Wednesday, November 18, 2020

Dear Friends,

You’ve likely heard by now that the State of California increased Orange County’s COVID Risk Level to the Purple Tier – which means we’re no longer allowed to hold church services indoors.

Our staff has developed a plan that we feel best meets the needs of our community and safety guidelines of the government moving forward.

Beginning this weekend, there will be one, outdoor Sunday morning service at 11:00am on the Courtyard, and safety measures will be followed.

We will also continue to offer two services online on Sunday mornings: Sunday 8:30am traditional and Sunday 9:45am contemporary praise.

The Drive-Thru Nativity will continue as planned, so that we can share the message of Jesus with our community –there is still time to volunteer to serve, click here.

We thank you for your support and patience in this challenging time. We are praying for your health and safety. Please be praying for our staff and volunteers who continue to work hard throughout these times to consistently and creatively do ministry and provide services both online and in person.

We’ve made many tough decisions this year, and we as believers are showing what it means to be a Christ-follower to a world that needs His love. So thank you for supporting through giving of your time and efforts.

I want to also say a special thanks to those who are giving financially to the church, and especially those of you who have set up recurring giving. Your continued, faithful gifts are giving us the needed resources to help continue the mission of the church forward, “To know Christ and make Him known.” For those who have been able, your increased giving has meant so much to those who have not been able to give. I love seeing our church meeting the needs of each other (Acts 2:45)!

Your faithful giving and continued support is the reason we will be able to meet the needs of those in our community and continue to do ministry into 2021.

I want you to know that we are with you in this season. God is in control, and he will provide, encourage and bless. That’s our prayer for you! 

Yours Because of Him,

Pastor John Steward

Senior Pastor

Mount of Olives Church

Tuesday, October 27, 2020

Dear Friends,

We’re excited to be sharing updates about this weekend’s worship services. Beginning this weekend, October 31 and November 1, we’re moving worship services indoors. 

As you likely saw on this past weekend’s online services, darkness is becoming a factor for filming and weather is becoming a greater issue with rain and wind threatening equipment and safety.

If you would like to attend a praise worship service on campus, you’re invited to attend either Saturday at 5:00pm in the Worship Center or Sunday at 9:45am inside the Worship Center. 

All who attend on campus services will have their temperature taken, name collected and directed to seats that are marked available following COVID Distancing Restrictions. All those who attend are required to wear masks at all times.

We will continue to offer the 8:30am liturgical based service online only at this time. However we are working on plans to have a traditional service as soon as we can.

Also this weekend, we will be receiving Communion during all services once again. During the on campus services, we will have individually wrapped bread and wine elements that you will be directed to collect and receive during the designated Communion time during the service.  

If you are unable to attend a service on campus, we encourage you to prepare some bread and wine for you (and your family) to receive Communion when directed by the pastor during the online service. You’re also welcome to pick up individually wrapped Communion elements from the Church Office on Wednesday between 9:00am-2:00pm.

We look forward to seeing you this weekend for a service. If you plan to worship from home, we hope you submit an Online Communication Card so that we know you’ve joined us and share with us how you’re doing. Plus at any time you can share a prayer request so that we can pray specifically for you and your family.

Thank you again for your patience and support during this challenging time. Our staff and volunteers are working hard to serve our community so we can continue to pursue our mission "to know Christ and make Him known."

God Bless.
Pastor John Steward
Mount of Olives Church

September 28, 2020

You’re invited to church this weekend! On Saturday, October 3, we’ll receive Communion for the first time since March and the COVID safety restrictions began.

There are two ways to receive Communion this weekend:

• We encourage you to attend Saturday’s 5:00pm contemporary praise service where we’ll have individually wrapped bread and wine elements available.
• Or if you still prefer to worship at home, you may prepare some bread and wine for you (and your family) to receive Communion when directed by the pastor during the online service.

How to Receive Communion this Weekend

During Saturday’s courtyard service, at the time for Communion, the pastor will instruct all those in attendance when to open the prepackaged elements and receive the bread and wine after speaking the Words of Institution.

