery Amphitheater.   Come to the 6:30 service, grab a bite to eat at the Grill House and enjoy!

A Night of Classical Music is an evening of the Saddleback Chamber Orchestra, solos and small ensembles all “under the stars”.  What a great way to end the weekend!

If you consider your life ‘normal’ then you probably have had your times of trouble and even some major hurts throughout your ‘normal’ life.  I grew up in a typical middle-class family, with good memories mixed in with a dose of what society now calls ‘dysfunctional’ family times.  If you grew up with thinking that life was always going to be full of dysfunction, hurt and pain I would encourage you to join us on Friday evenings at Celebrate Recovery. 

Celebrate Recovery is a place for hope, healing and to belong.  This is where others are becoming free for everything from addictions to compulsive behaviors.  You will find personal healing, love and forgiveness at Celebrate Recovery. 

This is really a friendly place that starts every Friday night at 6:00 PM, with BBQ dinner at a very reasonable price.   How friendly is that?!  If you can’t make it for dinner, join the group at 7:00 PM in Tent 3 and find out for yourself how Celebrate Recovery is a safe place.  Stay around afterwards for Solid Rock Café, enjoying time with your new friends and dessert too!

Celebrate Recovery meets every Friday night at 7:00 PM, 52 weeks a year, even on holidays so there no excuses not to attend.  Join us!

Just launched is Saddleback Church Media Center.  You can find videos on a variety of relevant topics, and events that have taken place.  From Civil Forums to Finances to Outreaches, this is where to go to find the latest media available from Saddleback Church.

Enjoy!

A good time was had by all at Saturday's Father & Child Classic Car event.  If you didn’t get a chance to enjoy this Father & Child Classic Car event, don’t worry.  The Classic Car Connection meets the first Saturday of every month.   There are cars, cars and more cars and lots of people who love cars to meet.  Check out these great pictures.

Bonnie

 

Bring the whole family to this special classic car show this Saturday, June 6^th at 8:00 AM at the Refinery.  You can bring your own vintage or classic car to share or just enjoy those on display.  Food, music, special car care clinics and educational demonstrations are all a part of this event. 

Hey kids!  Vote on your favorite cars and be a part of the Kid’s Choice Awards voting the Top 5 cars of the show.  Come on by and enjoy a great time with your family, friends and fellow car lovers.

Smile!

Bonnie

Join us for the Saddleback Community 5K this Saturday, May 30^th.  This is being held in conjunction with the 4^th Annual O.C. Duathlon.  I’m not a runner but this event is a great way to also help the community by supporting the Saddleback Food Pantry – bring can goods to the Race Expo and donate to support our community.  Race Expo will be on Friday, May 29^th starting at 3:00 PM and on race day, May 30^th at 7:00 AM. 

There are still registration openings available for both the O.C. Duathlon and the Saddleback Community 5K.  You can join us as a participant by registering on Friday, May 29^th from 3:00 – 9:00 PM or Saturday morning starting at 5:30 AM at the Lake Forest campus Worship Center, registration for the 5K is $25. 

Come cheer on your family, friends and the community!

Have you ever thought to yourself, “I wish there was more entertainment available in OC that was truly funny but clean and family-friendly at the same time?”  Well, Saddleback’s Drama team has created two great opportunities that answer this question.  Running right now at The VIllage theatre in Orange is the pullitzer prize-winning show, “You Can’t Take It With You.”  May 7-10 and May 14-17 at 7:30.

It’s about a wacky family who has decided to enjoy life and have meaningful moments, even if it means they go against the world.  The consequences are often explosive, literally!  The Drama team has chosen to show this at a theatre central to all our campuses.  This is a great way to invite your family & friends to a “non-church”, "off campus" evening presented by our very own Saddleback Drama Team.

 

Next week May 21-24 at 7:30 at the same theatre, they will present David Gregory’s “Dinner With A Perfect Stranger” where a true cynic, Nick Cominsky, receives an invitation to dine with Jesus!  You’ll watch Nick move from hard-hearted to inquisitory as he opens up and begins to ask Jesus all the tough questions.  And some of Jesus’ answers just might surprise you!  If you have any friends who are interested in Jesus or who want to see a fellow cynic in action, then this is the play you’ll want to invite them to! 

