Update: When we first began feeling the effects of COVID-19 earlier this year, our goal was to give you hope, support, and the most up-to-date information on a daily basis. Now that the news about COVID-19 has been coming in at a steadier pace, we're switching from a daily schedule to a Monday/Wednesday/Friday schedule. You'll continue to get the most important updates from Saddleback, as well as stories and biblical resources to encourage you and point you to the truth of God's Word. Thanks for reading!
He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters.
Psalm 23:2 (NIV)
Dear Saddleback Family,
The past couple of months have been filled with unprecedented changes because of COVID-19, along with the uncertainties, fears, and grief over injustices in our country. So if you're feeling burned out and emotionally fatigued, you're not alone! That is the normal, human response to everything that's going on around you.
So in light of everything, I hope you're finding time to REST! We're exhausted. We're maxed out. But that's not the way of the Good Shepherd.
God, in his goodness, created rest because he considers it as important as work. A loving shepherd makes sure his sheep get enough rest to stay healthy. He will do that because he cares about your physical, emotional, and spiritual health.
For you to grow, you have to learn to rest in God's goodness.
Love you and miss you,
Pastor Rick
Daily Devo
The Lord Our God
The Lord Our God
Take a moment and listen to the song "The Lord Our God" from the online worship experience this past weekend. We hope it encourages and uplifts you in the midst of your week.
The Lord our God is ever faithful
Never changing through the ages
From this darkness You will lead us
And forever we will say
You're the Lord our God
Watch Now
Doable Discipleship
Doable Discipleship: A Conversation With Eugene Robinson
Hosts Brandon Robinson and Jason Wieland join NFL Champion Eugene Robinson to talk about race, mentorship, and parenting in this special episode of Doable Discipleship.
Listen Now
CHURCH NEWS
Church News
Saddleback Irvine South Chinese Venue Hosts Online Parenting Seminar
When stay-at-home orders were issued in March, families throughout Orange County and the rest of the country were forced to rethink every aspect of their daily lives. Kids began online learning while parents started working from home. As a result, family members have been spending a lot of time together.
For some people, the new experiences brought on by quarantine have led to families bonding and growing closer to one another. For others, it has presented real challenges and has led to conflict in the home. Some parents in our Saddleback family have been struggling to keep kids occupied during this difficult season. For some children, adjusting to new routines has been difficult, which has led to a rise in problematic behaviors.
Over the past few months, leaders of the Chinese Venue at Saddleback Irvine South have been hearing from a number of parents who have been struggling to navigate new family challenges, so they decided to minister these parents who are in need. The Chinese Venue decided to team up with a couple of other local organizations including the OC Chinese Ladies Group and Beckman High Chinese Parent Association to hold an online Zoom parenting seminar called "The Challenge of Parent-Child Relationships During the Pandemic."
The seminar was conducted in Mandarin for the benefit of those who are non-English speaking, as well as those who speak English as a second language. It was led by a Saddleback member and Christian counselor, Ms. Weihong Cai, who specializes in cross-cultural education as well as marriage and family counseling.
The response to the online event was unexpected and overwhelming, with more than 130 parents participating in the conference. Many of them said how grateful they were for the opportunity to learn how to communicate, manage, and defuse family tension and conflict during the pandemic.
As this crisis continues, Saddleback ministries, including the Irvine South Chinese Venue, will continue to look for more opportunities to help parents and other groups of people who need help navigating this stressful period of life.
SPREAD HOPE, NOT FEAR
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원장