If you will worship and receive Communion from home, please have elements ready before you begin the service. For bread you can use bread or crackers, and for wine you can use wine or grape juice – set aside in a small serving for use specifically for Communion on this day. Before the online services available Sunday morning at 8:30am (traditional worship) and 9:45am (praise worship), gather the elements you’ve prepared (bread and wine), and at the time for Communion the pastor will speak the Words of Institution and instruct you in receiving Communion.

If you will worship from home, you are also welcome to pick up individually wrapped elements from the Church Office. The Office is Closed due to COVID Restrictions, but the Communion Elements will be available for pick up from the Church Office (24851 Chrisanta Drive) on Wednesday 9/30 and Thursday 10/1 between 9:00am-12:00pm.

Who Can Receive Communion

At Mount of Olives Church, we believe all who are believers in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, and are repentant of their sins, are welcome at the Lord’s Table to receive Communion.

What We Believe

At Mount of Olives Church, we believe Holy Communion is more than a symbol. After all, Jesus said “on the night in which He was betrayed” and instituted the Lord’s Supper with the words “this is my body”; “this is my blood”. He didn’t say it is like my body and blood. He didn’t say this represents my body and blood. Rather, He said it IS His body and blood.

Some would argue that He did say “do this in remembrance of me”, which means Holy Communion is only a symbol. We should receive Holy Communion for many reasons, including to remember Jesus, but those words do not reduce Holy Communion to a symbol. It doesn’t take away from the fact that He said it is His body and blood.

This becomes important, because it means we are having an actual encounter with Jesus. Somehow, He is present in the bread and cup. Martin Luther said He is present “in, with, through and under the bread and wine”. It also means that as God took on human flesh and revealed Himself as this down to earth God, He is still coming to us in down to earth ways. He is not tucked away in heaven unaware of our condition. He is the down to earth God who knows what it is like to be a human being.

Jesus mentions the Mana in the wilderness of which the children of Israel ate in the desert, but still died. With Jesus as the “bread of life”, when we eat of Him, we will live. Bread is a basic food. It is foundational to many cultures. It is a staple. So too, Jesus is foundational to every aspect of our lives. With so many things changing all around us, He is the one who never changes. He is “the Bread of Life”.

What are the Words of Institution

Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night when He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to the disciples and said: Take and eat; this is My body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.

In the same way also He took the cup after supper, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying: Drink of it, all of you; this cup is the new testament in My blood, which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.

(For the bread) “This is the body of Christ, broken for you.”

(For the wine) “This is the blood of Christ, shed for you.”

We’re excited to be receiving Communion in worship services once again. And we invite you to contact the church staff with any questions. Please email info@moochurch.org

God Bless and We hope to see you Saturday!

July 15, 2020

Mount of Olives Members & Friends,

We've entered a new phase in our Plan to Gather Again at Mount of Olives Church. Per the Governor's closures announced Monday, July 13, 2020, we cannot hold worship services indoors. Our staff and volunteers are working hard and have developed a new plan for the next several weeks.
 

Please take a moment to watch the newest message from Pastor John Steward below or click here.

Beginning this weekend, there are two opportunities to worship with Mount of Olives:

Option 1 - We invite you to attend the one in-person, on campus service offered this weekend. Saturday 5:00pm Praise Worship Service Outdoors on The Courtyard: 

• Masks are required,
• Please bring your own chair (lawn chair, camp chair, etc.),
• Households will need to be physically distanced with 6 feet separation,
• At check in, we'll screen and take your name, and then you'll be directed to set up your chair,
• Please arrive 15-20 minutes early to allow time for screening, 
• Any children attending must stay with their household unit.

Click Here to Volunteer to Serve at this weekend's service — we need many volunteers for each service to make meeting on campus for services possible.

Option 2 - Both the traditional and contemporary praise services will continue to be offered online on Sunday mornings. Click Here and visit our website each Sunday morning for the links to that week's services.