 

Tickets for both shows are only $10 and you can order these online at www.saddlebackfamily.com/magnification.  Join us for a fun night out to spend time together, to laugh and enjoy great conversations!

FREE photos for Mother’s Day.  This weekend at all services at the Lake Forest campus we are taking Mother’s Day photos.  This is a great way to capture precious moments in time with a photo.  The photo stations will be scattered around the campus for great out door, natural setting shots. 

Honor your Mom, Grandmother or invite your neighbor to bring their family.  Last year we had 3 and 4 generations of families join us for Mother’s Day photos.  Check out our services times and join us.

Happy Mother's Day!

If you are like me, I love to spend time with my girlfriends and am always looking for something new for us to do together.  Here it is . . . Friday, May 8^th at 7:00 PM at our Lake Forest campus in the Worship Center join us for Girl’s Night Out.  There is something about a room full of women, talking, listening, laughing, singing, having fun that only we women can understand. 

The energy is high at this event so come prepared to rock the house with special worship leader Sheena along with two-time Grammy winner Sarah Kelly.  Then settle it down a bit to listen to Kay Warren share from her heart life experiences as a cancer survivor, wife, mother and grandmother. 

Come on ladies  . . .  this is the place to be on Friday, May 8^th!

Looking for new job opportunities? 

Monday, May 4^th at 7:00 PM at the Lake Forest campus in the main Worship Center, join us for Career Coaching’s job networking evening.  We help to connect you with potential employers.  This is also an evening where you can receive support and meet others who are also in career transition. 

If you or someone you know is looking for a career change or is in the middle of a job transition I would really encourage you to attend.  Dozens of people have connected with employers and have found a great network to meet potential employers.

Are you an employer who is has viable job opportunities?  We encourage you to participate in our networking evening.  Please join us too!

What people are saying -

"Very generous, thank you for this evening and for the materials.  Thank you for being a church that cares."

"The speaker Ron was fantastic in all categories this exceeded my expectations!"

Are you ready to hear some good news about the economy; tired of hearing the media predict the worst; ready to see a brighter future and new possibilities that are ahead for all of us?  Then you need to come to the Town Hall for Hope with Dave Ramsey.

Thursday, April 23^rd at 7:00 PM in Tent 1 at the Saddleback Lake Forest campus we are holding an exciting one-time national event called Town Hall for Hope!  Dave Ramsey is a personal money management expert, and an extremely popular national radio personality, best-selling author of The Total Money Makeover.   Join us for this FREE opportunity to come hear some good news!

Smile!
Bonnie

We are offering a CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Class) this Saturday, April 18^th at 8:30 AM.  Come learn basic CPR skills that can sustain or save a life while professional emergency help is on the way.  Our instructors are professional emergency certified instructors and this training is EMS certified.  We included adult, child and infant CPR with practice on mannequins.

You will receive a CPR Certification Card after completing the full 4 hours of the class.  Ages 15 and above are welcome.  Check in is 8:00 AM and class will begin promptly at 8:30 AM.  Class fee is $5.00, cash or check only.

For more information click here CPR. 

As a little girl I remember going shopping for a new Easter dress, white patent leather shoes, a matching hat, purse and of course little white gloves.  (I probably just aged myself but those are such good memories.)  Then I couldn’t wait to wear my new clothes on Easter Sunday to church.  Well, I don’t go shopping for new Easter clothes anymore but I still look forward to Easter Sunday and church.   I also don’t have to wait for Easter Sunday to go to an Easter service.  This year we offer 23 Easter services starting Thursday, April 9th, you can check here for all our Easter Service times and locations.

Hope to see you at one of our services, no patent leather shoes or white gloves required, just come as you are and bring the family and your friends.  Although, I just might have to run out and buy a new Easter dress!

Happy Easter!