We also encourage you to safely gather with family or Small Groups to worship together via an online service following government regulations.

At all times, and through all phases of the plan, we ask you to stay home and worship online-only for your safety and the safety of others that wish to gather together in worship:

• if you are sick,
• if you have a fever,
• if you have been exposed to COVID-19 in the past 14 days,
• if you are a part of a CDC defined higher-risk group,
• if you would prefer to worship from home.

Please see the detailed plan on our website with Frequently Asked Questions for further details: CLICK HERE 

We look forward to seeing you in-person again on campus in the weeks and months ahead.

God Bless,
Mount of Olives Church Team

July 6, 2020

Mount of Olives Members & Friends,

We are in Phase 3 of our Plan to Gather Again, and there are now three opportunities to worship this weekend with Mount of Olives!
Masks are required and Restrooms are Open.

Option 1 - Both the traditional and contemporary praise services will continue to be offered online on Sunday.
We also encourage you to safely gather with family or Small Groups to worship together via an online service.

Option 2 - We invite you to register online to attend this Sunday's 9:00am traditional service - Click Here - Plus Walk-ins Welcome! The Traditional Service will not have congregational singing, call and response, etc. for the safety of those in attendance. 

Option 3 - We invite you to register online to attend this Sunday's 11:00am contemporary praise service - Click Here - Plus Walk-ins Welcome! 

Pre-registration for on-campus services is required. There are limited seats available, per government guidelines — at least six feet separation, health screenings at check-in, facemasks (including while singing), sanitizing following service, and Restrooms are Open.

Any children attending must be registered and must stay with their household unit.

Please queue up on the Courtyard for screening.
Ushers will seat attendees, and seat the rear of the Worship Center first. Please remain in your seat placement and don't move around to socialize for social distancing purposes and the safety of our volunteer team working throughout the building.

At all times and through all phases of the plan, we ask you to stay home and worship online-only for your safety and the safety of others that wish to gather together in worship:

• if you are sick,
• if you have a fever,
• if you have been exposed to COVID-19 in the past 14 days,
• if you are a part of a CDC defined higher-risk group,
• if you would simply prefer to worship from home.

We look forward to beginning seeing you in-person again on campus in the weeks and months ahead.
 

CLICK HERE to Register for 9:00am Traditional Service
The Traditional Service will not have congregational singing, call and response, etc. for the safety of those in attendance.

CLICK HERE to Register for 11:00am Contemporary Praise Service

 

Click Here to Volunteer to Serve at this weekend's services — we need nearly 20 volunteers for each service to make meeting on campus for these services possible.

Please see the detailed plan on our website with Frequently Asked Questions for further details: CLICK HERE.

June 29, 2020

Mount of Olives Members & Friends,

We are in Phase 3 of our Plan to Gather Again, and there are now three opportunities to worship this weekend with Mount of Olives!

Option 1 - Both the traditional and contemporary praise services will continue to be offered online on Sunday.
We also encourage you to safely gather with family or Small Groups to worship together via an online service.

Option 2 - We invite you to register online to attend this Sunday's 9:00am traditional service - Click Here. The Traditional Service will not have congregational singing, call and response, etc. for the safety of those in attendance. Masks required and Restrooms are Open.

Option 3 - We invite you to register online to attend this Sunday's 11:00am contemporary praise service - Click Here. Masks required and Restrooms are Open.

Pre-registration for on-campus services is required. There are limited seats available on campus, per government guidelines — at least six feet separation, health screenings at check-in, facemasks (including while singing), sanitizing following service, and Restrooms are Open.

Any children attending must be registered and must stay with their household unit.

Please queue up on the Courtyard for screening.
Ushers will seat you following your check-in and screening. We will enter the building via the side doors off The Courtyard, and seat the rear of the Worship Center first. Please remain in your seat placement and don't move around to socialize for social distancing purposes and the safety of our volunteer team working throughout the building

At all times and through all phases of the plan, we ask you to stay home and worship online-only for your safety and the safety of others that wish to gather together in worship:

• if you are sick,
• if you have a fever,
• if you have been exposed to COVID-19 in the past 14 days,
• if you are a part of a CDC defined higher-risk group,
• if you would simply prefer to worship from home.

We look forward to begin seeing you in-person again on campus in the weeks and months ahead.
 

CLICK HERE to Register for 9:00am Traditional Service
The Traditional Service will not have congregational singing, call and response, etc. for the safety of those in attendance.

CLICK HERE to Register for 11:00am Contemporary Praise Service

 

Click Here to Volunteer to Serve at this weekend's services — we need nearly 20 volunteers for each service to make meeting on campus for this service possible.

Please see the detailed plan on our website with Frequently Asked Questions for further details: CLICK HERE

June 22, 2020

Mount of Olives Members & Friends,

We are in Phase 3 of our Plan to Gather Again, and there are now three opportunities to worship this weekend with Mount of Olives!

Option 1 - Both the traditional and contemporary praise services will continue to be offered online on Sunday.
We also encourage you to safely gather with family or Small Groups to worship together via an online service.

Option 2 - We invite you to register online to attend this Sunday's 9:00am traditional service - Click Here. The Traditional Service will not have congregational singing, call and response, etc. for the safety of those in attendance.

Option 3 - We invite you to register online to attend this Sunday's 11:00am contemporary praise service - Click Here.

Pre-registration for on-campus services is required. There are limited seats available on campus, per government guidelines — at least six feet separation, health screenings at check-in, facemasks (including while singing), sanitizing following service, Restrooms are Open.

Any children attending must be registered and must stay with their household unit.

Please queue up on the Courtyard for screening.
Ushers will seat you following your check-in and screening. We will enter the building via the side doors off The Courtyard, and seat the rear of the Worship Center first. Please remain in your seat placement and don't move around to socialize for social distancing purposes and the safety of our volunteer team working throughout the building

At all times and through all phases of the plan, we ask you to stay home and worship online-only for your safety and the safety of others that wish to gather together in worship:

• if you are sick,
• if you have a fever,
• if you have been exposed to COVID-19 in the past 14 days,
• if you are a part of a CDC defined higher-risk group,
• if you would simply prefer to worship from home.

We look forward to begin seeing you in-person again on campus in the weeks and months ahead!
 

CLICK HERE to Register for 9:00am Traditional Service
The Traditional Service will not have congregational singing, call and response, etc. for the safety of those in attendance.

CLICK HERE to Register for 11:00am Contemporary Praise Service

 

Click Here to Volunteer to Serve at this weekend's services — we need nearly 20 volunteers for each service to make meeting on campus for this service possible.

Please see the detailed plan on our website with Frequently Asked Questions for further details: CLICK HERE 

June 15, 2020

Mount of Olives Members & Friends,

We are in Phase 2 of our Plan to Gather Again, there are two opportunities to worship this weekend.

Option 1 - Both the traditional and contemporary praise services will continue to be offered online on Sunday. And we encourage you to safely gather with Small Groups to worship together via an online service.
Option 2 - We invite you to register online to attend this Saturday's 5:00pm contemporary praise service - Click Here. 

Pre-registration for this one service is required. There are limited seats available on campus, per government guidelines — at least six feet separation, health screenings at check-in, facemasks, sanitizing following service, restrooms are closed.

Any children attending must be registered and must stay with their household unit.

*Seating in the Worship Center, due to COVID-19 Distancing Regulations, is limited.*

Please queue up on the Courtyard for screening. Ushers will seat you following your check-in and screening. We will enter the building via the side doors off The Courtyard, and seat the rear of the Worship Center first. Please remain in your seat placement and don't move around to socialize for social distancing purposes and the safety of our volunteer team working throughout the building

At all times and through all phases of the plan, we ask you to stay home and worship online-only for your safety and the safety of others that wish to gather together in worship:

• if you are sick,
• if you have a fever,
• if you have been exposed to COVID-19 in the past 14 days,
• if you are a part of a CDC defined higher-risk group,
• if you would simply prefer to worship from home.

We look forward to begin seeing you in-person again on campus in the weeks and months ahead.
 

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER ONLINE
 

Click Here to Volunteer to Serve at this weekend's service — we need nearly 20 volunteers to make meeting on campus for this service possible.

Next Monday, registration will open for the Sunday, June 28.

Please see the detailed plan on our website with Frequently Asked Questions for further details: CLICK HERE

June 8, 2020

Mount of Olives Members & Friends,

As we enter Phase 2 of our Plan to Gather Again,  there are two opportunities to worship this weekend.

Option 1 - Both the traditional and contemporary praise services will continue to be offered online on Sundays.
Option 2 - We invite you to register online to attend this Saturday's 5:00pm service - Click Here. 

Pre-registration for this one service is required. There are limited seats available on campus, per government guidelines — at least six feet separation, health screenings at check-in, facemasks, sanitizing following service, restrooms are closed.

Any children attending must be registered and must stay with their household unit.

*Seating in the Worship Center, due to COVID-19 Distancing Regulations, is extremely limited.*

Ushers will seat you following your check-in and screening. We will enter the building via the side doors off The Courtyard, and seat the rear of the Worship Center first. Please remain in your seat placement and don't move around to socialize for social distancing purposes and the safety of our volunteer team working throughout the building

At all times and through all phases of the plan, we ask you to stay home and worship online-only for your safety and the safety of others that wish to gather together in worship:

• if you are sick,
• if you have a fever,
• if you have been exposed to COVID-19 in the past 14 days,
• if you are a part of a CDC defined higher-risk group,
• if you would simply prefer to worship from home.

We look forward to begin seeing you in-person again on campus in the weeks and months ahead.
 

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER ONLINE
 

Click Here to Volunteer to Serve at this weekend's service — we need nearly 20 volunteers to make meeting on campus for this service possible.

Next Monday, registration will open for the Saturday, June 20, 5:00pm service.

Please see the detailed plan on our website with Frequently Asked Questions for further details: CLICK HERE

May, 27, 2020

Dear Friends,
Check out the newest message from Pastor John Steward - click the video below.

Or read the transcript of the video below:

We’ve been on a very difficult and challenging journey. And you’ve probably heard the news that Gov. Newsom and the State of California is now allowing churches to open and re-gather again for public worship. This is very exciting news! We’re really encouraged, and we look forward to getting back with you again for worship.
 
And we are developing a plan that we are going to announce on Sunday during our broadcast of our worship service. Because the State of California is mandating certain things - so many people can be in the buildings at a time, social distancing, facemasks, sanitizing the facility between services - there is a great deal that needs to be done; and so a good plan needs to be in place.
 
We thank you for filling out the survey and getting it back to us. Its been a part of our decision-making process. We are building this plan in consultation with our Church Council. 
 
Now we know there are a variety of perspectives and points of view concerning all of this. We appreciate that very much. But please know, we are doing everything we can to do what is right and to fulfill the mission of Christ and His church in the world. So I hope you’ll pray for your church, and I hope you’ll keep us in prayer that God’s will might be done in our midst.
 
So you’re going to receive this plan on Sunday and learn more about it. I hope that you understand that everything we’re doing is with your safety as our highest priority.
 
God bless you and keep you in His grace. I want to close with these words from Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
 
To give you a future with hope - that is God’s plan for us. God bless you and keep you in His grace. Amen. 

Yours because of Him,
Pastor John R. Steward
Senior Pastor
Mount of Olives Church

April 1, 2020

Dear Friends,

In these trying days, our strength comes from our Everlasting God (Isaiah 40:28-31). At this time, the suspension of all our church’s ministry gatherings and events will continue until further notice (see details below in March 18, 2020, update on our website).

We still have much to celebrate. This Sunday is Palm Sunday – we invite you to worship online with us as we remember the celebration upon Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem so many years ago. We will also offer online services for Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, available online at 7:00pm on their respective days (and available online anytime thereafter).

Easter Sunday may look very different this year from year’s past, but we encourage you to worship online with us, celebrate our Risen Savior, and share the Good News with your friends and family however you can. We’ll offer services online Easter Sunday at the same time as every other week during this Stay Home Health Order: Online Traditional Service Sundays 8:30am PDT and Online Praise Service Sundays 9:45am PDT (and available online anytime thereafter). Click here to learn more about Easter online.

We ask that you stay constant in your giving and tithing so that we can continue to do ministry. We ask for your support as we continue to care for our congregation via phone and internet, to make our mortgage payments, pay hardworking staff, support South County Outreach and Southwest Community Center, and support ministry in Namibia. Click Here to give online to Mount of Olives Church. You can also set up giving through your bank’s online bill pay. Contact Robin Horton, Business Administrator, for assistance at  rhorton@moochurch.org.

We continue to strive to fulfill our mission “To Know Christ And Make HIM Known” in our community at this time – even while we’re not gathering together physically.

Yours because of Him,

Pastor John R. Steward

Senior Pastor

Mount of Olives Church

March 18, 2020

Dear Friends,

We continue to closely monitor the outbreak of COVID-19 (coronavirus), and following the Health Office’s Order, we are taking appropriate steps to ensure we keep our Mount of Olives Church community as safe as possible.

• We are suspending all ministry gatherings and events through March 31.
• The church office is closed and staff are working remotely. The best way to reach staff is via email, click here to see the staff page on the website to find contact forms.
• We will continue to worship together via our Online Service. New services will stream live on Sunday mornings and will be available anytime thereafter. Click Here to learn how to live stream and watch online messages.
• We are postponing all Memorial Services scheduled on campus throughout March.
• We encourage you to continue to connect with others in Christian Community Online and via Phone:
• Follow the church’s Facebook page
• Join one of our church’s Facebook Groups
• Connect with your Small Group via Google Hangout, Facetime, Phone conversation, etc.
• Submit Prayer Requests on our website – our Staff and Volunteer Prayer Team will continue to pray for you
• Pastors and the Pastoral Care Team visitations are suspended per the County Health Officer’s order, but we will continue to communicate with you via phone and email. 
• Continue to utilize the Emergency Pastoral Care Phone Number if you have an emergent need. (If you have a health question, contact your doctor. Or if you feel your health situation is life-threatening, call 911). Emergency Pastoral Care Phone: 949-228-7679.
• Our Kid City (children’s ministry) and Rock (student ministry) continue to engage parents and students online via Facebook Groups, posting resources and more – stay connected and share with others.
• Regarding Easter
• We will continue to monitor the situation and update you with plans for Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter services soon
• The Easter Fair is cancelled to not put our teams and community at risk

“But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.” - Isaiah 43:1-3a

Remember God is with us. Let’s care for one another, stay engaged with one another and continue to support those in need.

We continue to strive to fulfill our mission “To Know Christ And Make HIM Known” in our community at this time – even while we’re not gathering together physically.

We ask that you stay constant in your giving and tithing so that we can continue to do ministry. We ask for your support as we continue to care for our congregation via phone and internet, to make our mortgage payments, pay hardworking staff, support South County Outreach and Southwest Community Center, and support ministry in Namibia. Click Here to give online to Mount of Olives Church. You can also set up giving through your bank’s online bill pay. Contact Robin Horton, Business Administrator, for assistance at  rhorton@moochurch.org.

We ask that all follow the government’s directions about social distancing to help slow the spread throughout the rest of March.  Learn more at coronavirus.gov.

Please stay calm, stay in prayer, and remember God is in charge.

Yours because of Him,

Pastor John R. Steward
Senior Pastor
Mount of Olives Church